Comparison of Node-Centered and Cell-Centered Unstructured Finite-Volume Discretizations: Viscous Fluxes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Diskin, Boris; Thomas, James L.; Nielsen, Eric J.; Nishikawa, Hiroaki; White, Jeffery A.

2010-01-01

Discretization of the viscous terms in current finite-volume unstructured-grid schemes are compared using node-centered and cell-centered approaches in two dimensions. Accuracy and complexity are studied for four nominally second-order accurate schemes: a node-centered scheme and three cell-centered schemes - a node-averaging scheme and two schemes with nearest-neighbor and adaptive compact stencils for least-square face gradient reconstruction. The grids considered range from structured (regular) grids to irregular grids composed of arbitrary mixtures of triangles and quadrilaterals, including random perturbations of the grid points to bring out the worst possible behavior of the solution. Two classes of tests are considered. The first class of tests involves smooth manufactured solutions on both isotropic and highly anisotropic grids with discontinuous metrics, typical of those encountered in grid adaptation. The second class concerns solutions and grids varying strongly anisotropically over a curved body, typical of those encountered in high-Reynolds number turbulent flow simulations. Tests from the first class indicate the face least-square methods, the node-averaging method without clipping, and the node-centered method demonstrate second-order convergence of discretization errors with very similar accuracies per degree of freedom. The tests of the second class are more discriminating. The node-centered scheme is always second order with an accuracy and complexity in linearization comparable to the best of the cell-centered schemes. In comparison, the cell-centered node-averaging schemes may degenerate on mixed grids, have a higher complexity in linearization, and can fail to converge to the exact solution when clipping of the node-averaged values is used. The cell-centered schemes using least-square face gradient reconstruction have more compact stencils with a complexity similar to that of the node-centered scheme. For simulations on highly anisotropic curved grids, the least-square methods have to be amended either by introducing a local mapping based on a distance function commonly available in practical schemes or modifying the scheme stencil to reflect the direction of strong coupling. The major conclusion is that accuracies of the node centered and the best cell-centered schemes are comparable at equivalent number of degrees of freedom.

Comparison of Node-Centered and Cell-Centered Unstructured Finite-Volume Discretizations: Inviscid Fluxes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Diskin, Boris; Thomas, James L.

2010-01-01

Cell-centered and node-centered approaches have been compared for unstructured finite-volume discretization of inviscid fluxes. The grids range from regular grids to irregular grids, including mixed-element grids and grids with random perturbations of nodes. Accuracy, complexity, and convergence rates of defect-correction iterations are studied for eight nominally second-order accurate schemes: two node-centered schemes with weighted and unweighted least-squares (LSQ) methods for gradient reconstruction and six cell-centered schemes two node-averaging with and without clipping and four schemes that employ different stencils for LSQ gradient reconstruction. The cell-centered nearest-neighbor (CC-NN) scheme has the lowest complexity; a version of the scheme that involves smart augmentation of the LSQ stencil (CC-SA) has only marginal complexity increase. All other schemes have larger complexity; complexity of node-centered (NC) schemes are somewhat lower than complexity of cell-centered node-averaging (CC-NA) and full-augmentation (CC-FA) schemes. On highly anisotropic grids typical of those encountered in grid adaptation, discretization errors of five of the six cell-centered schemes converge with second order on all tested grids; the CC-NA scheme with clipping degrades solution accuracy to first order. The NC schemes converge with second order on regular and/or triangular grids and with first order on perturbed quadrilaterals and mixed-element grids. All schemes may produce large relative errors in gradient reconstruction on grids with perturbed nodes. Defect-correction iterations for schemes employing weighted least-square gradient reconstruction diverge on perturbed stretched grids. Overall, the CC-NN and CC-SA schemes offer the best options of the lowest complexity and secondorder discretization errors. On anisotropic grids over a curved body typical of turbulent flow simulations, the discretization errors converge with second order and are small for the CC-NN, CC-SA, and CC-FA schemes on all grids and for NC schemes on triangular grids; the discretization errors of the CC-NA scheme without clipping do not converge on irregular grids. Accurate gradient reconstruction can be achieved by introducing a local approximate mapping; without approximate mapping, only the NC scheme with weighted LSQ method provides accurate gradients. Defect correction iterations for the CC-NA scheme without clipping diverge; for the NC scheme with weighted LSQ method, the iterations either diverge or converge very slowly. The best option in curved geometries is the CC-SA scheme that offers low complexity, second-order discretization errors, and fast convergence.

MODFLOW-2000, The U.S. Geological Survey Modular Ground-Water Model -- GMG Linear Equation Solver Package Documentation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wilson, John D.; Naff, Richard L.

2004-01-01

A geometric multigrid solver (GMG), based in the preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm, has been developed for solving systems of equations resulting from applying the cell-centered finite difference algorithm to flow in porous media. This solver has been adapted to the U.S. Geological Survey ground-water flow model MODFLOW-2000. The documentation herein is a description of the solver and the adaptation to MODFLOW-2000.

Assignment of boundary conditions in embedded ground water flow models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Leake, S.A.

1998-01-01

Many small-scale ground water models are too small to incorporate distant aquifer boundaries. If a larger-scale model exists for the area of interest, flow and head values can be specified for boundaries in the smaller-scale model using values from the larger-scale model. Flow components along rows and columns of a large-scale block-centered finite-difference model can be interpolated to compute horizontal flow across any segment of a perimeter of a small-scale model. Head at cell centers of the larger-scale model can be interpolated to compute head at points on a model perimeter. Simple linear interpolation is proposed for horizontal interpolation of horizontal-flow components. Bilinear interpolation is proposed for horizontal interpolation of head values. The methods of interpolation provided satisfactory boundary conditions in tests using models of hypothetical aquifers.Many small-scale ground water models are too small to incorporate distant aquifer boundaries. If a larger-scale model exists for the area of interest, flow and head values can be specified for boundaries in the smaller-scale model using values from the larger-scale model. Flow components along rows and columns of a large-scale block-centered finite-difference model can be interpolated to compute horizontal flow across any segment of a perimeter of a small-scale model. Head at cell centers of the larger.scale model can be interpolated to compute head at points on a model perimeter. Simple linear interpolation is proposed for horizontal interpolation of horizontal-flow components. Bilinear interpolation is proposed for horizontal interpolation of head values. The methods of interpolation provided satisfactory boundary conditions in tests using models of hypothetical aquifers.

Compact cell-centered discretization stencils at fine-coarse block structured grid interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pletzer, Alexander; Jamroz, Ben; Crockett, Robert; Sides, Scott

2014-03-01

Different strategies for coupling fine-coarse grid patches are explored in the context of the adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) method. We show that applying linear interpolation to fill in the fine grid ghost values can produce a finite volume stencil of comparable accuracy to quadratic interpolation provided the cell volumes are adjusted. The volume of fine cells expands whereas the volume of neighboring coarse cells contracts. The amount by which the cells contract/expand depends on whether the interface is a face, an edge, or a corner. It is shown that quadratic or better interpolation is required when the conductivity is spatially varying, anisotropic, the refinement ratio is other than two, or when the fine-coarse interface is concave.

Finite element design for the HPHT synthesis of diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Rui; Ding, Mingming; Shi, Tongfei

2018-06-01

The finite element method is used to simulate the steady-state temperature field in diamond synthesis cell. The 2D and 3D models of the China-type cubic press with large deformation of the synthesis cell was established successfully, which has been verified by situ measurements of synthesis cell. The assembly design, component design and process design for the HPHT synthesis of diamond based on the finite element simulation were presented one by one. The temperature field in a high-pressure synthetic cavity for diamond production is optimized by adjusting the cavity assembly. A series of analysis about the influence of the pressure media parameters on the temperature field are examined through adjusting the model parameters. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of wasteland was studied in detail. It indicates that the wasteland is inevitably exists in the synthesis sample, the distribution of growth region of the diamond with hex-octahedral is move to the center of the synthesis sample from near the heater as the power increasing, and the growth conditions of high quality diamond is locating at the center of the synthesis sample. These works can offer suggestion and advice to the development and optimization of a diamond production process.

Development of computational methods for unsteady aerodynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.; Whitlow, Woodrow, Jr.

1987-01-01

The current scope, recent progress, and plans for research and development of computational methods for unsteady aerodynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center are reviewed. Both integral equations and finite difference methods for inviscid and viscous flows are discussed. Although the great bulk of the effort has focused on finite difference solution of the transonic small perturbation equation, the integral equation program is given primary emphasis here because it is less well known.

Development of computational methods for unsteady aerodynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.; Whitlow, Woodrow, Jr.

1987-01-01

The current scope, recent progress, and plans for research and development of computational methods for unsteady aerodynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center are reviewed. Both integral-equations and finite-difference method for inviscid and viscous flows are discussed. Although the great bulk of the effort has focused on finite-difference solution of the transonic small-perturbation equation, the integral-equation program is given primary emphasis here because it is less well known.

Comparison of cell centered and cell vertex scheme in the calculation of high speed compressible flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, Syazila; Yusoff, Mohd. Zamri; Hasini, Hasril

2012-06-01

This paper describes the comparison between the cell centered scheme and cell vertex scheme in the calculation of high speed compressible flow properties. The calculation is carried out using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) in which the mass, momentum and energy equations are solved simultaneously over the flow domain. The geometry under investigation consists of a Binnie and Green convergent-divergent nozzle and structured mesh scheme is implemented throughout the flow domain. The finite volume CFD solver employs second-order accurate central differencing scheme for spatial discretization. In addition, the second-order accurate cell-vertex finite volume spatial discretization is also introduced in this case for comparison. The multi-stage Runge-Kutta time integration is implemented for solving a set of non-linear governing equations with variables stored at the vertices. Artificial dissipations used second and fourth order terms with pressure switch to detect changes in pressure gradient. This is important to control the solution stability and capture shock discontinuity. The result is compared with experimental measurement and good agreement is obtained for both cases.

Tetrahedral Finite-Volume Solutions to the Navier-Stokes Equations on Complex Configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frink, Neal T.; Pirzadeh, Shahyar Z.

1998-01-01

A review of the algorithmic features and capabilities of the unstructured-grid flow solver USM3Dns is presented. This code, along with the tetrahedral grid generator, VGRIDns, is being extensively used throughout the U.S. for solving the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations on complex aerodynamic problems. Spatial discretization is accomplished by a tetrahedral cell-centered finite-volume formulation using Roe's upwind flux difference splitting. The fluxes are limited by either a Superbee or MinMod limiter. Solution reconstruction within the tetrahedral cells is accomplished with a simple, but novel, multidimensional analytical formula. Time is advanced by an implicit backward-Euler time-stepping scheme. Flow turbulence effects are modeled by the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation model, which is coupled with a wall function to reduce the number of cells in the near-wall region of the boundary layer. The issues of accuracy and robustness of USM3Dns Navier-Stokes capabilities are addressed for a flat-plate boundary layer, and a full F-16 aircraft with external stores at transonic speed.

A second-order cell-centered Lagrangian ADER-MOOD finite volume scheme on multidimensional unstructured meshes for hydrodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boscheri, Walter; Dumbser, Michael; Loubère, Raphaël; Maire, Pierre-Henri

2018-04-01

In this paper we develop a conservative cell-centered Lagrangian finite volume scheme for the solution of the hydrodynamics equations on unstructured multidimensional grids. The method is derived from the Eucclhyd scheme discussed in [47,43,45]. It is second-order accurate in space and is combined with the a posteriori Multidimensional Optimal Order Detection (MOOD) limiting strategy to ensure robustness and stability at shock waves. Second-order of accuracy in time is achieved via the ADER (Arbitrary high order schemes using DERivatives) approach. A large set of numerical test cases is proposed to assess the ability of the method to achieve effective second order of accuracy on smooth flows, maintaining an essentially non-oscillatory behavior on discontinuous profiles, general robustness ensuring physical admissibility of the numerical solution, and precision where appropriate.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schnack, D.D.; Lottati, I.; Mikic, Z.

The authors describe TRIM, a MHD code which uses finite volume discretization of the MHD equations on an unstructured adaptive grid of triangles in the poloidal plane. They apply it to problems related to modeling tokamak toroidal plasmas. The toroidal direction is treated by a pseudospectral method. Care was taken to center variables appropriately on the mesh and to construct a self adjoint diffusion operator for cell centered variables.

Influence of the expansion screw height on the dental effects of the hyrax expander: a study with finite elements.

PubMed

Araugio, Rafael Marques de Sousa; Landre, Jánes; Silva, Diana de Lourdes Almeida; Pacheco, Wellington; Pithon, Matheus Melo; Oliveira, Dauro Douglas

2013-02-01

Our objective was to evaluate the influence of the expansion screw height of a hyrax expander on the degree of dental inclination during rapid maxillary expansion by using the finite element method. The hyrax expander and the maxillary arch were modeled by using Solidworks software (Dassault Systèmes, Paris, France). Three distinct finite element method models were created by simulating different screw heights relative to the plane that intersected the center of resistance of the maxillary first molars. These 3 relative positions were 10 mm below the maxillary first molars' center of resistance, at the same level as the maxillary first molars' center of resistance, and 10 mm above the maxillary first molars' center of resistance. The initial activation of the expanders was simulated, and tooth displacements for each finite element method model were registered in the buccolingual, corono-apical, and mesiodistal directions. The simulations tested showed that the 3 hyrax screw heights had different dental tipping tendencies. When the screw was simulated below the maxillary first molars' center of resistance, buccal tipping of the crowns and lingual tipping of the roots were registered. This tendency decreased when the screw was simulated at the same level as the maxillary first molars' center of resistance. However, when the screw was simulated above the maxillary first molars' center of resistance, the tipping tendency was inverted, with the crowns displaying lingual tipping and the roots displaying buccal tipping. These findings might explain the importance of carefully planning the height of the hyrax expander screw, since, depending on this position, different tooth movements can be achieved. From an orthopedic perspective, the ideal screw position might be slightly above the maxillary first molars' center of resistance; this would generate less dental tipping. Copyright © 2013 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

The MUSIC algorithm for impedance tomography of small inclusions from discrete data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lechleiter, A.

2015-09-01

We consider a point-electrode model for electrical impedance tomography and show that current-to-voltage measurements from finitely many electrodes are sufficient to characterize the positions of a finite number of point-like inclusions. More precisely, we consider an asymptotic expansion with respect to the size of the small inclusions of the relative Neumann-to-Dirichlet operator in the framework of the point electrode model. This operator is naturally finite-dimensional and models difference measurements by finitely many small electrodes of the electric potential with and without the small inclusions. Moreover, its leading-order term explicitly characterizes the centers of the small inclusions if the (finite) number of point electrodes is large enough. This characterization is based on finite-dimensional test vectors and leads naturally to a MUSIC algorithm for imaging the inclusion centers. We show both the feasibility and limitations of this imaging technique via two-dimensional numerical experiments, considering in particular the influence of the number of point electrodes on the algorithm’s images.

Finite difference time domain implementation of surface impedance boundary conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beggs, John H.; Luebbers, Raymond J.; Yee, Kane S.; Kunz, Karl S.

1991-01-01

Surface impedance boundary conditions are employed to reduce the solution volume during the analysis of scattering from lossy dielectric objects. In the finite difference solution, they also can be utilized to avoid using small cells, made necessary by shorter wavelengths in conducting media throughout the solution volume. The standard approach is to approximate the surface impedance over a very small bandwidth by its value at the center frequency, and then use that result in the boundary condition. Here, two implementations of the surface impedance boundary condition are presented. One implementation is a constant surface impedance boundary condition and the other is a dispersive surface impedance boundary condition that is applicable over a very large frequency bandwidth and over a large range of conductivities. Frequency domain results are presented in one dimension for two conductivity values and are compared with exact results. Scattering width results from an infinite square cylinder are presented as a two dimensional demonstration. Extensions to three dimensions should be straightforward.

Finite difference time domain implementation of surface impedance boundary conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beggs, John H.; Luebbers, Raymond J.; Yee, Kane S.; Kunz, Karl S.

1991-01-01

Surface impedance boundary conditions are employed to reduce the solution volume during the analysis of scattering from lossy dielectric objects. In a finite difference solution, they also can be utilized to avoid using small cells, made necessary by shorter wavelengths in conducting media throughout the solution volume. The standard approach is to approximate the surface impedance over a very small bandwidth by its value at the center frequency, and then use that result in the boundary condition. Two implementations of the surface impedance boundary condition are presented. One implementation is a constant surface impedance boundary condition and the other is a dispersive surface impedance boundary condition that is applicable over a very large frequency bandwidth and over a large range of conductivities. Frequency domain results are presented in one dimension for two conductivity values and are compared with exact results. Scattering width results from an infinite square cylinder are presented as a 2-D demonstration. Extensions to 3-D should be straightforward.

New way for determining electron energy levels in quantum dots arrays using finite difference method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dujardin, F.; Assaid, E.; Feddi, E.

2018-06-01

Electronic states are investigated in quantum dots arrays, depending on the type of cubic Bravais lattice (primitive, body centered or face centered) according to which the dots are arranged, the size of the dots and the interdot distance. It is shown that the ground state energy level can undergo significant variations when these parameters are modified. The results were obtained by means of finite difference method which has proved to be easily adaptable, efficient and precise. The symmetry properties of the lattice have been used to reduce the size of the Hamiltonian matrix.

A pyramid scheme for three-dimensional diffusion equations on polyhedral meshes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shuai; Hang, Xudeng; Yuan, Guangwei

2017-12-01

In this paper, a new cell-centered finite volume scheme is proposed for three-dimensional diffusion equations on polyhedral meshes, which is called as pyramid scheme (P-scheme). The scheme is designed for polyhedral cells with nonplanar cell-faces. The normal flux on a nonplanar cell-face is discretized on a planar face, which is determined by a simple optimization procedure. The resulted discrete form of the normal flux involves only cell-centered and cell-vertex unknowns, and is free from face-centered unknowns. In the case of hexahedral meshes with skewed nonplanar cell-faces, a quite simple expression is obtained for the discrete normal flux. Compared with the second order accurate O-scheme [31], the P-scheme is more robust and the discretization cost is reduced remarkably. Numerical results are presented to show the performance of the P-scheme on various kinds of distorted meshes. In particular, the P-scheme is shown to be second order accurate.

Implementing a Matrix-free Analytical Jacobian to Handle Nonlinearities in Models of 3D Lithospheric Deformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaus, B.; Popov, A.

2015-12-01

The analytical expression for the Jacobian is a key component to achieve fast and robust convergence of the nonlinear Newton-Raphson iterative solver. Accomplishing this task in practice often requires a significant algebraic effort. Therefore it is quite common to use a cheap alternative instead, for example by approximating the Jacobian with a finite difference estimation. Despite its simplicity it is a relatively fragile and unreliable technique that is sensitive to the scaling of the residual and unknowns, as well as to the perturbation parameter selection. Unfortunately no universal rule can be applied to provide both a robust scaling and a perturbation. The approach we use here is to derive the analytical Jacobian for the coupled set of momentum, mass, and energy conservation equations together with the elasto-visco-plastic rheology and a marker in cell/staggered finite difference method. The software project LaMEM (Lithosphere and Mantle Evolution Model) is primarily developed for the thermo-mechanically coupled modeling of the 3D lithospheric deformation. The code is based on a staggered grid finite difference discretization in space, and uses customized scalable solvers form PETSc library to efficiently run on the massively parallel machines (such as IBM Blue Gene/Q). Currently LaMEM relies on the Jacobian-Free Newton-Krylov (JFNK) nonlinear solver, which approximates the Jacobian-vector product using a simple finite difference formula. This approach never requires an assembled Jacobian matrix and uses only the residual computation routine. We use an approximate Jacobian (Picard) matrix to precondition the Krylov solver with the Galerkin geometric multigrid. Because of the inherent problems of the finite difference Jacobian estimation, this approach doesn't always result in stable convergence. In this work we present and discuss a matrix-free technique in which the Jacobian-vector product is replaced by analytically-derived expressions and compare results with those obtained with a finite difference approximation of the Jacobian. This project is funded by ERC Starting Grant 258830 and computer facilities were provided by Jülich supercomputer center (Germany).

Impact Test and Simulation of Energy Absorbing Concepts for Earth Entry Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Billings, Marcus D.; Fasanella, Edwin L.; Kellas, Sotiris

2001-01-01

Nonlinear dynamic finite element simulations have been performed to aid in the design of an energy absorbing concept for a highly reliable passive Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) that will directly impact the Earth without a parachute. EEV's are designed to return materials from asteroids, comets, or planets for laboratory analysis on Earth. The EEV concept uses an energy absorbing cellular structure designed to contain and limit the acceleration of space exploration samples during Earth impact. The spherical shaped cellular structure is composed of solid hexagonal and pentagonal foam-filled cells with hybrid graphite- epoxy/Kevlar cell walls. Space samples fit inside a smaller sphere at the center of the EEV's cellular structure. Comparisons of analytical predictions using MSC,Dytran with test results obtained from impact tests performed at NASA Langley Research Center were made for three impact velocities ranging from 32 to 40 m/s. Acceleration and deformation results compared well with the test results. These finite element models will be useful for parametric studies of off-nominal impact conditions.

Photonic band gap structure simulator

DOEpatents

Chen, Chiping; Shapiro, Michael A.; Smirnova, Evgenya I.; Temkin, Richard J.; Sirigiri, Jagadishwar R.

2006-10-03

A system and method for designing photonic band gap structures. The system and method provide a user with the capability to produce a model of a two-dimensional array of conductors corresponding to a unit cell. The model involves a linear equation. Boundary conditions representative of conditions at the boundary of the unit cell are applied to a solution of the Helmholtz equation defined for the unit cell. The linear equation can be approximated by a Hermitian matrix. An eigenvalue of the Helmholtz equation is calculated. One computation approach involves calculating finite differences. The model can include a symmetry element, such as a center of inversion, a rotation axis, and a mirror plane. A graphical user interface is provided for the user's convenience. A display is provided to display to a user the calculated eigenvalue, corresponding to a photonic energy level in the Brilloin zone of the unit cell.

Predictive Flow Control to Minimize Convective Time Delays

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-19

simulation. The CFO solver used is Cobalt, an unstructured finite-volume code developed for the solution of the compress- ible Navier-Stokes...cell-centered fin ite volume approach applicable to arbitrary cell topologies (e.g, hexahedra, prisms, tetrahedra). The spatial operator uses a Riemann ... solver , least squares gradient calculations using QR factorizati on to provide second order accuracy in space. A point implicit method using

Numerical solution of the Saint-Venant equations by an efficient hybrid finite-volume/finite-difference method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Wencong; Khan, Abdul A.

2018-04-01

A computationally efficient hybrid finite-volume/finite-difference method is proposed for the numerical solution of Saint-Venant equations in one-dimensional open channel flows. The method adopts a mass-conservative finite volume discretization for the continuity equation and a semi-implicit finite difference discretization for the dynamic-wave momentum equation. The spatial discretization of the convective flux term in the momentum equation employs an upwind scheme and the water-surface gradient term is discretized using three different schemes. The performance of the numerical method is investigated in terms of efficiency and accuracy using various examples, including steady flow over a bump, dam-break flow over wet and dry downstream channels, wetting and drying in a parabolic bowl, and dam-break floods in laboratory physical models. Numerical solutions from the hybrid method are compared with solutions from a finite volume method along with analytic solutions or experimental measurements. Comparisons demonstrates that the hybrid method is efficient, accurate, and robust in modeling various flow scenarios, including subcritical, supercritical, and transcritical flows. In this method, the QUICK scheme for the surface slope discretization is more accurate and less diffusive than the center difference and the weighted average schemes.

Effect of Finite Particle Size on Convergence of Point Particle Models in Euler-Lagrange Multiphase Dispersed Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nili, Samaun; Park, Chanyoung; Haftka, Raphael T.; Kim, Nam H.; Balachandar, S.

2017-11-01

Point particle methods are extensively used in simulating Euler-Lagrange multiphase dispersed flow. When particles are much smaller than the Eulerian grid the point particle model is on firm theoretical ground. However, this standard approach of evaluating the gas-particle coupling at the particle center fails to converge as the Eulerian grid is reduced below particle size. We present an approach to model the interaction between particles and fluid for finite size particles that permits convergence. We use the generalized Faxen form to compute the force on a particle and compare the results against traditional point particle method. We apportion the different force components on the particle to fluid cells based on the fraction of particle volume or surface in the cell. The application is to a one-dimensional model of shock propagation through a particle-laden field at moderate volume fraction, where the convergence is achieved for a well-formulated force model and back coupling for finite size particles. Comparison with 3D direct fully resolved numerical simulations will be used to check if the approach also improves accuracy compared to the point particle model. Work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Advanced Simulation and Computing Program, as a Cooperative Agreement under the Predictive Science Academic Alliance Program, under Contract No. DE-NA0002378.

Divergence-free MHD on unstructured meshes using high order finite volume schemes based on multidimensional Riemann solvers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balsara, Dinshaw S.; Dumbser, Michael

2015-10-01

Several advances have been reported in the recent literature on divergence-free finite volume schemes for Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Almost all of these advances are restricted to structured meshes. To retain full geometric versatility, however, it is also very important to make analogous advances in divergence-free schemes for MHD on unstructured meshes. Such schemes utilize a staggered Yee-type mesh, where all hydrodynamic quantities (mass, momentum and energy density) are cell-centered, while the magnetic fields are face-centered and the electric fields, which are so useful for the time update of the magnetic field, are centered at the edges. Three important advances are brought together in this paper in order to make it possible to have high order accurate finite volume schemes for the MHD equations on unstructured meshes. First, it is shown that a divergence-free WENO reconstruction of the magnetic field can be developed for unstructured meshes in two and three space dimensions using a classical cell-centered WENO algorithm, without the need to do a WENO reconstruction for the magnetic field on the faces. This is achieved via a novel constrained L2-projection operator that is used in each time step as a postprocessor of the cell-centered WENO reconstruction so that the magnetic field becomes locally and globally divergence free. Second, it is shown that recently-developed genuinely multidimensional Riemann solvers (called MuSIC Riemann solvers) can be used on unstructured meshes to obtain a multidimensionally upwinded representation of the electric field at each edge. Third, the above two innovations work well together with a high order accurate one-step ADER time stepping strategy, which requires the divergence-free nonlinear WENO reconstruction procedure to be carried out only once per time step. The resulting divergence-free ADER-WENO schemes with MuSIC Riemann solvers give us an efficient and easily-implemented strategy for divergence-free MHD on unstructured meshes. Several stringent two- and three-dimensional problems are shown to work well with the methods presented here.

Influence of container shape on scaling of turbulent fluctuations in convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foroozani, N.; Niemela, J. J.; Armenio, V.; Sreenivasan, K. R.

2014-12-01

We perform large-eddy simulations of turbulent convection in a cubic cell for Rayleigh numbers, Ra, between 106 and 1010 and the molecular Prandtl number, Pr=0.7 . The simulations were carried out using a second-order-accurate finite-difference method in which subgrid-scale fluxes of momentum and heat were both parametrized using a Lagrangian and dynamic Smagorinsky model. The scaling of the root-mean-square fluctuations of density (temperature) and velocity measured in the cell center are in excellent agreement with the scaling measured in the laboratory experiments of Daya and Ecke [Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 184501 (2001), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.184501] and differ substantially from that observed in cylindrical cells. We also observe the time-averaged spatial distributions of the local heat flux and density fluctuations, and find that they are strongly inhomogeneous in the horizontal midplane, with the largest density gradients occurring at the corners at the midheight, where hot and cold plumes mix in the form of strong counter-rotating eddies.

Influence of container shape on scaling of turbulent fluctuations in convection.

PubMed

Foroozani, N; Niemela, J J; Armenio, V; Sreenivasan, K R

2014-12-01

We perform large-eddy simulations of turbulent convection in a cubic cell for Rayleigh numbers, Ra, between 10(6) and 10(10) and the molecular Prandtl number, Pr=0.7. The simulations were carried out using a second-order-accurate finite-difference method in which subgrid-scale fluxes of momentum and heat were both parametrized using a Lagrangian and dynamic Smagorinsky model. The scaling of the root-mean-square fluctuations of density (temperature) and velocity measured in the cell center are in excellent agreement with the scaling measured in the laboratory experiments of Daya and Ecke [Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 184501 (2001)] and differ substantially from that observed in cylindrical cells. We also observe the time-averaged spatial distributions of the local heat flux and density fluctuations, and find that they are strongly inhomogeneous in the horizontal midplane, with the largest density gradients occurring at the corners at the midheight, where hot and cold plumes mix in the form of strong counter-rotating eddies.

THE PSTD ALGORITHM: A TIME-DOMAIN METHOD REQUIRING ONLY TWO CELLS PER WAVELENGTH. (R825225)

EPA Science Inventory

A pseudospectral time-domain (PSTD) method is developed for solutions of Maxwell's equations. It uses the fast Fourier transform (FFT), instead of finite differences on conventional finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) methods, to represent spatial derivatives. Because the Fourie...

Design of the sample cell in near-field surface-enhanced Raman scattering by finite difference time domain method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yaqin; Jian, Guoshu; Wu, Shifa

2006-11-01

The rational design of the sample cell may improve the sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection in a high degree. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations of the configuration of Ag film-Ag particles illuminated by plane wave and evanescent wave are performed to provide physical insight for design of the sample cell. Numerical solutions indicate that the sample cell can provide more "hot spots' and the massive field intensity enhancement occurs in these "hot spots'. More information on the nanometer character of the sample can be got because of gradient-field Raman (GFR) of evanescent wave.

Reduction of the discretization stencil of direct forcing immersed boundary methods on rectangular cells: The ghost node shifting method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Picot, Joris; Glockner, Stéphane

2018-07-01

We present an analytical study of discretization stencils for the Poisson problem and the incompressible Navier-Stokes problem when used with some direct forcing immersed boundary methods. This study uses, but is not limited to, second-order discretization and Ghost-Cell Finite-Difference methods. We show that the stencil size increases with the aspect ratio of rectangular cells, which is undesirable as it breaks assumptions of some linear system solvers. To circumvent this drawback, a modification of the Ghost-Cell Finite-Difference methods is proposed to reduce the size of the discretization stencil to the one observed for square cells, i.e. with an aspect ratio equal to one. Numerical results validate this proposed method in terms of accuracy and convergence, for the Poisson problem and both Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. An improvement on error levels is also observed. In addition, we show that the application of the chosen Ghost-Cell Finite-Difference methods to the Navier-Stokes problem, discretized by a pressure-correction method, requires an additional interpolation step. This extra step is implemented and validated through well known test cases of the Navier-Stokes equations.

Theory of compact nonporous windscreens for infrasonic measurements.

PubMed

Zuckerwar, Allan J

2010-06-01

The principle of the compact nonporous windscreen is based on the great penetrability of infrasound through matter. The windscreen performance is characterized by the ratio of the sound pressure at an interior microphone, located in the center of a windscreen, to the incident sound pressure in the free field. The frequency dependence of this pressure ratio is derived as a function of the windscreen material and geometric properties. Four different windscreen geometries are considered: a subsurface, box-shaped windscreen, a cylindrical windscreen of infinite length, a cylindrical windscreen of finite length, and a spherical windscreen. Results are presented for windscreens made of closed-cell polyurethane foam and for typical dimensions of each of the above geometries. The cylindrical windscreen of finite length, featuring evanescent radial modes, behaves as a unity-gain, low-pass filter, cutting off sharply at the end of the infrasonic range. The remaining geometries reveal a pass band that extends well into the audio range, terminated by a pronounced peak beyond which the response plummets rapidly.

Order of accuracy of QUICK and related convection-diffusion schemes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leonard, B. P.

1993-01-01

This report attempts to correct some misunderstandings that have appeared in the literature concerning the order of accuracy of the QUICK scheme for steady-state convective modeling. Other related convection-diffusion schemes are also considered. The original one-dimensional QUICK scheme written in terms of nodal-point values of the convected variable (with a 1/8-factor multiplying the 'curvature' term) is indeed a third-order representation of the finite volume formulation of the convection operator average across the control volume, written naturally in flux-difference form. An alternative single-point upwind difference scheme (SPUDS) using node values (with a 1/6-factor) is a third-order representation of the finite difference single-point formulation; this can be written in a pseudo-flux difference form. These are both third-order convection schemes; however, the QUICK finite volume convection operator is 33 percent more accurate than the single-point implementation of SPUDS. Another finite volume scheme, writing convective fluxes in terms of cell-average values, requires a 1/6-factor for third-order accuracy. For completeness, one can also write a single-point formulation of the convective derivative in terms of cell averages, and then express this in pseudo-flux difference form; for third-order accuracy, this requires a curvature factor of 5/24. Diffusion operators are also considered in both single-point and finite volume formulations. Finite volume formulations are found to be significantly more accurate. For example, classical second-order central differencing for the second derivative is exactly twice as accurate in a finite volume formulation as it is in single-point.

Efficient conservative ADER schemes based on WENO reconstruction and space-time predictor in primitive variables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zanotti, Olindo; Dumbser, Michael

2016-01-01

We present a new version of conservative ADER-WENO finite volume schemes, in which both the high order spatial reconstruction as well as the time evolution of the reconstruction polynomials in the local space-time predictor stage are performed in primitive variables, rather than in conserved ones. To obtain a conservative method, the underlying finite volume scheme is still written in terms of the cell averages of the conserved quantities. Therefore, our new approach performs the spatial WENO reconstruction twice: the first WENO reconstruction is carried out on the known cell averages of the conservative variables. The WENO polynomials are then used at the cell centers to compute point values of the conserved variables, which are subsequently converted into point values of the primitive variables. This is the only place where the conversion from conservative to primitive variables is needed in the new scheme. Then, a second WENO reconstruction is performed on the point values of the primitive variables to obtain piecewise high order reconstruction polynomials of the primitive variables. The reconstruction polynomials are subsequently evolved in time with a novel space-time finite element predictor that is directly applied to the governing PDE written in primitive form. The resulting space-time polynomials of the primitive variables can then be directly used as input for the numerical fluxes at the cell boundaries in the underlying conservative finite volume scheme. Hence, the number of necessary conversions from the conserved to the primitive variables is reduced to just one single conversion at each cell center. We have verified the validity of the new approach over a wide range of hyperbolic systems, including the classical Euler equations of gas dynamics, the special relativistic hydrodynamics (RHD) and ideal magnetohydrodynamics (RMHD) equations, as well as the Baer-Nunziato model for compressible two-phase flows. In all cases we have noticed that the new ADER schemes provide less oscillatory solutions when compared to ADER finite volume schemes based on the reconstruction in conserved variables, especially for the RMHD and the Baer-Nunziato equations. For the RHD and RMHD equations, the overall accuracy is improved and the CPU time is reduced by about 25 %. Because of its increased accuracy and due to the reduced computational cost, we recommend to use this version of ADER as the standard one in the relativistic framework. At the end of the paper, the new approach has also been extended to ADER-DG schemes on space-time adaptive grids (AMR).

A new ghost-node method for linking different models and initial investigations of heterogeneity and nonmatching grids

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dickinson, J.E.; James, S.C.; Mehl, S.; Hill, M.C.; Leake, S.A.; Zyvoloski, G.A.; Faunt, C.C.; Eddebbarh, A.-A.

2007-01-01

A flexible, robust method for linking parent (regional-scale) and child (local-scale) grids of locally refined models that use different numerical methods is developed based on a new, iterative ghost-node method. Tests are presented for two-dimensional and three-dimensional pumped systems that are homogeneous or that have simple heterogeneity. The parent and child grids are simulated using the block-centered finite-difference MODFLOW and control-volume finite-element FEHM models, respectively. The models are solved iteratively through head-dependent (child model) and specified-flow (parent model) boundary conditions. Boundary conditions for models with nonmatching grids or zones of different hydraulic conductivity are derived and tested against heads and flows from analytical or globally-refined models. Results indicate that for homogeneous two- and three-dimensional models with matched grids (integer number of child cells per parent cell), the new method is nearly as accurate as the coupling of two MODFLOW models using the shared-node method and, surprisingly, errors are slightly lower for nonmatching grids (noninteger number of child cells per parent cell). For heterogeneous three-dimensional systems, this paper compares two methods for each of the two sets of boundary conditions: external heads at head-dependent boundary conditions for the child model are calculated using bilinear interpolation or a Darcy-weighted interpolation; specified-flow boundary conditions for the parent model are calculated using model-grid or hydrogeologic-unit hydraulic conductivities. Results suggest that significantly more accurate heads and flows are produced when both Darcy-weighted interpolation and hydrogeologic-unit hydraulic conductivities are used, while the other methods produce larger errors at the boundary between the regional and local models. The tests suggest that, if posed correctly, the ghost-node method performs well. Additional testing is needed for highly heterogeneous systems. ?? 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The aggregated unfitted finite element method for elliptic problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badia, Santiago; Verdugo, Francesc; Martín, Alberto F.

2018-07-01

Unfitted finite element techniques are valuable tools in different applications where the generation of body-fitted meshes is difficult. However, these techniques are prone to severe ill conditioning problems that obstruct the efficient use of iterative Krylov methods and, in consequence, hinders the practical usage of unfitted methods for realistic large scale applications. In this work, we present a technique that addresses such conditioning problems by constructing enhanced finite element spaces based on a cell aggregation technique. The presented method, called aggregated unfitted finite element method, is easy to implement, and can be used, in contrast to previous works, in Galerkin approximations of coercive problems with conforming Lagrangian finite element spaces. The mathematical analysis of the new method states that the condition number of the resulting linear system matrix scales as in standard finite elements for body-fitted meshes, without being affected by small cut cells, and that the method leads to the optimal finite element convergence order. These theoretical results are confirmed with 2D and 3D numerical experiments.

Discontinuous Spectral Difference Method for Conservation Laws on Unstructured Grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Yen; Vinokur, Marcel

2004-01-01

A new, high-order, conservative, and efficient discontinuous spectral finite difference (SD) method for conservation laws on unstructured grids is developed. The concept of discontinuous and high-order local representations to achieve conservation and high accuracy is utilized in a manner similar to the Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) and the Spectral Volume (SV) methods, but while these methods are based on the integrated forms of the equations, the new method is based on the differential form to attain a simpler formulation and higher efficiency. Conventional unstructured finite-difference and finite-volume methods require data reconstruction based on the least-squares formulation using neighboring point or cell data. Since each unknown employs a different stencil, one must repeat the least-squares inversion for every point or cell at each time step, or to store the inversion coefficients. In a high-order, three-dimensional computation, the former would involve impractically large CPU time, while for the latter the memory requirement becomes prohibitive. In addition, the finite-difference method does not satisfy the integral conservation in general. By contrast, the DG and SV methods employ a local, universal reconstruction of a given order of accuracy in each cell in terms of internally defined conservative unknowns. Since the solution is discontinuous across cell boundaries, a Riemann solver is necessary to evaluate boundary flux terms and maintain conservation. In the DG method, a Galerkin finite-element method is employed to update the nodal unknowns within each cell. This requires the inversion of a mass matrix, and the use of quadratures of twice the order of accuracy of the reconstruction to evaluate the surface integrals and additional volume integrals for nonlinear flux functions. In the SV method, the integral conservation law is used to update volume averages over subcells defined by a geometrically similar partition of each grid cell. As the order of accuracy increases, the partitioning for 3D requires the introduction of a large number of parameters, whose optimization to achieve convergence becomes increasingly more difficult. Also, the number of interior facets required to subdivide non-planar faces, and the additional increase in the number of quadrature points for each facet, increases the computational cost greatly.

Three-dimensional local grid refinement for block-centered finite-difference groundwater models using iteratively coupled shared nodes: A new method of interpolation and analysis of errors

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mehl, S.; Hill, M.C.

2004-01-01

This paper describes work that extends to three dimensions the two-dimensional local-grid refinement method for block-centered finite-difference groundwater models of Mehl and Hill [Development and evaluation of a local grid refinement method for block-centered finite-difference groundwater models using shared nodes. Adv Water Resour 2002;25(5):497-511]. In this approach, the (parent) finite-difference grid is discretized more finely within a (child) sub-region. The grid refinement method sequentially solves each grid and uses specified flux (parent) and specified head (child) boundary conditions to couple the grids. Iteration achieves convergence between heads and fluxes of both grids. Of most concern is how to interpolate heads onto the boundary of the child grid such that the physics of the parent-grid flow is retained in three dimensions. We develop a new two-step, "cage-shell" interpolation method based on the solution of the flow equation on the boundary of the child between nodes shared with the parent grid. Error analysis using a test case indicates that the shared-node local grid refinement method with cage-shell boundary head interpolation is accurate and robust, and the resulting code is used to investigate three-dimensional local grid refinement of stream-aquifer interactions. Results reveal that (1) the parent and child grids interact to shift the true head and flux solution to a different solution where the heads and fluxes of both grids are in equilibrium, (2) the locally refined model provided a solution for both heads and fluxes in the region of the refinement that was more accurate than a model without refinement only if iterations are performed so that both heads and fluxes are in equilibrium, and (3) the accuracy of the coupling is limited by the parent-grid size - A coarse parent grid limits correct representation of the hydraulics in the feedback from the child grid.

Impact of carotid stent cell design on vessel scaffolding: a case study comparing experimental investigation and numerical simulations.

PubMed

Conti, Michele; Van Loo, Denis; Auricchio, Ferdinando; De Beule, Matthieu; De Santis, Gianluca; Verhegghe, Benedict; Pirrelli, Stefano; Odero, Attilio

2011-06-01

To quantitatively evaluate the impact of carotid stent cell design on vessel scaffolding by using patient-specific finite element analysis of carotid artery stenting (CAS). The study was organized in 2 parts: (1) validation of a patient-specific finite element analysis of CAS and (2) evaluation of vessel scaffolding. Micro-computed tomography (CT) images of an open-cell stent deployed in a patient-specific silicone mock artery were compared with the corresponding finite element analysis results. This simulation was repeated for the closed-cell counterpart. In the second part, the stent strut distribution, as reflected by the inter-strut angles, was evaluated for both cell types in different vessel cross sections as a measure of scaffolding. The results of the patient-specific finite element analysis of CAS matched well with experimental stent deployment both qualitatively and quantitatively, demonstrating the reliability of the numerical approach. The measured inter-strut angles suggested that the closed-cell design provided superior vessel scaffolding compared to the open-cell counterpart. However, the full strut interconnection of the closed-cell design reduced the stent's ability to accommodate to the irregular eccentric profile of the vessel cross section, leading to a gap between the stent surface and the vessel wall. Even though this study was limited to a single stent design and one vascular anatomy, the study confirmed the capability of dedicated computer simulations to predict differences in scaffolding by open- and closed-cell carotid artery stents. These simulations have the potential to be used in the design of novel carotid stents or for procedure planning.

Toward Verification of USM3D Extensions for Mixed Element Grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pandya, Mohagna J.; Frink, Neal T.; Ding, Ejiang; Parlette, Edward B.

2013-01-01

The unstructured tetrahedral grid cell-centered finite volume flow solver USM3D has been recently extended to handle mixed element grids composed of hexahedral, prismatic, pyramidal, and tetrahedral cells. Presently, two turbulence models, namely, baseline Spalart-Allmaras (SA) and Menter Shear Stress Transport (SST), support mixed element grids. This paper provides an overview of the various numerical discretization options available in the newly enhanced USM3D. Using the SA model, the flow solver extensions are verified on three two-dimensional test cases available on the Turbulence Modeling Resource website at the NASA Langley Research Center. The test cases are zero pressure gradient flat plate, planar shear, and bump-inchannel. The effect of cell topologies on the flow solution is also investigated using the planar shear case. Finally, the assessment of various cell and face gradient options is performed on the zero pressure gradient flat plate case.

Influence of container shape on scaling of turbulent fluctuations in convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foroozani, Najmeh; Niemela, Joseph J.; Armenio, Vincenzo; Sreenivasan, Katepalli R.

2014-11-01

We perform large-eddy simulations of turbulent convection in a cubic enclosure for Rayleigh numbers 1 ×106 <= Ra <= 1 ×1010 and molecular Prandtl number, Pr = 0 . 7 . The simulations were carried out using a second-order-accurate finite-difference method in which subgrid-scale fluxes of momentum and heat were parametrized using a Lagrangian dynamic Smagorinsky model. The scalings of root-mean-square fluctuations of density and velocity in the cell center with Ra differ significantly from those in cylindrical containers, and are in agreement with laboratory observations by, also using a cell with square cross-section. We find that the time-averaged spatial distributions of the local heat flux and temperature fluctuations are inhomogeneous in the horizontal plane, associated with the forced orientation of the mean wind along either one or the other diagonal. Larger values of the steady-state density (temperature) gradients occur at the mid-plane corners of the diagonal opposite to that of the mean wind, due to the presence of strong counter-rotating circulations.

A New Cell-Centered Implicit Numerical Scheme for Ions in the 2-D Axisymmetric Code Hall2de

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lopez Ortega, Alejandro; Mikellides, Ioannis G.

2014-01-01

We present a new algorithm in the Hall2De code to simulate the ion hydrodynamics in the acceleration channel and near plume regions of Hall-effect thrusters. This implementation constitutes an upgrade of the capabilities built in the Hall2De code. The equations of mass conservation and momentum for unmagnetized ions are solved using a conservative, finite-volume, cell-centered scheme on a magnetic-field-aligned grid. Major computational savings are achieved by making use of an implicit predictor/multi-corrector algorithm for time evolution. Inaccuracies in the prediction of the motion of low-energy ions in the near plume in hydrodynamics approaches are addressed by implementing a multi-fluid algorithm that tracks ions of different energies separately. A wide range of comparisons with measurements are performed to validate the new ion algorithms. Several numerical experiments with the location and value of the anomalous collision frequency are also presented. Differences in the plasma properties in the near-plume between the single fluid and multi-fluid approaches are discussed. We complete our validation by comparing predicted erosion rates at the channel walls of the thruster with measurements. Erosion rates predicted by the plasma properties obtained from simulations replicate accurately measured rates of erosion within the uncertainty range of the sputtering models employed.

A method for modeling finite-core vortices in wake-flow calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stremel, P. M.

1984-01-01

A numerical method for computing nonplanar vortex wakes represented by finite-core vortices is presented. The approach solves for the velocity on an Eulerian grid, using standard finite-difference techniques; the vortex wake is tracked by Lagrangian methods. In this method, the distribution of continuous vorticity in the wake is replaced by a group of discrete vortices. An axially symmetric distribution of vorticity about the center of each discrete vortex is used to represent the finite-core model. Two distributions of vorticity, or core models, are investigated: a finite distribution of vorticity represented by a third-order polynomial, and a continuous distribution of vorticity throughout the wake. The method provides for a vortex-core model that is insensitive to the mesh spacing. Results for a simplified case are presented. Computed results for the roll-up of a vortex wake generated by wings with different spanwise load distributions are presented; contour plots of the flow-field velocities are included; and comparisons are made of the computed flow-field velocities with experimentally measured velocities.

The effect of a finite focal spot size on location dependent detectability in a fan beam CT system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Byeongjoon; Baek, Jongduk

2017-03-01

A finite focal spot size is one of the sources to degrade the resolution performance in a fan beam CT system. In this work, we investigated the effect of the finite focal spot size on signal detectability. For the evaluation, five spherical objects with diameters of 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm were used. The optical focal spot size viewed at the iso-center was a 1 mm (height) × 1 mm (width) with a target angle of 7 degrees, corresponding to an 8.21 mm (i.e., 1 mm / sin (7°)) focal spot length. Simulated projection data were acquired using 8 × 8 source lets, and reconstructed by Hanning weighted filtered backprojection. For each spherical object, the detectability was calculated at (0 mm, 0 mm) and (0 mm, 200 mm) using two image quality metrics: pixel signal to noise ratio (SNR) and detection SNR. For all signal sizes, the pixel SNR is higher at the iso-center since the noise variance at the off-center is much higher than that at the iso-center due to the backprojection weightings used in direct fan beam reconstruction. In contrast, detection SNR shows similar values for different spherical objects except 1 mm and 2 mm diameter spherical objects. Overall, the results indicate the resolution loss caused by the finite focal spot size degrades the detection performance, especially for small objects with less than 2 mm diameter.

Deformation of two-phase aggregates using standard numerical methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duretz, Thibault; Yamato, Philippe; Schmalholz, Stefan M.

2013-04-01

Geodynamic problems often involve the large deformation of material encompassing material boundaries. In geophysical fluids, such boundaries often coincide with a discontinuity in the viscosity (or effective viscosity) field and subsequently in the pressure field. Here, we employ popular implementations of the finite difference and finite element methods for solving viscous flow problems. On one hand, we implemented finite difference method coupled with a Lagrangian marker-in-cell technique to represent the deforming fluid. Thanks to it Eulerian nature, this method has a limited geometric flexibility but is characterized by a light and stable discretization. On the other hand, we employ the Lagrangian finite element method which offers full geometric flexibility at the cost of relatively heavier discretization. In order to test the accuracy of the finite difference scheme, we ran large strain simple shear deformation of aggregates containing either weak of strong circular inclusion (1e6 viscosity ratio). The results, obtained for different grid resolutions, are compared to Lagrangian finite element results which are considered as reference solution. The comparison is then used to establish up to which strain can finite difference simulations be run given the nature of the inclusions (dimensions, viscosity) and the resolution of the Eulerian mesh.

High-Order Entropy Stable Formulations for Computational Fluid Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, Mark H.; Fisher, Travis C.

2013-01-01

A systematic approach is presented for developing entropy stable (SS) formulations of any order for the Navier-Stokes equations. These SS formulations discretely conserve mass, momentum, energy and satisfy a mathematical entropy inequality. They are valid for smooth as well as discontinuous flows provided sufficient dissipation is added at shocks and discontinuities. Entropy stable formulations exist for all diagonal norm, summation-by-parts (SBP) operators, including all centered finite-difference operators, Legendre collocation finite-element operators, and certain finite-volume operators. Examples are presented using various entropy stable formulations that demonstrate the current state-of-the-art of these schemes.

Cellular interface morphologies in directional solidification. III - The effects of heat transfer and solid diffusivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ungar, Lyle H.; Bennett, Mark J.; Brown, Robert A.

1985-01-01

The shape and stability of two-dimensional finite-amplitude cellular interfaces arising during directional solidification are compared for several solidification models that account differently for latent heat released at the interface, unequal thermal conductivities of melt and solid, and solute diffusivity in the solid. Finite-element analysis and computer-implemented perturbation methods are used to analyze the families of steadily growing cellular forms that evolve from the planar state. In all models a secondary bifurcation between different families of finite-amplitude cells exists that halves the spatial wavelength of the stable interface. The quantitative location of this transition is very dependent on the details of the model. Large amounts of solute diffusion in the solid retard the growth of large-amplitude cells.

High-order centered difference methods with sharp shock resolution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gustafsson, Bertil; Olsson, Pelle

1994-01-01

In this paper we consider high-order centered finite difference approximations of hyperbolic conservation laws. We propose different ways of adding artificial viscosity to obtain sharp shock resolution. For the Riemann problem we give simple explicit formulas for obtaining stationary one and two-point shocks. This can be done for any order of accuracy. It is shown that the addition of artificial viscosity is equivalent to ensuring the Lax k-shock condition. We also show numerical experiments that verify the theoretical results.

Dynamic Finite Element Predictions for Mars Sample Return Cellular Impact Test #4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fasanella, Edwin L.; Billings, Marcus D.

2001-01-01

The nonlinear, transient dynamic finite element code, MSC.Dytran, was used to simulate an impact test of an energy absorbing Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) that will impact without a parachute. EEVOs are designed to return materials from asteroids, comets, or planets for laboratory analysis on Earth. The EEV concept uses an energy absorbing cellular structure designed to contain and limit the acceleration of space exploration samples during Earth impact. The spherical shaped cellular structure is composed of solid hexagonal and pentagonal foam-filled cells with hybrid graphite-epoxy/Kevlar cell walls. Space samples fit inside a smaller sphere at the center of the EEVOs cellular structure. Pre-test analytical predictions were compared with the test results from a bungee accelerator. The model used to represent the foam and the proper failure criteria for the cell walls were critical in predicting the impact loads of the cellular structure. It was determined that a FOAM1 model for the foam and a 20% failure strain criteria for the cell walls gave an accurate prediction of the acceleration pulse for cellular impact.

Stress stiffened silicon nitride micro bridges array as substrate with tunable stiffness for cell culture.

PubMed

Chen, Jianfeng; Liu, Guangli; Ma, Chengfu; Zhao, Gang; Du, Wenqiang; Zhu, Wulin; Chu, Jiaru

2017-06-01

Recently, interactions between one-dimensional structural stiffness of physical micro environments and cell biological process have been widely studied. However in previous studies, the influence of structural stiffness on biological process was coupled with the influence of micro fiber curvature. Therefore decoupling the influences of fiber curvature and structural stiffness on cell biological process is of prime importance. In this study, we proposed a novel cell culture substrate comprised of silicon nitride bridges whose structure stiffness can be regulated by altering the axial residual stress without changing material and geometry properties. Both theoretical calculations and finite element simulations were performed to study the influence of residual stress on structure stiffness of bridges. Then multi-positions AFM bending tests were implemented to measure local stiffness of a single micro bridge so as to verify our predictions. NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblast cells were cultured on our substrates to examine the feasibility of the substrate application for investigating cellular response to microenvironment with variable stiffness. The results showed that cells on the edge region near bridge ends were more spread, elongated and better aligned along the bridge axial direction than those on the bridge center region. The results suggest that cells can sense and respond to the differences of stiffness and stiffness gradient between the edge and the center region of the bridges, which makes this kind of substrates can be applied in some biomedical fields, such as cell migration and wound healing. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efficient discretization in finite difference method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rozos, Evangelos; Koussis, Antonis; Koutsoyiannis, Demetris

2015-04-01

Finite difference method (FDM) is a plausible and simple method for solving partial differential equations. The standard practice is to use an orthogonal discretization to form algebraic approximate formulations of the derivatives of the unknown function and a grid, much like raster maps, to represent the properties of the function domain. For example, for the solution of the groundwater flow equation, a raster map is required for the characterization of the discretization cells (flow cell, no-flow cell, boundary cell, etc.), and two raster maps are required for the hydraulic conductivity and the storage coefficient. Unfortunately, this simple approach to describe the topology comes along with the known disadvantages of the FDM (rough representation of the geometry of the boundaries, wasted computational resources in the unavoidable expansion of the grid refinement in all cells of the same column and row, etc.). To overcome these disadvantages, Hunt has suggested an alternative approach to describe the topology, the use of an array of neighbours. This limits the need for discretization nodes only for the representation of the boundary conditions and the flow domain. Furthermore, the geometry of the boundaries is described more accurately using a vector representation. Most importantly, graded meshes can be employed, which are capable of restricting grid refinement only in the areas of interest (e.g. regions where hydraulic head varies rapidly, locations of pumping wells, etc.). In this study, we test the Hunt approach against MODFLOW, a well established finite difference model, and the Finite Volume Method with Simplified Integration (FVMSI). The results of this comparison are examined and critically discussed.

Radiation Diffusion:. AN Overview of Physical and Numerical Concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graziani, Frank

2005-12-01

An overview of the physical and mathematical foundations of radiation transport is given. Emphasis is placed on how the diffusion approximation and its transport corrections arise. An overview of the numerical handling of radiation diffusion coupled to matter is also given. Discussions center on partial temperature and grey methods with comments concerning fully implicit methods. In addition finite difference, finite element and Pert representations of the div-grad operator is also discussed

Non-reciprocal elastic wave propagation in 2D phononic membranes with spatiotemporally varying material properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Attarzadeh, M. A.; Nouh, M.

2018-05-01

One-dimensional phononic materials with material fields traveling simultaneously in space and time have been shown to break elastodynamic reciprocity resulting in unique wave propagation features. In the present work, a comprehensive mathematical analysis is presented to characterize and fully predict the non-reciprocal wave dispersion in two-dimensional space. The analytical dispersion relations, in the presence of the spatiotemporal material variations, are validated numerically using finite 2D membranes with a prescribed number of cells. Using omnidirectional excitations at the membrane's center, wave propagations are shown to exhibit directional asymmetry that increases drastically in the direction of the material travel and vanishes in the direction perpendicular to it. The topological nature of the predicted dispersion in different propagation directions are evaluated using the computed Chern numbers. Finally, the degree of the 2D non-reciprocity is quantified using a non-reciprocity index (NRI) which confirms the theoretical dispersion predictions as well as the finite simulations. The presented framework can be extended to plate-type structures as well as 3D spatiotemporally modulated phononic crystals.

The use of Galerkin finite-element methods to solve mass-transport equations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Grove, David B.

1977-01-01

The partial differential equation that describes the transport and reaction of chemical solutes in porous media was solved using the Galerkin finite-element technique. These finite elements were superimposed over finite-difference cells used to solve the flow equation. Both convection and flow due to hydraulic dispersion were considered. Linear and Hermite cubic approximations (basis functions) provided satisfactory results: however, the linear functions were computationally more efficient for two-dimensional problems. Successive over relaxation (SOR) and iteration techniques using Tchebyschef polynomials were used to solve the sparce matrices generated using the linear and Hermite cubic functions, respectively. Comparisons of the finite-element methods to the finite-difference methods, and to analytical results, indicated that a high degree of accuracy may be obtained using the method outlined. The technique was applied to a field problem involving an aquifer contaminated with chloride, tritium, and strontium-90. (Woodard-USGS)

Accuracy of Gradient Reconstruction on Grids with High Aspect Ratio

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, James

2008-01-01

Gradient approximation methods commonly used in unstructured-grid finite-volume schemes intended for solutions of high Reynolds number flow equations are studied comprehensively. The accuracy of gradients within cells and within faces is evaluated systematically for both node-centered and cell-centered formulations. Computational and analytical evaluations are made on a series of high-aspect-ratio grids with different primal elements, including quadrilateral, triangular, and mixed element grids, with and without random perturbations to the mesh. Both rectangular and cylindrical geometries are considered; the latter serves to study the effects of geometric curvature. The study shows that the accuracy of gradient reconstruction on high-aspect-ratio grids is determined by a combination of the grid and the solution. The contributors to the error are identified and approaches to reduce errors are given, including the addition of higher-order terms in the direction of larger mesh spacing. A parameter GAMMA characterizing accuracy on curved high-aspect-ratio grids is discussed and an approximate-mapped-least-square method using a commonly-available distance function is presented; the method provides accurate gradient reconstruction on general grids. The study is intended to be a reference guide accompanying the construction of accurate and efficient methods for high Reynolds number applications

Evaluation of the use of a singularity element in finite element analysis of center-cracked plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mendelson, A.; Gross, B.; Srawley, J., E.

1972-01-01

Two different methods are applied to the analyses of finite width linear elastic plates with central cracks. Both methods give displacements as a primary part of the solution. One method makes use of Fourier transforms. The second method employs a coarse mesh of triangular second-order finite elements in conjunction with a single singularity element subjected to appropriate additional constraints. The displacements obtained by these two methods are in very good agreement. The results suggest considerable potential for the use of a cracked element for related crack problems, particularly in connection with the extension to nonlinear material behavior.

[Three-dimensional finite element analysis on cell culture membrane under mechanical load].

PubMed

Guo, Xin; Fan, Yubo; Song, Jinlin; Chen, Junkai

2002-01-01

A three-dimensional finite element model of the cell culture membrane was developed in the culture device under tension state made by us. The magnitude of tension and the displacement distribution in the membrane made of silicon rubber under different hydrostatic load were obtained by use of FEM analysis. A comparative study was made between the numerical and the experimental results. These results can serve as guides to the related cellular mechanical research.

Rotordynamic coefficients for labyrinth seals calculated by means of a finite difference technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nordmann, R.; Weiser, P.

1989-01-01

The compressible, turbulent, time dependent and three dimensional flow in a labyrinth seal can be described by the Navier-Stokes equations in conjunction with a turbulence model. Additionally, equations for mass and energy conservation and an equation of state are required. To solve these equations, a perturbation analysis is performed yielding zeroth order equations for centric shaft position and first order equations describing the flow field for small motions around the seal center. For numerical solution a finite difference method is applied to the zeroth and first order equations resulting in leakage and dynamic seal coefficients respectively.

Damage properties simulations of self-healing composites.

PubMed

Chen, Cheng; Ji, Hongwei; Wang, Huaiwen

2013-10-01

Self-healing materials are inspired by biological systems in which damage triggers an autonomic healing response. The damage properties of a self-healing polymer composite were investigated by numerical simulation in this paper. Unit cell models with single-edge centered crack and single-edge off-centered crack were employed to investigate the damage initiation and crack evolution by the extended finite element method (XFEM) modeling. The effect of microcapsule's Young's modulus on composites was investigated. Result indicates the microcapsule's Young's modulus has little effect on the unit cell's carrying capacity. It was found that during the crack propagation process, its direction is attracted toward the microcapsules, which makes it helpful for the microcapsules to be ruptured by the propagating crack fronts resulting in release of the healing agent into the cracks by capillary action.

Bubbly vertex dynamics: A dynamical and geometrical model for epithelial tissues with curved cell shapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishimoto, Yukitaka; Morishita, Yoshihiro

2014-11-01

In order to describe two-dimensionally packed cells in epithelial tissues both mathematically and physically, there have been developed several sorts of geometrical models, such as the vertex model, the finite element model, the cell-centered model, and the cellular Potts model. So far, in any case, pressures have not neatly been dealt with and the curvatures of the cell boundaries have been even omitted through their approximations. We focus on these quantities and formulate them in the vertex model. Thus, a model with the curvatures is constructed, and its algorithm for simulation is provided. The possible extensions and applications of this model are also discussed.

Characterization of Finite Ground Coplanar Waveguide with Narrow Ground Planes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ponchak, George E.; Tentzeris, Emmanouil M.; Katehi, Linda P. B.

1997-01-01

Coplanar waveguide with finite width ground planes is characterized through measurements, conformal mapping, and the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) technique for the purpose of determining the optimum ground plane width. The attenuation and effective permittivity of the lines are related to its geometry. It is found that the characteristics of the Finite Ground Coplanar line (FGC) are not dependent on the ground plane width if it is greater than twice the center conductor width, but less than lambda(sub d)/8. In addition, electromagnetic field plots are presented which show for the first time that electric fields in the plane of the substrate terminate on the outer edge of the ground plane, and that the magnitude of these fields is related to the ground plane width.

Verification of a non-hydrostatic dynamical core using horizontally spectral element vertically finite difference method: 2-D aspects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, S.-J.; Giraldo, F. X.; Kim, J.; Shin, S.

2014-06-01

The non-hydrostatic (NH) compressible Euler equations of dry atmosphere are solved in a simplified two dimensional (2-D) slice framework employing a spectral element method (SEM) for the horizontal discretization and a finite difference method (FDM) for the vertical discretization. The SEM uses high-order nodal basis functions associated with Lagrange polynomials based on Gauss-Lobatto-Legendre (GLL) quadrature points. The FDM employs a third-order upwind biased scheme for the vertical flux terms and a centered finite difference scheme for the vertical derivative terms and quadrature. The Euler equations used here are in a flux form based on the hydrostatic pressure vertical coordinate, which are the same as those used in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, but a hybrid sigma-pressure vertical coordinate is implemented in this model. We verified the model by conducting widely used standard benchmark tests: the inertia-gravity wave, rising thermal bubble, density current wave, and linear hydrostatic mountain wave. The results from those tests demonstrate that the horizontally spectral element vertically finite difference model is accurate and robust. By using the 2-D slice model, we effectively show that the combined spatial discretization method of the spectral element and finite difference method in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, offers a viable method for the development of a NH dynamical core.

Predicting Print-thru for the Sub-scale Beryllium Mirror Demonstrator (SBMD)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Craig, Larry; J. Kevin Russell (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

This document presents a finite element method for predicting print-thru or quilting for a lightweight mirror in a low temperature environment. The mirror is represented with quadrilateral and triangular plate finite elements. The SBMD (Sub-scale Beryllium Mirror Demonstrator) is circular with a diameter of 50 cm and one flat side. The mirror structure is a thin-wall triangular cell core with a single facesheet. There is a 4 mm radius fillet between the facesheet and cell walls. It is made entirely of Beryllium. It is assumed that polishing the mirror surface creates a thin surface layer with different material properties. Finite element results are compared with measured values at cryogenic temperatures.

European Science Notes Information Bulletin Reports on Current European/ Middle Eastern Science

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-01

particularly those that involve shock wave/boundary layer cell-centered, finite-volume, explicit, Runge-Kutta interactions , still prov;de considerble...aircraft configuration attributed to using an interactive vcual grid generation was provided by A. Bocci and A. Baxendale, the Aircraft system developed...the surface pressure the complex problem of wing/body/pylon/store distributions with and without the mass flow through the interaction . Reasonable

A cell-centered Lagrangian finite volume approach for computing elasto-plastic response of solids in cylindrical axisymmetric geometries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sambasivan, Shiv Kumar; Shashkov, Mikhail J.; Burton, Donald E.

2013-03-01

A finite volume cell-centered Lagrangian formulation is presented for solving large deformation problems in cylindrical axisymmetric geometries. Since solid materials can sustain significant shear deformation, evolution equations for stress and strain fields are solved in addition to mass, momentum and energy conservation laws. The total strain-rate realized in the material is split into an elastic and plastic response. The elastic and plastic components in turn are modeled using hypo-elastic theory. In accordance with the hypo-elastic model, a predictor-corrector algorithm is employed for evolving the deviatoric component of the stress tensor. A trial elastic deviatoric stress state is obtained by integrating a rate equation, cast in the form of an objective (Jaumann) derivative, based on Hooke's law. The dilatational response of the material is modeled using an equation of state of the Mie-Grüneisen form. The plastic deformation is accounted for via an iterative radial return algorithm constructed from the J2 von Mises yield condition. Several benchmark example problems with non-linear strain hardening and thermal softening yield models are presented. Extensive comparisons with representative Eulerian and Lagrangian hydrocodes in addition to analytical and experimental results are made to validate the current approach.

Analytical Simulations of Energy-Absorbing Impact Spheres for a Mars Sample Return Earth Entry Vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Billings, Marcus Dwight; Fasanella, Edwin L. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Nonlinear dynamic finite element simulations were performed to aid in the design of an energy-absorbing impact sphere for a passive Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) that is a possible architecture for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission. The MSR EEV concept uses an entry capsule and energy-absorbing impact sphere designed to contain and limit the acceleration of collected samples during Earth impact without a parachute. The spherical shaped impact sphere is composed of solid hexagonal and pentagonal foam-filled cells with hybrid composite, graphite-epoxy/Kevlar cell walls. Collected Martian samples will fit inside a smaller spherical sample container at the center of the EEV's cellular structure. Comparisons were made of analytical results obtained using MSC.Dytran with test results obtained from impact tests performed at NASA Langley Research Center for impact velocities from 30 to 40 m/s. Acceleration, velocity, and deformation results compared well with the test results. The correlated finite element model was then used for simulations of various off-nominal impact scenarios. Off-nominal simulations at an impact velocity of 40 m/s included a rotated cellular structure impact onto a flat surface, a cellular structure impact onto an angled surface, and a cellular structure impact onto the corner of a step.

A vortex wake capturing method for potential flow calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murman, E. M.; Stremel, P. M.

1982-01-01

A method is presented for modifying finite difference solutions of the potential equation to include the calculation of non-planar vortex wake features. The approach is an adaptation of Baker's 'cloud in cell' algorithm developed for the stream function-vorticity equations. The vortex wake is tracked in a Lagrangian frame of reference as a group of discrete vortex filaments. These are distributed to the Eulerian mesh system on which the velocity is calculated by a finite difference solution of the potential equation. An artificial viscosity introduced by the finite difference equations removes the singular nature of the vortex filaments. Computed examples are given for the two-dimensional time dependent roll-up of vortex wakes generated by wings with different spanwise loading distributions.

The electronic and optical properties of quantum nano-structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ham, Heon

In semiconducting quantum nano-structures, the excitonic effects play an important role when we fabricate opto-electronic devices, such as lasers, diodes, detectors, etc. To gain a better understanding of the excitonic effects in quantum nano-structures, we investigated the exciton binding energy, oscillator strength, and linewidth in quantum nano-structures using both the infinite and finite well models. We investigated also the hydrogenic impurity binding energy and the photoionization cross section of the hydrogenic impurity in a spherical quantum dot. In our work, the variational approach is used in all calculations, because the Hamiltonian of the system is not separable, due to the different symmetries of the Coulomb and confining potentials. In the infinite well model of the semiconducting quantum nanostructures, the binding energy of the exciton increases with decreasing width of the potential barriers due to the increase in the effective strength of the Coulomb interaction between the electron and hole. In the finite well model, the exciton binding energy reaches a peak value, and the binding energy decreases with further decrease in the width of the potential barriers. The exciton linewidth in the infinite well model increases with decreasing wire radius, because the scattering rate of the exciton increases with decreasing wire radius. In the finite well model, the exciton linewidth in a cylindrical quantum wire reaches a peak value and the exciton linewidth decreases with further decrease in the wire radius, because the exciton is not well confined at very smaller wire radii. The binding energy of the hydrogenic impurity in a spherical quantum dot has also calculated using both the infinite and the finite well models. The binding energy of the hydrogenic impurity was calculated for on center and off center impurities in the spherical quantum dots. With decreasing radii of the dots, the binding energy of the hydrogenic impurity increases in the infinite well model. The binding energy of the hydrogenic impurity in the finite well model reaches a peak value and decreases with further decrease in the dot radii for both on center and off center impurities. We have calculated the photoionization cross section as a function of the radius and the frequency using both the infinite and finite well models. The photoionizaton cross section has a peak value at a frequency where the photon energy equals the difference between the final and initial state energies of the impurity. The behavior of the cross section with dot radius depends upon the location of the impurity and the polarization of the electromagnetic field.

Processing and Modeling of Porous Copper Using Sintering Dissolution Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salih, Mustafa Abualgasim Abdalhakam

The growth of porous metal has produced materials with improved properties as compared to non-metals and solid metals. Porous metal can be classified as either open cell or closed cell. Open cell allows a fluid media to pass through it. Closed cell is made up of adjacent sealed pores with shared cell walls. Metal foams offer higher strength to weight ratios, increased impact energy absorption, and a greater tolerance to high temperatures and adverse environmental conditions when compared to bulk materials. Copper and its alloys are examples of these, well known for high strength and good mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. In the present study, the porous Cu was made by a powder metallurgy process, using three different space holders, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate. Several different samples have been produced, using different ratios of volume fraction. The densities of the porous metals have been measured and compared to the theoretical density calculated using an equation developed for these foams. The porous structure was determined with the removal of spacer materials through sintering process. The sintering process of each spacer material depends on the melting point of the spacer material. Processing, characterization, and mechanical properties were completed. These tests include density measurements, compression tests, computed tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The captured morphological images are utilized to generate the object-oriented finite element (OOF) analysis for the porous copper. Porous copper was formed with porosities in the range of 40-66% with density ranges from 3 to 5.2 g/cm3. A study of two different methods to measure porosity was completed. OOF (Object Oriented Finite Elements) is a desktop software application for studying the relationship between the microstructure of a material and its overall mechanical, dielectric, or thermal properties using finite element models based on real or simulated micrographs. OOF provides methods for segmenting images, creating meshes and solving of complex geometries using finite element models, and visualizing 2D results.

Deformation analysis of rotary combustion engine housings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vilmann, Carl

1991-01-01

This analysis of the deformation of rotary combustion engine housings targeted the following objectives: (1) the development and verification of a finite element model of the trochoid housing, (2) the prediction of the stress and deformation fields present within the trochoid housing during operating conditions, and (3) the development of a specialized preprocessor which would shorten the time necessary for mesh generation of a trochoid housing's FEM model from roughly one month to approximately two man hours. Executable finite element models were developed for both the Mazda and the Outboard Marine Corporation trochoid housings. It was also demonstrated that a preprocessor which would hasten the generation of finite element models of a rotary engine was possible to develop. The above objectives are treated in detail in the attached appendices. The first deals with finite element modeling of a Wankel engine center housing, and the second with the development of a preprocessor that generates finite element models of rotary combustion engine center housings. A computer program, designed to generate finite element models of user defined rotary combustion engine center housing geometries, is also included.

Characterization of the Coupling Between Adjacent Finite Ground Coplanar (FGC) Waveguides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ponchak, George E.; Katehi, Linda P. B.; Tentzeris, Emmanouil M.

1997-01-01

Coupling between adjacent Finite Ground Coplanar (FGC) waveguides as a function of the line geometry is presented for the first time. A two Dimension-Finite Difference Time Domain (2D-FDTD) analysis and measurements are used to show that the coupling decreases as the line to line separation and the grOUnd plane width increases. Furthermore, it is shown that for a given spacing between the center lines of two FGC lines, the coupling is lower if the ground plane width is smaller Lastly, electric field plots generated from the 2D-FDTD technique are presented which demonstrate a strong slotline mode is established in the coupled FGC line.

Free stream capturing in fluid conservation law for moving coordinates in three dimensions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Obayashi, Shigeru

1991-01-01

The free-stream capturing technique for both the finite-volume (FV) and finite-difference (FD) framework is summarized. For an arbitrary motion of the grid, the FV analysis shows that volumes swept by all six surfaces of the cell have to be computed correctly. This means that the free-stream capturing time-metric terms should be calculated not only from a surface vector of a cell at a single time level, but also from a volume swept by the cell surface in space and time. The FV free-stream capturing formulation is applicable to the FD formulation by proper translation from an FV cell to an FD mesh.

Acousto-Optic Processing of 2-D Signals Using Temporal and Spatial Integration.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-04-29

given a, B is in the range Teo2 Bragg cell, with 30 MHz dB bandwidth at 2ោ or a2 <O<m if the images involved are real 820 nm (the laser wavelength...laboratory TeO2 devices with of additive interference, however, DR’ is reduced significantly. Let us up to 70 As delay. Finally, the CCD must have 512 + 64...and b(t) inte- grated over a finite interval T. . Flint glass acoustooptic cells driven at a center fre- - quency of 70 MHz were used in the

A nominally second-order cell-centered Lagrangian scheme for simulating elastic-plastic flows on two-dimensional unstructured grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maire, Pierre-Henri; Abgrall, Rémi; Breil, Jérôme; Loubère, Raphaël; Rebourcet, Bernard

2013-02-01

In this paper, we describe a cell-centered Lagrangian scheme devoted to the numerical simulation of solid dynamics on two-dimensional unstructured grids in planar geometry. This numerical method, utilizes the classical elastic-perfectly plastic material model initially proposed by Wilkins [M.L. Wilkins, Calculation of elastic-plastic flow, Meth. Comput. Phys. (1964)]. In this model, the Cauchy stress tensor is decomposed into the sum of its deviatoric part and the thermodynamic pressure which is defined by means of an equation of state. Regarding the deviatoric stress, its time evolution is governed by a classical constitutive law for isotropic material. The plasticity model employs the von Mises yield criterion and is implemented by means of the radial return algorithm. The numerical scheme relies on a finite volume cell-centered method wherein numerical fluxes are expressed in terms of sub-cell force. The generic form of the sub-cell force is obtained by requiring the scheme to satisfy a semi-discrete dissipation inequality. Sub-cell force and nodal velocity to move the grid are computed consistently with cell volume variation by means of a node-centered solver, which results from total energy conservation. The nominally second-order extension is achieved by developing a two-dimensional extension in the Lagrangian framework of the Generalized Riemann Problem methodology, introduced by Ben-Artzi and Falcovitz [M. Ben-Artzi, J. Falcovitz, Generalized Riemann Problems in Computational Fluid Dynamics, Cambridge Monogr. Appl. Comput. Math. (2003)]. Finally, the robustness and the accuracy of the numerical scheme are assessed through the computation of several test cases.

A 3-D enlarged cell technique (ECT) for elastic wave modelling of a curved free surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Songlin; Zhou, Jianyang; Zhuang, Mingwei; Liu, Qing Huo

2016-09-01

The conventional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for elastic waves suffers from the staircasing error when applied to model a curved free surface because of its structured grid. In this work, an improved, stable and accurate 3-D FDTD method for elastic wave modelling on a curved free surface is developed based on the finite volume method and enlarged cell technique (ECT). To achieve a sufficiently accurate implementation, a finite volume scheme is applied to the curved free surface to remove the staircasing error; in the mean time, to achieve the same stability as the FDTD method without reducing the time step increment, the ECT is introduced to preserve the solution stability by enlarging small irregular cells into adjacent cells under the condition of conservation of force. This method is verified by several 3-D numerical examples. Results show that the method is stable at the Courant stability limit for a regular FDTD grid, and has much higher accuracy than the conventional FDTD method.

An implicit numerical model for multicomponent compressible two-phase flow in porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zidane, Ali; Firoozabadi, Abbas

2015-11-01

We introduce a new implicit approach to model multicomponent compressible two-phase flow in porous media with species transfer between the phases. In the implicit discretization of the species transport equation in our formulation we calculate for the first time the derivative of the molar concentration of component i in phase α (cα, i) with respect to the total molar concentration (ci) under the conditions of a constant volume V and temperature T. The species transport equation is discretized by the finite volume (FV) method. The fluxes are calculated based on powerful features of the mixed finite element (MFE) method which provides the pressure at grid-cell interfaces in addition to the pressure at the grid-cell center. The efficiency of the proposed model is demonstrated by comparing our results with three existing implicit compositional models. Our algorithm has low numerical dispersion despite the fact it is based on first-order space discretization. The proposed algorithm is very robust.

The use of spectral methods in bidomain studies.

PubMed

Trayanova, N; Pilkington, T

1992-01-01

A Fourier transform method is developed for solving the bidomain coupled differential equations governing the intracellular and extracellular potentials on a finite sheet of cardiac cells undergoing stimulation. The spectral formulation converts the system of differential equations into a "diagonal" system of algebraic equations. Solving the algebraic equations directly and taking the inverse transform of the potentials proved numerically less expensive than solving the coupled differential equations by means of traditional numerical techniques, such as finite differences; the comparison between the computer execution times showed that the Fourier transform method was about 40 times faster than the finite difference method. By application of the Fourier transform method, transmembrane potential distributions in the two-dimensional myocardial slice were calculated. For a tissue characterized by a ratio of the intra- to extracellular conductivities that is different in all principal directions, the transmembrane potential distribution exhibits a rather complicated geometrical pattern. The influence of the different anisotropy ratios, the finite tissue size, and the stimuli configuration on the pattern of membrane polarization is investigated.

Biomechanical evaluation of heel elevation on load transfer — experimental measurement and finite element analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luximon, Yan; Luximon, Ameersing; Yu, Jia; Zhang, Ming

2012-02-01

In spite of ill-effects of high heel shoes, they are widely used for women. Hence, it is essential to understand the load transfer biomechanics in order to design better fit and comfortable shoes. In this study, both experimental measurement and finite element analysis were used to evaluate the biomechanical effects of heel height on foot load transfer. A controlled experiment was conducted using custom-designed platforms. Under different weight-bearing conditions, peak plantar pressure, contact area and center of pressure were analyzed. A three-dimensional finite element foot model was used to simulate the high-heel support and to predict the internal stress distributions and deformations for different heel heights. Results from both experiment and model indicated that heel elevations had significant effects on all variables. When heel elevation increased, the center of pressure shifted from the midfoot region to the forefoot region, the contact area was reduced by 26% from 0 to 10.2 cm heel and the internal stress of foot bones increased. Prediction results also showed that the strain and total tension force of plantar fascia was minimum at 5.1 cm heel condition. This study helps to better understand the biomechanical behavior of foot, and to provide better suggestions for design parameters of high heeled shoes.

The finite-element behaviour simulation of the rotary-type and frame-type solar sails on the geocentric orbits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorbunova, I.; Khabibullin, R.; Chernyakin, S.; Starinova, O.

2016-04-01

This paper discusses the research of functioning of different construction types for the spacecraft with a solar sail. Two types of the solar sail are considered, such as frame-type and rotary-type. The research is performed by means of application of the computer-assisted design system. The movement simulation of the spacecraft center mass and the forces acting on the solar sail is described. The finite element models of the two solar sail constructions are developed and compared.

Integration of the shallow water equations on the sphere using a vector semi-Lagrangian scheme with a multigrid solver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bates, J. R.; Semazzi, F. H. M.; Higgins, R. W.; Barros, Saulo R. M.

1990-01-01

A vector semi-Lagrangian semi-implicit two-time-level finite-difference integration scheme for the shallow water equations on the sphere is presented. A C-grid is used for the spatial differencing. The trajectory-centered discretization of the momentum equation in vector form eliminates pole problems and, at comparable cost, gives greater accuracy than a previous semi-Lagrangian finite-difference scheme which used a rotated spherical coordinate system. In terms of the insensitivity of the results to increasing timestep, the new scheme is as successful as recent spectral semi-Lagrangian schemes. In addition, the use of a multigrid method for solving the elliptic equation for the geopotential allows efficient integration with an operation count which, at high resolution, is of lower order than in the case of the spectral models. The properties of the new scheme should allow finite-difference models to compete with spectral models more effectively than has previously been possible.

Parallel 3D Finite Element Numerical Modelling of DC Electron Guns

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prudencio, E.; Candel, A.; Ge, L.

2008-02-04

In this paper we present Gun3P, a parallel 3D finite element application that the Advanced Computations Department at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center is developing for the analysis of beam formation in DC guns and beam transport in klystrons. Gun3P is targeted specially to complex geometries that cannot be described by 2D models and cannot be easily handled by finite difference discretizations. Its parallel capability allows simulations with more accuracy and less processing time than packages currently available. We present simulation results for the L-band Sheet Beam Klystron DC gun, in which case Gun3P is able to reduce simulation timemore » from days to some hours.« less

Dynamical Quasicondensation of Hard-Core Bosons at Finite Momenta: A Non-equilibrium Condensation Effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heidrich-Meisner, Fabian; Vidmar, L.; Ronzheimer, J. P.; Hodgman, S.; Schreiber, M.; Braun, S.; Langer, S.; Bloch, I.; Schneider, U.

2016-05-01

Long-range order in quantum many-body systems is usually associated with equilibrium situations. Here, we experimentally investigate the quasicondensation of strongly interacting bosons at finite momenta in a far-from-equilibrium case. We prepare an inhomogeneous initial state consisting of one-dimensional Mott insulators in the center of otherwise empty one-dimensional chains in an optical lattice with a lattice constant d. After suddenly quenching the trapping potential to zero, we observe the onset of coherence in spontaneously forming quasicondensates in the lattice. Remarkably, the emerging phase order differs from the ground-state order and is characterized by peaks at finite momenta +/-(π / 2)(ℏ / d) in the momentum distribution function. Supported by the DFG via FOR 801.

Actively tunable transverse waves in soft membrane-type acoustic metamaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Weijian; Wu, Bin; Muhammad, Du, Qiujiao; Huang, Guoliang; Lü, Chaofeng; Chen, Weiqiu

2018-04-01

Membrane-type metamaterials have shown a fantastic capacity for manipulating acoustic waves in the low frequency range. They have the advantages of simple geometry, light weight, and active tunability. In general, these membrane-type metamaterials contain a rigid frame support, leading to a fixed configuration. However, in some instances, flexible and reconfigurable devices may be desirable. A soft membrane-type acoustic metamaterial that is highly flexible and controllable is designed here. Different from the previously designed membrane-type metamaterials, the stiff supporting frame is removed and the stiff mass at the center of each unit cell is replaced by the soft mass, realized by bonding fine metallic particles in the central region. In contrast to the previous studies, the propagation of elastic transverse waves in such a soft metamaterial is investigated by employing the plane wave expansion method. Both the Bragg scattering bandgaps and locally resonant bandgaps are found to coexist in the soft metamaterial. The influences of structural parameters and finite biaxial pre-stretch on the dynamic behavior of this soft metamaterial are carefully examined. It is shown that whether or not the wave propagation characteristics are sensitive to the finite deformation does not depend on the property and pre-stretch of the membrane. In addition, a broadband complete bandgap and a pseudo-gap formed by the combination of two extremely adjacent directional bandgaps are observed in the low-frequency range, and both can be controlled by the finite pre-stretch.

Computational Fluid Dynamics: Algorithms and Supercomputers

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

1985. 1.2. Pulliam, T., and Steger, J. , Implicit Finite Difference Simulations of Three Dimensional Compressible Flow, AIAA Journal , Vol. 18, No. 2...approaches infinity, assuming N is bounded. The question as to actual performance when M is finite and N varies, is a different matter. (Note: the CYBER...PARTICLE-IN-CELL 9i% 3.b7 j.48 WEATHER FORECAST 98% 3.77 3.55 SEISMIC MIGRATION 98% 3.85 3.45 MONTE CARLO 99% 3.85 3.75 LATTICE GAUGE 100% 4.00 3.77

Does the optimal position of the acetabular fragment should be within the radiological normal range for all developmental dysplasia of the hip? A patient-specific finite element analysis.

PubMed

Wang, Xuyi; Peng, Jianping; Li, De; Zhang, Linlin; Wang, Hui; Jiang, Leisheng; Chen, Xiaodong

2016-10-04

The success of Bernese periacetabular osteotomy depends significantly on how extent the acetabular fragment can be corrected to its optimal position. This study was undertaken to investigate whether correcting the acetabular fragment into the so-called radiological "normal" range is the best choice for all developmental dysplasia of the hip with different severities of dysplasia from the biomechanical view? If not, is there any correlation between the biomechanically optimal position of the acetabular fragment and the severity of dysplasia? Four finite element models with different severities of dysplasia were developed. The virtual periacetabular osteotomy was performed with the acetabular fragment rotated anterolaterally to incremental center-edge angles; then, the contact area and pressure and von Mises stress in the cartilage were calculated at different correction angles. The optimal position of the acetabular fragment for patients 1, 2, and 3 was when the acetabular fragment rotated 17° laterally (with the lateral center-edge angle of 36° and anterior center-edge angle of 58°; both were slightly larger than the "normal" range), 25° laterally following further 5° anterior rotation (with the lateral center-edge angle of 31° and anterior center-edge angle of 51°; both were within the "normal" range), and 30° laterally following further 10° anterior rotation (with the lateral center-edge angle of 25° and anterior center-edge angle of 40°; both were less than the "normal" range), respectively. The optimal corrective position of the acetabular fragment is severity dependent rather than within the radiological "normal" range for developmental dysplasia of the hip. We prudently proposed that the optimal correction center-edge angle of mild, moderate, and severe developmental dysplasia of the hip is slightly larger than the "normal" range, within the "normal" range, and less than the lower limit of the "normal" range, respectively.

Constructing space difference schemes which satisfy a cell entropy inequality

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Merriam, Marshal L.

1989-01-01

A numerical methodology for solving convection problems is presented, using finite difference schemes which satisfy the second law of thermodynamics on a cell-by-cell basis in addition to the usual conservation laws. It is shown that satisfaction of a cell entropy inequality is sufficient, in some cases, to guarantee nonlinear stability. Some details are given for several one-dimensional problems, including the quasi-one-dimensional Euler equations applied to flow in a nozzle.

Pressure Self-focusing Effect and Novel Methods for Increasing the Maximum Pressure in Traditional and Rotational Diamond Anvil Cells.

PubMed

Feng, Biao; Levitas, Valery I

2017-04-21

The main principles of producing a region near the center of a sample, compressed in a diamond anvil cell (DAC), with a very high pressure gradient and, consequently, with high pressure are predicted theoretically. The revealed phenomenon of generating extremely high pressure gradient is called the pressure self-focusing effect. Initial analytical predictions utilized generalization of a simplified equilibrium equation. Then, the results are refined using our recent advanced model for elastoplastic material under high pressures in finite element method (FEM) simulations. The main points in producing the pressure self-focusing effect are to use beveled anvils and reach a very thin sample thickness at the center. We find that the superposition of torsion in a rotational DAC (RDAC) offers drastic enhancement of the pressure self-focusing effect and allows one to reach the same pressure under a much lower force and deformation of anvils.

A Typology for Finite Groups

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tou, Erik R

2013-01-01

This project classifies groups of small order using a group's center as the key feature. Groups of a given order "n" are typed based on the order of each group's center. Students are led through a sequence of exercises that combine proof-writing, independent research, and an analysis of specific classes of finite groups…

A nominally second-order cell-centered Lagrangian scheme for simulating elastic–plastic flows on two-dimensional unstructured grids

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maire, Pierre-Henri, E-mail: maire@celia.u-bordeaux1.fr; Abgrall, Rémi, E-mail: remi.abgrall@math.u-bordeau1.fr; Breil, Jérôme, E-mail: breil@celia.u-bordeaux1.fr

2013-02-15

In this paper, we describe a cell-centered Lagrangian scheme devoted to the numerical simulation of solid dynamics on two-dimensional unstructured grids in planar geometry. This numerical method, utilizes the classical elastic-perfectly plastic material model initially proposed by Wilkins [M.L. Wilkins, Calculation of elastic–plastic flow, Meth. Comput. Phys. (1964)]. In this model, the Cauchy stress tensor is decomposed into the sum of its deviatoric part and the thermodynamic pressure which is defined by means of an equation of state. Regarding the deviatoric stress, its time evolution is governed by a classical constitutive law for isotropic material. The plasticity model employs themore » von Mises yield criterion and is implemented by means of the radial return algorithm. The numerical scheme relies on a finite volume cell-centered method wherein numerical fluxes are expressed in terms of sub-cell force. The generic form of the sub-cell force is obtained by requiring the scheme to satisfy a semi-discrete dissipation inequality. Sub-cell force and nodal velocity to move the grid are computed consistently with cell volume variation by means of a node-centered solver, which results from total energy conservation. The nominally second-order extension is achieved by developing a two-dimensional extension in the Lagrangian framework of the Generalized Riemann Problem methodology, introduced by Ben-Artzi and Falcovitz [M. Ben-Artzi, J. Falcovitz, Generalized Riemann Problems in Computational Fluid Dynamics, Cambridge Monogr. Appl. Comput. Math. (2003)]. Finally, the robustness and the accuracy of the numerical scheme are assessed through the computation of several test cases.« less

A time accurate finite volume high resolution scheme for three dimensional Navier-Stokes equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liou, Meng-Sing; Hsu, Andrew T.

1989-01-01

A time accurate, three-dimensional, finite volume, high resolution scheme for solving the compressible full Navier-Stokes equations is presented. The present derivation is based on the upwind split formulas, specifically with the application of Roe's (1981) flux difference splitting. A high-order accurate (up to the third order) upwind interpolation formula for the inviscid terms is derived to account for nonuniform meshes. For the viscous terms, discretizations consistent with the finite volume concept are described. A variant of second-order time accurate method is proposed that utilizes identical procedures in both the predictor and corrector steps. Avoiding the definition of midpoint gives a consistent and easy procedure, in the framework of finite volume discretization, for treating viscous transport terms in the curvilinear coordinates. For the boundary cells, a new treatment is introduced that not only avoids the use of 'ghost cells' and the associated problems, but also satisfies the tangency conditions exactly and allows easy definition of viscous transport terms at the first interface next to the boundary cells. Numerical tests of steady and unsteady high speed flows show that the present scheme gives accurate solutions.

The Applicability of the Generalized Method of Cells for Analyzing Discontinuously Reinforced Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pahr, D. H.; Arnold, S. M.

2001-01-01

The paper begins with a short overview of the recent work done in the field of discontinuous reinforced composites, focusing on the different parameters which influence the material behavior of discontinuous reinforced composites, as well as the various analysis approaches undertaken. Based on this overview it became evident, that in order to investigate the enumerated effects in an efficient and comprehensive manner, an alternative approach to the computationally intensive finite-element based micromechanics approach is required. Therefore, an investigation is conducted to demonstrate the utility of utilizing the generalized method of cells (GMC), a semi-analytical micromechanics-based approach, to simulate the elastic and elastoplastic material behavior of aligned short fiber composites. The results are compared with (1) simulations using other micromechanical based mean field models and finite element (FE) unit cell models found in the literature given elastic material behavior, as well as (2) finite element unit cell and a new semianalytical elastoplastic shear lag model in the inelastic range. GMC is shown to definitely have a window of applicability when simulating discontinuously reinforced composite material behavior.

The Applicability of the Generalized Method of Cells for Analyzing Discontinuously Reinforced Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pahr, D. H.; Arnold, S. M.

2001-01-01

The paper begins with a short overview of the recent work done in the field of discontinuous reinforced composites, focusing on the different parameters which influence the material behavior of discontinuous reinforced composites, as well as the various analysis approaches undertaken. Based on this overview it became evident that in order to investigate the enumerated effects in an efficient and comprehensive manner, an alternative approach to the computationally intensive finite-element based micromechanics approach is required. Therefore, an investigation is conducted to demonstrate the utility of utilizing the generalized method of cells (GMC), a semi-analytical micromechanics-based approach, to simulate the elastic and elastoplastic material behavior of aligned short fiber composites. The results are compared with simulations using other micromechanical based mean field models and finite element (FE) unit cell models found in the literature given elastic material behavior, as well as finite element unit cell and a new semianalytical elastoplastic shear lag model in the inelastic range. GMC is shown to definitely have a window of applicability when simulating discontinuously reinforced composite material behavior.

Suppression of Electron Thermal Conduction by Whistler Turbulence in a Sustained Thermal Gradient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roberg-Clark, G. T.; Drake, J. F.; Reynolds, C. S.; Swisdak, M.

2018-01-01

The dynamics of weakly magnetized collisionless plasmas in the presence of an imposed temperature gradient along an ambient magnetic field is explored with particle-in-cell simulations and modeling. Two thermal reservoirs at different temperatures drive an electron heat flux that destabilizes off-angle whistler-type modes. The whistlers grow to large amplitude, δ B /B0≃1 , and resonantly scatter the electrons, significantly reducing the heat flux. Surprisingly, the resulting steady-state heat flux is largely independent of the thermal gradient. The rate of thermal conduction is instead controlled by the finite propagation speed of the whistlers, which act as mobile scattering centers that convect the thermal energy of the hot reservoir. The results are relevant to thermal transport in high-β astrophysical plasmas such as hot accretion flows and the intracluster medium of galaxy clusters.

Turbulent Bubbly Flow in a Vertical Pipe Computed By an Eddy-Resolving Reynolds Stress Model

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-19

the numerical code OpenFOAM R©. 1 Introduction Turbulent bubbly flows are encountered in many industrially relevant applications, such as chemical in...performed using the OpenFOAM -2.2.2 computational code utilizing a cell- center-based finite volume method on an unstructured numerical grid. The...the mean Courant number is always below 0.4. The utilized turbulence models were implemented into the so-called twoPhaseEulerFoam solver in OpenFOAM , to

The Finite-Surface Method for incompressible flow: a step beyond staggered grid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hokpunna, Arpiruk; Misaka, Takashi; Obayashi, Shigeru

2017-11-01

We present a newly developed higher-order finite surface method for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations (NSE). This method defines the velocities as a surface-averaged value on the surfaces of the pressure cells. Consequently, the mass conservation on the pressure cells becomes an exact equation. The only things left to approximate is the momentum equation and the pressure at the new time step. At certain conditions, the exact mass conservation enables the explicit n-th order accurate NSE solver to be used with the pressure treatment that is two or four order less accurate without loosing the apparent convergence rate. This feature was not possible with finite volume of finite difference methods. We use Fourier analysis with a model spectrum to determine the condition and found that the range covers standard boundary layer flows. The formal convergence and the performance of the proposed scheme is compared with a sixth-order finite volume method. Finally, the accuracy and performance of the method is evaluated in turbulent channel flows. This work is partially funded by a research colloaboration from IFS, Tohoku university and ASEAN+3 funding scheme from CMUIC, Chiang Mai University.

Explicit Finite Element Techniques Used to Characterize Splashdown of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Aft Skirt

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melis, Matthew E.

2003-01-01

NASA Glenn Research Center s Structural Mechanics Branch has years of expertise in using explicit finite element methods to predict the outcome of ballistic impact events. Shuttle engineers from the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA Kennedy Space Flight Center required assistance in assessing the structural loads that a newly proposed thrust vector control system for the space shuttle solid rocket booster (SRB) aft skirt would expect to see during its recovery splashdown.

Effects of Subscale Size and Shape on Global Energy Dissipation in a Multiscale Model of a Fiber-Reinforced Composite Exhibiting Post-Peak Strain Softening Using Abaqus and FEAMAC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pineda, Evan, J.; Bednarcyk, Brett, A.; Arnold, Steven, M.

2012-01-01

A mesh objective crack band model is implemented in the generalized method of cells (GMC) micromechanics model to predict failure of a composite repeating unit cell (RUC). The micromechanics calculations are achieved using the MAC/GMC core engine within the ImMAC suite of micromechanics codes, developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The microscale RUC is linked to a macroscale Abaqus/Standard finite element model using the FEAMAC multiscale framework (included in the ImMAC suite). The effects of the relationship between the characteristic length of the finite element and the size of the microscale RUC on the total energy dissipation of the multiscale model are investigated. A simple 2-D composite square subjected to uniaxial tension is used to demonstrate the effects of scaling the dimensions of the RUC such that the length of the sides of the RUC are equal to the characteristic length of the finite element. These results are compared to simulations where the size of the RUC is fixed, independent of the element size. Simulations are carried out for a variety of mesh densities and element shapes, including square and triangular. Results indicate that a consistent size and shape must be used to yield preserve energy dissipation across the scales.

Design of a dual band metamaterial absorber for Wi-Fi bands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alkurt, Fatih Özkan; Baǧmancı, Mehmet; Karaaslan, Muharrem; Bakır, Mehmet; Altıntaş, Olcay; Karadaǧ, Faruk; Akgöl, Oǧuzhan; Ünal, Emin

2018-02-01

The goal of this work is to design and fabrication of a dual band metamaterial based absorber for Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) bands. Wi-Fi has two different operating frequencies such as 2.45 GHz and 5 GHz. A dual band absorber is proposed and the proposed structure consists of two layered unit cells, and different sized square split ring (SSR) resonators located on each layers. Copper is used for metal layer and resonator structure, FR-4 is used as substrate layer in the proposed structure. This designed dual band metamaterial absorber is used in the wireless frequency bands which has two center frequencies such as 2.45 GHz and 5 GHz. Finite Integration Technique (FIT) based simulation software used and according to FIT based simulation results, the absorption peak in the 2.45 GHz is about 90% and the another frequency 5 GHz has absorption peak near 99%. In addition, this proposed structure has a potential for energy harvesting applications in future works.

A multi-dimensional, energy- and charge-conserving, nonlinearly implicit, electromagnetic Vlasov–Darwin particle-in-cell algorithm

DOE PAGES

Chen, G.; Chacón, L.

2015-08-11

For decades, the Vlasov–Darwin model has been recognized to be attractive for particle-in-cell (PIC) kinetic plasma simulations in non-radiative electromagnetic regimes, to avoid radiative noise issues and gain computational efficiency. However, the Darwin model results in an elliptic set of field equations that renders conventional explicit time integration unconditionally unstable. We explore a fully implicit PIC algorithm for the Vlasov–Darwin model in multiple dimensions, which overcomes many difficulties of traditional semi-implicit Darwin PIC algorithms. The finite-difference scheme for Darwin field equations and particle equations of motion is space–time-centered, employing particle sub-cycling and orbit-averaging. This algorithm conserves total energy, local charge,more » canonical-momentum in the ignorable direction, and preserves the Coulomb gauge exactly. An asymptotically well-posed fluid preconditioner allows efficient use of large cell sizes, which are determined by accuracy considerations, not stability, and can be orders of magnitude larger than required in a standard explicit electromagnetic PIC simulation. Finally, we demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency properties of the algorithm with various numerical experiments in 2D–3V.« less

Thermal modeling of nickel-hydrogen battery cells operating under transient orbital conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schrage, Dean S.

1991-01-01

An analytical study of the thermal operating characteristics of nickel-hydrogen battery cells is presented. Combined finite-element and finite-difference techniques are employed to arrive at a computationally efficient composite thermal model representing a series-cell arrangement operating in conjunction with a radiately coupled baseplate and coldplate thermal bus. An aggressive, low-mass design approach indicates that thermal considerations can and should direct the design of the thermal bus arrangement. Special consideration is given to the potential for mixed conductive and convective processes across the hydrogen gap. Results of a compressible flow model are presented and indicate the transfer process is suitably represented by molecular conduction. A high-fidelity thermal model of the cell stack (and related components) indicates the presence of axial and radial temperature gradients. A detailed model of the thermal bus reveals the thermal interaction of individual cells and is imperative for assessing the intercell temperature gradients.

A compressible Navier-Stokes solver with two-equation and Reynolds stress turbulence closure models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, Joseph H.

1992-01-01

This report outlines the development of a general purpose aerodynamic solver for compressible turbulent flows. Turbulent closure is achieved using either two equation or Reynolds stress transportation equations. The applicable equation set consists of Favre-averaged conservation equations for the mass, momentum and total energy, and transport equations for the turbulent stresses and turbulent dissipation rate. In order to develop a scheme with good shock capturing capabilities, good accuracy and general geometric capabilities, a multi-block cell centered finite volume approach is used. Viscous fluxes are discretized using a finite volume representation of a central difference operator and the source terms are treated as an integral over the control volume. The methodology is validated by testing the algorithm on both two and three dimensional flows. Both the two equation and Reynolds stress models are used on a two dimensional 10 degree compression ramp at Mach 3, and the two equation model is used on the three dimensional flow over a cone at angle of attack at Mach 3.5. With the development of this algorithm, it is now possible to compute complex, compressible high speed flow fields using both two equation and Reynolds stress turbulent closure models, with the capability of eventually evaluating their predictive performance.

Modelling cell wall growth using a fibre-reinforced hyperelastic-viscoplastic constitutive law

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, R.; Becker, A. A.; Jones, I. A.

2012-04-01

A fibre-reinforced hyperelastic-viscoplastic model using a finite strain Finite Element (FE) analysis is presented to study the expansive growth of cell walls. Based on the connections between biological concepts and plasticity theory, e.g. wall-loosening and plastic yield, wall-stiffening and plastic hardening, the modelling of cell wall growth is established within a framework of anisotropic viscoplasticity aiming to represent the corresponding biology-controlled behaviour of a cell wall. In order to model in vivo growth, special attention is paid to the differences between a living cell and an isolated wall. The proposed hyperelastic-viscoplastic theory provides a unique framework to clarify the interplay between cellulose microfibrils and cell wall matrix and how this interplay regulates sustainable growth in a particular direction while maintaining the mechanical strength of the cell walls by new material deposition. Moreover, the effect of temperature is taken into account. A numerical scheme is suggested and FE case studies are presented and compared with experimental data.

On the Finite Element Implementation of the Generalized Method of Cells Micromechanics Constitutive Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilt, T. E.

1995-01-01

The Generalized Method of Cells (GMC), a micromechanics based constitutive model, is implemented into the finite element code MARC using the user subroutine HYPELA. Comparisons in terms of transverse deformation response, micro stress and strain distributions, and required CPU time are presented for GMC and finite element models of fiber/matrix unit cell. GMC is shown to provide comparable predictions of the composite behavior and requires significantly less CPU time as compared to a finite element analysis of the unit cell. Details as to the organization of the HYPELA code are provided with the actual HYPELA code included in the appendix.

Terahertz Radiation: A Non-contact Tool for the Selective Stimulation of Biological Responses in Human Cells

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

computational and empirical dosimetric tools [31]. For the computational dosimetry, we employed finite-dif- ference time- domain (FDTD) modeling techniques to...temperature-time data collected for a well exposed to THz radiation using finite-difference time- domain (FDTD) modeling techniques and thermocouples... like )). Alter- ation in the expression of such genes underscores the signif- 62 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON TERAHERTZ SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, VOL. 6, NO. 1

Coupled Aerodynamic and Structural Sensitivity Analysis of a High-Speed Civil Transport

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mason, B. H.; Walsh, J. L.

2001-01-01

An objective of the High Performance Computing and Communication Program at the NASA Langley Research Center is to demonstrate multidisciplinary shape and sizing optimization of a complete aerospace vehicle configuration by using high-fidelity, finite-element structural analysis and computational fluid dynamics aerodynamic analysis. In a previous study, a multi-disciplinary analysis system for a high-speed civil transport was formulated to integrate a set of existing discipline analysis codes, some of them computationally intensive, This paper is an extension of the previous study, in which the sensitivity analysis for the coupled aerodynamic and structural analysis problem is formulated and implemented. Uncoupled stress sensitivities computed with a constant load vector in a commercial finite element analysis code are compared to coupled aeroelastic sensitivities computed by finite differences. The computational expense of these sensitivity calculation methods is discussed.

Protein accumulation in aleurone cells, sub-aleurone cells and the center starch endosperm of cereals.

PubMed

Zheng, Yankun; Wang, Zhong

2014-10-01

There are mainly three endosperm storage tissues in the cereal endosperm: aleurone cells, sub-aleurone cells and the center starch endosperm. The protein accumulation is very different in the three endosperm storage tissues. The aleurone cells accumulate protein in aleurone granules. The sub-aleurone cells and the center starch endosperm accumulate protein in endoplasmic reticulum-derived protein bodies and vacuolar protein bodies. Proteins are deposited in different patterns within different endosperm storage tissues probably because of the special storage properties of these tissues. There are several special genes and other molecular factors to mediate the protein accumulation in these tissues. Different proteins have distinct functions in the protein body formation and the protein interactions determine protein body assembly. There are both cooperation and competition relationships between protein, starch and lipid in the cereal endosperm. This paper reviews the latest investigations on protein accumulation in aleurone cells, sub-aleurone cells and the center starch endosperm. Useful information will be supplied for future investigations on the cereal endosperm development.

Optimum element density studies for finite-element thermal analysis of hypersonic aircraft structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ko, William L.; Olona, Timothy; Muramoto, Kyle M.

1990-01-01

Different finite element models previously set up for thermal analysis of the space shuttle orbiter structure are discussed and their shortcomings identified. Element density criteria are established for the finite element thermal modelings of space shuttle orbiter-type large, hypersonic aircraft structures. These criteria are based on rigorous studies on solution accuracies using different finite element models having different element densities set up for one cell of the orbiter wing. Also, a method for optimization of the transient thermal analysis computer central processing unit (CPU) time is discussed. Based on the newly established element density criteria, the orbiter wing midspan segment was modeled for the examination of thermal analysis solution accuracies and the extent of computation CPU time requirements. The results showed that the distributions of the structural temperatures and the thermal stresses obtained from this wing segment model were satisfactory and the computation CPU time was at the acceptable level. The studies offered the hope that modeling the large, hypersonic aircraft structures using high-density elements for transient thermal analysis is possible if a CPU optimization technique was used.

FIESTA ROC: A new finite element analysis program for solar cell simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, Ralph O.

1991-01-01

The Finite Element Semiconductor Three-dimensional Analyzer by Ralph O. Clark (FIESTA ROC) is a computational tool for investigating in detail the performance of arbitrary solar cell structures. As its name indicates, it uses the finite element technique to solve the fundamental semiconductor equations in the cell. It may be used for predicting the performance (thereby dictating the design parameters) of a proposed cell or for investigating the limiting factors in an established design.

Computational Aeroacoustics by the Space-time CE/SE Method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loh, Ching Y.

2001-01-01

In recent years, a new numerical methodology for conservation laws-the Space-Time Conservation Element and Solution Element Method (CE/SE), was developed by Dr. Chang of NASA Glenn Research Center and collaborators. In nature, the new method may be categorized as a finite volume method, where the conservation element (CE) is equivalent to a finite control volume (or cell) and the solution element (SE) can be understood as the cell interface. However, due to its rigorous treatment of the fluxes and geometry, it is different from the existing schemes. The CE/SE scheme features: (1) space and time treated on the same footing, the integral equations of conservation laws are solve( for with second order accuracy, (2) high resolution, low dispersion and low dissipation, (3) novel, truly multi-dimensional, simple but effective non-reflecting boundary condition, (4) effortless implementation of computation, no numerical fix or parameter choice is needed, an( (5) robust enough to cover a wide spectrum of compressible flow: from weak linear acoustic waves to strong, discontinuous waves (shocks) appropriate for linear and nonlinear aeroacoustics. Currently, the CE/SE scheme has been developed to such a stage that a 3-13 unstructured CE/SE Navier-Stokes solver is already available. However, in the present paper, as a general introduction to the CE/SE method, only the 2-D unstructured Euler CE/SE solver is chosen as a prototype and is sketched in Section 2. Then applications of the CE/SE scheme to linear, nonlinear aeroacoustics and airframe noise are depicted in Sections 3, 4, and 5 respectively to demonstrate its robustness and capability.

Predicting the Thermal Conductivity of AlSi/Polyester Abradable Coatings: Effects of the Numerical Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolot, Rodolphe; Seichepine, Jean-Louis; Qiao, Jiang Hao; Coddet, Christian

2011-01-01

The final target of this study is to achieve a better understanding of the behavior of thermally sprayed abradable seals such as AlSi/polyester composites. These coatings are used as seals between the static and the rotating parts in aero-engines. The machinability of the composite coatings during the friction of the blades depends on their mechanical and thermal effective properties. In order to predict these properties from micrographs, numerical studies were performed with different software packages such as OOF developed by NIST and TS2C developed at the UTBM. In 2008, differences were reported concerning predictions of effective thermal conductivities obtained with the two codes. In this article, a particular attention was paid to the mathematical formulation of the problem. In particular, results obtained with a finite difference method using a cell-centered approach or a nodal formulation allow explaining the discrepancies previously noticed. A comparison of the predictions of the computed effective thermal conductivities is thus proposed. This study is part of the NEWAC project, funded by the European Commission within the 6th RTD Framework programm (FP6).

Computer simulations of phase field drops on super-hydrophobic surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedeli, Livio

2017-09-01

We present a novel quasi-Newton continuation procedure that efficiently solves the system of nonlinear equations arising from the discretization of a phase field model for wetting phenomena. We perform a comparative numerical analysis that shows the improved speed of convergence gained with respect to other numerical schemes. Moreover, we discuss the conditions that, on a theoretical level, guarantee the convergence of this method. At each iterative step, a suitable continuation procedure develops and passes to the nonlinear solver an accurate initial guess. Discretization performs through cell-centered finite differences. The resulting system of equations is solved on a composite grid that uses dynamic mesh refinement and multi-grid techniques. The final code achieves three-dimensional, realistic computer experiments comparable to those produced in laboratory settings. This code offers not only new insights into the phenomenology of super-hydrophobicity, but also serves as a reliable predictive tool for the study of hydrophobic surfaces.

A multi-dimensional nonlinearly implicit, electromagnetic Vlasov-Darwin particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Guangye; Chacón, Luis; CoCoMans Team

2014-10-01

For decades, the Vlasov-Darwin model has been recognized to be attractive for PIC simulations (to avoid radiative noise issues) in non-radiative electromagnetic regimes. However, the Darwin model results in elliptic field equations that renders explicit time integration unconditionally unstable. Improving on linearly implicit schemes, fully implicit PIC algorithms for both electrostatic and electromagnetic regimes, with exact discrete energy and charge conservation properties, have been recently developed in 1D. This study builds on these recent algorithms to develop an implicit, orbit-averaged, time-space-centered finite difference scheme for the particle-field equations in multiple dimensions. The algorithm conserves energy, charge, and canonical-momentum exactly, even with grid packing. A simple fluid preconditioner allows efficient use of large timesteps, O (√{mi/me}c/veT) larger than the explicit CFL. We demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency properties of the of the algorithm with various numerical experiments in 2D3V.

Membrane-constrained acoustic metamaterials for low frequency sound insulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiaole; Zhao, Hui; Luo, Xudong; Huang, Zhenyu

2016-01-01

We present a constrained membrane-type acoustic metamaterial (CMAM) that employs constraint sticks to add out-of-plane dimensions in the design space of MAM. A CMAM sample, which adopts constraint sticks to suppress vibrations at the membrane center, was fabricated to achieve a sound transmission loss (STL) peak of 26 dB at 140 Hz, with the static areal density of 6.0 kg/m2. The working mechanism of the CMAM as an acoustic metamaterial is elucidated by calculating the averaged normal displacement, the equivalent areal density, and the effective dynamic mass of a unit cell through finite element simulations. Furthermore, the vibration modes of the CMAM indicate that the eigenmodes related to STL dips are shifted into high frequencies, thus broadening its effective bandwidth significantly. Three samples possessing the same geometry and material but different constraint areas were fabricated to illustrate the tunability of STL peaks at low frequencies.

Spectral properties of finite two dimensional quantum dot arrays.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cota, Ernesto; Ramírez, Felipe; Ulloa, Sergio E.

1997-08-01

Motivated by recent proposed geometries in cellular automata, we study arrays of four or five coupled quantum dots located at the corners and at the center of a square. We calculate the addition spectrum for dots with equal or different sizes at each site and compare with the case of linear arrays. We obtain the numerically exact solution for arrays with two electrons and study the properties of this system as a cell or building block of quantum dot cellular automata. We obtain the ``polarization" for each state and discuss its possible use as a two-state system or ``qubit," as proposed recently(C. S. Lent, P. D. Tougaw, and W. Porod, Appl. Phys. Lett. 62) 714, (1993). An extended Hubbard Hamiltonian is used which takes into account quantum confinement, intra- an inter-dot Coulomb interaction as well as tunneling between neighboring dots.

Spectral properties of finite two dimensional quantum dot arrays.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramirez, Felipe; Cota, Ernesto; Ulloa, Sergio E.

1997-03-01

Motivated by recent proposed geometries in cellular automata, we study arrays of four or five coupled quantum dots located at the corners and at the center of a square. We calculate the addition spectrum for dots with equal or different sizes at each site and compare with the case of linear arrays. We obtain the numerically exact solution for arrays with two electrons and study the properties of this system as a cell or building block of quantum dot cellular automata. We obtain the ``polarization" for each state and discuss its possible use as a two-state system or ``qubit," as proposed recently(C. S. Lent, P. D. Tougaw, and W. Porod, Appl. Phys. Lett. 62) 714, (1993). An extended Hubbard Hamiltonian is used which takes into account quantum confinement, intra- an inter-dot Coulomb interaction as well as tunneling between neighboring dots.

Communication—indentation of Li-ion pouch cell: Effect of material homogenization on prediction of internal short circuit

DOE PAGES

Kumar, A.; Kalnaus, Sergiy; Simunovic, Srdjan; ...

2016-09-12

We performed finite element simulations of spherical indentation of Li-ion pouch cells. Our model fully resolves different layers in the cell. The results of the layer resolved models were compared to the models available in the literature that treat the cell as an equivalent homogenized continuum material. Simulations were carried out for different sizes of the spherical indenter. Here, we show that calibration of a failure criterion for the cell in the homogenized model depends on the indenter size, whereas in the layer-resoled model, such dependency is greatly diminished.

Proliferative lifespan is conserved after nuclear transfer.

PubMed

Clark, A John; Ferrier, Patricia; Aslam, Samena; Burl, Sarah; Denning, Chris; Wylie, Diana; Ross, Arlene; de Sousa, Paul; Wilmut, Ian; Cui, Wei

2003-06-01

Cultured primary cells exhibit a finite proliferative lifespan, termed the Hayflick limit. Cloning by nuclear transfer can reverse this cellular ageing process and can be accomplished with cultured cells nearing senescence. Here we describe nuclear transfer experiments in which donor cell lines at different ages and with different proliferative capacities were used to clone foetuses and animals from which new primary cell lines were generated. The rederived lines had the same proliferative capacity and rate of telomere shortening as the donor cell lines, suggesting that these are innate, genetically determined, properties that are conserved by nuclear transfer.

Lattice dynamics calculations based on density-functional perturbation theory in real space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, Honghui; Carbogno, Christian; Rinke, Patrick; Scheffler, Matthias

2017-06-01

A real-space formalism for density-functional perturbation theory (DFPT) is derived and applied for the computation of harmonic vibrational properties in molecules and solids. The practical implementation using numeric atom-centered orbitals as basis functions is demonstrated exemplarily for the all-electron Fritz Haber Institute ab initio molecular simulations (FHI-aims) package. The convergence of the calculations with respect to numerical parameters is carefully investigated and a systematic comparison with finite-difference approaches is performed both for finite (molecules) and extended (periodic) systems. Finally, the scaling tests and scalability tests on massively parallel computer systems demonstrate the computational efficiency.

SToRM: A Model for 2D environmental hydraulics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Simões, Francisco J. M.

2017-01-01

A two-dimensional (depth-averaged) finite volume Godunov-type shallow water model developed for flow over complex topography is presented. The model, SToRM, is based on an unstructured cell-centered finite volume formulation and on nonlinear strong stability preserving Runge-Kutta time stepping schemes. The numerical discretization is founded on the classical and well established shallow water equations in hyperbolic conservative form, but the convective fluxes are calculated using auto-switching Riemann and diffusive numerical fluxes. Computational efficiency is achieved through a parallel implementation based on the OpenMP standard and the Fortran programming language. SToRM’s implementation within a graphical user interface is discussed. Field application of SToRM is illustrated by utilizing it to estimate peak flow discharges in a flooding event of the St. Vrain Creek in Colorado, U.S.A., in 2013, which reached 850 m3/s (~30,000 f3 /s) at the location of this study.

Microstructure-based hyperelastic models for closed-cell solids

PubMed Central

Wyatt, Hayley

2017-01-01

For cellular bodies involving large elastic deformations, mesoscopic continuum models that take into account the interplay between the geometry and the microstructural responses of the constituents are developed, analysed and compared with finite-element simulations of cellular structures with different architecture. For these models, constitutive restrictions for the physical plausibility of the material responses are established, and global descriptors such as nonlinear elastic and shear moduli and Poisson’s ratio are obtained from the material characteristics of the constituents. Numerical results show that these models capture well the mechanical responses of finite-element simulations for three-dimensional periodic structures of neo-Hookean material with closed cells under large tension. In particular, the mesoscopic models predict the macroscopic stiffening of the structure when the stiffness of the cell-core increases. PMID:28484340

Microstructure-based hyperelastic models for closed-cell solids.

PubMed

Mihai, L Angela; Wyatt, Hayley; Goriely, Alain

2017-04-01

For cellular bodies involving large elastic deformations, mesoscopic continuum models that take into account the interplay between the geometry and the microstructural responses of the constituents are developed, analysed and compared with finite-element simulations of cellular structures with different architecture. For these models, constitutive restrictions for the physical plausibility of the material responses are established, and global descriptors such as nonlinear elastic and shear moduli and Poisson's ratio are obtained from the material characteristics of the constituents. Numerical results show that these models capture well the mechanical responses of finite-element simulations for three-dimensional periodic structures of neo-Hookean material with closed cells under large tension. In particular, the mesoscopic models predict the macroscopic stiffening of the structure when the stiffness of the cell-core increases.

Microstructure-based hyperelastic models for closed-cell solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mihai, L. Angela; Wyatt, Hayley; Goriely, Alain

2017-04-01

For cellular bodies involving large elastic deformations, mesoscopic continuum models that take into account the interplay between the geometry and the microstructural responses of the constituents are developed, analysed and compared with finite-element simulations of cellular structures with different architecture. For these models, constitutive restrictions for the physical plausibility of the material responses are established, and global descriptors such as nonlinear elastic and shear moduli and Poisson's ratio are obtained from the material characteristics of the constituents. Numerical results show that these models capture well the mechanical responses of finite-element simulations for three-dimensional periodic structures of neo-Hookean material with closed cells under large tension. In particular, the mesoscopic models predict the macroscopic stiffening of the structure when the stiffness of the cell-core increases.

Vectorial finite elements for solving the radiative transfer equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badri, M. A.; Jolivet, P.; Rousseau, B.; Le Corre, S.; Digonnet, H.; Favennec, Y.

2018-06-01

The discrete ordinate method coupled with the finite element method is often used for the spatio-angular discretization of the radiative transfer equation. In this paper we attempt to improve upon such a discretization technique. Instead of using standard finite elements, we reformulate the radiative transfer equation using vectorial finite elements. In comparison to standard finite elements, this reformulation yields faster timings for the linear system assemblies, as well as for the solution phase when using scattering media. The proposed vectorial finite element discretization for solving the radiative transfer equation is cross-validated against a benchmark problem available in literature. In addition, we have used the method of manufactured solutions to verify the order of accuracy for our discretization technique within different absorbing, scattering, and emitting media. For solving large problems of radiation on parallel computers, the vectorial finite element method is parallelized using domain decomposition. The proposed domain decomposition method scales on large number of processes, and its performance is unaffected by the changes in optical thickness of the medium. Our parallel solver is used to solve a large scale radiative transfer problem of the Kelvin-cell radiation.

Nanoindentation characterisation of human colorectal cancer cells considering cell geometry, surface roughness and hyperelastic constitutive behaviour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boccaccio, Antonio; Uva, Antonio E.; Papi, Massimiliano; Fiorentino, Michele; De Spirito, Marco; Monno, Giuseppe

2017-01-01

Characterisation of the mechanical behaviour of cancer cells is an issue of crucial importance as specific cell mechanical properties have been measured and utilized as possible biomarkers of cancer progression. Atomic force microscopy certainly occupies a prominent place in the field of the mechanical characterisation devices. We developed a hybrid approach to characterise different cell lines (SW620 and SW480) of the human colon carcinoma submitted to nanoindentation measurements. An ad hoc algorithm was written that compares the force-indentation curves experimentally retrieved with those predicted by a finite element model that simulates the nanoindentation process and reproduces the cell geometry and the surface roughness. The algorithm perturbs iteratively the values of the cell mechanical properties implemented in the finite element model until the difference between the experimental and numerical force-indentation curves reaches the minimum value. The occurrence of this indicates that the implemented material properties are very close to the real ones. Different hyperelastic constitutive models, such as Arruda-Boyce, Mooney-Rivlin and Neo-Hookean were utilized to describe the structural behaviour of indented cells. The algorithm was capable of separating, for all the cell lines investigated, the mechanical properties of cell cortex and cytoskeleton. Material properties determined via the algorithm were different with respect to those obtained with the Hertzian contact theory. This demonstrates that factors such as: the cell geometry/anatomy and the hyperelastic constitutive behaviour, which are not contemplated in the Hertz’s theory hypotheses, do affect the nanoindentation measurements. The proposed approach represents a powerful tool that, only on the basis of nanoindentation measurements, is capable of characterising material at the subcellular level.

Predicting cell viability within tissue scaffolds under equiaxial strain: multi-scale finite element model of collagen-cardiomyocytes constructs.

PubMed

Elsaadany, Mostafa; Yan, Karen Chang; Yildirim-Ayan, Eda

2017-06-01

Successful tissue engineering and regenerative therapy necessitate having extensive knowledge about mechanical milieu in engineered tissues and the resident cells. In this study, we have merged two powerful analysis tools, namely finite element analysis and stochastic analysis, to understand the mechanical strain within the tissue scaffold and residing cells and to predict the cell viability upon applying mechanical strains. A continuum-based multi-length scale finite element model (FEM) was created to simulate the physiologically relevant equiaxial strain exposure on cell-embedded tissue scaffold and to calculate strain transferred to the tissue scaffold (macro-scale) and residing cells (micro-scale) upon various equiaxial strains. The data from FEM were used to predict cell viability under various equiaxial strain magnitudes using stochastic damage criterion analysis. The model validation was conducted through mechanically straining the cardiomyocyte-encapsulated collagen constructs using a custom-built mechanical loading platform (EQUicycler). FEM quantified the strain gradients over the radial and longitudinal direction of the scaffolds and the cells residing in different areas of interest. With the use of the experimental viability data, stochastic damage criterion, and the average cellular strains obtained from multi-length scale models, cellular viability was predicted and successfully validated. This methodology can provide a great tool to characterize the mechanical stimulation of bioreactors used in tissue engineering applications in providing quantification of mechanical strain and predicting cellular viability variations due to applied mechanical strain.

Three-Dimensional High-Order Spectral Finite Volume Method for Unstructured Grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Yen; Vinokur, Marcel; Wang, Z. J.; Kwak, Dochan (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Many areas require a very high-order accurate numerical solution of conservation laws for complex shapes. This paper deals with the extension to three dimensions of the Spectral Finite Volume (SV) method for unstructured grids, which was developed to solve such problems. We first summarize the limitations of traditional methods such as finite-difference, and finite-volume for both structured and unstructured grids. We then describe the basic formulation of the spectral finite volume method. What distinguishes the SV method from conventional high-order finite-volume methods for unstructured triangular or tetrahedral grids is the data reconstruction. Instead of using a large stencil of neighboring cells to perform a high-order reconstruction, the stencil is constructed by partitioning each grid cell, called a spectral volume (SV), into 'structured' sub-cells, called control volumes (CVs). One can show that if all the SV cells are partitioned into polygonal or polyhedral CV sub-cells in a geometrically similar manner, the reconstructions for all the SVs become universal, irrespective of their shapes, sizes, orientations, or locations. It follows that the reconstruction is reduced to a weighted sum of unknowns involving just a few simple adds and multiplies, and those weights are universal and can be pre-determined once for all. The method is thus very efficient, accurate, and yet geometrically flexible. The most critical part of the SV method is the partitioning of the SV into CVs. In this paper we present the partitioning of a tetrahedral SV into polyhedral CVs with one free parameter for polynomial reconstructions up to degree of precision five. (Note that the order of accuracy of the method is one order higher than the reconstruction degree of precision.) The free parameter will be determined by minimizing the Lebesgue constant of the reconstruction matrix or similar criteria to obtain optimized partitions. The details of an efficient, parallelizable code to solve three-dimensional problems for any order of accuracy are then presented. Important aspects of the data structure are discussed. Comparisons with the Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method are made. Numerical examples for wave propagation problems are presented.

Computer Program for Steady Transonic Flow over Thin Airfoils by Finite Elements

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-10-01

COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR STEADY JJ TRANSONIC FLOW OVER THIN AIRFOILS BY g FINITE ELEMENTS • *q^^ r ̂ c HUNTSVILLE RESEARCH & ENGINEERING CENTER...jglMMi B Jun’ INC ORGANIMTION NAME ANO ADDRESS Lö^kfteed Missiles & Space Company, Inc. Huntsville Research & Engineering Center,^ Huntsville, Alab...This report was prepared by personnel in the Computational Mechamcs Section of the Lockheed Missiles fc Space Company, Inc.. Huntsville Research

SMART (Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Team) Centers: An Empirical Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-04-01

completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection ofinformation ...of finite health care resources, increased military operational tempo, and smaller expeditionary fighting forces, the US Navy has developed SMART...through their sacrifices due I owe my success. SMART Centers: An Empirical Analysis 5 Abstract In an era of finite health care resources, increased military

Turbine Engine Research Center (TERC) Data System Enhancement and Test Article Evaluation. Delivery Order 0002: TERC Aeromechanical Characterization

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

test, the entire turbulence model was changed from standard k- epsilon to Spalart- Allmaras. Using these different tools of turbulence models, a few...this research, leaving only pre-existing finite element models to be used. At some point a NASTRAN model was developed for vibrations analysis but

An extension of the finite cell method using boolean operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abedian, Alireza; Düster, Alexander

2017-05-01

In the finite cell method, the fictitious domain approach is combined with high-order finite elements. The geometry of the problem is taken into account by integrating the finite cell formulation over the physical domain to obtain the corresponding stiffness matrix and load vector. In this contribution, an extension of the FCM is presented wherein both the physical and fictitious domain of an element are simultaneously evaluated during the integration. In the proposed extension of the finite cell method, the contribution of the stiffness matrix over the fictitious domain is subtracted from the cell, resulting in the desired stiffness matrix which reflects the contribution of the physical domain only. This method results in an exponential rate of convergence for porous domain problems with a smooth solution and accurate integration. In addition, it reduces the computational cost, especially when applying adaptive integration schemes based on the quadtree/octree. Based on 2D and 3D problems of linear elastostatics, numerical examples serve to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method.

Grid generation about complex three-dimensional aircraft configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klopfer, Goetz H.

1991-01-01

The problem of obtaining three dimensional grids with sufficient resolution to resolve all the flow or other physical features of interest is addressed. The generation of a computational grid involves a series of compromises to resolve several conflicting requirements. On one hand, one would like the grid to be fine enough and not too skewed to reduce the numerical errors and to adequately resolve the pertinent physical features of the flow field about the aircraft. On the other hand, the capabilities of present or even future supercomputers are finite and the number of mesh points must be limited to a reasonable number: one which is usually much less than desired for numerical accuracy. One technique to overcome this limitation is the 'zonal' grid approach. In this method, the overall field is subdivided into smaller zones or blocks in each of which an independent grid is generated with enough grid density to resolve the flow features in that zone. The zonal boundaries or interfaces require special boundary conditions such that the conservation properties of the governing equations are observed. Much work was done in 3-D zonal approaches with nonconservative zonal interfaces. A 3-D zonal conservative interfacing method that is efficient and easy to implement was developed during the past year. During the course of the work, it became apparent that it would be much more feasible to do the conservative interfacing with cell-centered finite volume codes instead of the originally planned finite difference codes. Accordingly, the CNS code was converted to finite volume form. This new version of the code is named CNSFV. The original multi-zonal interfacing capability of the CNS code was enhanced by generalizing the procedure to allow for completely arbitrarily shaped zones with no mesh continuity between the zones. While this zoning capability works well for most flow situations, it is, however, still nonconservative. The conservative interface algorithm was also implemented but was not completely validated.

Investigating the effect of tablet thickness and punch curvature on density distribution using finite elements method.

PubMed

Diarra, Harona; Mazel, Vincent; Busignies, Virginie; Tchoreloff, Pierre

2015-09-30

Finite elements method was used to study the influence of tablet thickness and punch curvature on the density distribution inside convex faced (CF) tablets. The modeling of the process was conducted on 2 pharmaceutical excipients (anhydrous calcium phosphate and microcrystalline cellulose) by using Drucker-Prager Cap model in Abaqus(®) software. The parameters of the model were obtained from experimental tests. Several punch shapes based on industrial standards were used. A flat-faced (FF) punch and 3 convex faced (CF) punches (8R11, 8R8 and 8R6) with a diameter of 8mm were chosen. Different tablet thicknesses were studied at a constant compression force. The simulation of the compaction of CF tablets with increasing thicknesses showed an important change on the density distribution inside the tablet. For smaller thicknesses, low density zones are located toward the center. The density is not uniform inside CF tablets and the center of the 2 faces appears with low density whereas the distribution inside FF tablets is almost independent of the tablet thickness. These results showed that FF and CF tablets, even obtained at the same compression force, do not have the same density at the center of the compact. As a consequence differences in tensile strength, as measured by diametral compression, are expected. This was confirmed by experimental tests. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High order cell-centered scheme totally based on cell average

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Ze-Yu; Cai, Qing-Dong

2018-05-01

This work clarifies the concept of cell average by pointing out the differences between cell average and cell centroid value, which are averaged cell-centered value and pointwise cell-centered value, respectively. Interpolation based on cell averages is constructed and high order QUICK-like numerical scheme is designed for such interpolation. A new approach of error analysis is introduced in this work, which is similar to Taylor’s expansion.

An RBF-FD closest point method for solving PDEs on surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petras, A.; Ling, L.; Ruuth, S. J.

2018-10-01

Partial differential equations (PDEs) on surfaces appear in many applications throughout the natural and applied sciences. The classical closest point method (Ruuth and Merriman (2008) [17]) is an embedding method for solving PDEs on surfaces using standard finite difference schemes. In this paper, we formulate an explicit closest point method using finite difference schemes derived from radial basis functions (RBF-FD). Unlike the orthogonal gradients method (Piret (2012) [22]), our proposed method uses RBF centers on regular grid nodes. This formulation not only reduces the computational cost but also avoids the ill-conditioning from point clustering on the surface and is more natural to couple with a grid based manifold evolution algorithm (Leung and Zhao (2009) [26]). When compared to the standard finite difference discretization of the closest point method, the proposed method requires a smaller computational domain surrounding the surface, resulting in a decrease in the number of sampling points on the surface. In addition, higher-order schemes can easily be constructed by increasing the number of points in the RBF-FD stencil. Applications to a variety of examples are provided to illustrate the numerical convergence of the method.

Wave propagation in anisotropic elastic materials and curvilinear coordinates using a summation-by-parts finite difference method

DOE PAGES

Petersson, N. Anders; Sjogreen, Bjorn

2015-07-20

We develop a fourth order accurate finite difference method for solving the three-dimensional elastic wave equation in general heterogeneous anisotropic materials on curvilinear grids. The proposed method is an extension of the method for isotropic materials, previously described in the paper by Sjögreen and Petersson (2012) [11]. The method we proposed discretizes the anisotropic elastic wave equation in second order formulation, using a node centered finite difference method that satisfies the principle of summation by parts. The summation by parts technique results in a provably stable numerical method that is energy conserving. Also, we generalize and evaluate the super-grid far-fieldmore » technique for truncating unbounded domains. Unlike the commonly used perfectly matched layers (PML), the super-grid technique is stable for general anisotropic material, because it is based on a coordinate stretching combined with an artificial dissipation. Moreover, the discretization satisfies an energy estimate, proving that the numerical approximation is stable. We demonstrate by numerical experiments that sufficiently wide super-grid layers result in very small artificial reflections. Applications of the proposed method are demonstrated by three-dimensional simulations of anisotropic wave propagation in crystals.« less

Automated Generation of Finite-Element Meshes for Aircraft Conceptual Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Wu; Robinson, Jay

2016-01-01

This paper presents a novel approach for automated generation of fully connected finite-element meshes for all internal structural components and skins of a given wing-body geometry model, controlled by a few conceptual-level structural layout parameters. Internal structural components include spars, ribs, frames, and bulkheads. Structural layout parameters include spar/rib locations in wing chordwise/spanwise direction and frame/bulkhead locations in longitudinal direction. A simple shell thickness optimization problem with two load conditions is used to verify versatility and robustness of the automated meshing process. The automation process is implemented in ModelCenter starting from an OpenVSP geometry and ending with a NASTRAN 200 solution. One subsonic configuration and one supersonic configuration are used for numerical verification. Two different structural layouts are constructed for each configuration and five finite-element meshes of different sizes are generated for each layout. The paper includes various comparisons of solutions of 20 thickness optimization problems, as well as discussions on how the optimal solutions are affected by the stress constraint bound and the initial guess of design variables.

A finite volume method for trace element diffusion and partitioning during crystal growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hesse, Marc A.

2012-09-01

A finite volume method on a uniform grid is presented to compute the polythermal diffusion and partitioning of a trace element during the growth of a porphyroblast crystal in a uniform matrix and in linear, cylindrical and spherical geometry. The motion of the crystal-matrix interface and the thermal evolution are prescribed functions of time. The motion of the interface is discretized and it advances from one cell boundary to next as the prescribed interface position passes the cell center. The appropriate conditions for the flux across the crystal-matrix interface are derived from discrete mass conservation. Numerical results are benchmarked against steady and transient analytic solutions for isothermal diffusion with partitioning and growth. Two applications illustrate the ability of the model to reproduce observed rare-earth element patterns in garnets (Skora et al., 2006) and water concentration profiles around spherulites in obsidian (Watkins et al., 2009). Simulations with diffusion inside the growing crystal show complex concentration evolutions for trace elements with high diffusion coefficients, such as argon or hydrogen, but demonstrate that rare-earth element concentrations in typical metamorphic garnets are not affected by intracrystalline diffusion.

Parallel computation of transverse wakes in linear colliders

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhan, Xiaowei; Ko, Kwok

1996-11-01

SLAC has proposed the detuned structure (DS) as one possible design to control the emittance growth of long bunch trains due to transverse wakefields in the Next Linear Collider (NLC). The DS consists of 206 cells with tapering from cell to cell of the order of few microns to provide Gaussian detuning of the dipole modes. The decoherence of these modes leads to two orders of magnitude reduction in wakefield experienced by the trailing bunch. To model such a large heterogeneous structure realistically is impractical with finite-difference codes using structured grids. The authors have calculated the wakefield in the DSmore » on a parallel computer with a finite-element code using an unstructured grid. The parallel implementation issues are presented along with simulation results that include contributions from higher dipole bands and wall dissipation.« less

Buckling behavior of origami unit cell facets under compressive loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kshad, Mohamed Ali Emhmed; Naguib, Hani E.

2018-03-01

Origami structures as cores for sandwich structures are designed to withstand the compressive loads and to dissipate compressive energy. The deformation of the origami panels and the unit cell facets are the primary factors behind the compressive energy dissipation in origami structures. During the loading stage, the origami structures deform through the folding and unfolding process of the unit cell facets, and also through the plastic deformation of the facets. This work presents a numerical study of the buckling behavior of different origami unit cell elements under compressive loading. The studied origami configurations were Miura and Ron-Resch-like origami structures. Finite element package was used to model the origami structures. The study investigated the buckling behavior of the unit cell facets of two types of origami structures Miura origami and Ron-Resch-Like origami structures. The simulation was conducted using ANSYS finite element software, in which the model of the unit cell represented by shell elements, and the eigenvalues buckling solver was used to predict the theoretical buckling of the unit cell elements.

Quantum confined Stark effects of single dopant in polarized hemispherical quantum dot: Two-dimensional finite difference approach and Ritz-Hassé variation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El Harouny, El Hassan; Nakra Mohajer, Soukaina; Ibral, Asmaa; El Khamkhami, Jamal; Assaid, El Mahdi

2018-05-01

Eigenvalues equation of hydrogen-like off-center single donor impurity confined in polarized homogeneous hemispherical quantum dot deposited on a wetting layer, capped by insulated matrix and submitted to external uniform electric field is solved in the framework of the effective mass approximation. An infinitely deep potential is used to describe effects of quantum confinement due to conduction band offsets at surfaces where quantum dot and surrounding materials meet. Single donor ground state total and binding energies in presence of electric field are determined via two-dimensional finite difference approach and Ritz-Hassé variation principle. For the latter method, attractive coulomb correlation between electron and ionized single donor is taken into account in the expression of trial wave function. It appears that off-center single dopant binding energy, spatial extension and radial probability density are strongly dependent on hemisphere radius and single dopant position inside quantum dot. Influence of a uniform electric field is also investigated. It shows that Stark effect appears even for very small size dots and that single dopant energy shift is more significant when the single donor is near hemispherical surface.

Finite Volume Numerical Methods for Aeroheating Rate Calculations from Infrared Thermographic Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daryabeigi, Kamran; Berry, Scott A.; Horvath, Thomas J.; Nowak, Robert J.

2003-01-01

The use of multi-dimensional finite volume numerical techniques with finite thickness models for calculating aeroheating rates from measured global surface temperatures on hypersonic wind tunnel models was investigated. Both direct and inverse finite volume techniques were investigated and compared with the one-dimensional semi -infinite technique. Global transient surface temperatures were measured using an infrared thermographic technique on a 0.333-scale model of the Hyper-X forebody in the Langley Research Center 20-Inch Mach 6 Air tunnel. In these tests the effectiveness of vortices generated via gas injection for initiating hypersonic transition on the Hyper-X forebody were investigated. An array of streamwise orientated heating striations were generated and visualized downstream of the gas injection sites. In regions without significant spatial temperature gradients, one-dimensional techniques provided accurate aeroheating rates. In regions with sharp temperature gradients due to the striation patterns two-dimensional heat transfer techniques were necessary to obtain accurate heating rates. The use of the one-dimensional technique resulted in differences of 20% in the calculated heating rates because it did not account for lateral heat conduction in the model.

Plasmonic Roche lobe in metal-dielectric-metal structure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shiu, Ruei-Cheng; Lan, Yung-Chiang

2013-07-15

This study investigates a plasmonic Roche lobe that is based on a metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) structure using finite-difference time-domain simulations and theoretical analyses. The effective refractive index of the MDM structure has two centers and is inversely proportional to the distance from the position of interest to the centers, in a manner that is analogous to the gravitational potential in a two-star system. The motion of surface plasmons (SPs) strongly depends on the ratio of permittivities at the two centers. The Lagrange point is an unstable equilibrium point for SPs that propagate in the system. After the SPs have passed throughmore » the Lagrange point, their spread drastically increases.« less

Application of finite element substructuring to composite micromechanics. M.S. Thesis - Akron Univ., May 1984

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caruso, J. J.

1984-01-01

Finite element substructuring is used to predict unidirectional fiber composite hygral (moisture), thermal, and mechanical properties. COSMIC NASTRAN and MSC/NASTRAN are used to perform the finite element analysis. The results obtained from the finite element model are compared with those obtained from the simplified composite micromechanics equations. A unidirectional composite structure made of boron/HM-epoxy, S-glass/IMHS-epoxy and AS/IMHS-epoxy are studied. The finite element analysis is performed using three dimensional isoparametric brick elements and two distinct models. The first model consists of a single cell (one fiber surrounded by matrix) to form a square. The second model uses the single cell and substructuring to form a nine cell square array. To compare computer time and results with the nine cell superelement model, another nine cell model is constructed using conventional mesh generation techniques. An independent computer program consisting of the simplified micromechanics equation is developed to predict the hygral, thermal, and mechanical properties for this comparison. The results indicate that advanced techniques can be used advantageously for fiber composite micromechanics.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McHugh, P.R.; Ramshaw, J.D.

MAGMA is a FORTRAN computer code designed to viscous flow in in situ vitrification melt pools. It models three-dimensional, incompressible, viscous flow and heat transfer. The momentum equation is coupled to the temperature field through the buoyancy force terms arising from the Boussinesq approximation. All fluid properties, except density, are assumed variable. Density is assumed constant except in the buoyancy force terms in the momentum equation. A simple melting model based on the enthalpy method allows the study of the melt front progression and latent heat effects. An indirect addressing scheme used in the numerical solution of the momentum equationmore » voids unnecessary calculations in cells devoid of liquid. Two-dimensional calculations can be performed using either rectangular or cylindrical coordinates, while three-dimensional calculations use rectangular coordinates. All derivatives are approximated by finite differences. The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a new fully implicit iterative technique, while the energy equation is differenced explicitly in time. Spatial derivatives are written in conservative form using a uniform, rectangular, staggered mesh based on the marker and cell placement of variables. Convective terms are differenced using a weighted average of centered and donor cell differencing to ensure numerical stability. Complete descriptions of MAGMA governing equations, numerics, code structure, and code verification are provided. 14 refs.« less

Divergence preserving discrete surface integral methods for Maxwell's curl equations using non-orthogonal unstructured grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madsen, Niel K.

1992-01-01

Several new discrete surface integral (DSI) methods for solving Maxwell's equations in the time-domain are presented. These methods, which allow the use of general nonorthogonal mixed-polyhedral unstructured grids, are direct generalizations of the canonical staggered-grid finite difference method. These methods are conservative in that they locally preserve divergence or charge. Employing mixed polyhedral cells, (hexahedral, tetrahedral, etc.) these methods allow more accurate modeling of non-rectangular structures and objects because the traditional stair-stepped boundary approximations associated with the orthogonal grid based finite difference methods can be avoided. Numerical results demonstrating the accuracy of these new methods are presented.

Mean-cluster approach indicates cell sorting time scales are determined by collective dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beatrici, Carine P.; de Almeida, Rita M. C.; Brunnet, Leonardo G.

2017-03-01

Cell migration is essential to cell segregation, playing a central role in tissue formation, wound healing, and tumor evolution. Considering random mixtures of two cell types, it is still not clear which cell characteristics define clustering time scales. The mass of diffusing clusters merging with one another is expected to grow as td /d +2 when the diffusion constant scales with the inverse of the cluster mass. Cell segregation experiments deviate from that behavior. Explanations for that could arise from specific microscopic mechanisms or from collective effects, typical of active matter. Here we consider a power law connecting diffusion constant and cluster mass to propose an analytic approach to model cell segregation where we explicitly take into account finite-size corrections. The results are compared with active matter model simulations and experiments available in the literature. To investigate the role played by different mechanisms we considered different hypotheses describing cell-cell interaction: differential adhesion hypothesis and different velocities hypothesis. We find that the simulations yield normal diffusion for long time intervals. Analytic and simulation results show that (i) cluster evolution clearly tends to a scaling regime, disrupted only at finite-size limits; (ii) cluster diffusion is greatly enhanced by cell collective behavior, such that for high enough tendency to follow the neighbors, cluster diffusion may become independent of cluster size; (iii) the scaling exponent for cluster growth depends only on the mass-diffusion relation, not on the detailed local segregation mechanism. These results apply for active matter systems in general and, in particular, the mechanisms found underlying the increase in cell sorting speed certainly have deep implications in biological evolution as a selection mechanism.

Time integration algorithms for the two-dimensional Euler equations on unstructured meshes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slack, David C.; Whitaker, D. L.; Walters, Robert W.

1994-01-01

Explicit and implicit time integration algorithms for the two-dimensional Euler equations on unstructured grids are presented. Both cell-centered and cell-vertex finite volume upwind schemes utilizing Roe's approximate Riemann solver are developed. For the cell-vertex scheme, a four-stage Runge-Kutta time integration, a fourstage Runge-Kutta time integration with implicit residual averaging, a point Jacobi method, a symmetric point Gauss-Seidel method and two methods utilizing preconditioned sparse matrix solvers are presented. For the cell-centered scheme, a Runge-Kutta scheme, an implicit tridiagonal relaxation scheme modeled after line Gauss-Seidel, a fully implicit lower-upper (LU) decomposition, and a hybrid scheme utilizing both Runge-Kutta and LU methods are presented. A reverse Cuthill-McKee renumbering scheme is employed for the direct solver to decrease CPU time by reducing the fill of the Jacobian matrix. A comparison of the various time integration schemes is made for both first-order and higher order accurate solutions using several mesh sizes, higher order accuracy is achieved by using multidimensional monotone linear reconstruction procedures. The results obtained for a transonic flow over a circular arc suggest that the preconditioned sparse matrix solvers perform better than the other methods as the number of elements in the mesh increases.

Summary Report of Working Group 2: Computation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoltz, P. H.; Tsung, R. S.

2009-01-01

The working group on computation addressed three physics areas: (i) plasma-based accelerators (laser-driven and beam-driven), (ii) high gradient structure-based accelerators, and (iii) electron beam sources and transport [1]. Highlights of the talks in these areas included new models of breakdown on the microscopic scale, new three-dimensional multipacting calculations with both finite difference and finite element codes, and detailed comparisons of new electron gun models with standard models such as PARMELA. The group also addressed two areas of advances in computation: (i) new algorithms, including simulation in a Lorentz-boosted frame that can reduce computation time orders of magnitude, and (ii) new hardware architectures, like graphics processing units and Cell processors that promise dramatic increases in computing power. Highlights of the talks in these areas included results from the first large-scale parallel finite element particle-in-cell code (PIC), many order-of-magnitude speedup of, and details of porting the VPIC code to the Roadrunner supercomputer. The working group featured two plenary talks, one by Brian Albright of Los Alamos National Laboratory on the performance of the VPIC code on the Roadrunner supercomputer, and one by David Bruhwiler of Tech-X Corporation on recent advances in computation for advanced accelerators. Highlights of the talk by Albright included the first one trillion particle simulations, a sustained performance of 0.3 petaflops, and an eight times speedup of science calculations, including back-scatter in laser-plasma interaction. Highlights of the talk by Bruhwiler included simulations of 10 GeV accelerator laser wakefield stages including external injection, new developments in electromagnetic simulations of electron guns using finite difference and finite element approaches.

Summary Report of Working Group 2: Computation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stoltz, P. H.; Tsung, R. S.

2009-01-22

The working group on computation addressed three physics areas: (i) plasma-based accelerators (laser-driven and beam-driven), (ii) high gradient structure-based accelerators, and (iii) electron beam sources and transport [1]. Highlights of the talks in these areas included new models of breakdown on the microscopic scale, new three-dimensional multipacting calculations with both finite difference and finite element codes, and detailed comparisons of new electron gun models with standard models such as PARMELA. The group also addressed two areas of advances in computation: (i) new algorithms, including simulation in a Lorentz-boosted frame that can reduce computation time orders of magnitude, and (ii) newmore » hardware architectures, like graphics processing units and Cell processors that promise dramatic increases in computing power. Highlights of the talks in these areas included results from the first large-scale parallel finite element particle-in-cell code (PIC), many order-of-magnitude speedup of, and details of porting the VPIC code to the Roadrunner supercomputer. The working group featured two plenary talks, one by Brian Albright of Los Alamos National Laboratory on the performance of the VPIC code on the Roadrunner supercomputer, and one by David Bruhwiler of Tech-X Corporation on recent advances in computation for advanced accelerators. Highlights of the talk by Albright included the first one trillion particle simulations, a sustained performance of 0.3 petaflops, and an eight times speedup of science calculations, including back-scatter in laser-plasma interaction. Highlights of the talk by Bruhwiler included simulations of 10 GeV accelerator laser wakefield stages including external injection, new developments in electromagnetic simulations of electron guns using finite difference and finite element approaches.« less

Field Test of a Hybrid Finite-Difference and Analytic Element Regional Model.

PubMed

Abrams, D B; Haitjema, H M; Feinstein, D T; Hunt, R J

2016-01-01

Regional finite-difference models often have cell sizes that are too large to sufficiently model well-stream interactions. Here, a steady-state hybrid model is applied whereby the upper layer or layers of a coarse MODFLOW model are replaced by the analytic element model GFLOW, which represents surface waters and wells as line and point sinks. The two models are coupled by transferring cell-by-cell leakage obtained from the original MODFLOW model to the bottom of the GFLOW model. A real-world test of the hybrid model approach is applied on a subdomain of an existing model of the Lake Michigan Basin. The original (coarse) MODFLOW model consists of six layers, the top four of which are aggregated into GFLOW as a single layer, while the bottom two layers remain part of MODFLOW in the hybrid model. The hybrid model and a refined "benchmark" MODFLOW model simulate similar baseflows. The hybrid and benchmark models also simulate similar baseflow reductions due to nearby pumping when the well is located within the layers represented by GFLOW. However, the benchmark model requires refinement of the model grid in the local area of interest, while the hybrid approach uses a gridless top layer and is thus unaffected by grid discretization errors. The hybrid approach is well suited to facilitate cost-effective retrofitting of existing coarse grid MODFLOW models commonly used for regional studies because it leverages the strengths of both finite-difference and analytic element methods for predictions in mildly heterogeneous systems that can be simulated with steady-state conditions. © 2015, National Ground Water Association.

Meso-Scale Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical Behavior of 3D Braided Composites Subjected to Biaxial Tension Loadings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Chao; Curiel-Sosa, Jose L.; Bui, Tinh Quoc

2018-04-01

In many engineering applications, 3D braided composites are designed for primary loading-bearing structures, and they are frequently subjected to multi-axial loading conditions during service. In this paper, a unit-cell based finite element model is developed for assessment of mechanical behavior of 3D braided composites under different biaxial tension loadings. To predict the damage initiation and evolution of braiding yarns and matrix in the unit-cell, we thus propose an anisotropic damage model based on Murakami damage theory in conjunction with Hashin failure criteria and maximum stress criteria. To attain exact stress ratio, force loading mode of periodic boundary conditions which never been attempted before is first executed to the unit-cell model to apply the biaxial tension loadings. The biaxial mechanical behaviors, such as the stress distribution, tensile modulus and tensile strength are analyzed and discussed. The damage development of 3D braided composites under typical biaxial tension loadings is simulated and the damage mechanisms are revealed in the simulation process. The present study generally provides a new reference to the meso-scale finite element analysis (FEA) of multi-axial mechanical behavior of other textile composites.

Dispersion transitions and pole-zero characteristics of finite inertially amplified acoustic metamaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al Ba'ba'a, H.; DePauw, D.; Singh, T.; Nouh, M.

2018-03-01

This work presents a comprehensive analysis of wave dispersion patterns and band gap formation associated with Inertially Amplified Acoustic Metamaterials (IAAM). The findings explain the different mechanisms by which inertial amplification affect wave dispersion in the individual IAAM cell as well as the evolution of such effects in finite configurations of these cells. Derived expressions for acoustic wave dispersion in IAAMs reveal unique features including flat dispersion branches with zero group velocity and a transition from a metamaterial (local resonance) to a phononic behavior that is directly related to the location and magnitude of the inerter elements. Using a closed-form transfer function approach, the translation of such effects to IAAM realizations with a known number of cells is interpreted from the pole-zero distributions of the resultant finite structures. It is also shown that band gaps are not always necessarily enlarged in the presence of inertial amplification. Comparing with benchmark conventional acoustic metamaterials, the conditions leading up to favorable as well as inferior IAAM designs are fully derived. Finally, an alternative resonator-free acoustic metamaterial is presented and shown to exhibit local resonance effects under appropriately tuned conditions.

Effects of porosity distribution and porosity volume fraction on the electromechanical properties of 3-3 piezoelectric foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, B. V.; Challagulla, K. S.; Venkatesh, T. A.; Hadjiloizi, D. A.; Georgiades, A. V.

2016-12-01

Unit-cell based finite element models are developed to completely characterize the role of porosity distribution and porosity volume fraction in determining the elastic, dielectric and piezoelectric properties as well as relevant figures of merit of 3-3 type piezoelectric foam structures. Eight classes of foam structures which represent structures with different types and degrees of uniformity of porosity distribution are identified; a Base structure (Class I), two H-type foam structures (Classes II, and III), a Cross-type foam structure (Class IV) and four Line-type foam structures (Classes V, VI, VII, and VIII). Three geometric factors that influence the electromechanical properties are identified: (i) the number of pores per face, pore size and the distance between the pores; (ii) pore orientation with respect to poling direction; (iii) the overall symmetry of the pore distribution with respect to the center of the face of the unit cell. To assess the suitability of these structures for such applications as hydrophones, bone implants, medical imaging and diagnostic devices, five figures of merit are determined via the developed finite element model; the piezoelectric coupling constant (K t ), the acoustic impedance (Z), the piezoelectric charge coefficient (d h ), the hydrostatic voltage coefficient (g h ), and the hydrostatic figure of merit (d h g h ). At high material volume fractions, foams with non-uniform Line-type porosity (Classes V and VII) where the pores are preferentially distributed perpendicular to poling direction, are found to exhibit the best combination of desirable piezoelectric figures of merit. For example, at about 50% volume fraction, the d h , g h , and d h g h figures of merit are 55%, 1600% and 2500% higher, respectively, for Classes V and VII of Line-like foam structures compared with the Base structure.

Thermal modeling of high efficiency AMTEC cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ivanenok, J.F. III; Sievers, R.K.; Crowley, C.J.

1995-12-31

Remotely condensed Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Conversion (AMTEC) cells achieve high efficiency by thermally isolating the hot {beta} Alumina Solid Electrolyte (BASE) tube from the cold condensing region. In order to design high efficiency AMTEC cells the designer must understand the heat losses associated with the AMTEC process. The major parasitic heat losses are due to conduction and radiation, and significant coupling of the two mechanisms occurs. This paper describes an effort to characterize the thermal aspects of the model PL-6 AMTEC cell and apply this understanding to the design of a higher efficiency AMTEC cell, model PL-8. Twomore » parallel analyses were used to model the thermal characteristics of PL-6. The first was a lumped node model using the classical electric circuit analogy and the second was a detailed finite-difference model. The lumped node model provides high speed and reasonable accuracy, and the detailed finite-difference model provides a more accurate, as well as visual, description of the cell temperature profiles. The results of the two methods are compared to the as-measured PL-6 data. PL-6 was the first cell to use a micromachined condenser to lower the radiation losses to the condenser, and it achieved a conversion efficiency of 15% (3 W output/20 W Input) at a temperature of 1050 K.« less

Manual of phosphoric acid fuel cell stack three-dimensional model and computer program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, C. Y.; Alkasab, K. A.

1984-01-01

A detailed distributed mathematical model of phosphoric acid fuel cell stack have been developed, with the FORTRAN computer program, for analyzing the temperature distribution in the stack and the associated current density distribution on the cell plates. Energy, mass, and electrochemical analyses in the stack were combined to develop the model. Several reasonable assumptions were made to solve this mathematical model by means of the finite differences numerical method.

Efficient light absorption by plasmonic metallic nanostructures in photovoltaic application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Rhombik; Datta, Debasish

2018-04-01

This article reports the way to trap light efficiently inside a tri-layered Cu(Zn,Sn)S2 (CZTS) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) based solar cell module using Ag nanoparticles as light concentrators by virtue of their plasmonic property. The passage of E. M. radiation within the cell has been simulated using finite difference time domain (FDTD) method.

Aspects of numerical and representational methods related to the finite-difference simulation of advective and dispersive transport of freshwater in a thin brackish aquifer

USGS Publications Warehouse

Merritt, M.L.

1993-01-01

The simulation of the transport of injected freshwater in a thin brackish aquifer, overlain and underlain by confining layers containing more saline water, is shown to be influenced by the choice of the finite-difference approximation method, the algorithm for representing vertical advective and dispersive fluxes, and the values assigned to parametric coefficients that specify the degree of vertical dispersion and molecular diffusion that occurs. Computed potable water recovery efficiencies will differ depending upon the choice of algorithm and approximation method, as will dispersion coefficients estimated based on the calibration of simulations to match measured data. A comparison of centered and backward finite-difference approximation methods shows that substantially different transition zones between injected and native waters are depicted by the different methods, and computed recovery efficiencies vary greatly. Standard and experimental algorithms and a variety of values for molecular diffusivity, transverse dispersivity, and vertical scaling factor were compared in simulations of freshwater storage in a thin brackish aquifer. Computed recovery efficiencies vary considerably, and appreciable differences are observed in the distribution of injected freshwater in the various cases tested. The results demonstrate both a qualitatively different description of transport using the experimental algorithms and the interrelated influences of molecular diffusion and transverse dispersion on simulated recovery efficiency. When simulating natural aquifer flow in cross-section, flushing of the aquifer occurred for all tested coefficient choices using both standard and experimental algorithms. ?? 1993.

The h-p Version of the Finite Element Method for Problems with Nonhomogeneous Essential Boundary Condition.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-01

one commercial code based on the p and h-p version of the finite element, the program PROBE of NOETIC Technologies (St. Louis, MO). PROBE deals with two...Standards. o To be an international center of study and research for foreign students in numerical mathematics who are supported by foreign govern- ments or...ment agencies such as the National Bureau of Standards. o To be an international center of study and research for foreign students in numerical

The Finite Lamplighter Groups: A Guided Tour

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siehler, Jacob A.

2012-01-01

In this article, we present a family of finite groups, which provide excellent examples of the basic concepts of group theory. To work out the center, conjuagacy classes, and commutators of these groups, all that's required is a bit of linear algebra.

Bifurcation theory for finitely smooth planar autonomous differential systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Maoan; Sheng, Lijuan; Zhang, Xiang

2018-03-01

In this paper we establish bifurcation theory of limit cycles for planar Ck smooth autonomous differential systems, with k ∈ N. The key point is to study the smoothness of bifurcation functions which are basic and important tool on the study of Hopf bifurcation at a fine focus or a center, and of Poincaré bifurcation in a period annulus. We especially study the smoothness of the first order Melnikov function in degenerate Hopf bifurcation at an elementary center. As we know, the smoothness problem was solved for analytic and C∞ differential systems, but it was not tackled for finitely smooth differential systems. Here, we present their optimal regularity of these bifurcation functions and their asymptotic expressions in the finite smooth case.

Product line management in oncology: a Canadian experience.

PubMed

Wodinsky, H B; Egan, D; Markel, F

1988-01-01

More competition for finite resources and increasing regulation have led many hospitals to consider a strategic reorganization. Recently, one common reorganization strategy has been"product line management." Product line management can be broadly defined in terms of centralized program management, planning, and marketing strategies. In Canada, while strategic driving forces may be different, a product line management alternative has arisen in one of the most potentially complex product lines, cancer services. This article compares and contrasts the theoretical model for product line management development, with special reference to cancer services, to the experience of one Canadian medical center and cancer center.

The Relation of Finite Element and Finite Difference Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vinokur, M.

1976-01-01

Finite element and finite difference methods are examined in order to bring out their relationship. It is shown that both methods use two types of discrete representations of continuous functions. They differ in that finite difference methods emphasize the discretization of independent variable, while finite element methods emphasize the discretization of dependent variable (referred to as functional approximations). An important point is that finite element methods use global piecewise functional approximations, while finite difference methods normally use local functional approximations. A general conclusion is that finite element methods are best designed to handle complex boundaries, while finite difference methods are superior for complex equations. It is also shown that finite volume difference methods possess many of the advantages attributed to finite element methods.

Dynamic heterogeneity and non-Gaussian statistics for acetylcholine receptors on live cell membrane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, W.; Song, H.; Su, Y.; Geng, L.; Ackerson, B. J.; Peng, H. B.; Tong, P.

2016-05-01

The Brownian motion of molecules at thermal equilibrium usually has a finite correlation time and will eventually be randomized after a long delay time, so that their displacement follows the Gaussian statistics. This is true even when the molecules have experienced a complex environment with a finite correlation time. Here, we report that the lateral motion of the acetylcholine receptors on live muscle cell membranes does not follow the Gaussian statistics for normal Brownian diffusion. From a careful analysis of a large volume of the protein trajectories obtained over a wide range of sampling rates and long durations, we find that the normalized histogram of the protein displacements shows an exponential tail, which is robust and universal for cells under different conditions. The experiment indicates that the observed non-Gaussian statistics and dynamic heterogeneity are inherently linked to the slow-active remodelling of the underlying cortical actin network.

Basilar membrane and reticular lamina motion in a multi-scale finite element model of the mouse cochlea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soons, Joris; Dirckx, Joris; Steele, Charles; Puria, Sunil

2015-12-01

A multi-scale finite element (FE) model of the mouse cochlea, based on its anatomy and material properties is presented. The important feature in the model is a lattice of 400 Y-shaped structures in the longitudinal direction, each formed by Deiters cells, phalangeal processes and outer hair cells (OHC). OHC somatic motility is modeled by an expansion force proportional to the shear on the stereocilia, which in turn is proportional to the pressure difference between the scala vestibule and scala tympani. Basilar membrane (BM) and reticular lamina (RL) velocity compare qualitatively very well with recent in vivo measurements in guinea pig [2]. Compared to the BM, the RL is shown to have higher amplification and a shift to higher frequencies. This comes naturally from the realistic Y-shaped cell organization without tectorial membrane tuning.

Sound insulation property of membrane-type acoustic metamaterials carrying different masses at adjacent cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yuguang; Wen, Jihong; Zhao, Honggang; Yu, Dianlong; Cai, Li; Wen, Xisen

2013-08-01

We present the experimental realization and theoretical understanding of membrane-type acoustic metamaterials embedded with different masses at adjacent cells, capable of increasing the transmission loss at low frequency. Owing to the reverse vibration of adjacent cells, Transmission loss (TL) peaks appear, and the magnitudes of the TL peaks exceed the predicted results of the composite wall. Compared with commonly used configuration, i.e., all cells carrying with identical mass, the nonuniformity of attaching masses causes another much low TL peak. Finite element analysis was employed to validate and provide insights into the TL behavior of the structure.

Positivity-preserving cell-centered Lagrangian schemes for multi-material compressible flows: From first-order to high-orders. Part I: The one-dimensional case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilar, François; Shu, Chi-Wang; Maire, Pierre-Henri

2016-05-01

One of the main issues in the field of numerical schemes is to ally robustness with accuracy. Considering gas dynamics, numerical approximations may generate negative density or pressure, which may lead to nonlinear instability and crash of the code. This phenomenon is even more critical using a Lagrangian formalism, the grid moving and being deformed during the calculation. Furthermore, most of the problems studied in this framework contain very intense rarefaction and shock waves. In this paper, the admissibility of numerical solutions obtained by high-order finite-volume-scheme-based methods, such as the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method, the essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) and the weighted ENO (WENO) finite volume schemes, is addressed in the one-dimensional Lagrangian gas dynamics framework. After briefly recalling how to derive Lagrangian forms of the 1D gas dynamics system of equations, a discussion on positivity-preserving approximate Riemann solvers, ensuring first-order finite volume schemes to be positive, is then given. This study is conducted for both ideal gas and non-ideal gas equations of state (EOS), such as the Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) EOS or the Mie-Grüneisen (MG) EOS, and relies on two different techniques: either a particular definition of the local approximation of the acoustic impedances arising from the approximate Riemann solver, or an additional time step constraint relative to the cell volume variation. Then, making use of the work presented in [89,90,22], this positivity study is extended to high-orders of accuracy, where new time step constraints are obtained, and proper limitation is required. Through this new procedure, scheme robustness is highly improved and hence new problems can be tackled. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods. This paper is the first part of a series of two. The whole analysis presented here is extended to the two-dimensional case in [85], and proves to fit a wide range of numerical schemes in the literature, such as those presented in [19,64,15,82,84].

Two-dimensional heat flow analysis applied to heat sterilization of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir square timbers

Treesearch

William T. Simpson

2004-01-01

Equations for a two-dimensional finite difference heat flow analysis were developed and applied to ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir square timbers to calculate the time required to heat the center of the squares to target temperature. The squares were solid piled, which made their surfaces inaccessible to the heating air, and thus surface temperatures failed to attain...

Influence of the Numerical Scheme on the Solution Quality of the SWE for Tsunami Numerical Codes: The Tohoku-Oki, 2011Example.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reis, C.; Clain, S.; Figueiredo, J.; Baptista, M. A.; Miranda, J. M. A.

2015-12-01

Numerical tools turn to be very important for scenario evaluations of hazardous phenomena such as tsunami. Nevertheless, the predictions highly depends on the numerical tool quality and the design of efficient numerical schemes still receives important attention to provide robust and accurate solutions. In this study we propose a comparative study between the efficiency of two volume finite numerical codes with second-order discretization implemented with different method to solve the non-conservative shallow water equations, the MUSCL (Monotonic Upstream-Centered Scheme for Conservation Laws) and the MOOD methods (Multi-dimensional Optimal Order Detection) which optimize the accuracy of the approximation in function of the solution local smoothness. The MUSCL is based on a priori criteria where the limiting procedure is performed before updated the solution to the next time-step leading to non-necessary accuracy reduction. On the contrary, the new MOOD technique uses a posteriori detectors to prevent the solution from oscillating in the vicinity of the discontinuities. Indeed, a candidate solution is computed and corrections are performed only for the cells where non-physical oscillations are detected. Using a simple one-dimensional analytical benchmark, 'Single wave on a sloping beach', we show that the classical 1D shallow-water system can be accurately solved with the finite volume method equipped with the MOOD technique and provide better approximation with sharper shock and less numerical diffusion. For the code validation, we also use the Tohoku-Oki 2011 tsunami and reproduce two DART records, demonstrating that the quality of the solution may deeply interfere with the scenario one can assess. This work is funded by the Portugal-France research agreement, through the research project GEONUM FCT-ANR/MAT-NAN/0122/2012.Numerical tools turn to be very important for scenario evaluations of hazardous phenomena such as tsunami. Nevertheless, the predictions highly depends on the numerical tool quality and the design of efficient numerical schemes still receives important attention to provide robust and accurate solutions. In this study we propose a comparative study between the efficiency of two volume finite numerical codes with second-order discretization implemented with different method to solve the non-conservative shallow water equations, the MUSCL (Monotonic Upstream-Centered Scheme for Conservation Laws) and the MOOD methods (Multi-dimensional Optimal Order Detection) which optimize the accuracy of the approximation in function of the solution local smoothness. The MUSCL is based on a priori criteria where the limiting procedure is performed before updated the solution to the next time-step leading to non-necessary accuracy reduction. On the contrary, the new MOOD technique uses a posteriori detectors to prevent the solution from oscillating in the vicinity of the discontinuities. Indeed, a candidate solution is computed and corrections are performed only for the cells where non-physical oscillations are detected. Using a simple one-dimensional analytical benchmark, 'Single wave on a sloping beach', we show that the classical 1D shallow-water system can be accurately solved with the finite volume method equipped with the MOOD technique and provide better approximation with sharper shock and less numerical diffusion. For the code validation, we also use the Tohoku-Oki 2011 tsunami and reproduce two DART records, demonstrating that the quality of the solution may deeply interfere with the scenario one can assess. This work is funded by the Portugal-France research agreement, through the research project GEONUM FCT-ANR/MAT-NAN/0122/2012.

Numerical simulation of a shear-thinning fluid through packed spheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hai Long; Moon, Jong Sin; Hwang, Wook Ryol

2012-12-01

Flow behaviors of a non-Newtonian fluid in spherical microstructures have been studied by a direct numerical simulation. A shear-thinning (power-law) fluid through both regular and randomly packed spheres has been numerically investigated in a representative unit cell with the tri-periodic boundary condition, employing a rigorous three-dimensional finite-element scheme combined with fictitious-domain mortar-element methods. The present scheme has been validated for the classical spherical packing problems with literatures. The flow mobility of regular packing structures, including simple cubic (SC), body-centered cubic (BCC), face-centered cubic (FCC), as well as randomly packed spheres, has been investigated quantitatively by considering the amount of shear-thinning, the pressure gradient and the porosity as parameters. Furthermore, the mechanism leading to the main flow path in a highly shear-thinning fluid through randomly packed spheres has been discussed.

Increasing cell culture population doublings for long-term growth of finite life span human cell cultures

DOEpatents

Stampfer, Martha R.; Garbe, James C.

2016-06-28

Cell culture media formulations for culturing human epithelial cells are herein described. Also described are methods of increasing population doublings in a cell culture of finite life span human epithelial cells and prolonging the life span of human cell cultures. Using the cell culture media disclosed alone and in combination with addition to the cell culture of a compound associated with anti-stress activity achieves extended growth of pre-stasis cells and increased population doublings and life span in human epithelial cell cultures.

Increasing cell culture population doublings for long-term growth of finite life span human cell cultures

DOEpatents

Stampfer, Martha R; Garbe, James C

2015-02-24

Cell culture media formulations for culturing human epithelial cells are herein described. Also described are methods of increasing population doublings in a cell culture of finite life span human epithelial cells and prolonging the life span of human cell cultures. Using the cell culture media disclosed alone and in combination with addition to the cell culture of a compound associated with anti-stress activity achieves extended growth of pre-stasis cells and increased population doublings and life span in human epithelial cell cultures.

A single-stage flux-corrected transport algorithm for high-order finite-volume methods

DOE PAGES

Chaplin, Christopher; Colella, Phillip

2017-05-08

We present a new limiter method for solving the advection equation using a high-order, finite-volume discretization. The limiter is based on the flux-corrected transport algorithm. Here, we modify the classical algorithm by introducing a new computation for solution bounds at smooth extrema, as well as improving the preconstraint on the high-order fluxes. We compute the high-order fluxes via a method-of-lines approach with fourth-order Runge-Kutta as the time integrator. For computing low-order fluxes, we select the corner-transport upwind method due to its improved stability over donor-cell upwind. Several spatial differencing schemes are investigated for the high-order flux computation, including centered- differencemore » and upwind schemes. We show that the upwind schemes perform well on account of the dissipation of high-wavenumber components. The new limiter method retains high-order accuracy for smooth solutions and accurately captures fronts in discontinuous solutions. Further, we need only apply the limiter once per complete time step.« less

Equations of state of anhydrous AlF3 and AlI3: Modeling of extreme condition halide chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stavrou, Elissaios; Zaug, Joseph M.; Bastea, Sorin; Crowhurst, Jonathan C.; Goncharov, Alexander F.; Radousky, Harry B.; Armstrong, Michael R.; Roberts, Sarah K.; Plaue, Jonathan W.

2015-06-01

Pressure dependent angle-dispersive x-ray powder diffraction measurements of alpha-phase aluminum trifluoride (α-AlF3) and separately, aluminum triiodide (AlI3) were conducted using a diamond-anvil cell. Results at 295 K extend to 50 GPa. The equations of state of AlF3 and AlI3 were determined through refinements of collected x-ray diffraction patterns. The respective bulk moduli and corresponding pressure derivatives are reported for multiple orders of the Birch-Murnaghan (B-M), finite-strain (F-f), and higher pressure finite-strain (G-g) EOS analysis models. Aluminum trifluoride exhibits an apparent isostructural phase transition at approximately 12 GPa. Aluminum triiodide also undergoes a second-order atomic rearrangement: applied stress transformed a monoclinically distorted face centered cubic (fcc) structure into a standard fcc structural arrangement of iodine atoms. Results from semi-empirical thermochemical computations of energetic materials formulated with fluorine containing reactants were obtained with the aim of predicting the yield of halogenated products.

Exact Green's functions for a Brownian particle reversibly binding to a fixed target in a finite, two-dimensional, circular domain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalay, Ziya

2012-06-01

Despite the apparent need to study reversible reactions between molecules confined to a two-dimensional space such as the cell membrane, exact Green’s functions for this case have not been reported. Here we present exact analytical Green’s functions for a Brownian particle reversibly reacting with a fixed reaction center in a finite two-dimensional circular region with reflecting or absorbing boundaries, considering either a spherically symmetric initial distribution or a particle that is initially bound. We show that Green’s function can be used to predict the effect of measurement uncertainties on the outcome of single-particle/molecule-tracking experiments in which molecular interactions are investigated. Hence, we bridge the gap between previously known solutions in one dimension (Agmon 1984 J. Chem. Phys. 81 2811) and three dimensions (Kim and Shin 1999 Phys. Rev. Lett. 82 1578), and provide an example of how the knowledge of Green’s function can be used to predict experimentally accessible quantities.

Large Eddy simulation of compressible flows with a low-numerical dissipation patch-based adaptive mesh refinement method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pantano, Carlos

2005-11-01

We describe a hybrid finite difference method for large-eddy simulation (LES) of compressible flows with a low-numerical dissipation scheme and structured adaptive mesh refinement (SAMR). Numerical experiments and validation calculations are presented including a turbulent jet and the strongly shock-driven mixing of a Richtmyer-Meshkov instability. The approach is a conservative flux-based SAMR formulation and as such, it utilizes refinement to computational advantage. The numerical method for the resolved scale terms encompasses the cases of scheme alternation and internal mesh interfaces resulting from SAMR. An explicit centered scheme that is consistent with a skew-symmetric finite difference formulation is used in turbulent flow regions while a weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme is employed to capture shocks. The subgrid stresses and transports are calculated by means of the streched-vortex model, Misra & Pullin (1997)

Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis on the interaction between a metal block and a radially polarized focused beam.

PubMed

Kitamura, Kyoko; Sakai, Kyosuke; Noda, Susumu

2011-07-18

Radially polarized focused beams have attracted a great deal of attention because of their unique properties characterized by the longitudinal field. Although this longitudinal field is strongly confined to the beam axis, the energy flow, i.e., the Poynting vector, has null intensity on the axis. Hence, the interaction of the focused beam and matter has thus far been unclear. We analyzed the interactions between the focused beam and a subwavelength metal block placed at the center of the focus using three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculation. We found that most of the Poynting energy propagates through to the far-field, and that a strong enhancement of the electric field appeared on the metal surface. This enhancement is attributed to the constructive interference of the symmetric electric field and the coupling to the surface plasmon mode.

Growth of the flat bones of the membranous neurocranium: a computational model.

PubMed

Garzón-Alvarado, Diego A; González, Andres; Gutiérrez, Maria Lucia

2013-12-01

This article assumes two stages in the formation of the bones in the calvaria, the first one takes into account the formation of the primary centers of ossification. This step counts on the differentiation from mesenchymal cells into osteoblasts. A molecular mechanism is used based on a system of reaction-diffusion between two antagonistic molecules, which are BMP2 and Noggin. To this effect we used equations whose behavior allows finding Turing patterns that determine the location of the primary centers. In the second step of the model we used a molecule that is expressed by osteoblasts, called Dxl5 and that is expressed from the osteoblasts of each flat bone. This molecule allows bone growth through its borders through cell differentiation adjacent to each bone of the skull. The model has been implemented numerically using the finite element method. The results allow us to observe a good approximation of the formation of flat bones of the membranous skull as well as the formation of fontanelles and sutures. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Accuracy and Performance for Lattice Boltzmann and Finite Difference Simulations of Steady Viscous Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noble, David R.; Georgiadis, John G.; Buckius, Richard O.

1996-07-01

The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is used to simulate flow in an infinite periodic array of octagonal cylinders. Results are compared with those obtained by a finite difference (FD) simulation solved in terms of streamfunction and vorticity using an alternating direction implicit scheme. Computed velocity profiles are compared along lines common to both the lattice Boltzmann and finite difference grids. Along all such slices, both streamwise and transverse velocity predictions agree to within 05% of the average streamwise velocity. The local shear on the surface of the cylinders also compares well, with the only deviations occurring in the vicinity of the corners of the cylinders, where the slope of the shear is discontinuous. When a constant dimensionless relaxation time is maintained, LBM exhibits the same convergence behaviour as the FD algorithm, with the time step increasing as the square of the grid size. By adjusting the relaxation time such that a constant Mach number is achieved, the time step of LBM varies linearly with the grid size. The efficiency of LBM on the CM-5 parallel computer at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) is evaluated by examining each part of the algorithm. Overall, a speed of 139 GFLOPS is obtained using 512 processors for a domain size of 2176×2176.

Advances and trends in the development of computational models for tires

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noor, A. K.; Tanner, J. A.

1985-01-01

Status and some recent developments of computational models for tires are summarized. Discussion focuses on a number of aspects of tire modeling and analysis including: tire materials and their characterization; evolution of tire models; characteristics of effective finite element models for analyzing tires; analysis needs for tires; and impact of the advances made in finite element technology, computational algorithms, and new computing systems on tire modeling and analysis. An initial set of benchmark problems has been proposed in concert with the U.S. tire industry. Extensive sets of experimental data will be collected for these problems and used for evaluating and validating different tire models. Also, the new Aircraft Landing Dynamics Facility (ALDF) at NASA Langley Research Center is described.

Polymer photonic crystal slab waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liguda, C.; Böttger, G.; Kuligk, A.; Blum, R.; Eich, M.; Roth, H.; Kunert, J.; Morgenroth, W.; Elsner, H.; Meyer, H. G.

2001-04-01

We present details of the fabrication, calculations, and transmission measurements for finite two-dimensional (2D) polymer photonic crystal (PC) slab waveguides, which were fabricated from a benzocyclobutene polymer on a low refractive index substrate from Teflon. A square air hole lattice (500 nm lattice constant, 300 nm hole diameter) was realized by electron beam lithography and reactive ion etching. Polarization and wavelength dependent transmission results show TE-like and TM-like stop gaps at 1.3 μm excitation wavelengths and are in good agreement with the calculated data obtained by 2D and three-dimensional finite difference time domain methods. Transmission was suppressed by 15 dB in the center of the TE-like stop gap for a PC length of ten lattice constants.

Development of a finite element model of the Thor crash test dummy

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-03-06

The paper describes the development of a detailed finite element model of the new advanced frontal crash test dummy, Thor. The Volpe Center is developing the model for LS-DYNA in collaboration with GESAC, the dummy hardware developer, under the direc...

Electro-optical modeling of bulk heterojunction solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirchartz, Thomas; Pieters, Bart E.; Taretto, Kurt; Rau, Uwe

2008-11-01

We introduce a model for charge separation in bulk heterojunction solar cells that combines exciton transport to the interface between donor and acceptor phases with the dissociation of the bound electron/hole pair. We implement this model into a standard semiconductor device simulator, thereby creating a convenient method to simulate the optical and electrical characteristics of a bulk heterojunction solar cell with a commercially available program. By taking into account different collection probabilities for the excitons in the polymer and the fullerene, we are able to reproduce absorptance, internal and external quantum efficiency, as well as current/voltage curves of bulk heterojunction solar cells. We further investigate the influence of mobilities of the free excitons as well as the mobilities of the free charge carriers on the performance of bulk heterojunction solar cells. We find that, in general, the highest efficiencies are achieved with the highest mobilities. However, an optimum finite mobility of free charge carriers can result from a large recombination velocity at the contacts. In contrast, Langevin-type of recombination cannot lead to finite optimum mobilities even though this mechanism has a strong dependence on the free carrier mobilities.

Three-dimensional simulation of pseudopod-driven swimming of amoeboid cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Eric; Bagchi, Prosenjit

2016-11-01

Pseudopod-driven locomotion is common in eukaryotic cells, such as amoeba, neutrophils, and cancer cells. Pseudopods are protrusions of the cell body that grow, bifurcate, and retract. Due to the dynamic nature of pseudopods, the shape of a motile cell constantly changes. The actin-myosin protein dynamics is a likely mechanism for pseudopod growth. Existing theoretical models often focus on the acto-myosin dynamics, and not the whole cell shape dynamics. Here we present a full 3D simulation of pseudopod-driven motility by coupling a surface-bound reaction-diffusion (RD) model for the acto-myosin dynamics, a continuum model for the cell membrane deformation, and flow of the cytoplasmic and extracellular fluids. The whole cell is represented as a viscous fluid surrounded by a membrane. A finite-element method is used to solve the membrane deformation, and the RD model on the deforming membrane, while a finite-difference/spectral method is used to solve the flow fields inside and outside the cell. The fluid flow and cell deformation are coupled by the immersed-boundary method. The model predicts pseudopod growth, bifurcation, and retraction as observed for a swimming amoeba. The work provides insights on the role of membrane stiffness and cytoplasmic viscosity on amoeboid swimming. Funded by NSF CBET 1438255.

Proximity effects in cold gases of multiply charged atoms (Review)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chikina, I.; Shikin, V.

2016-07-01

Possible proximity effects in gases of cold, multiply charged atoms are discussed. Here we deal with rarefied gases with densities nd of multiply charged (Z ≫ 1) atoms at low temperatures in the well-known Thomas-Fermi (TF) approximation, which can be used to evaluate the statistical properties of single atoms. In order to retain the advantages of the TF formalism, which is successful for symmetric problems, the external boundary conditions accounting for the finiteness of the density of atoms (donors), nd ≠ 0, are also symmetrized (using a spherical Wigner-Seitz cell) and formulated in a standard way that conserves the total charge within the cell. The model shows that at zero temperature in a rarefied gas of multiply charged atoms there is an effective long-range interaction Eproxi(nd), the sign of which depends on the properties of the outer shells of individual atoms. The long-range character of the interaction Eproxi is evaluated by comparing it with the properties of the well-known London dispersive attraction ELond(nd) < 0, which is regarded as a long-range interaction in gases. For the noble gases argon, krypton, and xenon Eproxi>0 and for the alkali and alkaline-earth elements Eproxi < 0. At finite temperatures, TF statistics manifests a new, anomalously large proximity effect, which reflects the tendency of electrons localized at Coulomb centers to escape into the continuum spectrum. The properties of thermal decay are interesting in themselves as they determine the important phenomenon of dissociation of neutral complexes into charged fragments. This phenomenon appears consistently in the TF theory through the temperature dependence of the different versions of Eproxi. The anomaly in the thermal proximity effect shows up in the following way: for T ≠ 0 there is no equilibrium solution of TS statistics for single multiply charged atoms in a vacuum when the effect is present. Instability is suppressed in a Wigner-Seitz model under the assumption that there are no electron fluxes through the outer boundary R3 ∝ n-1d of a Wigner-Seitz cell. Eproxi corresponds to the definition of the correlation energy in a gas of interacting particles. This review is written so as to enable comparison of the results of the TF formalism with the standard assumptions of the correlation theory for classical plasmas. The classic example from work on weak solutions (including charged solutions)—the use of semi-impermeable membranes for studies of osmotic pressure—is highly appropriate for problems involving Eproxi. Here we are speaking of one or more sharp boundaries formed by the ionic component of a many-particle problem. These may be a metal-vacuum boundary in a standard Casimir cell in a study of the vacuum properties in the 2l gap between conducting media of different kinds or different layered systems (quantum wells) in semiconductors, etc. As the mobile part of the equilibrium near a sharp boundary, electrons can (should) escape beyond the confines of the ion core into a gap 2l with a probability that depends, among other factors, on the properties of Eproxi for the electron cloud inside the conducting walls of the Casimir cell (quantum well). The analog of the Casimir sandwich in semiconductors is the widely used multilayer heterostructures referred to as quantum wells of width 2l with sides made of suitable doped materials, which ensure statistical equilibrium exchange of electrons between the layers of the multilayer structure. The thermal component of the proximity effects in semiconducting quantum wells provides an idea of many features of the dissociation process in doped semiconductors. In particular, a positive Eproxi > 0 (relative to the bottom of the conduction band) indicates that TF donors with a finite density nd ≠ 0 form a degenerate, semiconducting state in the semiconductor. At zero temperature, there is a finite density of free carriers which increases with a power-law dependence on T.

Development and application of a program to calculate transonic flow around an oscillating three-dimensional wing using finite difference procedures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weatherill, Warren H.; Ehlers, F. Edward

1989-01-01

A finite difference method for solving the unsteady transonic flow about harmonically oscillating wings is investigated. The procedure is based on separating the velocity potential into steady and unsteady parts and linearizing the resulting unsteady differential equation for small disturbances. The differential equation for the unsteady potential is linear with spatially varying coefficients and with the time variable eliminated by assuming harmonic motion. Difference equations are derived for harmonic transonic flow to include a coordinate transformation for swept and tapered planforms. A pilot program is developed for three-dimensional planar lifting surface configurations (including thickness) for the CRAY-XMP at Boeing Commercial Airplanes and for the CYBER VPS-32 at the NASA Langley Research Center. An investigation is made of the effect of the location of the outer boundaries on accuracy for very small reduced frequencies. Finally, the pilot program is applied to the flutter analysis of a rectangular wing.

Cascades of Particles Moving at Finite Velocity in Hyperbolic Spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cammarota, V.; Orsingher, E.

2008-12-01

A branching process of particles moving at finite velocity over the geodesic lines of the hyperbolic space (Poincaré half-plane and Poincaré disk) is examined. Each particle can split into two particles only once at Poisson spaced times and deviates orthogonally when splitted. At time t, after N( t) Poisson events, there are N( t)+1 particles moving along different geodesic lines. We are able to obtain the exact expression of the mean hyperbolic distance of the center of mass of the cloud of particles. We derive such mean hyperbolic distance from two different and independent ways and we study the behavior of the relevant expression as t increases and for different values of the parameters c (hyperbolic velocity of motion) and λ (rate of reproduction). The mean hyperbolic distance of each moving particle is also examined and a useful representation, as the distance of a randomly stopped particle moving over the main geodesic line, is presented.

Multichannel blind iterative image restoration.

PubMed

Sroubek, Filip; Flusser, Jan

2003-01-01

Blind image deconvolution is required in many applications of microscopy imaging, remote sensing, and astronomical imaging. Unfortunately in a single-channel framework, serious conceptual and numerical problems are often encountered. Very recently, an eigenvector-based method (EVAM) was proposed for a multichannel framework which determines perfectly convolution masks in a noise-free environment if channel disparity, called co-primeness, is satisfied. We propose a novel iterative algorithm based on recent anisotropic denoising techniques of total variation and a Mumford-Shah functional with the EVAM restoration condition included. A linearization scheme of half-quadratic regularization together with a cell-centered finite difference discretization scheme is used in the algorithm and provides a unified approach to the solution of total variation or Mumford-Shah. The algorithm performs well even on very noisy images and does not require an exact estimation of mask orders. We demonstrate capabilities of the algorithm on synthetic data. Finally, the algorithm is applied to defocused images taken with a digital camera and to data from astronomical ground-based observations of the Sun.

Parameters analysis of a porous medium model for treatment with hyperthermia using OpenMP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freitas Reis, Ruy; dos Santos Loureiro, Felipe; Lobosco, Marcelo

2015-09-01

Cancer is the second cause of death in the world so treatments have been developed trying to work around this world health problem. Hyperthermia is not a new technique, but its use in cancer treatment is still at early stage of development. This treatment is based on overheat the target area to a threshold temperature that causes cancerous cell necrosis and apoptosis. To simulate this phenomenon using magnetic nanoparticles in an under skin cancer treatment, a three-dimensional porous medium model was adopted. This study presents a sensibility analysis of the model parameters such as the porosity and blood velocity. To ensure a second-order solution approach, a 7-points centered finite difference method was used for space discretization while a predictor-corrector method was used to time evolution. Due to the massive computations required to find the solution of a three-dimensional model, this paper also presents a first attempt to improve performance using OpenMP, a parallel programming API.

Bio-inspired structural bistability employing elastomeric origami for morphing applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daynes, Stephen; Trask, Richard S.; Weaver, Paul M.

2014-12-01

A structural concept based upon the principles of adaptive morphing cells is presented whereby controlled bistability from a flat configuration into a textured arrangement is shown. The material consists of multiple cells made from silicone rubber with locally reinforced regions based upon kirigami principles. On pneumatic actuation these cells fold or unfold based on the fold lines created by the interaction of the geometry with the reinforced regions. Each cell is able to maintain its shape in either a retracted or deployed state, without the aid of mechanisms or sustained actuation, due to the existence of structural bistability. Mathematical quantification of the surface texture is introduced, based on out-of-plane deviations of a deployed structure compared to a reference plane. Additionally, finite element analysis is employed to characterize the geometry and stability of an individual cell during actuation and retraction. This investigation highlights the critical role that angular rotation, at the center of each cell, plays on the deployment angle as it transitions through the elastically deployed configuration. The analysis of this novel concept is presented and a pneumatically actuated proof-of-concept demonstrator is fabricated.

Evaluation of Resuspension from Propeller Wash in DoD Harbors

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

Environmental Research and Development Center FANS FOV ICP-MS Finite Analytical Navier-Stoker Solver Field of View Inductively Coupled Plasma with...Model (1984) and the Finite Analytical Navier- Stoker Solver (FANS) model (Chen et al., 2003) were set up to simulate and evaluate flow velocities and...model for evaluating the resuspension potential of propeller wash by a tugboat and the FANS model for a DDG. The Finite -Analytic Navier-Stokes (FANS

Decomposition of the Seismic Source Using Numerical Simulations and Observations of Nuclear Explosions

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-05-31

SUBJECT TERMS nonlinear finite element calculations, nuclear explosion monitoring, topography 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 18...3D North Korea calculations........ Figure 6. The CRAM 3D finite element outer grid (left) is rectangular......................... Figure 7. Stress...Figure 6. The CRAM 3D finite element outer grid (left) is rectangular. The inner grid (center) is shaped to match the shape of the explosion shock wave

Finite length Taylor Couette flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Streett, C. L.; Hussaini, M. Y.

1987-01-01

Axisymmetric numerical solutions of the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations for flow between concentric rotating cylinders of finite length are obtained by a spectral collocation method. These representative results pertain to two-cell/one-cell exchange process, and are compared with recent experiments.

Improved Design of Tunnel Supports : Volume 3 : Finite Element Analysis of the Peachtree Center Station in Atlanta

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1980-06-01

Volume 3 contains the application of the three-dimensional (3-D) finite element program, Automatic Dynamic Incremental Nonlinear Analysis (ADINA), which was designed to replace the traditional 2-D plane strain analysis, to a specific location. The lo...

Updating the Finite Element Model of the Aerostructures Test Wing Using Ground Vibration Test Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lung, Shun-Fat; Pak, Chan-Gi

2009-01-01

Improved and/or accelerated decision making is a crucial step during flutter certification processes. Unfortunately, most finite element structural dynamics models have uncertainties associated with model validity. Tuning the finite element model using measured data to minimize the model uncertainties is a challenging task in the area of structural dynamics. The model tuning process requires not only satisfactory correlations between analytical and experimental results, but also the retention of the mass and stiffness properties of the structures. Minimizing the difference between analytical and experimental results is a type of optimization problem. By utilizing the multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization (MDAO) tool in order to optimize the objective function and constraints; the mass properties, the natural frequencies, and the mode shapes can be matched to the target data to retain the mass matrix orthogonality. This approach has been applied to minimize the model uncertainties for the structural dynamics model of the aerostructures test wing (ATW), which was designed and tested at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center (Edwards, California). This study has shown that natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes from the updated finite element model have excellent agreement with corresponding measured data.

Updating the Finite Element Model of the Aerostructures Test Wing using Ground Vibration Test Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lung, Shun-fat; Pak, Chan-gi

2009-01-01

Improved and/or accelerated decision making is a crucial step during flutter certification processes. Unfortunately, most finite element structural dynamics models have uncertainties associated with model validity. Tuning the finite element model using measured data to minimize the model uncertainties is a challenging task in the area of structural dynamics. The model tuning process requires not only satisfactory correlations between analytical and experimental results, but also the retention of the mass and stiffness properties of the structures. Minimizing the difference between analytical and experimental results is a type of optimization problem. By utilizing the multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization (MDAO) tool in order to optimize the objective function and constraints; the mass properties, the natural frequencies, and the mode shapes can be matched to the target data to retain the mass matrix orthogonality. This approach has been applied to minimize the model uncertainties for the structural dynamics model of the Aerostructures Test Wing (ATW), which was designed and tested at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) (Edwards, California). This study has shown that natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes from the updated finite element model have excellent agreement with corresponding measured data.

Reduced Uncertainties in the Flutter Analysis of the Aerostructures Test Wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pak, Chan-gi; Lung, Shun-fat

2010-01-01

Tuning the finite element model using measured data to minimize the model uncertainties is a challenging task in the area of structural dynamics. A test validated finite element model can provide a reliable flutter analysis to define the flutter placard speed to which the aircraft can be flown prior to flight flutter testing. Minimizing the difference between numerical and experimental results is a type of optimization problem. Through the use of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center s (Edwards, California, USA) multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization tool to optimize the objective function and constraints; the mass properties, the natural frequencies, and the mode shapes are matched to the target data and the mass matrix orthogonality is retained. The approach in this study has been applied to minimize the model uncertainties for the structural dynamic model of the aerostructures test wing, which was designed, built, and tested at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center. A 25-percent change in flutter speed has been shown after reducing the uncertainties

Reduced Uncertainties in the Flutter Analysis of the Aerostructures Test Wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pak, Chan-Gi; Lung, Shun Fat

2011-01-01

Tuning the finite element model using measured data to minimize the model uncertainties is a challenging task in the area of structural dynamics. A test validated finite element model can provide a reliable flutter analysis to define the flutter placard speed to which the aircraft can be flown prior to flight flutter testing. Minimizing the difference between numerical and experimental results is a type of optimization problem. Through the use of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center's (Edwards, California) multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization tool to optimize the objective function and constraints; the mass properties, the natural frequencies, and the mode shapes are matched to the target data, and the mass matrix orthogonality is retained. The approach in this study has been applied to minimize the model uncertainties for the structural dynamic model of the aerostructures test wing, which was designed, built, and tested at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center. A 25 percent change in flutter speed has been shown after reducing the uncertainties.

Solution-Adaptive Cartesian Cell Approach for Viscous and Inviscid Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coirier, William J.; Powell, Kenneth G.

1996-01-01

A Cartesian cell-based approach for adaptively refined solutions of the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations in two dimensions is presented. Grids about geometrically complicated bodies are generated automatically, by the recursive subdivision of a single Cartesian cell encompassing the entire flow domain. Where the resulting cells intersect bodies, polygonal cut cells are created using modified polygon-clipping algorithms. The grid is stored in a binary tree data structure that provides a natural means of obtaining cell-to-cell connectivity and of carrying out solution-adaptive mesh refinement. The Euler and Navier-Stokes equations are solved on the resulting grids using a finite volume formulation. The convective terms are upwinded: A linear reconstruction of the primitive variables is performed, providing input states to an approximate Riemann solver for computing the fluxes between neighboring cells. The results of a study comparing the accuracy and positivity of two classes of cell-centered, viscous gradient reconstruction procedures is briefly summarized. Adaptively refined solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations are shown using the more robust of these gradient reconstruction procedures, where the results computed by the Cartesian approach are compared to theory, experiment, and other accepted computational results for a series of low and moderate Reynolds number flows.

Applications of numerical methods to simulate the movement of contaminants in groundwater.

PubMed Central

Sun, N Z

1989-01-01

This paper reviews mathematical models and numerical methods that have been extensively used to simulate the movement of contaminants through the subsurface. The major emphasis is placed on the numerical methods of advection-dominated transport problems and inverse problems. Several mathematical models that are commonly used in field problems are listed. A variety of numerical solutions for three-dimensional models are introduced, including the multiple cell balance method that can be considered a variation of the finite element method. The multiple cell balance method is easy to understand and convenient for solving field problems. When the advection transport dominates the dispersion transport, two kinds of numerical difficulties, overshoot and numerical dispersion, are always involved in solving standard, finite difference methods and finite element methods. To overcome these numerical difficulties, various numerical techniques are developed, such as upstream weighting methods and moving point methods. A complete review of these methods is given and we also mention the problems of parameter identification, reliability analysis, and optimal-experiment design that are absolutely necessary for constructing a practical model. PMID:2695327

Spectral (Finite) Volume Method for Conservation Laws on Unstructured Grids II: Extension to Two Dimensional Scalar Equation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Z. J.; Liu, Yen; Kwak, Dochan (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The framework for constructing a high-order, conservative Spectral (Finite) Volume (SV) method is presented for two-dimensional scalar hyperbolic conservation laws on unstructured triangular grids. Each triangular grid cell forms a spectral volume (SV), and the SV is further subdivided into polygonal control volumes (CVs) to supported high-order data reconstructions. Cell-averaged solutions from these CVs are used to reconstruct a high order polynomial approximation in the SV. Each CV is then updated independently with a Godunov-type finite volume method and a high-order Runge-Kutta time integration scheme. A universal reconstruction is obtained by partitioning all SVs in a geometrically similar manner. The convergence of the SV method is shown to depend on how a SV is partitioned. A criterion based on the Lebesgue constant has been developed and used successfully to determine the quality of various partitions. Symmetric, stable, and convergent linear, quadratic, and cubic SVs have been obtained, and many different types of partitions have been evaluated. The SV method is tested for both linear and non-linear model problems with and without discontinuities.

Dynamic Finite Element Predictions for Mars Sample Return Cellular Impact Test #4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fasanella, Edwin L.; Billings, Marcus D.

2001-01-01

The nonlinear finite element program MSC.Dytran was used to predict the impact pulse for (he drop test of an energy absorbing cellular structure. This pre-test simulation was performed to aid in the design of an energy absorbing concept for a highly reliable passive Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) that will directly impact the Earth without a parachute. In addition, a goal of the simulation was to bound the acceleration pulse produced and delivered to the simulated space cargo container. EEV's are designed to return materials from asteroids, comets, or planets for laboratory analysis on Earth. The EEV concept uses an energy absorbing cellular structure designed to contain and limit the acceleration of space exploration samples during Earth impact. The spherical shaped cellular structure is composed of solid hexagonal and pentagonal foam-filled cells with hybrid graphite-epoxy/Kevlar cell walls. Space samples fit inside a smaller sphere at the enter of the EEV's cellular structure. The material models and failure criteria were varied to determine their effect on the resulting acceleration pulse. Pre-test analytical predictions using MSC.Dytran were compared with the test results obtained from impact test #4 using bungee accelerator located at the NASA Langley Research Center Impact Dynamics Research Facility. The material model used to represent the foam and the proper failure criteria for the cell walls were critical in predicting the impact loads of the cellular structure. It was determined that a FOAMI model for the foam and a 20% failure strain criteria for the cell walls gave an accurate prediction of the acceleration pulse for drop test #4.

Numerical Investigation of the Residual Stress Distribution of Flat-Faced and Convexly Curved Tablets Using the Finite Element Method.

PubMed

Otoguro, Saori; Hayashi, Yoshihiro; Miura, Takahiro; Uehara, Naoto; Utsumi, Shunichi; Onuki, Yoshinori; Obata, Yasuko; Takayama, Kozo

2015-01-01

The stress distribution of tablets after compression was simulated using a finite element method, where the powder was defined by the Drucker-Prager cap model. The effect of tablet shape, identified by the surface curvature, on the residual stress distribution was investigated. In flat-faced tablets, weak positive shear stress remained from the top and bottom die walls toward the center of the tablet. In the case of the convexly curved tablet, strong positive shear stress remained on the upper side and in the intermediate part between the die wall and the center of the tablet. In the case of x-axial stress, negative values were observed for all tablets, suggesting that the x-axial force always acts from the die wall toward the center of the tablet. In the flat tablet, negative x-axial stress remained from the upper edge to the center bottom. The x-axial stress distribution differed between the flat and convexly curved tablets. Weak stress remained in the y-axial direction of the flat tablet, whereas an upward force remained at the center of the convexly curved tablet. By employing multiple linear regression analysis, the mechanical properties of the tablets were predicted accurately as functions of their residual stress distribution. However, the multiple linear regression prediction of the dissolution parameters of acetaminophen, used here as a model drug, was limited, suggesting that the dissolution of active ingredients is not a simple process; further investigation is needed to enable accurate predictions of dissolution parameters.

Electrophoretic cell separation by means of immunomicrospheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rembaum, A.; Smolka, A. J. K.

1980-01-01

The electrophoretic mobility of fixed human red blood cells immunologically labeled with polymeric (4-vinyl)pyridine or polyglutaraldehyde microspheres was altered to a considerable extent. This observation was utilized in the preparative scale electrophoretic separation of human and turkey fixed red blood cells, whose mobilities under normal physiological conditions do not differ sufficiently to allow their separation by continuous flow electrophoresis. It is suggested that resolution in the electrophoretic separation of cell subpopulations, currently limited by finite and often overlapping mobility distributions, may be significantly enhanced by immuno-specific labeling of target populations using microspheres.

Numerical computation of transonic flows by finite-element and finite-difference methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hafez, M. M.; Wellford, L. C.; Merkle, C. L.; Murman, E. M.

1978-01-01

Studies on applications of the finite element approach to transonic flow calculations are reported. Different discretization techniques of the differential equations and boundary conditions are compared. Finite element analogs of Murman's mixed type finite difference operators for small disturbance formulations were constructed and the time dependent approach (using finite differences in time and finite elements in space) was examined.

A Modular Three-Dimensional Finite-Difference Ground-Water Flow Model

USGS Publications Warehouse

McDonald, Michael G.; Harbaugh, Arlen W.; Guo, Weixing; Lu, Guoping

1988-01-01

This report presents a finite-difference model and its associated modular computer program. The model simulates flow in three dimensions. The report includes detailed explanations of physical and mathematical concepts on which the model is based and an explanation of how those concepts are incorporated in the modular structure of the computer program. The modular structure consists of a Main Program and a series of highly independent subroutines called 'modules.' The modules are grouped into 'packages.' Each package deals with a specific feature of the hydrologic system which is to be simulated, such as flow from rivers or flow into drains, or with a specific method of solving linear equations which describe the flow system, such as the Strongly Implicit Procedure or Slice-Successive Overrelaxation. The division of the program into modules permits the user to examine specific hydrologic features of the model independently. This also facilita development of additional capabilities because new packages can be added to the program without modifying the existing packages. The input and output systems of the computer program are also designed to permit maximum flexibility. Ground-water flow within the aquifer is simulated using a block-centered finite-difference approach. Layers can be simulated as confined, unconfined, or a combination of confined and unconfined. Flow associated with external stresses, such as wells, areal recharge, evapotranspiration, drains, and streams, can also be simulated. The finite-difference equations can be solved using either the Strongly Implicit Procedure or Slice-Successive Overrelaxation. The program is written in FORTRAN 77 and will run without modification on most computers that have a FORTRAN 77 compiler. For each program ,module, this report includes a narrative description, a flow chart, a list of variables, and a module listing.

Stable and unstable singularities in the unforced Hele-Shaw cell

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Almgren, R.; Bertozzi, A.; Brenner, M.P.

We study singularity formation in the lubrication model for the unforced Hele-Shaw system, describing the breaking in two of a fluid droplet confined between two narrowly spaced glass plates. By varying the initial data, we exhibit four different scenarios: (1) the droplet breaks in finite time, with two pinch points moving toward each other and merging at the singular time; (2) the droplet breaks in finite time, with two asymmetric pinch points propagating away from each other; (3) the droplet breaks in finite time, with a single symmetric pinch point; or (4) the droplet relaxes to a stable equilibrium shapemore » without a finite time breakup. Each of the three singular scenarios has a self-similar structure with different scaling laws; the first scenario has not been observed before in other Hele-Shaw studies. We demonstrate instabilities of the second and third scenarios, in which the solution changes its behavior at a thickness that can be arbitrarily small depending on the initial condition. These transitions can be identified by examining the structure of the solution in the intermediate scaling region. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Effects of anterior offsetting of humeral head component in posteriorly unstable total shoulder arthroplasty: Finite element modeling of cadaver specimens.

PubMed

Lewis, Gregory S; Conaway, William K; Wee, Hwabok; Kim, H Mike

2017-02-28

A novel technique of "anterior offsetting" of the humeral head component to address posterior instability in total shoulder arthroplasty has been proposed, and its biomechanical benefits have been previously demonstrated experimentally. The present study sought to characterize the changes in joint mechanics associated with anterior offsetting with various amounts of glenoid retroversion using cadaver specimen-specific 3-dimensional finite element models. Specimen-specific computational finite element models were developed through importing digitized locations of six musculotendinous units of the rotator cuff and deltoid muscles based off three cadaveric shoulder specimens implanted with total shoulder arthroplasty in either anatomic or anterior humeral head offset. Additional glenoid retroversion angles (0°, 10°, 20°, and 30°) other than each specimen׳s actual retroversion were modeled. Contact area, contact force, peak pressure, center of pressure, and humeral head displacement were calculated at each offset and retroversion for statistical analysis. Anterior offsetting was associated with significant anterior shift of center of pressure and humeral head displacement upon muscle loading (p<0.05). Although statistically insignificant, anterior offsetting was associated with increased contact area and decreased peak pressure (p > 0.05). All study variables showed significant differences when compared between the 4 different glenoid retroversion angles (p < 0.05) except for total force (p < 0.05). The study finding suggests that the anterior offsetting technique may contribute to joint stability in posteriorly unstable shoulder arthroplasty and may reduce eccentric loading on glenoid components although the long term clinical results are yet to be investigated in future. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Improvement of fluorescence intensity of nitrogen vacancy centers in self-formed diamond microstructures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Furuyama, S.; Yaita, J.; Kondo, M.

2015-10-19

We present umbrella-shaped diamond microstructures with metal mirrors at the bottom in order to improve the amount of collected photons from nitrogen vacancy centers. The metal mirrors at the bottom are self-aligned to the umbrella-shaped diamond microstructures which are selectively grown through holes created on a metal mask. By the finite-difference time-domain simulations, we found that the umbrella-shaped microstructures, which have an effect similar to solid immersion lens, could collect photons more efficiently than bulk or pillar-shaped microstructures. Improvement of the fluorescence intensity by factors of from 3 to 5 is shown experimentally.

A novel approach for extracting viscoelastic parameters of living cells through combination of inverse finite element simulation and Atomic Force Microscopy.

PubMed

Wei, Fanan; Yang, Haitao; Liu, Lianqing; Li, Guangyong

2017-03-01

Dynamic mechanical behaviour of living cells has been described by viscoelasticity. However, quantitation of the viscoelastic parameters for living cells is far from sophisticated. In this paper, combining inverse finite element (FE) simulation with Atomic Force Microscope characterization, we attempt to develop a new method to evaluate and acquire trustworthy viscoelastic index of living cells. First, influence of the experiment parameters on stress relaxation process is assessed using FE simulation. As suggested by the simulations, cell height has negligible impact on shape of the force-time curve, i.e. the characteristic relaxation time; and the effect originates from substrate can be totally eliminated when stiff substrate (Young's modulus larger than 3 GPa) is used. Then, so as to develop an effective optimization strategy for the inverse FE simulation, the parameters sensitivity evaluation is performed for Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and characteristic relaxation time. With the experiment data obtained through typical stress relaxation measurement, viscoelastic parameters are extracted through the inverse FE simulation by comparing the simulation results and experimental measurements. Finally, reliability of the acquired mechanical parameters is verified with different load experiments performed on the same cell.

Determination of cellular strains by combined atomic force microscopy and finite element modeling.

PubMed Central

Charras, Guillaume T; Horton, Mike A

2002-01-01

Many organs adapt to their mechanical environment as a result of physiological change or disease. Cells are both the detectors and effectors of this process. Though many studies have been performed in vitro to investigate the mechanisms of detection and adaptation to mechanical strains, the cellular strains remain unknown and results from different stimulation techniques cannot be compared. By combining experimental determination of cell profiles and elasticities by atomic force microscopy with finite element modeling and computational fluid dynamics, we report the cellular strain distributions exerted by common whole-cell straining techniques and from micromanipulation techniques, hence enabling their comparison. Using data from our own analyses and experiments performed by others, we examine the threshold of activation for different signal transduction processes and the strain components that they may detect. We show that modulating cell elasticity, by increasing the F-actin content of the cytoskeleton, or cellular Poisson ratio are good strategies to resist fluid shear or hydrostatic pressure. We report that stray fluid flow in some substrate-stretch systems elicits significant cellular strains. In conclusion, this technique shows promise in furthering our understanding of the interplay among mechanical forces, strain detection, gene expression, and cellular adaptation in physiology and disease. PMID:12124270

Applications of Photonic Crystals to Photovoltaic Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foster, Stephen

Photonic crystals are structures that exhibit wavelength-scale spatial periodicity in their dielectric function. They are best known for their ability to exhibit complete photonic band gaps (PBGs) - spectral regions over which no light can propagate within the crystal. PBGs are specific instances of a more general phenomenon, in which the local photonic density of states can be enhanced or suppressed over different frequency ranges by tuning the properties of the crystal. This can be used to redirect, concentrate, or even trap light incident on the crystal. In this thesis, we investigate how photonic crystals can be used to enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic devices by trapping light. Due to the many different types of photovoltaic devices in existence (varying widely in materials used, modes of operation, and internal structure), there is no single light trapping architecture that can be applied to all photovoltaics. In this work we study a number of different devices: dye-sensitized solar cells, polymer solar cells, silicon-perovskite tandem cells, and single-junction silicon cells. We propose novel photonic crystal-based light trapping designs for each type of device, and evaluate these designs numerically to demonstrate their effectiveness. Full-field optical simulations of the cell are performed for each design, using either finite element method (FEM) or finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) techniques. Where appropriate, electrical modelling of the cell is also performed, through either the use of a simple one-diode model, or by obtaining full solutions to the semiconductor drift-diffusion equations within the cell. In all cases we find that the photonic crystal-based designs significantly outperform their non-nanostructured counterparts. In the case of dye-sensitized and polymer cells, enhancements in light absorption of 33% and 40% (respectively) are seen, relative to reference cells with planar geometries. In the case of silicon-perovskite tandem cells and silicon cells, projected power conversion efficiencies of over 30% are obtained, well beyond the current world record for silicon-based cells. We conclude the thesis with a discussion on the overall prospects for photonic crystal-based solar cells, with a focus on the factors that make solar cell technologies amenable to light trapping.

A numerical simulation of finite-length Taylor-Couette flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Streett, C. L.; Hussaini, M. Y.

1988-01-01

Results from numerical simulations of finite-length Taylor-Couette flow are presented. Included are time-accurate and steady-state studies of the change in the nature of the symmetric two-cell/asymmetric one-cell bifurcation with varying aspect ratio and of the Reynolds number/aspect ratio locus of the two-cell/four-cell bifurcation. Preliminary results from wavy-vortex simulations at low aspect ratios are also presented.

Numerical models of diapiric structures: comparison of the 2D finite deformation field between Rayleigh-Taylor like and down-built like diapirs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuchs, Lukas; Schmeling, Harro; Koyi, Hemin

2013-04-01

Magmatic and salt diapirs are common structures in different tectonic regimes. Salt diapirs can act as possible hydrocarbon traps and, moreover, they could be used as repositories for nuclear waste disposal. Understanding the evolution and the dynamics of diapirs as well as their driving mechanisms has fundamental and applied significance. In general, salt diapirs seem to be driven by differential loading of sediments creating an uneven load that drives the salt from high to low pressure areas, e.g. a down-built diapir. Magmatic diapirs, instead, seem to be driven by buoyancy where lighter material rises vertically through a heavier overburden, i.e. a classical Rayleigh-Taylor instability [RTI]. These different driving mechanisms and dynamics strongly govern the internal deformation of the diapirs. In this study, we use a two-dimensional finite difference code (FDCON) in combination with a marker and cell method to calculate the finite deformation within diapiric structures. Thereby, we distinguish between the two different driving mechanisms, i.e. the differential loading and the buoyancy. We calculate the different finite deformation patterns during the evolution of RTI's and down-built diapirs for different viscosity ratios m = -?buoyant- ?overburden. The deformation pattern in the buoyant layer shows similarities for both diapiric structures, like high shear deformation at the bottom, a high finite deformation within the middle of the stem, and an increasing maximum finite deformation for a decreasing m. However, the strain partitioning between the overburden and the source layer is different within down-built diapirs compared to the RTI's, even for down-built diapirs with m = 1. Thus a higher amount of the total strain induced by down-building is concentrated within the buoyant layer. Moreover, in the case of viscosity ratios of m = 0.1 or 1 the sinking overburden units create an internal rotation within the diapiric bulb. This rotation depends indirectly on the sedimentation rate as it determines the width of the sediment basin; the higher the sedimentation rate, the wider the basins and the weaker the internal rotation. In addition, the viscous drag between the sinking overburden and the rising diapir creates a stronger and wider band of finite deformation along the edges of the down-built diapir in comparison to the RTI.

Modelling and finite-time stability analysis of psoriasis pathogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oza, Harshal B.; Pandey, Rakesh; Roper, Daniel; Al-Nuaimi, Yusur; Spurgeon, Sarah K.; Goodfellow, Marc

2017-08-01

A new systems model of psoriasis is presented and analysed from the perspective of control theory. Cytokines are treated as actuators to the plant model that govern the cell population under the reasonable assumption that cytokine dynamics are faster than the cell population dynamics. The analysis of various equilibria is undertaken based on singular perturbation theory. Finite-time stability and stabilisation have been studied in various engineering applications where the principal paradigm uses non-Lipschitz functions of the states. A comprehensive study of the finite-time stability properties of the proposed psoriasis dynamics is carried out. It is demonstrated that the dynamics are finite-time convergent to certain equilibrium points rather than asymptotically or exponentially convergent. This feature of finite-time convergence motivates the development of a modified version of the Michaelis-Menten function, frequently used in biology. This framework is used to model cytokines as fast finite-time actuators.

The effect of crystallinity on cell growth in semi-crystalline microcellular foams by solid-state process: modeling and numerical simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rezvanpanah, Elham; Ghaffarian Anbaran, S. Reza

2017-11-01

This study establishes a model and simulation scheme to describe the effect of crystallinity as one of the most effective parameters on cell growth phenomena in a solid batch foaming process. The governing model of cell growth dynamics, based on the well-known ‘Cell model’, is attained in details. To include the effect of crystallinity in the model, the properties of the polymer/gas mixtures (i.e. solubility, diffusivity, surface tension and viscosity) are estimated by modifying relations to consider the effect of crystallinity. A finite element-finite difference (FEFD) method is employed to solve the highly nonlinear and coupled equations of cell growth dynamics. The proposed simulation is able to evaluate all properties of the system at the given process condition and uses them to calculate the cell size, pressure and gas concentration gradient with time. A high-density polyethylene/nitrogen (HDPE/N2) system is used herein as a case study. Comparing the simulation results with the others works and experimental results verify the accuracy of the simulation scheme. The cell growth is a complicated combination of several phenomena. This study attempted to reach a better understanding of cell growth trend, driving and retarding forces and the effect of crystallinity on them.

Thermophoretically induced large-scale deformations around microscopic heat centers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puljiz, Mate; Orlishausen, Michael; Köhler, Werner; Menzel, Andreas M.

2016-05-01

Selectively heating a microscopic colloidal particle embedded in a soft elastic matrix is a situation of high practical relevance. For instance, during hyperthermic cancer treatment, cell tissue surrounding heated magnetic colloidal particles is destroyed. Experiments on soft elastic polymeric matrices suggest a very long-ranged, non-decaying radial component of the thermophoretically induced displacement fields around the microscopic heat centers. We theoretically confirm this conjecture using a macroscopic hydrodynamic two-fluid description. Both thermophoretic and elastic effects are included in this theory. Indeed, we find that the elasticity of the environment can cause the experimentally observed large-scale radial displacements in the embedding matrix. Additional experiments confirm the central role of elasticity. Finally, a linearly decaying radial component of the displacement field in the experiments is attributed to the finite size of the experimental sample. Similar results are obtained from our theoretical analysis under modified boundary conditions.

Assessment of the Unstructured Grid Software TetrUSS for Drag Prediction of the DLR-F4 Configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pirzadeh, Shahyar Z.; Frink, Neal T.

2002-01-01

An application of the NASA unstructured grid software system TetrUSS is presented for the prediction of aerodynamic drag on a transport configuration. The paper briefly describes the underlying methodology and summarizes the results obtained on the DLR-F4 transport configuration recently presented in the first AIAA computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Drag Prediction Workshop. TetrUSS is a suite of loosely coupled unstructured grid CFD codes developed at the NASA Langley Research Center. The meshing approach is based on the advancing-front and the advancing-layers procedures. The flow solver employs a cell-centered, finite volume scheme for solving the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations on tetrahedral grids. For the present computations, flow in the viscous sublayer has been modeled with an analytical wall function. The emphasis of the paper is placed on the practicality of the methodology for accurately predicting aerodynamic drag data.

Creating a Test Validated Structural Dynamic Finite Element Model of the X-56A Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pak, Chan-Gi; Truong, Samson

2014-01-01

Small modeling errors in the finite element model will eventually induce errors in the structural flexibility and mass, thus propagating into unpredictable errors in the unsteady aerodynamics and the control law design. One of the primary objectives of the Multi Utility Technology Test-bed, X-56A aircraft, is the flight demonstration of active flutter suppression, and therefore in this study, the identification of the primary and secondary modes for the structural model tuning based on the flutter analysis of the X-56A aircraft. The ground vibration test-validated structural dynamic finite element model of the X-56A aircraft is created in this study. The structural dynamic finite element model of the X-56A aircraft is improved using a model tuning tool. In this study, two different weight configurations of the X-56A aircraft have been improved in a single optimization run. Frequency and the cross-orthogonality (mode shape) matrix were the primary focus for improvement, while other properties such as center of gravity location, total weight, and offdiagonal terms of the mass orthogonality matrix were used as constraints. The end result was a more improved and desirable structural dynamic finite element model configuration for the X-56A aircraft. Improved frequencies and mode shapes in this study increased average flutter speeds of the X-56A aircraft by 7.6% compared to the baseline model.

A Novel Multiscale Physics Based Progressive Failure Methodology for Laminated Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pineda, Evan J.; Waas, Anthony M.; Bednarcyk, Brett A.; Collier, Craig S.; Yarrington, Phillip W.

2008-01-01

A variable fidelity, multiscale, physics based finite element procedure for predicting progressive damage and failure of laminated continuous fiber reinforced composites is introduced. At every integration point in a finite element model, progressive damage is accounted for at the lamina-level using thermodynamically based Schapery Theory. Separate failure criteria are applied at either the global-scale or the microscale in two different FEM models. A micromechanics model, the Generalized Method of Cells, is used to evaluate failure criteria at the micro-level. The stress-strain behavior and observed failure mechanisms are compared with experimental results for both models.

Mechanical properties of niobium radio-frequency cavities

DOE PAGES

Ciovati, Gianluigi; Dhakal, Pashupati; Matalevich, Joseph R.; ...

2015-07-02

Radio-frequency cavities made of bulk niobium are one of the components used in modern particle accelerators. The mechanical stability is an important aspect of cavity design, which typically relies on finite-element analysis simulations using material properties from tensile tests on sample. This contribution presents the results of strain and resonant frequency measurements as a function of a uniform pressure up to 722 kPa, applied to single-cell niobium cavities with different crystallographic structure, purity and treatments. In addition, burst tests of high-purity multi-cell cavities with different crystallographic structure have been conducted up to the tensile strength of the material. Finite-element analysismore » of the single-cell cavity geometry is in good agreement with the observed behavior in the elastic regime assuming a Young's modulus value of 88.5 GPa and a Poisson's ratio of 0.4, regardless of crystallographic structure, purity or treatment. However, the measured yield strength and tensile strength depend on crystallographic structure, material purity and treatment. In particular, the results from this study show that the mechanical properties of niobium cavities with large crystals are comparable to those of cavities made of fine-grain niobium.« less

Finite difference time domain calculation of transients in antennas with nonlinear loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luebbers, Raymond J.; Beggs, John H.; Kunz, Karl S.; Chamberlin, Kent

1991-01-01

In this paper transient fields for antennas with more general geometries are calculated directly using Finite Difference Time Domain methods. In each FDTD cell which contains a nonlinear load, a nonlinear equation is solved at each time step. As a test case the transient current in a long dipole antenna with a nonlinear load excited by a pulsed plane wave is computed using this approach. The results agree well with both calculated and measured results previously published. The approach given here extends the applicability of the FDTD method to problems involving scattering from targets including nonlinear loads and materials, and to coupling between antennas containing nonlinear loads. It may also be extended to propagation through nonlinear materials.

Three-body spectrum in a finite volume: The role of cubic symmetry

DOE PAGES

Doring, M.; Hammer, H. -W.; Mai, M.; ...

2018-06-15

The three-particle quantization condition is partially diagonalized in the center-of-mass frame by using cubic symmetry on the lattice. To this end, instead of spherical harmonics, the kernel of the Bethe-Salpeter equation for particle-dimer scattering is expanded in the basis functions of different irreducible representations of the octahedral group. Such a projection is of particular importance for the three-body problem in the finite volume due to the occurrence of three-body singularities above breakup. Additionally, we study the numerical solution and properties of such a projected quantization condition in a simple model. It is shown that, for large volumes, these solutions allowmore » for an instructive interpretation of the energy eigenvalues in terms of bound and scattering states.« less

Three-body spectrum in a finite volume: The role of cubic symmetry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doring, M.; Hammer, H. -W.; Mai, M.

The three-particle quantization condition is partially diagonalized in the center-of-mass frame by using cubic symmetry on the lattice. To this end, instead of spherical harmonics, the kernel of the Bethe-Salpeter equation for particle-dimer scattering is expanded in the basis functions of different irreducible representations of the octahedral group. Such a projection is of particular importance for the three-body problem in the finite volume due to the occurrence of three-body singularities above breakup. Additionally, we study the numerical solution and properties of such a projected quantization condition in a simple model. It is shown that, for large volumes, these solutions allowmore » for an instructive interpretation of the energy eigenvalues in terms of bound and scattering states.« less

NPLOT: an Interactive Plotting Program for NASTRAN Finite Element Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, G. K.; Mcentire, K. J.

1985-01-01

The NPLOT (NASTRAN Plot) is an interactive computer graphics program for plotting undeformed and deformed NASTRAN finite element models. Developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the program provides flexible element selection and grid point, ASET and SPC degree of freedom labelling. It is easy to use and provides a combination menu and command driven user interface. NPLOT also provides very fast hidden line and haloed line algorithms. The hidden line algorithm in NPLOT proved to be both very accurate and several times faster than other existing hidden line algorithms. A fast spatial bucket sort and horizon edge computation are used to achieve this high level of performance. The hidden line and the haloed line algorithms are the primary features that make NPLOT different from other plotting programs.

SENR /NRPy + : Numerical relativity in singular curvilinear coordinate systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruchlin, Ian; Etienne, Zachariah B.; Baumgarte, Thomas W.

2018-03-01

We report on a new open-source, user-friendly numerical relativity code package called SENR /NRPy + . Our code extends previous implementations of the BSSN reference-metric formulation to a much broader class of curvilinear coordinate systems, making it ideally suited to modeling physical configurations with approximate or exact symmetries. In the context of modeling black hole dynamics, it is orders of magnitude more efficient than other widely used open-source numerical relativity codes. NRPy + provides a Python-based interface in which equations are written in natural tensorial form and output at arbitrary finite difference order as highly efficient C code, putting complex tensorial equations at the scientist's fingertips without the need for an expensive software license. SENR provides the algorithmic framework that combines the C codes generated by NRPy + into a functioning numerical relativity code. We validate against two other established, state-of-the-art codes, and achieve excellent agreement. For the first time—in the context of moving puncture black hole evolutions—we demonstrate nearly exponential convergence of constraint violation and gravitational waveform errors to zero as the order of spatial finite difference derivatives is increased, while fixing the numerical grids at moderate resolution in a singular coordinate system. Such behavior outside the horizons is remarkable, as numerical errors do not converge to zero near punctures, and all points along the polar axis are coordinate singularities. The formulation addresses such coordinate singularities via cell-centered grids and a simple change of basis that analytically regularizes tensor components with respect to the coordinates. Future plans include extending this formulation to allow dynamical coordinate grids and bispherical-like distribution of points to efficiently capture orbiting compact binary dynamics.

On the micro-indentation of plant cells in a tissue context

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mosca, Gabriella; Sapala, Aleksandra; Strauss, Soeren; Routier-Kierzkowska, Anne-Lise; Smith, Richard S.

2017-02-01

The effect of geometry on cell stiffness measured with micro-indentation techniques has been explored in single cells, however it is unclear if results on single cells can be readily transferred to indentation experiments performed on a tissue in vivo. Here we explored this question by using simulation models of osmotic treatments and micro-indentation experiments on 3D multicellular tissues with the finite element method. We found that the cellular context does affect measured cell stiffness, and that several cells of context in each direction are required for optimal results. We applied the model to micro-indentation data obtained with cellular force microscopy on the sepal of A. thaliana, and found that differences in measured stiffness could be explained by cellular geometry, and do not necessarily indicate differences in cell wall material properties or turgor pressure.

FDTD analysis of a noninvasive hyperthermia system for brain tumors.

PubMed

Yacoob, Sulafa M; Hassan, Noha S

2012-08-14

Hyperthermia is considered one of the new therapeutic modalities for cancer treatment and is based on the difference in thermal sensitivity between healthy tissues and tumors. During hyperthermia treatment, the temperature of the tumor is raised to 40-45°C for a definite period resulting in the destruction of cancer cells. This paper investigates design, modeling and simulation of a new non-invasive hyperthermia applicator system capable of effectively heating deep seated as well as superficial brain tumors using inexpensive, simple, and easy to fabricate components without harming surrounding healthy brain tissues. The proposed hyperthermia applicator system is composed of an air filled partial half ellipsoidal chamber, a patch antenna, and a head model with an embedded tumor at an arbitrary location. The irradiating antenna is placed at one of the foci of the hyperthermia chamber while the center of the brain tumor is placed at the other focus. The finite difference time domain (FDTD) method is used to compute both the SAR patterns and the temperature distribution in three different head models due to two different patch antennas at a frequency of 915 MHz. The obtained results suggest that by using the proposed noninvasive hyperthermia system it is feasible to achieve sufficient and focused energy deposition and temperature rise to therapeutic values in deep seated as well as superficial brain tumors without harming surrounding healthy tissue. The proposed noninvasive hyperthermia system proved suitable for raising the temperature in tumors embedded in the brain to therapeutic values by carefully selecting the systems components. The operator of the system only needs to place the center of the brain tumor at a pre-specified location and excite the antenna at a single frequency of 915 MHz. Our study may provide a basis for a clinical applicator prototype capable of heating brain tumors.

Mathematical modeling of the flow field and particle motion in a rotating bioreactor at unit gravity and microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyd, Ernest J.

1990-01-01

The biotechnology group at NASA Johnson Space Center is developing systems for culturing mammalian cells that stimulate some aspect of microgravity and provide a low shear environment for microgravity-based studies on suspension and anchorage dependent cells. The design of these vessels for culturing cells is based on the need to suspend cells and aggregates of cells and microcarrier beads continually in the culturing medium. The design must also provide sufficient circulation for adequate mass transfer of nutrients to the cells and minimize the total force on the cells. Forces, resulting from sources such as hydrodynamic fluid shear and collisions of cells and walls of the vessels, may damage delicate cells and degrade the formation of three dimensional structures. This study examines one particular design in both unit gravity and microgravity based on two concentric cylinders rotating in the same direction at different speeds to create a Couette flow between them. A numerical simulation for the flow field and the trajectories of particles in the vessel. The flow field for the circulation of the culturing medium is modeled by the Navier-Stokes equations. The forces on a particle are assumed to be drag from the fluid's circulation, buoyancy from the gravitational force and centrifugal force from the rotation of the vessel. The problem requires first solving the system of partial differential equations for the fluid flow by a finite difference method and then solving the system of ordinary differential equations for the trajectories by Gear's stiff method. Results of the study indicate that the trajectories in unit gravity and microgravity are very similar except for small spatial deviations on the fast time scale in unit gravity. The total force per unit cross sectional area on a particle in microgravity, however, is significantly smaller than the corresponding value in unit gravity, which is also smaller than anticipated. Hence, this study indicates that this design for a bioreactor with optimal rates of rotation can provide a good environment for culturing cells in microgravity with adequate circulation and minimal force on the cells.

Maximizing the short circuit current of organic solar cells by partial decoupling of electrical and optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qarony, Wayesh; Hossain, Mohammad I.; Jovanov, Vladislav; Knipp, Dietmar; Tsang, Yuen Hong

2018-03-01

The partial decoupling of electronic and optical properties of organic solar cells allows for realizing solar cells with increased short circuit current and energy conversion efficiency. The proposed device consists of an organic solar cell conformally prepared on the surface of an array of single and double textured pyramids. The device geometry allows for increasing the optical thickness of the organic solar cell, while the electrical thickness is equal to the nominal thickness of the solar cell. By increasing the optical thickness of the solar cell, the short circuit current is distinctly increased. The quantum efficiency and short circuit current are determined using finite-difference time-domain simulations of the 3D solar cell structure. The influence of different solar cell designs on the quantum efficiency and short circuit current is discussed and optimal device dimensions are proposed.

Investigating the role of smooth muscle cells in large elastic arteries: a finite element analysis.

PubMed

Murtada, Sae-Il; Holzapfel, Gerhard A

2014-10-07

Physiological loading in large elastic arteries is considered to be mainly carried by the passive components of the media but it is not known how much the contraction of the smooth muscle cells is actually involved in the load carrying. Smooth muscle contraction is considered to occur in a relatively slow time domain but the contraction is able to produce significant tension. In the present work the role of smooth muscle contraction in large elastic arteries is investigated by analyzing how changes in the intracellular calcium, and thereby the active tone of smooth muscle cells, influence the deformation and stress behavior; different intracellular calcium functions and medial wall thicknesses with cycling internal pressure are studied. In particular, a recently proposed mechanochemical model (Murtada et al., 2012. J. Theor. Biol. 297, 176-186), which links intracellular calcium with mechanical contraction and an anisotropic model representing the elastin/collagen composite, was implemented into a 3D finite element framework. Details of the implementation procedure are described and a verification of the model implementation is provided by means of the isometric contraction/relaxation analysis of a medial strip at optimal muscle length. In addition, numerically obtained pressure-radius relationships of arterial rings modeled with one and two layers are analyzed with different geometries and at different calcium levels; a comparison with the Laplace equation is provided. Finally, a two-layer arterial ring is loaded with a realistic pressure wave and with various intracellular calcium functions (different amplitudes and mean values) and medial wall thicknesses; residual stresses are considered. The finite element results show that changes in the calcium amplitudes hardly have an influence on the current inner ring radius and the circumferential stress. However, an increase in the mean intracellular calcium value and the medial wall thickness leads to a clear influence on the deformation and the stress behavior. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Elastic-plastic mixed-iterative finite element analysis: Implementation and performance assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutjahjo, Edhi; Chamis, Christos C.

1993-01-01

An elastic-plastic algorithm based on Von Mises and associative flow criteria is implemented in MHOST-a mixed iterative finite element analysis computer program developed by NASA Lewis Research Center. The performance of the resulting elastic-plastic mixed-iterative analysis is examined through a set of convergence studies. Membrane and bending behaviors of 4-node quadrilateral shell finite elements are tested for elastic-plastic performance. Generally, the membrane results are excellent, indicating the implementation of elastic-plastic mixed-iterative analysis is appropriate.

Fractional Talbot field and of finite gratings: compact analytical formulation.

PubMed

Arrizón, V; Rojo-Velázquez, G

2001-06-01

We present a compact analytical formulation for the fractional Talbot effect at the paraxial domain of a finite grating. Our results show that laterally shifted distorted images of the grating basic cell form the Fresnel field at a fractional Talbot plane of the grating. Our formulas give the positions of those images and show that they are given by the convolution of the nondistorted cells (modulated by a quadratic phase factor) with the Fourier transform of the finite-grating pupil.

Review of fatigue and fracture research at NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Everett, Richard A., Jr.

1988-01-01

Most dynamic components in helicopters are designed with a safe-life constant-amplitude testing approach that has not changed in many years. In contrast, the fatigue methodology in other industries has advanced significantly in the last two decades. Recent research at the NASA Langley Research Center and the U.S. Army Aerostructures Directorate at Langley are reviewed relative to fatigue and fracture design methodology for metallic components. Most of the Langley research was directed towards the damage tolerance design approach, but some work was done that is applicable to the safe-life approach. In the areas of testing, damage tolerance concepts are concentrating on the small-crack effect in crack growth and measurement of crack opening stresses. Tests were conducted to determine the effects of a machining scratch on the fatigue life of a high strength steel. In the area of analysis, work was concentrated on developing a crack closure model that will predict fatigue life under spectrum loading for several different metal alloys including a high strength steel that is often used in the dynamic components of helicopters. Work is also continuing in developing a three-dimensional, finite-element stress analysis for cracked and uncracked isotropic and anisotropic structures. A numerical technique for solving simultaneous equations called the multigrid method is being pursued to enhance the solution schemes in both the finite-element analysis and the boundary element analysis. Finally, a fracture mechanics project involving an elastic-plastic finite element analysis of J-resistance curve is also being pursued.

Storm Water Infiltration and Focused Groundwater Recharge in a Rain Garden: Finite Volume Model and Numerical Simulations for Different Configurations and Climates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aravena, J.; Dussaillant, A. R.

2006-12-01

Source control is the fundamental principle behind sustainable management of stormwater. Rain gardens are an infiltration practice that provides volume and water quality control, recharge, and multiple landscape, ecological and economic potential benefits. The fulfillment of these objectives requires understanding their behavior during events as well as long term, and tools for their design. We have developed a model based on Richards equation coupled to a surface water balance, solved with a 2D finite volume Fortran code which allows alternating upper boundary conditions, including ponding, which is not present in available 2D models. Also, it can simulate non homogeneous water input, heterogeneous soil (layered or more complex geometries), and surface irregularities -e.g. terracing-, so as to estimate infiltration and recharge. The algorithm is conservative; being an advantage compared to available finite difference and finite element methods. We will present performance comparisons to known models, to experimental data from a bioretention cell, which receives roof water to its surface depression planted with native species in an organic-rich root zone soil layer (underlain by a high conductivity lower layer that, while providing inter-event storage, percolates water readily), as well as long term simulations for different rain garden configurations. Recharge predictions for different climates show significant increases from natural recharge, and that the optimal area ratio (raingarden vs. contributing impervious area) reduces from 20% (humid) to 5% (dry).

Actuator line simulations of a Joukowsky and Tjæreborg rotor using spectral element and finite volume methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kleusberg, E.; Sarmast, S.; Schlatter, P.; Ivanell, S.; Henningson, D. S.

2016-09-01

The wake structure behind a wind turbine, generated by the spectral element code Nek5000, is compared with that from the finite volume code EllipSys3D. The wind turbine blades are modeled using the actuator line method. We conduct the comparison on two different setups. One is based on an idealized rotor approximation with constant circulation imposed along the blades corresponding to Glauert's optimal operating condition, and the other is the Tjffireborg wind turbine. The focus lies on analyzing the differences in the wake structures entailed by the different codes and corresponding setups. The comparisons show good agreement for the defining parameters of the wake such as the wake expansion, helix pitch and circulation of the helical vortices. Differences can be related to the lower numerical dissipation in Nek5000 and to the domain differences at the rotor center. At comparable resolution Nek5000 yields more accurate results. It is observed that in the spectral element method the helical vortices, both at the tip and root of the actuator lines, retain their initial swirl velocity distribution for a longer distance in the near wake. This results in a lower vortex core growth and larger maximum vorticity along the wake. Additionally, it is observed that the break down process of the spiral tip vortices is significantly different between the two methods, with vortex merging occurring immediately after the onset of instability in the finite volume code, while Nek5000 simulations exhibit a 2-3 radii period of vortex pairing before merging.

Effect of cell-size on the energy absorption features of closed-cell aluminium foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nammi, S. K.; Edwards, G.; Shirvani, H.

2016-11-01

The effect of cell-size on the compressive response and energy absorption features of closed-cell aluminium (Al) foam were investigated by finite element method. Micromechanical models were constructed with a repeating unit-cell (RUC) which was sectioned from tetrakaidecahedra structure. Using this RUC, three Al foam models with different cell-sizes (large, medium and small) and all of same density, were built. These three different cell-size pieces of foam occupy the same volume and their domains contained 8, 27 and 64 RUCs respectively. However, the smaller cell-size foam has larger surface area to volume ratio compared to other two. Mechanical behaviour was modelled under uniaxial loading. All three aggregates (3D arrays of RUCs) of different cell-sizes showed an elastic region at the initial stage, then followed by a plateau, and finally, a densification region. The smaller cell size foam exhibited a higher peak-stress and a greater densification strain comparing other two cell-sizes investigated. It was demonstrated that energy absorption capabilities of smaller cell-size foams was higher compared to the larger cell-sizes examined.

Simulation of silicon thin-film solar cells for oblique incident waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jandl, Christine; Hertel, Kai; Pflaum, Christoph; Stiebig, Helmut

2011-05-01

To optimize the quantum efficiency (QE) and short-circuit current density (JSC) of silicon thin-film solar cells, one has to study the behavior of sunlight in these solar cells. Simulations are an adequate and economic method to analyze the optical properties of light caused by absorption and reflection. To this end a simulation tool is developed to take several demands into account. These include the analysis of perpendicular and oblique incident waves under E-, H- and circularly polarized light. Furthermore, the topology of the nanotextured interfaces influences the efficiency and therefore also the short-circuit current density. It is well known that a rough transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer increases the efficiency of solar cells. Therefore, it is indispensable that various roughness profiles at the interfaces of the solar cell layers can be modeled in such a way that atomic force microscope (AFM) scan data can be integrated. Numerical calculations of Maxwell's equations based on the finite integration technique (FIT) and Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method are necessary to incorporate all these requirements. The simulations are performed in parallel on high performance computers (HPC) to meet the large computational requirements.

Gluon dynamics, center symmetry, and the deconfinement phase transition in SU(3) pure Yang-Mills theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, P. J.; Oliveira, O.

2016-06-01

The correlations between the modulus of the Polyakov loop, its phase θ , and the Landau gauge gluon propagator at finite temperature are investigated in connection with the center symmetry for pure Yang-Mills SU(3) theory. In the deconfined phase, where the center symmetry is spontaneously broken, the phase of the Polyakov loop per configuration is close to θ =0 , ±2 π /3 . We find that the gluon propagator form factors associated with θ ≈0 differ quantitatively and qualitatively from those associated to θ ≈±2 π /3 . This difference between the form factors is a property of the deconfined phase and a sign of the spontaneous breaking of the center symmetry. Furthermore, given that this difference vanishes in the confined phase, it can be used as an order parameter associated to the deconfinement transition. For simulations near the critical temperature Tc, the difference between the propagators associated to θ ≈0 and θ ≈±2 π /3 allows one to classify the configurations as belonging to the confined or deconfined phase. This establishes a selection procedure which has a measurable impact on the gluon form factors. Our results also show that the absence of the selection procedure can be erroneously interpreted as lattice artifacts.

Image-Based Macro-Micro Finite Element Models of a Canine Femur with Implant Design Implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Somnath; Krishnan, Ganapathi; Dyce, Jonathan

2006-06-01

In this paper, a comprehensive model of a bone-cement-implant assembly is developed for a canine cemented femoral prosthesis system. Various steps in this development entail profiling the canine femur contours by computed tomography (CT) scanning, computer aided design (CAD) reconstruction of the canine femur from CT images, CAD modeling of the implant from implant blue prints and CAD modeling of the interface cement. Finite element analysis of the macroscopic assembly is conducted for stress analysis in individual components of the system, accounting for variation in density and material properties in the porous bone material. A sensitivity analysis is conducted with the macroscopic model to investigate the effect of implant design variables on the stress distribution in the assembly. Subsequently, rigorous microstructural analysis of the bone incorporating the morphological intricacies is conducted. Various steps in this development include acquisition of the bone microstructural data from histological serial sectioning, stacking of sections to obtain 3D renderings of void distributions, microstructural characterization and determination of properties and, finally, microstructural stress analysis using a 3D Voronoi cell finite element method. Generation of the simulated microstructure and analysis by the 3D Voronoi cell finite element model provides a new way of modeling complex microstructures and correlating to morphological characteristics. An inverse calculation of the material parameters of bone by combining macroscopic experiments with microstructural characterization and analysis provides a new approach to evaluating properties without having to do experiments at this scale. Finally, the microstructural stresses in the femur are computed using the 3D VCFEM to study the stress distribution at the scale of the bone porosity. Significant difference is observed between the macroscopic stresses and the peak microscopic stresses at different locations.

Finite-Temperature Hydrogen Adsorption/Desorption Thermodynamics Driven by Soft Vibration Modes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Woo, Sung-Jae; Lee, Eui-Sup; Yoon, Mina

2013-01-01

It is widely accepted that room-temperature hydrogen storage on nanostructured or porous materials requires enhanced dihydrogen adsorption. In this work we reveal that room-temperature hydrogen storage is possible not only by the enhanced adsorption, but also by making use of the vibrational free energy from soft vibration modes. These modes exist for example in the case of metallo-porphyrin-incorporated graphenes (M-PIGs) with out-of-plane ( buckled ) metal centers. There, the in-plane potential surfaces are flat because of multiple-orbital-coupling between hydrogen molecules and the buckled-metal centers. This study investigates the finite-temperature adsorption/desorption thermodynamics of hydrogen molecules adsorbed on M-PIGs by employing first-principlesmore » total energy and vibrational spectrum calculations. Our results suggest that the current design strategy for room-temperature hydrogen storage materials should be modified by explicitly taking finite-temperature vibration thermodynamics into account.« less

Production Management System for AMS Computing Centres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choutko, V.; Demakov, O.; Egorov, A.; Eline, A.; Shan, B. S.; Shi, R.

2017-10-01

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer [1] (AMS) has collected over 95 billion cosmic ray events since it was installed on the International Space Station (ISS) on May 19, 2011. To cope with enormous flux of events, AMS uses 12 computing centers in Europe, Asia and North America, which have different hardware and software configurations. The centers are participating in data reconstruction, Monte-Carlo (MC) simulation [2]/Data and MC production/as well as in physics analysis. Data production management system has been developed to facilitate data and MC production tasks in AMS computing centers, including job acquiring, submitting, monitoring, transferring, and accounting. It was designed to be modularized, light-weighted, and easy-to-be-deployed. The system is based on Deterministic Finite Automaton [3] model, and implemented by script languages, Python and Perl, and the built-in sqlite3 database on Linux operating systems. Different batch management systems, file system storage, and transferring protocols are supported. The details of the integration with Open Science Grid are presented as well.

Multidimensional, fully implicit, exactly conserving electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chacon, Luis

2015-09-01

We discuss a new, conservative, fully implicit 2D-3V particle-in-cell algorithm for non-radiative, electromagnetic kinetic plasma simulations, based on the Vlasov-Darwin model. Unlike earlier linearly implicit PIC schemes and standard explicit PIC schemes, fully implicit PIC algorithms are unconditionally stable and allow exact discrete energy and charge conservation. This has been demonstrated in 1D electrostatic and electromagnetic contexts. In this study, we build on these recent algorithms to develop an implicit, orbit-averaged, time-space-centered finite difference scheme for the Darwin field and particle orbit equations for multiple species in multiple dimensions. The Vlasov-Darwin model is very attractive for PIC simulations because it avoids radiative noise issues in non-radiative electromagnetic regimes. The algorithm conserves global energy, local charge, and particle canonical-momentum exactly, even with grid packing. The nonlinear iteration is effectively accelerated with a fluid preconditioner, which allows efficient use of large timesteps, O(√{mi/me}c/veT) larger than the explicit CFL. In this presentation, we will introduce the main algorithmic components of the approach, and demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency properties of the algorithm with various numerical experiments in 1D and 2D. Support from the LANL LDRD program and the DOE-SC ASCR office.

Fast acoustic streaming in standing waves: generation of an additional outer streaming cell.

PubMed

Reyt, Ida; Daru, Virginie; Bailliet, Hélène; Moreau, Solène; Valière, Jean-Christophe; Baltean-Carlès, Diana; Weisman, Catherine

2013-09-01

Rayleigh streaming in a cylindrical acoustic standing waveguide is studied both experimentally and numerically for nonlinear Reynolds numbers from 1 to 30 [Re(NL)=(U0/c0)(2)(R/δν)(2), with U0 the acoustic velocity amplitude at the velocity antinode, c0 the speed of sound, R the tube radius, and δν the acoustic boundary layer thickness]. Streaming velocity is measured by means of laser Doppler velocimetry in a cylindrical resonator filled with air at atmospheric pressure at high intensity sound levels. The compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved numerically with high resolution finite difference schemes. The resonator is excited by shaking it along the axis at imposed frequency. Results of measurements and of numerical calculation are compared with results given in the literature and with each other. As expected, the axial streaming velocity measured and calculated agrees reasonably well with the slow streaming theory for small ReNL but deviates significantly from such predictions for fast streaming (ReNL>1). Both experimental and numerical results show that when ReNL is increased, the center of the outer streaming cells are pushed toward the acoustic velocity nodes until counter-rotating additional vortices are generated near the acoustic velocity antinodes.

Effects of Pore Distributions on Ductility of Thin-Walled High Pressure Die-Cast Magnesium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Choi, Kyoo Sil; Li, Dongsheng; Sun, Xin

2013-06-01

In this paper, a microstructure-based three-dimensional (3D) finite element modeling method is adopted to investigate the effects of porosity in thin-walled high pressure die-cast (HPDC) Magnesium alloys on their ductility. For this purpose, the cross-sections of AM60 casting samples are first examined using optical microscope and X-ray tomography to obtain the general information on the pore distribution features. The experimentally observed pore distribution features are then used to generate a series of synthetic microstructure-based 3D finite element models with different pore volume fractions and pore distribution features. Shear and ductile damage models are adopted in the finite element analyses tomore » induce the fracture by element removal, leading to the prediction of ductility. The results in this study show that the ductility monotonically decreases as the pore volume fraction increases and that the effect of ‘skin region’ on the ductility is noticeable under the condition of same local pore volume fraction in the center region of the sample and its existence can be beneficial for the improvement of ductility. The further synthetic microstructure-based 3D finite element analyses are planned to investigate the effects of pore size and pore size distribution.« less

User's manual for a TEACH computer program for the analysis of turbulent, swirling reacting flow in a research combustor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chiappetta, L. M.

1983-01-01

Described is a computer program for the analysis of the subsonic, swirling, reacting turbulent flow in an axisymmetric, bluff-body research combustor. The program features an improved finite-difference procedure designed to reduce the effects of numerical diffusion and a new algorithm for predicting the pressure distribution within the combustor. A research version of the computer program described in the report was supplied to United Technologies Research Center by Professor A. D. Gosman and his students, R. Benodeker and R. I. Issa, of Imperial College, London. The Imperial College staff also supplied much of the program documentation. Presented are a description of the mathematical model for flow within an axisymmetric bluff-body combustor, the development of the finite-difference procedure used to represent the system of equations, an outline of the algorithm for determining the static pressure distribution within the combustor, a description of the computer program including its input format, and the results for representative test cases.

Explicit Finite Element Modeling of Multilayer Composite Fabric for Gas Turbine Engine Containment Systems. Part 2; Ballistic Impact Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pereira, J. M.; Revilock, D. M.

2004-01-01

Under the Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Assurance Center of Excellence and the Aircraft Catastrophic Failure Prevention Program, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn Research Center collaborated with Arizona State University, Honeywell Engines, Systems and Services, and SRI International to develop improved computational models for designing fabric-based engine containment systems. In the study described in this report, ballistic impact tests were conducted on layered dry fabric rings to provide impact response data for calibrating and verifying the improved numerical models. This report provides data on projectile velocity, impact and residual energy, and fabric deformation for a number of different test conditions.

The p-Version of the Finite Element Method for Domains with Corners and for Infinite Domains

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-11-01

Finite Element Method, Prenticw-Hall, 1973. [24] Szabo, B. A. :PROBE : The Theoretical Manual(Release 1.0), Noetic Tech. Cor. St Louis, MO., 1985...National Bureau of Standards. " To be an international center of study and research for foreign students in numerical mathematics who are supported by

A fully-neoclassical finite-orbit-width version of the CQL3D Fokker–Planck code

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Petrov, Yu V.; Harvey, R. W.

The time-dependent bounce-averaged CQL3D flux-conservative finite-difference Fokker–Planck equation (FPE) solver has been upgraded to include finite-orbit-width (FOW) capabilities which are necessary for an accurate description of neoclassical transport, losses to the walls, and transfer of particles, momentum, and heat to the scrape-off layer. The FOW modifications are implemented in the formulation of the neutral beam source, collision operator, RF quasilinear diffusion operator, and in synthetic particle diagnostics. The collisional neoclassical radial transport appears naturally in the FOW version due to the orbit-averaging of local collision coefficients coupled with transformation coefficients from local (R, Z) coordinates along each guiding-center orbit tomore » the corresponding midplane computational coordinates, where the FPE is solved. In a similar way, the local quasilinear RF diffusion terms give rise to additional radial transport of orbits. We note that the neoclassical results are obtained for ‘full’ orbits, not dependent on a common small orbit-width approximation. Results of validation tests for the FOW version are also presented.« less

A fully-neoclassical finite-orbit-width version of the CQL3D Fokker–Planck code

DOE PAGES

Petrov, Yu V.; Harvey, R. W.

2016-09-08

The time-dependent bounce-averaged CQL3D flux-conservative finite-difference Fokker–Planck equation (FPE) solver has been upgraded to include finite-orbit-width (FOW) capabilities which are necessary for an accurate description of neoclassical transport, losses to the walls, and transfer of particles, momentum, and heat to the scrape-off layer. The FOW modifications are implemented in the formulation of the neutral beam source, collision operator, RF quasilinear diffusion operator, and in synthetic particle diagnostics. The collisional neoclassical radial transport appears naturally in the FOW version due to the orbit-averaging of local collision coefficients coupled with transformation coefficients from local (R, Z) coordinates along each guiding-center orbit tomore » the corresponding midplane computational coordinates, where the FPE is solved. In a similar way, the local quasilinear RF diffusion terms give rise to additional radial transport of orbits. We note that the neoclassical results are obtained for ‘full’ orbits, not dependent on a common small orbit-width approximation. Results of validation tests for the FOW version are also presented.« less

Follow on Research for Multi-Utility Technology Test Bed Aircraft at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (FY13 Progress Report)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pak, Chan-Gi

2013-01-01

Modern aircraft employ a significant fraction of their weight in composite materials to reduce weight and improve performance. Aircraft aeroservoelastic models are typically characterized by significant levels of model parameter uncertainty due to the composite manufacturing process. Small modeling errors in the finite element model will eventually induce errors in the structural flexibility and mass, thus propagating into unpredictable errors in the unsteady aerodynamics and the control law design. One of the primary objectives of Multi Utility Technology Test-bed (MUTT) aircraft is the flight demonstration of active flutter suppression, and therefore in this study, the identification of the primary and secondary modes for the structural model tuning based on the flutter analysis of MUTT aircraft. The ground vibration test-validated structural dynamic finite element model of the MUTT aircraft is created in this study. The structural dynamic finite element model of MUTT aircraft is improved using the in-house Multi-disciplinary Design, Analysis, and Optimization tool. In this study, two different weight configurations of MUTT aircraft have been improved simultaneously in a single model tuning procedure.

Equations of state of anhydrous AlF 3 and AlI 3 : Modeling of extreme condition halide chemistry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stavrou, Elissaios; Zaug, Joseph M.; Bastea, Sorin

Pressure dependent angle-dispersive x-ray powder diffraction measurements of alpha-phase aluminum trifluoride (α-AlF 3) and separately, aluminum triiodide (AlI 3) were conducted using a diamond-anvil cell. Results at 295 K extend to 50 GPa. The equations of state of AlF 3 and AlI 3 were determined through refinements of collected x-ray diffraction patterns. The respective bulk moduli and corresponding pressure derivatives are reported for multiple orders of the Birch-Murnaghan (B-M), finite-strain (F-f), and higher pressure finite-strain (G-g) EOS analysis models. Aluminum trifluoride exhibits an apparent isostructural phase transition at approximately 12 GPa. Aluminum triiodide also undergoes a second-order atomic rearrangement: appliedmore » stress transformed a monoclinically distorted face centered cubic (fcc) structure into a standard fcc structural arrangement of iodine atoms. In conclusion, results from semi-empirical thermochemical computations of energetic materials formulated with fluorine containing reactants were obtained with the aim of predicting the yield of halogenated products.« less

Equations of state of anhydrous AlF{sub 3} and AlI{sub 3}: Modeling of extreme condition halide chemistry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stavrou, Elissaios, E-mail: stavrou1@llnl.gov; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, P.O. Box 808 L-350, Livermore, California 94550; Zaug, Joseph M., E-mail: zaug1@llnl.gov

Pressure dependent angle-dispersive x-ray powder diffraction measurements of alpha-phase aluminum trifluoride (α-AlF{sub 3}) and separately, aluminum triiodide (AlI{sub 3}) were conducted using a diamond-anvil cell. Results at 295 K extend to 50 GPa. The equations of state of AlF{sub 3} and AlI{sub 3} were determined through refinements of collected x-ray diffraction patterns. The respective bulk moduli and corresponding pressure derivatives are reported for multiple orders of the Birch-Murnaghan (B-M), finite-strain (F-f), and higher pressure finite-strain (G-g) EOS analysis models. Aluminum trifluoride exhibits an apparent isostructural phase transition at approximately 12 GPa. Aluminum triiodide also undergoes a second-order atomic rearrangement: appliedmore » stress transformed a monoclinically distorted face centered cubic (fcc) structure into a standard fcc structural arrangement of iodine atoms. Results from semi-empirical thermochemical computations of energetic materials formulated with fluorine containing reactants were obtained with the aim of predicting the yield of halogenated products.« less

Equations of state of anhydrous AlF 3 and AlI 3 : Modeling of extreme condition halide chemistry

DOE PAGES

Stavrou, Elissaios; Zaug, Joseph M.; Bastea, Sorin; ...

2015-06-04

Pressure dependent angle-dispersive x-ray powder diffraction measurements of alpha-phase aluminum trifluoride (α-AlF 3) and separately, aluminum triiodide (AlI 3) were conducted using a diamond-anvil cell. Results at 295 K extend to 50 GPa. The equations of state of AlF 3 and AlI 3 were determined through refinements of collected x-ray diffraction patterns. The respective bulk moduli and corresponding pressure derivatives are reported for multiple orders of the Birch-Murnaghan (B-M), finite-strain (F-f), and higher pressure finite-strain (G-g) EOS analysis models. Aluminum trifluoride exhibits an apparent isostructural phase transition at approximately 12 GPa. Aluminum triiodide also undergoes a second-order atomic rearrangement: appliedmore » stress transformed a monoclinically distorted face centered cubic (fcc) structure into a standard fcc structural arrangement of iodine atoms. In conclusion, results from semi-empirical thermochemical computations of energetic materials formulated with fluorine containing reactants were obtained with the aim of predicting the yield of halogenated products.« less

Interaction quenched ultracold few-boson ensembles in periodically driven lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mistakidis, Simeon; Schmelcher, Peter; Theory Group of Fundamental Processes in Quantum Physics Team

2017-04-01

The out-of-equilibrium dynamics of interaction quenched finite ultracold bosonic ensembles in periodically driven one-dimensional optical lattices is investigated. It is shown that periodic driving enforces the bosons in the outer wells of the finite lattice to exhibit out-of-phase dipole-like modes, while in the central well the atomic cloud experiences a local breathing mode. The dynamical behavior is investigated with varying driving frequency, revealing a resonant-like behavior of the intra-well dynamics. An interaction quench in the periodically driven lattice gives rise to admixtures of different excitations in the outer wells, an enhanced breathing in the center and an amplification of the tunneling dynamics. We observe then multiple resonances between the inter- and intra-well dynamics at different quench amplitudes, with the position of the resonances being tunable via the driving frequency. Our results pave the way for future investigations on the use of combined driving protocols in order to excite different inter- and intra-well modes and to subsequently control them. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) in the framework of the SFB 925 ``Light induced dynamics and control of correlated quantum systems''.

Improving a complex finite-difference ground water flow model through the use of an analytic element screening model

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hunt, R.J.; Anderson, M.P.; Kelson, V.A.

1998-01-01

This paper demonstrates that analytic element models have potential as powerful screening tools that can facilitate or improve calibration of more complicated finite-difference and finite-element models. We demonstrate how a two-dimensional analytic element model was used to identify errors in a complex three-dimensional finite-difference model caused by incorrect specification of boundary conditions. An improved finite-difference model was developed using boundary conditions developed from a far-field analytic element model. Calibration of a revised finite-difference model was achieved using fewer zones of hydraulic conductivity and lake bed conductance than the original finite-difference model. Calibration statistics were also improved in that simulated base-flows were much closer to measured values. The improved calibration is due mainly to improved specification of the boundary conditions made possible by first solving the far-field problem with an analytic element model.This paper demonstrates that analytic element models have potential as powerful screening tools that can facilitate or improve calibration of more complicated finite-difference and finite-element models. We demonstrate how a two-dimensional analytic element model was used to identify errors in a complex three-dimensional finite-difference model caused by incorrect specification of boundary conditions. An improved finite-difference model was developed using boundary conditions developed from a far-field analytic element model. Calibration of a revised finite-difference model was achieved using fewer zones of hydraulic conductivity and lake bed conductance than the original finite-difference model. Calibration statistics were also improved in that simulated base-flows were much closer to measured values. The improved calibration is due mainly to improved specification of the boundary conditions made possible by first solving the far-field problem with an analytic element model.

A finite difference analysis of the field present behind an acoustically impenetrable two-layer barrier.

PubMed

Hurrell, Andrew M

2008-06-01

The interaction of an incident sound wave with an acoustically impenetrable two-layer barrier is considered. Of particular interest is the presence of several acoustic wave components in the shadow region of this barrier. A finite difference model capable of simulating this geometry is validated by comparison to the analytical solution for an idealized, hard-soft barrier. A panel comprising a high air-content closed cell foam backed with an elastic (metal) back plate is then examined. The insertion loss of this panel was found to exceed the dynamic range of the measurement system and was thus acoustically impenetrable. Experimental results from such a panel are shown to contain artifacts not present in the diffraction solution, when acoustic waves are incident upon the soft surface. A finite difference analysis of this experimental configuration replicates the presence of the additional field components. Furthermore, the simulated results allow the additional components to be identified as arising from the S(0) and A(0) Lamb modes traveling in the elastic plate. These Lamb mode artifacts are not found to be present in the shadow region when the acoustic waves are incident upon the elastic surface.

Two Dimensional Finite Element Model to Study Calcium Distribution in Oocytes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naik, Parvaiz Ahmad; Pardasani, Kamal Raj

2015-06-01

Cytosolic free calcium concentration is a key regulatory factor and perhaps the most widely used means of controlling cellular function. Calcium can enter cells through different pathways which are activated by specific stimuli including membrane depolarization, chemical signals and calcium depletion of intracellular stores. One of the important components of oocyte maturation is differentiation of the Ca2+ signaling machinery which is essential for egg activation after fertilization. Eggs acquire the ability to produce the fertilization-specific calcium signal during oocyte maturation. The calcium concentration patterns required during different stages of oocyte maturation are still not completely known. Also the mechanisms involved in calcium dynamics in oocyte cell are still not well understood. In view of above a two dimensional FEM model has been proposed to study calcium distribution in an oocyte cell. The parameters such as buffers, ryanodine receptor, SERCA pump and voltage gated calcium channel are incorporated in the model. Based on the biophysical conditions the initial and boundary conditions have been framed. The model is transformed into variational form and Ritz finite element method has been employed to obtain the solution. A program has been developed in MATLAB 7.10 for the entire problem and executed to obtain numerical results. The numerical results have been used to study the effect of buffers, RyR, SERCA pump and VGCC on calcium distribution in an oocyte cell.

Investigation of Micro-Scale Architectural Effects on Damage of Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stier, Bertram; Bednarcyk, Brett A.; Simon, Jaan W.; Reese, Stefanie

2015-01-01

This paper presents a three-dimensional, energy based, anisotropic, stiffness reduction, progressive damage model for composite materials and composite material constituents. The model has been implemented as a user-defined constitutive model within the Abaqus finite element software package and applied to simulate the nonlinear behavior of a damaging epoxy matrix within a unidirectional composite material. Three different composite microstructures were considered as finite element repeating unit cells, with appropriate periodicity conditions applied at the boundaries. Results representing predicted transverse tensile, longitudinal shear, and transverse shear stress-strain curves are presented, along with plots of the local fields indicating the damage progression within the microstructure. It is demonstrated that the damage model functions appropriately at the matrix scale, enabling localization of the damage to simulate failure of the composite material. The influence of the repeating unit cell geometry and the effect of the directionality of the applied loading are investigated and discussed.

Implicit method for the computation of unsteady flows on unstructured grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Venkatakrishnan, V.; Mavriplis, D. J.

1995-01-01

An implicit method for the computation of unsteady flows on unstructured grids is presented. Following a finite difference approximation for the time derivative, the resulting nonlinear system of equations is solved at each time step by using an agglomeration multigrid procedure. The method allows for arbitrarily large time steps and is efficient in terms of computational effort and storage. Inviscid and viscous unsteady flows are computed to validate the procedure. The issue of the mass matrix which arises with vertex-centered finite volume schemes is addressed. The present formulation allows the mass matrix to be inverted indirectly. A mesh point movement and reconnection procedure is described that allows the grids to evolve with the motion of bodies. As an example of flow over bodies in relative motion, flow over a multi-element airfoil system undergoing deployment is computed.

An economical method of analyzing transient motion of gas-lubricated rotor-bearing systems.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Falkenhagen, G. L.; Ayers, A. L.; Barsalou, L. C.

1973-01-01

A method of economically evaluating the hydrodynamic forces generated in a gas-lubricated tilting-pad bearing is presented. The numerical method consists of solving the case of the infinite width bearing and then converting this solution to the case of the finite bearing by accounting for end leakage. The approximate method is compared to the finite-difference solution of Reynolds equation and yields acceptable accuracy while running about one-hundred times faster. A mathematical model of a gas-lubricated tilting-pad vertical rotor systems is developed. The model is capable of analyzing a two-bearing-rotor system in which the rotor center of mass is not at midspan by accounting for gyroscopic moments. The numerical results from the model are compared to actual test data as well as analytical results of other investigators.

High-Order Entropy Stable Finite Difference Schemes for Nonlinear Conservation Laws: Finite Domains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fisher, Travis C.; Carpenter, Mark H.

2013-01-01

Developing stable and robust high-order finite difference schemes requires mathematical formalism and appropriate methods of analysis. In this work, nonlinear entropy stability is used to derive provably stable high-order finite difference methods with formal boundary closures for conservation laws. Particular emphasis is placed on the entropy stability of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. A newly derived entropy stable weighted essentially non-oscillatory finite difference method is used to simulate problems with shocks and a conservative, entropy stable, narrow-stencil finite difference approach is used to approximate viscous terms.

A robot conditioned reflex system modeled after the cerebellum.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Albus, J. S.

1972-01-01

Reduction of a theory of cerebellar function to computer software for the control of a mechanical manipulator. This reduction is achieved by considering the cerebellum, along with the higher-level brain centers which control it, as a type of finite-state machine with input entering the cerebellum via mossy fibers from the periphery and output from the cerebellum occurring via Purkinje cells. It is hypothesized that the cerebellum learns by an error-correction system similar to Perceptron training algorithms. An electromechanical model of the cerebellum is then developed for the control of a mechanical arm. The problem of modeling the granular layer which selects the set of parallel fibers which are active at any instant of time is considered, and a relevance matrix is constructed to model the relative degree of influence which mossy fibers from the various joints have on the sets of granule cells unique to each joint.

Assessment of an Unstructured-Grid Method for Predicting 3-D Turbulent Viscous Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frink, Neal T.

1996-01-01

A method Is presented for solving turbulent flow problems on three-dimensional unstructured grids. Spatial discretization Is accomplished by a cell-centered finite-volume formulation using an accurate lin- ear reconstruction scheme and upwind flux differencing. Time is advanced by an implicit backward- Euler time-stepping scheme. Flow turbulence effects are modeled by the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation model, which is coupled with a wall function to reduce the number of cells in the sublayer region of the boundary layer. A systematic assessment of the method is presented to devise guidelines for more strategic application of the technology to complex problems. The assessment includes the accuracy In predictions of skin-friction coefficient, law-of-the-wall behavior, and surface pressure for a flat-plate turbulent boundary layer, and for the ONERA M6 wing under a high Reynolds number, transonic, separated flow condition.

Assessment of an Unstructured-Grid Method for Predicting 3-D Turbulent Viscous Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frink, Neal T.

1996-01-01

A method is presented for solving turbulent flow problems on three-dimensional unstructured grids. Spatial discretization is accomplished by a cell-centered finite-volume formulation using an accurate linear reconstruction scheme and upwind flux differencing. Time is advanced by an implicit backward-Euler time-stepping scheme. Flow turbulence effects are modeled by the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation model, which is coupled with a wall function to reduce the number of cells in the sublayer region of the boundary layer. A systematic assessment of the method is presented to devise guidelines for more strategic application of the technology to complex problems. The assessment includes the accuracy in predictions of skin-friction coefficient, law-of-the-wall behavior, and surface pressure for a flat-plate turbulent boundary layer, and for the ONERA M6 wing under a high Reynolds number, transonic, separated flow condition.

An effective lattice Boltzmann flux solver on arbitrarily unstructured meshes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Qi-Feng; Shu, Chang; Wang, Yan; Yang, Li-Ming

2018-05-01

The recently proposed lattice Boltzmann flux solver (LBFS) is a new approach for the simulation of incompressible flow problems. It applies the finite volume method (FVM) to discretize the governing equations, and the flux at the cell interface is evaluated by local reconstruction of lattice Boltzmann solution from macroscopic flow variables at cell centers. In the previous application of the LBFS, the structured meshes have been commonly employed, which may cause inconvenience for problems with complex geometries. In this paper, the LBFS is extended to arbitrarily unstructured meshes for effective simulation of incompressible flows. Two test cases, the lid-driven flow in a triangular cavity and flow around a circular cylinder, are carried out for validation. The obtained results are compared with the data available in the literature. Good agreement has been achieved, which demonstrates the effectiveness and reliability of the LBFS in simulating flows on arbitrarily unstructured meshes.

Hurricane Forecasting with the High-resolution NASA Finite-volume General Circulation Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Atlas, R.; Reale, O.; Shen, B.-W.; Lin, S.-J.; Chern, J.-D.; Putman, W.; Lee, T.; Yeh, K.-S.; Bosilovich, M.; Radakovich, J.

2004-01-01

A high-resolution finite-volume General Circulation Model (fvGCM), resulting from a development effort of more than ten years, is now being run operationally at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and Ames Research Center. The model is based on a finite-volume dynamical core with terrain-following Lagrangian control-volume discretization and performs efficiently on massive parallel architectures. The computational efficiency allows simulations at a resolution of a quarter of a degree, which is double the resolution currently adopted by most global models in operational weather centers. Such fine global resolution brings us closer to overcoming a fundamental barrier in global atmospheric modeling for both weather and climate, because tropical cyclones and even tropical convective clusters can be more realistically represented. In this work, preliminary results of the fvGCM are shown. Fifteen simulations of four Atlantic tropical cyclones in 2002 and 2004 are chosen because of strong and varied difficulties presented to numerical weather forecasting. It is shown that the fvGCM, run at the resolution of a quarter of a degree, can produce very good forecasts of these tropical systems, adequately resolving problems like erratic track, abrupt recurvature, intense extratropical transition, multiple landfall and reintensification, and interaction among vortices.

Evaluation of Test Methods for Triaxially Braided Composites using a Meso-Scale Finite Element Model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Chao

The characterization of triaxially braided composite is complicate due to the nonuniformity of deformation within the unit cell as well as the possibility of the freeedge effect related to the large size of the unit cell. Extensive experimental investigation has been conducted to develop more accurate test approaches in characterizing the actual mechanical properties of the material we are studying. In this work, a meso-scale finite element model is utilized to simulate two complex specimens: notched tensile specimen and tube tensile specimen, which are designed to avoid the free-edge effect and free-edge effect induced premature edge damage. The full fieldmore » strain data is predicted numerically and compared with experimental data obtained by Digit Image Correlation. The numerically predicted tensile strength values are compared with experimentally measured results. The discrepancy between numerically predicted and experimentally measured data, the capability of different test approaches are analyzed and discussed. The presented numerical model could serve as assistance to the evaluation of different test methods, and is especially useful in identifying potential local damage events.« less

Finite difference time domain modeling of steady state scattering from jet engines with moving turbine blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, Deirdre A.; Langdon, H. Scott; Beggs, John H.; Steich, David J.; Luebbers, Raymond J.; Kunz, Karl S.

1992-01-01

The approach chosen to model steady state scattering from jet engines with moving turbine blades is based upon the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. The FDTD method is a numerical electromagnetic program based upon the direct solution in the time domain of Maxwell's time dependent curl equations throughout a volume. One of the strengths of this method is the ability to model objects with complicated shape and/or material composition. General time domain functions may be used as source excitations. For example, a plane wave excitation may be specified as a pulse containing many frequencies and at any incidence angle to the scatterer. A best fit to the scatterer is accomplished using cubical cells in the standard cartesian implementation of the FDTD method. The material composition of the scatterer is determined by specifying its electrical properties at each cell on the scatterer. Thus, the FDTD method is a suitable choice for problems with complex geometries evaluated at multiple frequencies. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the FDTD method.

Comparison of manual & automated analysis methods for corneal endothelial cell density measurements by specular microscopy.

PubMed

Huang, Jianyan; Maram, Jyotsna; Tepelus, Tudor C; Modak, Cristina; Marion, Ken; Sadda, SriniVas R; Chopra, Vikas; Lee, Olivia L

2017-08-07

To determine the reliability of corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) obtained by automated specular microscopy versus that of validated manual methods and factors that predict such reliability. Sharp central images from 94 control and 106 glaucomatous eyes were captured with Konan specular microscope NSP-9900. All images were analyzed by trained graders using Konan CellChek Software, employing the fully- and semi-automated methods as well as Center Method. Images with low cell count (input cells number <100) and/or guttata were compared with the Center and Flex-Center Methods. ECDs were compared and absolute error was used to assess variation. The effect on ECD of age, cell count, cell size, and cell size variation was evaluated. No significant difference was observed between the Center and Flex-Center Methods in corneas with guttata (p=0.48) or low ECD (p=0.11). No difference (p=0.32) was observed in ECD of normal controls <40 yrs old between the fully-automated method and manual Center Method. However, in older controls and glaucomatous eyes, ECD was overestimated by the fully-automated method (p=0.034) and semi-automated method (p=0.025) as compared to manual method. Our findings show that automated analysis significantly overestimates ECD in the eyes with high polymegathism and/or large cell size, compared to the manual method. Therefore, we discourage reliance upon the fully-automated method alone to perform specular microscopy analysis, particularly if an accurate ECD value is imperative. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.

Error analysis of multipoint flux domain decomposition methods for evolutionary diffusion problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arrarás, A.; Portero, L.; Yotov, I.

2014-01-01

We study space and time discretizations for mixed formulations of parabolic problems. The spatial approximation is based on the multipoint flux mixed finite element method, which reduces to an efficient cell-centered pressure system on general grids, including triangles, quadrilaterals, tetrahedra, and hexahedra. The time integration is performed by using a domain decomposition time-splitting technique combined with multiterm fractional step diagonally implicit Runge-Kutta methods. The resulting scheme is unconditionally stable and computationally efficient, as it reduces the global system to a collection of uncoupled subdomain problems that can be solved in parallel without the need for Schwarz-type iteration. Convergence analysis for both the semidiscrete and fully discrete schemes is presented.

Revisiting of Multiscale Static Analysis of Notched Laminates Using the Generalized Method of Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naghipour Ghezeljeh, Paria; Arnold, Steven M.; Pineda, Evan J.

2016-01-01

Composite material systems generally exhibit a range of behavior on different length scales (from constituent level to macro); therefore, a multiscale framework is beneficial for the design and engineering of these material systems. The complex nature of the observed composite failure during experiments suggests the need for a three-dimensional (3D) multiscale model to attain a reliable prediction. However, the size of a multiscale three-dimensional finite element model can become prohibitively large and computationally costly. Two-dimensional (2D) models are preferred due to computational efficiency, especially if many different configurations have to be analyzed for an in-depth damage tolerance and durability design study. In this study, various 2D and 3D multiscale analyses will be employed to conduct a detailed investigation into the tensile failure of a given multidirectional, notched carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminate. Threedimensional finite element analysis is typically considered more accurate than a 2D finite element model, as compared with experiments. Nevertheless, in the absence of adequate mesh refinement, large differences may be observed between a 2D and 3D analysis, especially for a shear-dominated layup. This observed difference has not been widely addressed in previous literature and is the main focus of this paper.

Electromagnetic plasma simulation in realistic geometries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandon, S.; Ambrosiano, J. J.; Nielsen, D.

1991-08-01

Particle-in-Cell (PIC) calculations have become an indispensable tool to model the nonlinear collective behavior of charged particle species in electromagnetic fields. Traditional finite difference codes, such as CONDOR (2-D) and ARGUS (3-D), are used extensively to design experiments and develop new concepts. A wide variety of physical processes can be modeled simply and efficiently by these codes. However, experiments have become more complex. Geometrical shapes and length scales are becoming increasingly more difficult to model. Spatial resolution requirements for the electromagnetic calculation force large grids and small time steps. Many hours of CRAY YMP time may be required to complete 2-D calculation -- many more for 3-D calculations. In principle, the number of mesh points and particles need only to be increased until all relevant physical processes are resolved. In practice, the size of a calculation is limited by the computer budget. As a result, experimental design is being limited by the ability to calculate, not by the experimenters ingenuity or understanding of the physical processes involved. Several approaches to meet these computational demands are being pursued. Traditional PIC codes continue to be the major design tools. These codes are being actively maintained, optimized, and extended to handle large and more complex problems. Two new formulations are being explored to relax the geometrical constraints of the finite difference codes. A modified finite volume test code, TALUS, uses a data structure compatible with that of standard finite difference meshes. This allows a basic conformal boundary/variable grid capability to be retrofitted to CONDOR. We are also pursuing an unstructured grid finite element code, MadMax. The unstructured mesh approach provides maximum flexibility in the geometrical model while also allowing local mesh refinement.

The Effect of Scale Dependent Discretization on the Progressive Failure of Composite Materials Using Multiscale Analyses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ricks, Trenton M.; Lacy, Thomas E., Jr.; Pineda, Evan J.; Bednarcyk, Brett A.; Arnold, Steven M.

2013-01-01

A multiscale modeling methodology, which incorporates a statistical distribution of fiber strengths into coupled micromechanics/ finite element analyses, is applied to unidirectional polymer matrix composites (PMCs) to analyze the effect of mesh discretization both at the micro- and macroscales on the predicted ultimate tensile (UTS) strength and failure behavior. The NASA code FEAMAC and the ABAQUS finite element solver were used to analyze the progressive failure of a PMC tensile specimen that initiates at the repeating unit cell (RUC) level. Three different finite element mesh densities were employed and each coupled with an appropriate RUC. Multiple simulations were performed in order to assess the effect of a statistical distribution of fiber strengths on the bulk composite failure and predicted strength. The coupled effects of both the micro- and macroscale discretizations were found to have a noticeable effect on the predicted UTS and computational efficiency of the simulations.

Finite-volume method with lattice Boltzmann flux scheme for incompressible porous media flow at the representative-elementary-volume scale.

PubMed

Hu, Yang; Li, Decai; Shu, Shi; Niu, Xiaodong

2016-02-01

Based on the Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer equation, a finite-volume computational model with lattice Boltzmann flux scheme is proposed for incompressible porous media flow in this paper. The fluxes across the cell interface are calculated by reconstructing the local solution of the generalized lattice Boltzmann equation for porous media flow. The time-scaled midpoint integration rule is adopted to discretize the governing equation, which makes the time step become limited by the Courant-Friedricks-Lewy condition. The force term which evaluates the effect of the porous medium is added to the discretized governing equation directly. The numerical simulations of the steady Poiseuille flow, the unsteady Womersley flow, the circular Couette flow, and the lid-driven flow are carried out to verify the present computational model. The obtained results show good agreement with the analytical, finite-difference, and/or previously published solutions.

ICASE Semiannual Report, October 1, 1992 through March 31, 1993

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-06-01

NUMERICAL MATHEMATICS Saul Abarbanel Further results have been obtained regarding long time integration of high order compact finite difference schemes...overall accuracy. These problems are common to all numerical methods: finite differences , finite elements and spectral methods. It should be noted that...fourth order finite difference scheme. * In the same case, the D6 wavelets provide a sixth order finite difference , noncompact formula. * The wavelets

An Unstructured Finite Volume Approach for Structural Dynamics in Response to Fluid Motions.

PubMed

Xia, Guohua; Lin, Ching-Long

2008-04-01

A new cell-vortex unstructured finite volume method for structural dynamics is assessed for simulations of structural dynamics in response to fluid motions. A robust implicit dual-time stepping method is employed to obtain time accurate solutions. The resulting system of algebraic equations is matrix-free and allows solid elements to include structure thickness, inertia, and structural stresses for accurate predictions of structural responses and stress distributions. The method is coupled with a fluid dynamics solver for fluid-structure interaction, providing a viable alternative to the finite element method for structural dynamics calculations. A mesh sensitivity test indicates that the finite volume method is at least of second-order accuracy. The method is validated by the problem of vortex-induced vibration of an elastic plate with different initial conditions and material properties. The results are in good agreement with existing numerical data and analytical solutions. The method is then applied to simulate a channel flow with an elastic wall. The effects of wall inertia and structural stresses on the fluid flow are investigated.

Physically based multiscale-viscoplastic model for metals and steel alloys: Theory and computation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abed, Farid H.

The main requirement of large deformation problems such as high-speed machining, impact, and various primarily metal forming, is to develop constitutive relations which are widely applicable and capable of accounting for complex paths of deformation. Achieving such desirable goals for material like metals and steel alloys involves a comprehensive study of their microstructures and experimental observations under different loading conditions. In general, metal structures display a strong rate- and temperature-dependence when deformed non-uniformly into the inelastic range. This effect has important implications for an increasing number of applications in structural and engineering mechanics. The mechanical behavior of these applications cannot be characterized by classical (rate-independent) continuum theories because they incorporate no 'material length scales'. It is therefore necessary to develop a rate-dependent (viscoplasticity) continuum theory bridging the gap between the classical continuum theories and the microstructure simulations. Physically based vicoplasticity models for different types of metals (body centered cubic, face centered cubic and hexagonal close-packed) and steel alloys are derived in this work for this purpose. We adopt a multi-scale, hierarchical thermodynamic consistent framework to construct the material constitutive relations for the rate-dependent behavior. The concept of thermal activation energy, dislocations interactions mechanisms and the role of dislocations dynamics in crystals are used in the derivation process taking into consideration the contribution of the plastic strain evolution of dislocation density to the flow stress of polycrystalline metals. Material length scales are implicitly introduced into the governing equations through material rate-dependency (viscosity). The proposed framework is implemented into the commercially well-known finite element software ABAQUS. The finite element simulations of material instability problems converge to meaningful results upon further refinement of the finite element mesh due to the successful incorporation of the material length scale in the model formulations. It is shown that the model predicted results compare very well with different experimental data over a wide range of temperatures (77K°-1000K°) and strain rates (10-3-10 4s-1). It is also concluded from this dissertation that the width of localization zone (shear band) exhibits tremendous changes with different initial temperatures (i.e., different initial viscosities and accordingly different length scales).

Stamping of Thin-Walled Structural Components with Magnesium Alloy AZ31 Sheets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Fuh-Kuo; Chang, Chih-Kun

2005-08-01

In the present study, the stamping process for manufacturing cell phone cases with magnesium alloy AZ31 sheets was studied using both the experimental approach and the finite element analysis. In order to determine the proper forming temperature and set up a fracture criterion, tensile tests and forming limit tests were first conducted to obtain the mechanical behaviors of AZ31 sheets at various elevated temperatures. The mechanical properties of Z31 sheets obtained from the experiments were then adopted in the finite element analysis to investigate the effects of the process parameters on the formability of the stamping process of cell phone cases. The finite element simulation results revealed that both the fracture and wrinkle defects could not be eliminated at the same time by adjusting blank-holder force or blank size. A drawbead design was then performed using the finite element simulations to determine the size and the location of drawbead required to suppress the wrinkle defect. An optimum stamping process, including die geometry, forming temperature, and blank dimension, was then determined for manufacturing the cell phone cases. The finite element analysis was validated by the good agreement between the simulation results and the experimental data. It confirms that the cell phone cases can be produced with magnesium alloy AZ31 sheet by the stamping process at elevated temperatures.

Studies of silicon p-n junction solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neugroschel, A.; Lindholm, F. A.

1979-01-01

To provide theoretical support for investigating different ways to obtain high open-circuit voltages in p-n junction silicon solar cells, an analytical treatment of heavily doped transparent-emitter devices is presented that includes the effects of bandgap narrowing, Fermi-Dirac statistics, a doping concentration gradient, and a finite surface recombination velocity at the emitter surface. Topics covered include: (1) experimental determination of bandgap narrowing in the emitter of silicon p-n junction devices; (2) heavily doped transparent regions in junction solar cells, diodes, and transistors; (3) high-low-emitter solar cell; (4) determination of lifetimes and recombination currents in p-n junction solar cells; (5) MOS and oxide-charged-induced BSF solar cells; and (6) design of high efficiency solar cells for space and terrestrial applications.

Physical analysis on laser-induced cerebral damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Xiaosen; Liu, Jiangang; Tao, Chunkan; Lan, Xiufeng; Cao, Lingyan; Pan, Weimin; Shen, Zhonghua; Lu, Jian; Ni, Xiaowu

2005-01-01

Experimental investigation on cerebral damage of adult SD rats induced by 532nm CW laser was performed. Tissue heat conductive equation was set up based on two-layered structure model. Finite difference algorithm was utilized to numerically simulate the temperature distribution in the brain tissue. Allowing for tissue response to temperature variation, free boundary model was used to discuss tissue thermal coagulation formation in brain. Experimental observations show that thermal coagulation and necrosis can be caused due to laser light absorption. The result of the calculation shows that the process of the thermal coagulation of the given mode comprises two stages: fast and slow. At the first stage, necrosis domain grows fast. Then necrosis domain growth becomes slower because of the competition between the heat diffusion into the surrounding undamaged tissue and the heat dissipation caused by blood perfusion. At the center of coagulation area no neuron was observed and at the transitional zone few nervous cells were seen by microscope. The research can provide reference data for developing clinical therapy of some kind of encephalic diseases by using 532nm laser, and for making cerebral infarction models in animal experiment.

On the stress singularities generated by anisotropic eigenstrains and the hydrostatic stress due to annular inhomogeneities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yavari, Arash; Goriely, Alain

2015-03-01

The problems of singularity formation and hydrostatic stress created by an inhomogeneity with eigenstrain in an incompressible isotropic hyperelastic material are considered. For both a spherical ball and a cylindrical bar with a radially symmetric distribution of finite possibly anisotropic eigenstrains, we show that the anisotropy of these eigenstrains at the center (the center of the sphere or the axis of the cylinder) controls the stress singularity. If they are equal at the center no stress singularity develops but if they are not equal then stress always develops a logarithmic singularity. In both cases, the energy density and strains are everywhere finite. As a related problem, we consider annular inclusions for which the eigenstrains vanish in a core around the center. We show that even for an anisotropic distribution of eigenstrains, the stress inside the core is always hydrostatic. We show how these general results are connected to recent claims on similar problems in the limit of small eigenstrains.

Studies of radiative transfer in the earth's atmosphere with emphasis on the influence of the radiation budget in the joint institute for advancement of flight sciences at the NASA-Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Earth and solar radiation budget measurements were examined. Sensor calibration and measurement accuracy were emphasized. Past works on the earth's radiation field that must be used in reducing observations of the radiation field were reviewed. Using a finite difference radiative transfer algorithm, models of the angular and spectral dependence of the earth's radiation field were developed.

Naval Weapons Center Plume Radar Frequency Interference Code

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-10-01

ppm sodium. Both equilibrium and finite rate chemistry during the expansion from the chamber were tried as initial conditions for the plume. In...was too large. The difference between the.e two sets of initial conditions diminished downstream as the chemistry in the plume mixing region began to...Rerkirre Arvliral I Comirlnrnde!- ir.C h ic 1. tVS. Pacific Hice ((Code 3251 1 Corimu tinde r. ’n, r-d I leer. Pearl I atar I Coimniaide r. Sevent

Excitations in the Yang–Gaudin Bose gas

DOE PAGES

Robinson, Neil J.; Konik, Robert M.

2017-06-01

Here, we study the excitation spectrum of two-component delta-function interacting bosons confined to a single spatial dimension, the Yang–Gaudin Bose gas. We show that there are pronounced finite-size effects in the dispersion relations of excitations, perhaps best illustrated by the spinon single particle dispersion which exhibits a gap at 2k F and a finite-momentum roton-like minimum. Such features occur at energies far above the finite volume excitation gap, vanish slowly as 1/L for fixed spinon number, and can persist to the thermodynamic limit at fixed spinon density. Features such as the 2k F gap also persist to multi-particle excitation continua. Our results show that excitations in the finite system can behave in a qualitatively different manner to analogous excitations in the thermodynamic limit. The Yang–Gaudin Bose gas is also host to multi-spinon bound states, known asmore » $$\\Lambda$$ -strings. We study these excitations both in the thermodynamic limit under the string hypothesis and in finite size systems where string deviations are taken into account. In the zero-temperature limit we present a simple relation between the length n $$\\Lambda$$-string dressed energies $$\\epsilon_n(\\lambda)$$ and the dressed energy $$\\epsilon(k)$$. We solve the Yang–Yang–Takahashi equations numerically and compare to the analytical solution obtained under the strong couple expansion, revealing that the length n $$\\Lambda$$ -string dressed energy is Lorentzian over a wide range of real string centers λ in the vicinity of $$\\lambda = 0$$ . We then examine the finite size effects present in the dispersion of the two-spinon bound states by numerically solving the Bethe ansatz equations with string deviations.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Robinson, Neil J.; Konik, Robert M.

Here, we study the excitation spectrum of two-component delta-function interacting bosons confined to a single spatial dimension, the Yang–Gaudin Bose gas. We show that there are pronounced finite-size effects in the dispersion relations of excitations, perhaps best illustrated by the spinon single particle dispersion which exhibits a gap at 2k F and a finite-momentum roton-like minimum. Such features occur at energies far above the finite volume excitation gap, vanish slowly as 1/L for fixed spinon number, and can persist to the thermodynamic limit at fixed spinon density. Features such as the 2k F gap also persist to multi-particle excitation continua. Our results show that excitations in the finite system can behave in a qualitatively different manner to analogous excitations in the thermodynamic limit. The Yang–Gaudin Bose gas is also host to multi-spinon bound states, known asmore » $$\\Lambda$$ -strings. We study these excitations both in the thermodynamic limit under the string hypothesis and in finite size systems where string deviations are taken into account. In the zero-temperature limit we present a simple relation between the length n $$\\Lambda$$-string dressed energies $$\\epsilon_n(\\lambda)$$ and the dressed energy $$\\epsilon(k)$$. We solve the Yang–Yang–Takahashi equations numerically and compare to the analytical solution obtained under the strong couple expansion, revealing that the length n $$\\Lambda$$ -string dressed energy is Lorentzian over a wide range of real string centers λ in the vicinity of $$\\lambda = 0$$ . We then examine the finite size effects present in the dispersion of the two-spinon bound states by numerically solving the Bethe ansatz equations with string deviations.« less

Electrophoretic cell separation by means of microspheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smolka, A. J. K.; Nerren, B. H.; Margel, S.; Rembaum, A.

1979-01-01

The electrophoretic mobility of fixed human erythrocytes immunologically labeled with poly(vinylpyridine) or poly(glutaraldehyde) microspheres was reduced by approximately 40%. This observation was utilized in preparative scale electrophoretic separations of fixed human and turkey erythrocytes, the mobilities of which under normal physiological conditions do not differ sufficiently to allow their separation by continuous flow electrophoresis. We suggest that resolution in the electrophoretic separation of cell subpopulations, currently limited by finite and often overlapping mobility distributions, may be significantly enhanced by immunospecific labeling of target populations using microspheres.

Micromechanical analysis of a hybrid composite—effect of boron carbide particles on the elastic properties of basalt fiber reinforced polymer composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishna Golla, Sai; Prasanthi, P.

2016-11-01

A fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite is an important material for structural application. The diversified application of FRP composites has become the center of attention for interdisciplinary research. However, improvements in the mechanical properties of this class of materials are still under research for different applications. The reinforcement of inorganic particles in a composite improves its structural properties due to their high stiffness. The present research work is focused on the prediction of the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites where continuous fibers are reinforced in a micro boron carbide particle mixed polypropylene matrix. The effectiveness of the addition of 30 wt. % of boron carbide (B4C) particle contributions regarding the longitudinal and transverse properties of the basalt fiber reinforced polymer composite at various fiber volume fractions is examined by finite element analysis (FEA). The experimental approach is the best way to determine the properties of the composite but it is expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, the finite element method (FEM) and analytical methods are the viable methods for the determination of the composite properties. The FEM results were obtained by adopting a micromechanics approach with the support of FEM. Assuming a uniform distribution of reinforcement and considering one unit-cell of the whole array, the properties of the composite materials are determined. The predicted elastic properties from FEA are compared with the analytical results. The results suggest that B4C particles are a good reinforcement for the enhancement of the transverse properties of basalt fiber reinforced polypropylene.

Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell System Gas Dryer/Humidifier Analytical Model Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burke, Kenneth A.; Jakupca, Ian

2004-01-01

A lightweight Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell (URFC) Energy Storage System concept is being developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). This Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell System (URFCS) is unique in that it uses Regenerative Gas Dryers/Humidifiers (RGD/H) that are mounted on the surface of the gas storage tanks that act as the radiators for thermal control of the Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell System (URFCS). As the gas storage tanks cool down during URFCS charging the RGD/H dry the hydrogen and oxygen gases produced by electrolysis. As the gas storage tanks heat up during URFCS discharging, the RGD/H humidify the hydrogen and oxygen gases used by the fuel cell. An analytical model was developed to simulate the URFCS RGD/H. The model is in the form of a Microsoft (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) Excel worksheet that allows the investigation of the RGD/H performance. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) modeling of the RGD/H and the gas storage tank wall was also done to analyze spatial temperature distribution within the RGD/H and the localized tank wall. Test results obtained from the testing of the RGD/H in a thermal vacuum environment were used to corroborate the analyses.

Computer-Aided Engineering of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-07-01

equation using a five point finite difference approximation. Section 4.3.6 describes the numerical techniques and iterative algorithms which are used...neighbor points. This is generally referred to as a five point finite difference scheme on a rectangular grid, as described below. The finite difference ...problems in steady state have been analyzed by the finite difference method [4. 16 ] [4.17 3 or finite element method [4. 18 3, [4. 19 3 as reported last

Effects of Frequency and Acceleration Amplitude on Osteoblast Mechanical Vibration Responses: A Finite Element Study

PubMed Central

Hsu, Hung-Yao

2016-01-01

Bone cells are deformed according to mechanical stimulation they receive and their mechanical characteristics. However, how osteoblasts are affected by mechanical vibration frequency and acceleration amplitude remains unclear. By developing 3D osteoblast finite element (FE) models, this study investigated the effect of cell shapes on vibration characteristics and effect of acceleration (vibration intensity) on vibrational responses of cultured osteoblasts. Firstly, the developed FE models predicted natural frequencies of osteoblasts within 6.85–48.69 Hz. Then, three different levels of acceleration of base excitation were selected (0.5, 1, and 2 g) to simulate vibrational responses, and acceleration of base excitation was found to have no influence on natural frequencies of osteoblasts. However, vibration response values of displacement, stress, and strain increased with the increase of acceleration. Finally, stress and stress distributions of osteoblast models under 0.5 g acceleration in Z-direction were investigated further. It was revealed that resonance frequencies can be a monotonic function of cell height or bottom area when cell volumes and material properties were assumed as constants. These findings will be useful in understanding how forces are transferred and influence osteoblast mechanical responses during vibrations and in providing guidance for cell culture and external vibration loading in experimental and clinical osteogenesis studies. PMID:28074178

Approximation algorithm for the problem of partitioning a sequence into clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kel'manov, A. V.; Mikhailova, L. V.; Khamidullin, S. A.; Khandeev, V. I.

2017-08-01

We consider the problem of partitioning a finite sequence of Euclidean points into a given number of clusters (subsequences) using the criterion of the minimal sum (over all clusters) of intercluster sums of squared distances from the elements of the clusters to their centers. It is assumed that the center of one of the desired clusters is at the origin, while the center of each of the other clusters is unknown and determined as the mean value over all elements in this cluster. Additionally, the partition obeys two structural constraints on the indices of sequence elements contained in the clusters with unknown centers: (1) the concatenation of the indices of elements in these clusters is an increasing sequence, and (2) the difference between an index and the preceding one is bounded above and below by prescribed constants. It is shown that this problem is strongly NP-hard. A 2-approximation algorithm is constructed that is polynomial-time for a fixed number of clusters.

Finite element analysis of the convergence of the centers of resistance and rotation in extreme moment-to-force ratios.

PubMed

Geramy, Allahyar; Tanne, Kazuo; Moradi, Meisam; Golshahi, Hamid; Farajzadeh Jalali, Yasamin

2016-06-01

The aim of this study was to investigate how very high and very low M/F ratios affect the location of the center of rotation (CRo). A 3D model of a mesiodistal slice of the mandible was used for this purpose. The model comprised the lower right central incisor, its PDL, the spongy and cortical bone, and a bracket on the labial surface of the bracket. A couple of 1N was applied to the bracket slot to find the level of the center of resistance (Cre). In a second stage, we attempted to produce bodily movement by applying the appropriate M/F ratio. M/F ratios of ±100, 200, 400, and 800 were applied to the last tenths of a millimeter of a pre-activated loop. Higher M/F ratios with positive or negative values, at constant force, increased both incisal and apical movements. The change in the tooth inclination before and after force application matched the difference produced by the different M/F ratios. It was found that a single center of rotation can be constructed for any tooth position. However, this single point does not act as the center of rotation during the entire movement. Copyright © 2016 CEO. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Modifications to the modular three-dimensional finite-difference ground-water flow model used for the Columbia Plateau Regional Aquifer-System Analysis, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hansen, A.J.

1993-01-01

The report documents modifications to the U.S. Geological Survey's modular three-dimensional finite-difference ground-water flow model used for a regional aquifer-system analysis of the Columbia Plateau. The report, which describes the concepts and mathematical basis for the modifications, is intended for potential users who are familiar with the original modular model. The modifications permit flow from a layer to any adjacent layer, allow the model to retain a cell of a layer that has been cut completely through by a canyon, and allow placing ground-water flow barriers on only specified branch conductances; a special version of the modified model uses a convergent grid. The report describes the data-input items that this modified model must read.

NASA Glenn Research Center Program in High Power Density Motors for Aeropropulsion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Gerald V.; Kascak, Albert F.; Ebihara, Ben; Johnson, Dexter; Choi, Benjamin; Siebert, Mark; Buccieri, Carl

2005-01-01

Electric drive of transport-sized aircraft propulsors, with electric power generated by fuel cells or turbo-generators, will require electric motors with much higher power density than conventional room-temperature machines. Cryogenic cooling of the motor windings by the liquid hydrogen fuel offers a possible solution, enabling motors with higher power density than turbine engines. Some context on weights of various systems, which is required to assess the problem, is presented. This context includes a survey of turbine engine weights over a considerable size range, a correlation of gear box weights and some examples of conventional and advanced electric motor weights. The NASA Glenn Research Center program for high power density motors is outlined and some technical results to date are presented. These results include current densities of 5,000 A per square centimeter current density achieved in cryogenic coils, finite element predictions compared to measurements of torque production in a switched reluctance motor, and initial tests of a cryogenic switched reluctance motor.

Tapered fiber coupling of single photons emitted by a deterministically positioned single nitrogen vacancy center

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liebermeister, Lars, E-mail: lars.liebermeister@physik.uni-muenchen.de; Petersen, Fabian; Münchow, Asmus v.

2014-01-20

A diamond nano-crystal hosting a single nitrogen vacancy (NV) center is optically selected with a confocal scanning microscope and positioned deterministically onto the subwavelength-diameter waist of a tapered optical fiber (TOF) with the help of an atomic force microscope. Based on this nano-manipulation technique, we experimentally demonstrate the evanescent coupling of single fluorescence photons emitted by a single NV-center to the guided mode of the TOF. By comparing photon count rates of the fiber-guided and the free-space modes and with the help of numerical finite-difference time domain simulations, we determine a lower and upper bound for the coupling efficiency ofmore » (9.5 ± 0.6)% and (10.4 ± 0.7)%, respectively. Our results are a promising starting point for future integration of single photon sources into photonic quantum networks and applications in quantum information science.« less

M-step preconditioned conjugate gradient methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, L.

1983-01-01

Preconditioned conjugate gradient methods for solving sparse symmetric and positive finite systems of linear equations are described. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for when these preconditioners can be used and an analysis of their effectiveness is given. Efficient computer implementations of these methods are discussed and results on the CYBER 203 and the Finite Element Machine under construction at NASA Langley Research Center are included.

The accuracy of the Gaussian-and-finite-element-Coulomb (GFC) method for the calculation of Coulomb integrals.

PubMed

Przybytek, Michal; Helgaker, Trygve

2013-08-07

We analyze the accuracy of the Coulomb energy calculated using the Gaussian-and-finite-element-Coulomb (GFC) method. In this approach, the electrostatic potential associated with the molecular electronic density is obtained by solving the Poisson equation and then used to calculate matrix elements of the Coulomb operator. The molecular electrostatic potential is expanded in a mixed Gaussian-finite-element (GF) basis set consisting of Gaussian functions of s symmetry centered on the nuclei (with exponents obtained from a full optimization of the atomic potentials generated by the atomic densities from symmetry-averaged restricted open-shell Hartree-Fock theory) and shape functions defined on uniform finite elements. The quality of the GF basis is controlled by means of a small set of parameters; for a given width of the finite elements d, the highest accuracy is achieved at smallest computational cost when tricubic (n = 3) elements are used in combination with two (γ(H) = 2) and eight (γ(1st) = 8) Gaussians on hydrogen and first-row atoms, respectively, with exponents greater than a given threshold (αmin (G)=0.5). The error in the calculated Coulomb energy divided by the number of atoms in the system depends on the system type but is independent of the system size or the orbital basis set, vanishing approximately like d(4) with decreasing d. If the boundary conditions for the Poisson equation are calculated in an approximate way, the GFC method may lose its variational character when the finite elements are too small; with larger elements, it is less sensitive to inaccuracies in the boundary values. As it is possible to obtain accurate boundary conditions in linear time, the overall scaling of the GFC method for large systems is governed by another computational step-namely, the generation of the three-center overlap integrals with three Gaussian orbitals. The most unfavorable (nearly quadratic) scaling is observed for compact, truly three-dimensional systems; however, this scaling can be reduced to linear by introducing more effective techniques for recognizing significant three-center overlap distributions.

Transport theory for a leaf canopy of finite-dimensional scattering centers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myneni, Ranga B.; Marshak, Alexander L.; Kniazikhin, Iurii V.

1991-01-01

A formalism for photon transport in leaf canopies with finite-dimensional scattering centers that cross shade mutually is developed. Starting from first principles, expressions for the interaction cross sections are derived. The problem of illumination by a monodirectional source is studied in detail using a successive collisions approach. A balance equation is formulated in R3 and the interaction between a leaf canopy and the adjacent atmosphere is discussed. Although the details are those relating to a leaf canopy, the formalism is equally applicable to other media where the constituents cross shade mutually such as planetary surfaces, rings and ridged-ice in polar regions, i.e., media that exhibit opposition brightening.

Finite Element Analysis and Test Results Comparison for the Hybrid Wing Body Center Section Test Article

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Przekop, Adam; Jegley, Dawn C.; Rouse, Marshall; Lovejoy, Andrew E.

2016-01-01

This report documents the comparison of test measurements and predictive finite element analysis results for a hybrid wing body center section test article. The testing and analysis efforts were part of the Airframe Technology subproject within the NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation project. Test results include full field displacement measurements obtained from digital image correlation systems and discrete strain measurements obtained using both unidirectional and rosette resistive gauges. Most significant results are presented for the critical five load cases exercised during the test. Final test to failure after inflicting severe damage to the test article is also documented. Overall, good comparison between predicted and actual behavior of the test article is found.

Challenges in Integrating Nondestructive Evaluation and Finite Element Methods for Realistic Structural Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abdul-Aziz, Ali; Baaklini, George Y.; Zagidulin, Dmitri; Rauser, Richard W.

2000-01-01

Capabilities and expertise related to the development of links between nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and finite element analysis (FEA) at Glenn Research Center (GRC) are demonstrated. Current tools to analyze data produced by computed tomography (CT) scans are exercised to help assess the damage state in high temperature structural composite materials. A utility translator was written to convert velocity (an image processing software) STL data file to a suitable CAD-FEA type file. Finite element analyses are carried out with MARC, a commercial nonlinear finite element code, and the analytical results are discussed. Modeling was established by building MSC/Patran (a pre and post processing finite element package) generated model and comparing it to a model generated by Velocity in conjunction with MSC/Patran Graphics. Modeling issues and results are discussed in this paper. The entire process that outlines the tie between the data extracted via NDE and the finite element modeling and analysis is fully described.

Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) and Energy Finite Element Analysis (EFEA) Predictions for a Floor-Equipped Composite Cylinder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grosveld, Ferdinand W.; Schiller, Noah H.; Cabell, Randolph H.

2011-01-01

Comet Enflow is a commercially available, high frequency vibroacoustic analysis software founded on Energy Finite Element Analysis (EFEA) and Energy Boundary Element Analysis (EBEA). Energy Finite Element Analysis (EFEA) was validated on a floor-equipped composite cylinder by comparing EFEA vibroacoustic response predictions with Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) and experimental results. Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) predictions were made using the commercial software program VA One 2009 from ESI Group. The frequency region of interest for this study covers the one-third octave bands with center frequencies from 100 Hz to 4000 Hz.

On the Quality of Velocity Interpolation Schemes for Marker-In-Cell Methods on 3-D Staggered Grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaus, B.; Pusok, A. E.; Popov, A.

2015-12-01

The marker-in-cell method is generally considered to be a flexible and robust method to model advection of heterogenous non-diffusive properties (i.e. rock type or composition) in geodynamic problems or incompressible Stokes problems. In this method, Lagrangian points carrying compositional information are advected with the ambient velocity field on an immobile, Eulerian grid. However, velocity interpolation from grid points to marker locations is often performed without preserving the zero divergence of the velocity field at the interpolated locations (i.e. non-conservative). Such interpolation schemes can induce non-physical clustering of markers when strong velocity gradients are present (Jenny et al., 2001) and this may, eventually, result in empty grid cells, a serious numerical violation of the marker-in-cell method. Solutions to this problem include: using larger mesh resolutions and/or marker densities, or repeatedly controlling the marker distribution (i.e. inject/delete), but which does not have an established physical background. To remedy this at low computational costs, Jenny et al. (2001) and Meyer and Jenny (2004) proposed a simple, conservative velocity interpolation (CVI) scheme for 2-D staggered grid, while Wang et al. (2015) extended the formulation to 3-D finite element methods. Here, we follow up with these studies and report on the quality of velocity interpolation methods for 2-D and 3-D staggered grids. We adapt the formulations from both Jenny et al. (2001) and Wang et al. (2015) for use on 3-D staggered grids, where the velocity components have different node locations as compared to finite element, where they share the same node location. We test the different interpolation schemes (CVI and non-CVI) in combination with different advection schemes (Euler, RK2 and RK4) and with/out marker control on Stokes problems with strong velocity gradients, which are discretized using a finite difference method. We show that a conservative formulation reduces the dispersion or clustering of markers and that the density of markers remains steady over time without the need of additional marker control. Jenny et al. (2001, J Comp Phys, 166, 218-252 Meyer and Jenny (2004), Proc Appl Math Mech, 4, 466-467 Wang et al. (2015), G3, Vol.16 Funding was provided by the ERC Starting Grant #258830.

Correlation Results for a Mass Loaded Vehicle Panel Test Article Finite Element Models and Modal Survey Tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maasha, Rumaasha; Towner, Robert L.

2012-01-01

High-fidelity Finite Element Models (FEMs) were developed to support a recent test program at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The FEMs correspond to test articles used for a series of acoustic tests. Modal survey tests were used to validate the FEMs for five acoustic tests (a bare panel and four different mass-loaded panel configurations). An additional modal survey test was performed on the empty test fixture (orthogrid panel mounting fixture, between the reverb and anechoic chambers). Modal survey tests were used to test-validate the dynamic characteristics of FEMs used for acoustic test excitation. Modal survey testing and subsequent model correlation has validated the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the FEMs. The modal survey test results provide a basis for the analysis models used for acoustic loading response test and analysis comparisons

Diffusion of test particles in stochastic magnetic fields for small Kubo numbers.

PubMed

Neuer, Marcus; Spatschek, Karl H

2006-02-01

Motion of charged particles in a collisional plasma with stochastic magnetic field lines is investigated on the basis of the so-called A-Langevin equation. Compared to the previously used A-Langevin model, here finite Larmor radius effects are taken into account. The A-Langevin equation is solved under the assumption that the Lagrangian correlation function for the magnetic field fluctuations is related to the Eulerian correlation function (in Gaussian form) via the Corrsin approximation. The latter is justified for small Kubo numbers. The velocity correlation function, being averaged with respect to the stochastic variables including collisions, leads to an implicit differential equation for the mean square displacement. From the latter, different transport regimes, including the well-known Rechester-Rosenbluth diffusion coefficient, are derived. Finite Larmor radius contributions show a decrease of the diffusion coefficient compared to the guiding center limit. The case of small (or vanishing) mean fields is also discussed.

A Finite-Orbit-Width Fokker-Planck solver for modeling of energetic particle interactions with waves, with application to Helicons in ITER

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrov, Yuri V.; Harvey, R. W.

2017-10-01

The bounce-average (BA) finite-difference Fokker-Planck (FP) code CQL3D [1,2] now includes the essential physics to describe the RF heating of Finite-Orbit-Width (FOW) ions in tokamaks. The FP equation is reformulated in terms of Constants-Of-Motion coordinates, which we select to be particle speed, pitch angle, and major radius on the equatorial plane thus obtaining the distribution function directly at this location. Full-orbit, low collisionality neoclassical radial transport emerges from averaging the local friction and diffusion coefficients along guiding center orbits. Similarly, the BA of local quasilinear RF diffusion terms gives rise to additional radial transport. The local RF electric field components needed for the BA operator are usually obtained by a ray-tracing code, such as GENRAY, or in conjunction with full-wave codes. As a new, practical application, the CQL3D-FOW version is used for simulation of alpha-particle heating by high-harmonic waves in ITER. Coupling of high harmonic or helicon fast waves power to electrons is a promising current drive (CD) scenario for high beta plasmas. However, the efficiency of current drive can be diminished by parasitic channeling of RF power into fast ions, such as alphas, through finite Larmor-radius effects. We investigate possibilities to reduce the fast ion heating in CD scenarios.

SU-E-J-102: Separation of Metabolic Supply and Demand: From Power Grid Economics to Cancer Metabolism

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Epstein, T; Xu, L; Gillies, R

2014-06-01

Purpose: To study a new model of glucose metabolism which is primarily governed by the timescale of the energetic demand and not by the oxygen level, and its implication on cancer metabolism (Warburg effect) Methods: 1) Metabolic profiling of membrane transporters activity in several cell lines, which represent the spectrum from normal breast epithelium to aggressive, metastatic cancer, using Seahorse XF reader.2) Spatial localization of oxidative and non-oxidative metabolic components using immunocytochemical imaging of the glycolytic ATP-producing enzyme, pyruvate kinase and mitochondria. 3) Finite element simulations of coupled partial differential equations using COMSOL and MATLAB. Results: Inhibition or activation ofmore » pumps on the cell membrane led to reduction or increase in aerobic glycolysis, respectively, while oxidative phosphorylation remained unchanged. These results were consistent with computational simulations of changes in short-timescale demand for energy by cell membrane processes. A specific model prediction was that the spatial distribution of ATP-producing enzymes in the glycolytic pathway must be primarily localized adjacent to the cell membrane, while mitochondria should be predominantly peri-nuclear. These predictions were confirmed experimentally. Conclusion: The results in this work support a new model for glucose metabolism in which glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation supply different types of energy demand. Similar to power grid economics, optimal metabolic control requires the two pathways, even in normoxic conditions, to match two different types of energy demands. Cells use aerobic metabolism to meet baseline, steady energy demand and glycolytic metabolism to meet short-timescale energy demands, mainly from membrane transport activities, even in the presence of oxygen. This model provides a mechanism for the origin of the Warburg effect in cancer cells. Here, the Warburg effect emerges during carcinogenesis is a physiological response to an increase in energy demands from membrane transporters, required for cell division, growth, and migration. This work is supported by the NIH Physical Sciences in Oncology Center grant 1U54CA143970-03 and NIH R01 CA077575-10.« less

Controlling the numerical Cerenkov instability in PIC simulations using a customized finite difference Maxwell solver and a local FFT based current correction

DOE PAGES

Li, Fei; Yu, Peicheng; Xu, Xinlu; ...

2017-01-12

In this study we present a customized finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) Maxwell solver for the particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm. The solver is customized to effectively eliminate the numerical Cerenkov instability (NCI) which arises when a plasma (neutral or non-neutral) relativistically drifts on a grid when using the PIC algorithm. We control the EM dispersion curve in the direction of the plasma drift of a FDTD Maxwell solver by using a customized higher order finite difference operator for the spatial derivative along the direction of the drift (1ˆ direction). We show that this eliminates the main NCI modes with moderate |k 1|, while keepsmore » additional main NCI modes well outside the range of physical interest with higher |k 1|. These main NCI modes can be easily filtered out along with first spatial aliasing NCI modes which are also at the edge of the fundamental Brillouin zone. The customized solver has the possible advantage of improved parallel scalability because it can be easily partitioned along 1ˆ which typically has many more cells than other directions for the problems of interest. We show that FFTs can be performed locally to current on each partition to filter out the main and first spatial aliasing NCI modes, and to correct the current so that it satisfies the continuity equation for the customized spatial derivative. This ensures that Gauss’ Law is satisfied. Lastly, we present simulation examples of one relativistically drifting plasma, of two colliding relativistically drifting plasmas, and of nonlinear laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) in a Lorentz boosted frame that show no evidence of the NCI can be observed when using this customized Maxwell solver together with its NCI elimination scheme.« less

Controlling the numerical Cerenkov instability in PIC simulations using a customized finite difference Maxwell solver and a local FFT based current correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Fei; Yu, Peicheng; Xu, Xinlu; Fiuza, Frederico; Decyk, Viktor K.; Dalichaouch, Thamine; Davidson, Asher; Tableman, Adam; An, Weiming; Tsung, Frank S.; Fonseca, Ricardo A.; Lu, Wei; Mori, Warren B.

2017-05-01

In this paper we present a customized finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) Maxwell solver for the particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm. The solver is customized to effectively eliminate the numerical Cerenkov instability (NCI) which arises when a plasma (neutral or non-neutral) relativistically drifts on a grid when using the PIC algorithm. We control the EM dispersion curve in the direction of the plasma drift of a FDTD Maxwell solver by using a customized higher order finite difference operator for the spatial derivative along the direction of the drift (1 ˆ direction). We show that this eliminates the main NCI modes with moderate |k1 | , while keeps additional main NCI modes well outside the range of physical interest with higher |k1 | . These main NCI modes can be easily filtered out along with first spatial aliasing NCI modes which are also at the edge of the fundamental Brillouin zone. The customized solver has the possible advantage of improved parallel scalability because it can be easily partitioned along 1 ˆ which typically has many more cells than other directions for the problems of interest. We show that FFTs can be performed locally to current on each partition to filter out the main and first spatial aliasing NCI modes, and to correct the current so that it satisfies the continuity equation for the customized spatial derivative. This ensures that Gauss' Law is satisfied. We present simulation examples of one relativistically drifting plasma, of two colliding relativistically drifting plasmas, and of nonlinear laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) in a Lorentz boosted frame that show no evidence of the NCI can be observed when using this customized Maxwell solver together with its NCI elimination scheme.

Controlling the numerical Cerenkov instability in PIC simulations using a customized finite difference Maxwell solver and a local FFT based current correction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Fei; Yu, Peicheng; Xu, Xinlu

In this study we present a customized finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) Maxwell solver for the particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm. The solver is customized to effectively eliminate the numerical Cerenkov instability (NCI) which arises when a plasma (neutral or non-neutral) relativistically drifts on a grid when using the PIC algorithm. We control the EM dispersion curve in the direction of the plasma drift of a FDTD Maxwell solver by using a customized higher order finite difference operator for the spatial derivative along the direction of the drift (1ˆ direction). We show that this eliminates the main NCI modes with moderate |k 1|, while keepsmore » additional main NCI modes well outside the range of physical interest with higher |k 1|. These main NCI modes can be easily filtered out along with first spatial aliasing NCI modes which are also at the edge of the fundamental Brillouin zone. The customized solver has the possible advantage of improved parallel scalability because it can be easily partitioned along 1ˆ which typically has many more cells than other directions for the problems of interest. We show that FFTs can be performed locally to current on each partition to filter out the main and first spatial aliasing NCI modes, and to correct the current so that it satisfies the continuity equation for the customized spatial derivative. This ensures that Gauss’ Law is satisfied. Lastly, we present simulation examples of one relativistically drifting plasma, of two colliding relativistically drifting plasmas, and of nonlinear laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) in a Lorentz boosted frame that show no evidence of the NCI can be observed when using this customized Maxwell solver together with its NCI elimination scheme.« less

Towards a theory of cortical columns: From spiking neurons to interacting neural populations of finite size.

PubMed

Schwalger, Tilo; Deger, Moritz; Gerstner, Wulfram

2017-04-01

Neural population equations such as neural mass or field models are widely used to study brain activity on a large scale. However, the relation of these models to the properties of single neurons is unclear. Here we derive an equation for several interacting populations at the mesoscopic scale starting from a microscopic model of randomly connected generalized integrate-and-fire neuron models. Each population consists of 50-2000 neurons of the same type but different populations account for different neuron types. The stochastic population equations that we find reveal how spike-history effects in single-neuron dynamics such as refractoriness and adaptation interact with finite-size fluctuations on the population level. Efficient integration of the stochastic mesoscopic equations reproduces the statistical behavior of the population activities obtained from microscopic simulations of a full spiking neural network model. The theory describes nonlinear emergent dynamics such as finite-size-induced stochastic transitions in multistable networks and synchronization in balanced networks of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The mesoscopic equations are employed to rapidly integrate a model of a cortical microcircuit consisting of eight neuron types, which allows us to predict spontaneous population activities as well as evoked responses to thalamic input. Our theory establishes a general framework for modeling finite-size neural population dynamics based on single cell and synapse parameters and offers an efficient approach to analyzing cortical circuits and computations.

Moisture Transport in Composites during Repair Work,

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-01

4 * FINITE DIFFERENCE EQUATIONS. .. . . .. . .. .. .. .. .. 6 INI I A ANBOUNAAYYCONDITIONS................ 7 REASONABLE FIRST...DURING DRYING AND CURING . . . ........ 9 5 CONVERGENCE OF FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD USING DIFFERENT At . . .. 12 6 CONVERGENCE OF FDA METHOD FOR SAME At...transport we will use a finite difference approach, changing the Fickian equation to a finite number of linear algebraic equations that can be solved by

Effect of Secondary Cooling Conditions on Solidification Structure and Central Macrosegregation in Continuously Cast High-Carbon Rectangular Billet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Jie; Chen, Weiqing

2015-10-01

Solidification structures of high carbon rectangular billet with a size of 180 mm × 240 mm in different secondary cooling conditions were simulated using cellular automaton-finite element (CAFE) coupling model. The adequacy of the model was compared with the simulated and the actual macrostructures of 82B steel. Effects of the secondary cooling water intensity on solidification structures including the equiaxed grain ratio and the equiaxed grain compactness were discussed. It was shown that the equiaxed grain ratio and the equiaxed grain compactness changed in the opposite direction at different secondary cooling water intensities. Increasing the secondary cooling water intensity from 0.9 or 1.1 to 1.3 L/kg could improve the equiaxed grain compactness and decrease the equiaxed grain ratio. Besides, the industrial test was conducted to investigate the effect of different secondary cooling water intensities on the center carbon macrosegregation of 82B steel. The optimum secondary cooling water intensity was 0.9 L/kg, while the center carbon segregation degree was 1.10. The relationship between solidification structure and center carbon segregation was discussed based on the simulation results and the industrial test.

Three-Dimensional Random Voronoi Tessellations: From Cubic Crystal Lattices to Poisson Point Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucarini, Valerio

2009-01-01

We perturb the simple cubic (SC), body-centered cubic (BCC), and face-centered cubic (FCC) structures with a spatial Gaussian noise whose adimensional strength is controlled by the parameter α and analyze the statistical properties of the cells of the resulting Voronoi tessellations using an ensemble approach. We concentrate on topological properties of the cells, such as the number of faces, and on metric properties of the cells, such as the area, volume and the isoperimetric quotient. The topological properties of the Voronoi tessellations of the SC and FCC crystals are unstable with respect to the introduction of noise, because the corresponding polyhedra are geometrically degenerate, whereas the tessellation of the BCC crystal is topologically stable even against noise of small but finite intensity. Whereas the average volume of the cells is the intensity parameter of the system and does not depend on the noise, the average area of the cells has a rather interesting behavior with respect to noise intensity. For weak noise, the mean area of the Voronoi tessellations corresponding to perturbed BCC and FCC perturbed increases quadratically with the noise intensity. In the case of perturbed SCC crystals, there is an optimal amount of noise that minimizes the mean area of the cells. Already for a moderate amount of noise ( α>0.5), the statistical properties of the three perturbed tessellations are indistinguishable, and for intense noise ( α>2), results converge to those of the Poisson-Voronoi tessellation. Notably, 2-parameter gamma distributions constitute an excellent model for the empirical pdf of all considered topological and metric properties. By analyzing jointly the statistical properties of the area and of the volume of the cells, we discover that also the cells shape, measured by the isoperimetric quotient, fluctuates. The Voronoi tessellations of the BCC and of the FCC structures result to be local maxima for the isoperimetric quotient among space-filling tessellations, which suggests a weaker form of the recently disproved Kelvin conjecture. Moreover, whereas the size of the isoperimetric quotient fluctuations go to zero linearly with noise in the SC and BCC case, the decrease is quadratic in the FCC case. Correspondingly, anomalous scaling relations with exponents larger than 3/2 are observed between the area and the volumes of the cells for all cases considered, and, except for the FCC structure, also for infinitesimal noise. In the Poisson-Voronoi limit, the exponent is ˜1.67. The anomaly in the scaling indicates that large cells preferentially feature large isoperimetric quotients. The FCC structure, in spite of being topologically unstable, results to be the most stable against noise when the shape—as measured by the isoperimetric quotient—of the cells is considered. These scaling relations apply only for a finite range and should be taken as descriptive of the bulk statistical properties of the cells. As the number of faces is strongly correlated with the sphericity (cells with more faces are bulkier), the anomalous scaling is heavily reduced when we perform power law fits separately on cells with a specific number of faces.

Traction cytometry: regularization in the Fourier approach and comparisons with finite element method.

PubMed

Kulkarni, Ankur H; Ghosh, Prasenjit; Seetharaman, Ashwin; Kondaiah, Paturu; Gundiah, Namrata

2018-05-09

Traction forces exerted by adherent cells are quantified using displacements of embedded markers on polyacrylamide substrates due to cell contractility. Fourier Transform Traction Cytometry (FTTC) is widely used to calculate tractions but has inherent limitations due to errors in the displacement fields; these are mitigated through a regularization parameter (γ) in the Reg-FTTC method. An alternate finite element (FE) approach computes tractions on a domain using known boundary conditions. Robust verification and recovery studies are lacking but essential in assessing the accuracy and noise sensitivity of the traction solutions from the different methods. We implemented the L2 regularization method and defined a maximum curvature point in the traction with γ plot as the optimal regularization parameter (γ*) in the Reg-FTTC approach. Traction reconstructions using γ* yield accurate values of low and maximum tractions (Tmax) in the presence of up to 5% noise. Reg-FTTC is hence a clear improvement over the FTTC method but is inadequate to reconstruct low stresses such as those at nascent focal adhesions. FE, implemented using a node-by-node comparison, showed an intermediate reconstruction compared to Reg-FTTC. We performed experiments using mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) and compared results between these approaches. Tractions from FTTC and FE showed differences of ∼92% and 22% as compared to Reg-FTTC. Selection of an optimum value of γ for each cell reduced variability in the computed tractions as compared to using a single value of γ for all the MEF cells in this study.

Fluxoids configurations in finite superconducting networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharon, Omri J.; Haham, Noam; Shaulov, Avner A.; Yeshurun, Yosef

2017-12-01

Analysis of superconducting ladders consisting of rectangular loops, yields an Ising like expression for the total energy of the ladders as a function of the loops vorticities and the applied magnetic field. This expression shows that fluxoids can be treated as repulsively interacting objects driven towards the ladder center by the applied field. Distinctive repulsive interactions between fluxoids are obtained depending on the ratio l between the loops length and the common width of adjacent loops. A 'short range' and a 'long range' interactions obtained for l ≳ 1 and l ≪ 1, respectively, give rise to remarkably different fluxoid configurations. The different configurations of fluxoids in different types of ladders are illustrated by simulations.

Effects of finite-size particles on the turbulent flows in a square duct

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Zhaosheng; Lin, Zhaowu; Shao, Xueming; Wang, Lian-Ping

2015-11-01

Fully resolved numerical simulations of the particle-laden turbulent flows in a square duct are performed with a direct-forcing fictitious domain method. The effects of the finite-size particles on the mean and root-mean-square (RMS) velocities are investigated at the friction Reynolds number of 150 (based on the friction velocity and half duct width) and the particle volume fractions ranging from 0.78% to 7.07%. For the neutrally buoyant case, our results show that the mean secondary flow is enhanced and its circulation center shifts closer to the center of the duct cross-section when the particles are added. The reason for the particle effect on the mean secondary flow is analyzed by examining the terms in the mean streamwise vorticity equation. The particles enhance the wall-tangential component of the RMS velocity (i.e. Reynolds normal stress) more than its wall-normal component in the near-wall region near the corners, resulting in the enhancement in the gradients of the normal stress difference, which we think is mainly responsible for the enhancement in the mean secondary flow. The particles accumulate preferentially in the near-corner region in the neutrally buoyant case. In addition, the effects of particle sedimentation are examined at different Shields numbers. The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11372275) and Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (20130101110035).

NASA Glenn Research Center's Fuel Cell Stack, Ancillary and System Test and Development Laboratory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loyselle, Patricia L.; Prokopius, Kevin P.; Becks, Larry A.; Burger, Thomas H.; Dick, Joseph F.; Rodriguez, George; Bremenour, Frank; Long, Zedock

2011-01-01

At the NASA Glenn Research Center, a fully operational fuel cell test and evaluation laboratory is available which is capable of evaluating fuel cell components and systems for future NASA missions. Components and subsystems of various types can be operated and monitored under a variety of conditions utilizing different reactants. This fuel cell facility can test the effectiveness of various component and system designs to meet NASA's needs.

Synaptology of physiologically identified ganglion cells in the cat retina: a comparison of retinal X- and Y-cells.

PubMed

Weber, A J; Stanford, L R

1994-05-15

It has long been known that a number of functionally different types of ganglion cells exist in the cat retina, and that each responds differently to visual stimulation. To determine whether the characteristic response properties of different retinal ganglion cell types might reflect differences in the number and distribution of their bipolar and amacrine cell inputs, we compared the percentages and distributions of the synaptic inputs from bipolar and amacrine cells to the entire dendritic arbors of physiologically characterized retinal X- and Y-cells. Sixty-two percent of the synaptic input to the Y-cell was from amacrine cell terminals, while the X-cells received approximately equal amounts of input from amacrine and bipolar cells. We found no significant difference in the distributions of bipolar or amacrine cell inputs to X- and Y-cells, or ON-center and OFF-center cells, either as a function of dendritic branch order or distance from the origin of the dendritic arbor. While, on the basis of these data, we cannot exclude the possibility that the difference in the proportion of bipolar and amacrine cell input contributes to the functional differences between X- and Y-cells, the magnitude of this difference, and the similarity in the distributions of the input from the two afferent cell types, suggest that mechanisms other than a simple predominance of input from amacrine or bipolar cells underlie the differences in their response properties. More likely, perhaps, is that the specific response features of X- and Y-cells originate in differences in the visual responses of the bipolar and amacrine cells that provide their input, or in the complex synaptic arrangements found among amacrine and bipolar cell terminals and the dendrites of specific types of retinal ganglion cells.

A Coupled/Uncoupled Computational Scheme for Deformation and Fatigue Damage Analysis of Unidirectional Metal-Matrix Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilt, Thomas E.; Arnold, Steven M.; Saleeb, Atef F.

1997-01-01

A fatigue damage computational algorithm utilizing a multiaxial, isothermal, continuum-based fatigue damage model for unidirectional metal-matrix composites has been implemented into the commercial finite element code MARC using MARC user subroutines. Damage is introduced into the finite element solution through the concept of effective stress that fully couples the fatigue damage calculations with the finite element deformation solution. Two applications using the fatigue damage algorithm are presented. First, an axisymmetric stress analysis of a circumferentially reinforced ring, wherein both the matrix cladding and the composite core were assumed to behave elastic-perfectly plastic. Second, a micromechanics analysis of a fiber/matrix unit cell using both the finite element method and the generalized method of cells (GMC). Results are presented in the form of S-N curves and damage distribution plots.

Pretest 3-D finite element modeling of the wedge pillar portion of the WIPP (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant) Geomechanical Evaluation (Room G) in situ experiment. [Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Preece, D.S.

Pretest 3-D finite element calculations have been performed on the wedge pillar portion of the WIPP Geomechanical Evaluation Experiment. The wedge pillar separates two drifts that intersect at an angle of 7.5/sup 0/. Purpose of the experiment is to provide data on the creep behavior of the wedge and progressive failure at the tip. The first set of calculations utilized a symmetry plane on the center-line of the wedge which allowed treatment of the entire configuration by modeling half of the geometry. Two 3-D calculations in this first set were performed with different drift widths to study the influence ofmore » drift size on closure and maximum stress. A cross-section perpendicular to the wedge was also analyzed with 2-D finite element models and the results compared to the 3-D results. In another set of 3-D calculations both drifts were modeled but with less distance between the drifts and the outer boundaries. Results of these calculations are compared with results from the other calculations to better understand the influence of boundary conditions.« less

Finite Volume Numerical Methods for Aeroheating Rate Calculations from Infrared Thermographic Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daryabeigi, Kamran; Berry, Scott A.; Horvath, Thomas J.; Nowak, Robert J.

2006-01-01

The use of multi-dimensional finite volume heat conduction techniques for calculating aeroheating rates from measured global surface temperatures on hypersonic wind tunnel models was investigated. Both direct and inverse finite volume techniques were investigated and compared with the standard one-dimensional semi-infinite technique. Global transient surface temperatures were measured using an infrared thermographic technique on a 0.333-scale model of the Hyper-X forebody in the NASA Langley Research Center 20-Inch Mach 6 Air tunnel. In these tests the effectiveness of vortices generated via gas injection for initiating hypersonic transition on the Hyper-X forebody was investigated. An array of streamwise-orientated heating striations was generated and visualized downstream of the gas injection sites. In regions without significant spatial temperature gradients, one-dimensional techniques provided accurate aeroheating rates. In regions with sharp temperature gradients caused by striation patterns multi-dimensional heat transfer techniques were necessary to obtain more accurate heating rates. The use of the one-dimensional technique resulted in differences of 20% in the calculated heating rates compared to 2-D analysis because it did not account for lateral heat conduction in the model.

Mass-corrections for the conservative coupling of flow and transport on collocated meshes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Waluga, Christian, E-mail: waluga@ma.tum.de; Wohlmuth, Barbara; Rüde, Ulrich

2016-01-15

Buoyancy-driven flow models demand a careful treatment of the mass-balance equation to avoid spurious source and sink terms in the non-linear coupling between flow and transport. In the context of finite-elements, it is therefore commonly proposed to employ sufficiently rich pressure spaces, containing piecewise constant shape functions to obtain local or even strong mass-conservation. In three-dimensional computations, this usually requires nonconforming approaches, special meshes or higher order velocities, which make these schemes prohibitively expensive for some applications and complicate the implementation into legacy code. In this paper, we therefore propose a lean and conservatively coupled scheme based on standard stabilizedmore » linear equal-order finite elements for the Stokes part and vertex-centered finite volumes for the energy equation. We show that in a weak mass-balance it is possible to recover exact conservation properties by a local flux-correction which can be computed efficiently on the control volume boundaries of the transport mesh. We discuss implementation aspects and demonstrate the effectiveness of the flux-correction by different two- and three-dimensional examples which are motivated by geophysical applications.« less

Influence of the finite linewidth of the laser radiation spectrum on the shape of the coherent population trapping resonance line in an optically dense medium with a buffer gas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barantsev, K. A., E-mail: kostmann@yandex.ru; Popov, E. N.; Litvinov, A. N., E-mail: andrey.litvinov@mail.ru

2015-11-15

The theory of coherent population trapping resonance is developed for the finite linewidth of the laser radiation spectrum in an optically dense medium of Λ atoms in a cell with a buffer gas. Equations are derived for the atomic density matrix and laser emission spectrum transfer in a cell with working and buffer gases at a finite temperature. The dependence of the quality factor of coherent population trapping resonance on the linewidth of the laser radiation spectrum is studied by measuring transmitted radiation and fluorescence signals.

Comparison of finite-difference schemes for analysis of shells of revolution. [stress and free vibration analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noor, A. K.; Stephens, W. B.

1973-01-01

Several finite difference schemes are applied to the stress and free vibration analysis of homogeneous isotropic and layered orthotropic shells of revolution. The study is based on a form of the Sanders-Budiansky first-approximation linear shell theory modified such that the effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia are included. A Fourier approach is used in which all the shell stress resultants and displacements are expanded in a Fourier series in the circumferential direction, and the governing equations reduce to ordinary differential equations in the meridional direction. While primary attention is given to finite difference schemes used in conjunction with first order differential equation formulation, comparison is made with finite difference schemes used with other formulations. These finite difference discretization models are compared with respect to simplicity of application, convergence characteristics, and computational efficiency. Numerical studies are presented for the effects of variations in shell geometry and lamination parameters on the accuracy and convergence of the solutions obtained by the different finite difference schemes. On the basis of the present study it is shown that the mixed finite difference scheme based on the first order differential equation formulation and two interlacing grids for the different fundamental unknowns combines a number of advantages over other finite difference schemes previously reported in the literature.

Detailed Aerodynamic Analysis of a Shrouded Tail Rotor Using an Unstructured Mesh Flow Solver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hee Dong; Kwon, Oh Joon

The detailed aerodynamics of a shrouded tail rotor in hover has been numerically studied using a parallel inviscid flow solver on unstructured meshes. The numerical method is based on a cell-centered finite-volume discretization and an implicit Gauss-Seidel time integration. The calculation was made for a single blade by imposing a periodic boundary condition between adjacent rotor blades. The grid periodicity was also imposed at the periodic boundary planes to avoid numerical inaccuracy resulting from solution interpolation. The results were compared with available experimental data and those from a disk vortex theory for validation. It was found that realistic three-dimensional modeling is important for the prediction of detailed aerodynamics of shrouded rotors including the tip clearance gap flow.

Numerical simulations of three-dimensional laminar flow over a backward facing step; flow near side walls

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinthorsson, Erlendur; Liou, Meng-Sing; Povinelli, Louis A.; Arnone, Andrea

1993-01-01

This paper reports the results of numerical simulations of steady, laminar flow over a backward-facing step. The governing equations used in the simulations are the full 'compressible' Navier-Stokes equations, solutions to which were computed by using a cell-centered, finite volume discretization. The convection terms of the governing equations were discretized by using the Advection Upwind Splitting Method (AUSM), whereas the diffusion terms were discretized using central differencing formulas. The validity and accuracy of the numerical solutions were verified by comparing the results to existing experimental data for flow at identical Reynolds numbers in the same back step geometry. The paper focuses attention on the details of the flow field near the side wall of the geometry.

Model Uncertainty and Test of a Segmented Mirror Telescope

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-01

Optical Telescope project EOM: equation of motion FCA: fine control actuator FCD: Face-Centered Cubic Design FEA: finite element analysis FEM: finite...housed in a dark tent to isolate the telescope from stray light, air currents, or dust and other debris. However, the closed volume is prone to...is composed of six hexagonal segments that each have six coarse control actuators (CCA) for segment phasing control, three fine control actuators

Unconditionally stable finite-difference time-domain methods for modeling the Sagnac effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Novitski, Roman; Scheuer, Jacob; Steinberg, Ben Z.

2013-02-01

We present two unconditionally stable finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods for modeling the Sagnac effect in rotating optical microsensors. The methods are based on the implicit Crank-Nicolson scheme, adapted to hold in the rotating system reference frame—the rotating Crank-Nicolson (RCN) methods. The first method (RCN-2) is second order accurate in space whereas the second method (RCN-4) is fourth order accurate. Both methods are second order accurate in time. We show that the RCN-4 scheme is more accurate and has better dispersion isotropy. The numerical results show good correspondence with the expression for the classical Sagnac resonant frequency splitting when using group refractive indices of the resonant modes of a microresonator. Also we show that the numerical results are consistent with the perturbation theory for the rotating degenerate microcavities. We apply our method to simulate the effect of rotation on an entire Coupled Resonator Optical Waveguide (CROW) consisting of a set of coupled microresonators. Preliminary results validate the formation of a rotation-induced gap at the center of a transfer function of a CROW.

A total variation diminishing finite difference algorithm for sonic boom propagation models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sparrow, Victor W.

1993-01-01

It is difficult to accurately model the rise phases of sonic boom waveforms with traditional finite difference algorithms because of finite difference phase dispersion. This paper introduces the concept of a total variation diminishing (TVD) finite difference method as a tool for accurately modeling the rise phases of sonic booms. A standard second order finite difference algorithm and its TVD modified counterpart are both applied to the one-way propagation of a square pulse. The TVD method clearly outperforms the non-TVD method, showing great potential as a new computational tool in the analysis of sonic boom propagation.

The evolution and discharge of electric fields within a thunderstorm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hager, William W.; Nisbet, John S.; Kasha, John R.

1989-01-01

An analysis of the present three-dimensional thunderstorm electrical model and its finite-difference approximations indicates unconditional stability for the discretization that results from the approximation of the spatial derivatives by a box-schemelike method and of the temporal derivative by either a backward-difference or Crank-Nicholson scheme. Lightning propagation is treated through numerical techniques based on the inverse-matrix modification formula and Cholesky updates. The model is applied to a storm observed at the Kennedy Space Center in 1978, and numerical comparisons are conducted between the model and the theoretical results obtained by Wilson (1920) and Holzer and Saxon (1952).

Development of a statistical model for cervical cancer cell death with irreversible electroporation in vitro.

PubMed

Yang, Yongji; Moser, Michael A J; Zhang, Edwin; Zhang, Wenjun; Zhang, Bing

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to develop a statistical model for cell death by irreversible electroporation (IRE) and to show that the statistic model is more accurate than the electric field threshold model in the literature using cervical cancer cells in vitro. HeLa cell line was cultured and treated with different IRE protocols in order to obtain data for modeling the statistical relationship between the cell death and pulse-setting parameters. In total, 340 in vitro experiments were performed with a commercial IRE pulse system, including a pulse generator and an electric cuvette. Trypan blue staining technique was used to evaluate cell death after 4 hours of incubation following IRE treatment. Peleg-Fermi model was used in the study to build the statistical relationship using the cell viability data obtained from the in vitro experiments. A finite element model of IRE for the electric field distribution was also built. Comparison of ablation zones between the statistical model and electric threshold model (drawn from the finite element model) was used to show the accuracy of the proposed statistical model in the description of the ablation zone and its applicability in different pulse-setting parameters. The statistical models describing the relationships between HeLa cell death and pulse length and the number of pulses, respectively, were built. The values of the curve fitting parameters were obtained using the Peleg-Fermi model for the treatment of cervical cancer with IRE. The difference in the ablation zone between the statistical model and the electric threshold model was also illustrated to show the accuracy of the proposed statistical model in the representation of ablation zone in IRE. This study concluded that: (1) the proposed statistical model accurately described the ablation zone of IRE with cervical cancer cells, and was more accurate compared with the electric field model; (2) the proposed statistical model was able to estimate the value of electric field threshold for the computer simulation of IRE in the treatment of cervical cancer; and (3) the proposed statistical model was able to express the change in ablation zone with the change in pulse-setting parameters.

Computational optogenetics: A novel continuum framework for the photoelectrochemistry of living systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Jonathan; Abilez, Oscar J.; Kuhl, Ellen

2012-06-01

Electrical stimulation is currently the gold standard treatment for heart rhythm disorders. However, electrical pacing is associated with technical limitations and unavoidable potential complications. Recent developments now enable the stimulation of mammalian cells with light using a novel technology known as optogenetics. The optical stimulation of genetically engineered cells has significantly changed our understanding of electrically excitable tissues, paving the way towards controlling heart rhythm disorders by means of photostimulation. Controlling these disorders, in turn, restores coordinated force generation to avoid sudden cardiac death. Here, we report a novel continuum framework for the photoelectrochemistry of living systems that allows us to decipher the mechanisms by which this technology regulates the electrical and mechanical function of the heart. Using a modular multiscale approach, we introduce a non-selective cation channel, channelrhodopsin-2, into a conventional cardiac muscle cell model via an additional photocurrent governed by a light-sensitive gating variable. Upon optical stimulation, this channel opens and allows sodium ions to enter the cell, inducing electrical activation. In side-by-side comparisons with conventional heart muscle cells, we show that photostimulation directly increases the sodium concentration, which indirectly decreases the potassium concentration in the cell, while all other characteristics of the cell remain virtually unchanged. We integrate our model cells into a continuum model for excitable tissue using a nonlinear parabolic second-order partial differential equation, which we discretize in time using finite differences and in space using finite elements. To illustrate the potential of this computational model, we virtually inject our photosensitive cells into different locations of a human heart, and explore its activation sequences upon photostimulation. Our computational optogenetics tool box allows us to virtually probe landscapes of process parameters, and to identify optimal photostimulation sequences with the goal to pace human hearts with light and, ultimately, to restore mechanical function.

Computational Optogenetics: A Novel Continuum Framework for the Photoelectrochemistry of Living Systems.

PubMed

Wong, Jonathan; Abilez, Oscar J; Kuhl, Ellen

2012-06-01

Electrical stimulation is currently the gold standard treatment for heart rhythm disorders. However, electrical pacing is associated with technical limitations and unavoidable potential complications. Recent developments now enable the stimulation of mammalian cells with light using a novel technology known as optogenetics. The optical stimulation of genetically engineered cells has significantly changed our understanding of electrically excitable tissues, paving the way towards controlling heart rhythm disorders by means of photostimulation. Controlling these disorders, in turn, restores coordinated force generation to avoid sudden cardiac death. Here, we report a novel continuum framework for the photoelectrochemistry of living systems that allows us to decipher the mechanisms by which this technology regulates the electrical and mechanical function of the heart. Using a modular multiscale approach, we introduce a non-selective cation channel, channelrhodopsin-2, into a conventional cardiac muscle cell model via an additional photocurrent governed by a light-sensitive gating variable. Upon optical stimulation, this channel opens and allows sodium ions to enter the cell, inducing electrical activation. In side-by-side comparisons with conventional heart muscle cells, we show that photostimulation directly increases the sodium concentration, which indirectly decreases the potassium concentration in the cell, while all other characteristics of the cell remain virtually unchanged. We integrate our model cells into a continuum model for excitable tissue using a nonlinear parabolic second order partial differential equation, which we discretize in time using finite differences and in space using finite elements. To illustrate the potential of this computational model, we virtually inject our photosensitive cells into different locations of a human heart, and explore its activation sequences upon photostimulation. Our computational optogenetics tool box allows us to virtually probe landscapes of process parameters, and to identify optimal photostimulation sequences with the goal to pace human hearts with light and, ultimately, to restore mechanical function.

A Thin Codimension-One Decomposition of the Hilbert Cube

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phon-On, Aniruth

2010-01-01

For cell-like upper semicontinuous (usc) decompositions "G" of finite dimensional manifolds "M", the decomposition space "M/G" turns out to be an ANR provided "M/G" is finite dimensional ([Dav07], page 129). Furthermore, if "M/G" is finite dimensional and has the Disjoint Disks Property (DDP), then "M/G" is homeomorphic to "M" ([Dav07], page 181).…

Simulation of the effects of ground-water withdrawals and recharge on ground-water flow in Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket Island basins, Massachusetts

USGS Publications Warehouse

Masterson, John P.; Barlow, Paul M.

1994-01-01

The effects of changing patterns of ground-water pumping and aquifer recharge on the surface-water and ground-water hydrologic systems were determined for the Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket Island Basins. Three-dimensional, transient, ground-water-flow modelS that simulate both freshwater and saltwater flow were developed for the f1ow cells of Cape Cod which currently have large-capacity public-supply wells. Only the freshwater-flow system was simulated for the Cape Cod flow cells where public-water supply demands are satisfied by small-capacity domestic wells. Two- dimensional, finite-difference, change models were developed for Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island to determine the projected drawdowns in response to projected in-season pumping rates for 180 days of no aquifer recharge. Results of the simulations indicate very little change in the position of the freshwater-saltwater interface from predevelopment flow conditions to projected ground-water pumping and recharge rates for Cape Cod in the year 2020. Results of change model simulations for Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island indicate that the greatest impact in response to projected in-season ground-water pumping occurs at the pumping centers and the magnitude of the drawdowns are minimal with respect to the total thickness of the aquifers.

Pattern formations and optimal packing.

PubMed

Mityushev, Vladimir

2016-04-01

Patterns of different symmetries may arise after solution to reaction-diffusion equations. Hexagonal arrays, layers and their perturbations are observed in different models after numerical solution to the corresponding initial-boundary value problems. We demonstrate an intimate connection between pattern formations and optimal random packing on the plane. The main study is based on the following two points. First, the diffusive flux in reaction-diffusion systems is approximated by piecewise linear functions in the framework of structural approximations. This leads to a discrete network approximation of the considered continuous problem. Second, the discrete energy minimization yields optimal random packing of the domains (disks) in the representative cell. Therefore, the general problem of pattern formations based on the reaction-diffusion equations is reduced to the geometric problem of random packing. It is demonstrated that all random packings can be divided onto classes associated with classes of isomorphic graphs obtained from the Delaunay triangulation. The unique optimal solution is constructed in each class of the random packings. If the number of disks per representative cell is finite, the number of classes of isomorphic graphs, hence, the number of optimal packings is also finite. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reprint of Solution of Ambrosio-Tortorelli model for image segmentation by generalized relaxation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Ambra, Pasqua; Tartaglione, Gaetano

2015-04-01

Image segmentation addresses the problem to partition a given image into its constituent objects and then to identify the boundaries of the objects. This problem can be formulated in terms of a variational model aimed to find optimal approximations of a bounded function by piecewise-smooth functions, minimizing a given functional. The corresponding Euler-Lagrange equations are a set of two coupled elliptic partial differential equations with varying coefficients. Numerical solution of the above system often relies on alternating minimization techniques involving descent methods coupled with explicit or semi-implicit finite-difference discretization schemes, which are slowly convergent and poorly scalable with respect to image size. In this work we focus on generalized relaxation methods also coupled with multigrid linear solvers, when a finite-difference discretization is applied to the Euler-Lagrange equations of Ambrosio-Tortorelli model. We show that non-linear Gauss-Seidel, accelerated by inner linear iterations, is an effective method for large-scale image analysis as those arising from high-throughput screening platforms for stem cells targeted differentiation, where one of the main goal is segmentation of thousand of images to analyze cell colonies morphology.

Solution of Ambrosio-Tortorelli model for image segmentation by generalized relaxation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Ambra, Pasqua; Tartaglione, Gaetano

2015-03-01

Image segmentation addresses the problem to partition a given image into its constituent objects and then to identify the boundaries of the objects. This problem can be formulated in terms of a variational model aimed to find optimal approximations of a bounded function by piecewise-smooth functions, minimizing a given functional. The corresponding Euler-Lagrange equations are a set of two coupled elliptic partial differential equations with varying coefficients. Numerical solution of the above system often relies on alternating minimization techniques involving descent methods coupled with explicit or semi-implicit finite-difference discretization schemes, which are slowly convergent and poorly scalable with respect to image size. In this work we focus on generalized relaxation methods also coupled with multigrid linear solvers, when a finite-difference discretization is applied to the Euler-Lagrange equations of Ambrosio-Tortorelli model. We show that non-linear Gauss-Seidel, accelerated by inner linear iterations, is an effective method for large-scale image analysis as those arising from high-throughput screening platforms for stem cells targeted differentiation, where one of the main goal is segmentation of thousand of images to analyze cell colonies morphology.

Finite Volume Algorithms for Heat Conduction

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-01

scalar quantity). Although (3) is relatively easy to discretize by using finite differences , its form in generalized coordinates is not. Later, we...familiar with the finite difference method for discretizing differential equations. In fact, the Newton divided difference is the numerical analog for a...expression (8) for the average derivative matches the Newton divided difference formula, so for uniform one-dimensional meshes, the finite volume and

A Kirchhoff Approach to Seismic Modeling and Prestack Depth Migration

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-05-01

continuation of sources and geophones by finite difference (S-G finite - difference migration ), are relatively slow and dip-limited. Compared to S-G... finite - difference migration , the Kirchhoff integral implements prestack migration relatively efficiently and has no dip limitation. Liu .Mlodeling and...for modeling and migration . In this paper, a finite - difference algorithm is used to calculate traveltimes and amplitudes. With the help of

Sets that Contain Their Circle Centers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Greg

2008-01-01

Say that a subset S of the plane is a "circle-center set" if S is not a subset of a line, and whenever we choose three non-collinear points from S, the center of the circle through those three points is also an element of S. A problem appearing on the Macalester College Problem of the Week website stated that a finite set of points in the plane,…

Evaluation of finite difference and FFT-based solutions of the transport of intensity equation.

PubMed

Zhang, Hongbo; Zhou, Wen-Jing; Liu, Ying; Leber, Donald; Banerjee, Partha; Basunia, Mahmudunnabi; Poon, Ting-Chung

2018-01-01

A finite difference method is proposed for solving the transport of intensity equation. Simulation results show that although slower than fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based methods, finite difference methods are able to reconstruct the phase with better accuracy due to relaxed assumptions for solving the transport of intensity equation relative to FFT methods. Finite difference methods are also more flexible than FFT methods in dealing with different boundary conditions.

The Symmetry and Packing Fraction of the Body Centered Tetragonal Structure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dunlap, Richard A.

2012-01-01

It is shown that for different ratios of lattice parameters, "c/a," the body centered tetragonal structure may be view as body centered tetragonal, body centered cubic, face centered cubic or hexagonal. This illustrates that the apparent symmetry of a lattice depends on the choice of the conventional unit cell.

Finite elements and finite differences for transonic flow calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hafez, M. M.; Murman, E. M.; Wellford, L. C.

1978-01-01

The paper reviews the chief finite difference and finite element techniques used for numerical solution of nonlinear mixed elliptic-hyperbolic equations governing transonic flow. The forms of the governing equations for unsteady two-dimensional transonic flow considered are the Euler equation, the full potential equation in both conservative and nonconservative form, the transonic small-disturbance equation in both conservative and nonconservative form, and the hodograph equations for the small-disturbance case and the full-potential case. Finite difference methods considered include time-dependent methods, relaxation methods, semidirect methods, and hybrid methods. Finite element methods include finite element Lax-Wendroff schemes, implicit Galerkin method, mixed variational principles, dual iterative procedures, optimal control methods and least squares.

A program for calculating photonic band structures, Green's functions and transmission/reflection coefficients using a non-orthogonal FDTD method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, A. J.; Pendry, J. B.

2000-06-01

In this paper we present an updated version of our ONYX program for calculating photonic band structures using a non-orthogonal finite difference time domain method. This new version employs the same transparent formalism as the first version with the same capabilities for calculating photonic band structures or causal Green's functions but also includes extra subroutines for the calculation of transmission and reflection coefficients. Both the electric and magnetic fields are placed onto a discrete lattice by approximating the spacial and temporal derivatives with finite differences. This results in discrete versions of Maxwell's equations which can be used to integrate the fields forwards in time. The time required for a calculation using this method scales linearly with the number of real space points used in the discretization so the technique is ideally suited to handling systems with large and complicated unit cells.

A comparative study of finite element and finite difference methods for Cauchy-Riemann type equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fix, G. J.; Rose, M. E.

1983-01-01

A least squares formulation of the system divu = rho, curlu = zeta is surveyed from the viewpoint of both finite element and finite difference methods. Closely related arguments are shown to establish convergence estimates.

Diffusion-convection effects on drug distribution at the cell membrane level in a patch-clamp setup.

PubMed

Baran, Irina; Iftime, Adrian; Popescu, Anca

2010-01-01

We present a model-based method for estimating the effective concentration of the active drug applied by a pressure pulse to an individual cell in a patch-clamp setup, which could be of practical use in the analysis of ligand-induced whole-cell currents recorded in patch-clamp experiments. Our modelling results outline several important factors which may be involved in the high variability of the electric response of the cells, and indicate that with a pressure pulse duration of 1s and diameter of the perfusion tip of 600 μm, elevated amounts of drug can accumulate locally between the pipette tip and the cell. Hence, the effective agonist concentration at the cell membrane level can be consistently higher than the initial concentration inside the perfusion tubes. We performed finite-difference and finite-element simulations to investigate the diffusion/convection effects on the agonist distribution on the cell membrane. Our model can explain the delay between the commencement of acetylcholine application and the onset of the whole-cell current that we recorded on human rhabdomyosarcoma TE671 cells, and reproduce quantitatively the decrease of signal latency with the concentration of agonist in the pipette. Results also show that not only the geometry of the bath chamber and pipette tip, but also the transport parameters of the diffusive and convective phenomena in the bath solution are determinant for the amplitude and kinetics of the recorded currents and have to be accounted for when analyzing patch-clamp data. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cell light scattering characteristic numerical simulation research based on FDTD algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Xiaogang; Wan, Nan; Zhu, Hao; Weng, Lingdong

2017-01-01

In this study, finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm has been used to work out the cell light scattering problem. Before beginning to do the simulation contrast, finding out the changes or the differences between normal cells and abnormal cells which may be cancerous or maldevelopment is necessary. The preparation of simulation are building up the simple cell model of cell which consists of organelles, nucleus and cytoplasm and setting up the suitable precision of mesh. Meanwhile, setting up the total field scattering field source as the excitation source and far field projection analysis group is also important. Every step need to be explained by the principles of mathematic such as the numerical dispersion, perfect matched layer boundary condition and near-far field extrapolation. The consequences of simulation indicated that the position of nucleus changed will increase the back scattering intensity and the significant difference on the peak value of scattering intensity may result from the changes of the size of cytoplasm. The study may help us find out the regulations based on the simulation consequences and the regulations can be meaningful for early diagnosis of cancers.

Computer modeling of inversion layer MOS solar cells and arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ho, Fat Duen

1991-01-01

A two dimensional numerical model of the inversion layer metal insulator semiconductor (IL/MIS) solar cell is proposed by using the finite element method. The two-dimensional current flow in the device is taken into account in this model. The electrostatic potential distribution, the electron concentration distribution, and the hole concentration distribution for different terminal voltages are simulated. The results of simple calculation are presented. The existing problems for this model are addressed. Future work is proposed. The MIS structures are studied and some of the results are reported.

Algorithm for quantum-mechanical finite-nuclear-mass variational calculations of atoms with two p electrons using all-electron explicitly correlated Gaussian basis functions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sharkey, Keeper L.; Pavanello, Michele; Bubin, Sergiy

2009-12-15

A new algorithm for calculating the Hamiltonian matrix elements with all-electron explicitly correlated Gaussian functions for quantum-mechanical calculations of atoms with two p electrons or a single d electron have been derived and implemented. The Hamiltonian used in the approach was obtained by rigorously separating the center-of-mass motion and it explicitly depends on the finite mass of the nucleus. The approach was employed to perform test calculations on the isotopes of the carbon atom in their ground electronic states and to determine the finite-nuclear-mass corrections for these states.

The limitations of staggered grid finite differences in plasticity problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pranger, Casper; Herrendörfer, Robert; Le Pourhiet, Laetitia

2017-04-01

Most crustal-scale applications operate at grid sizes much larger than those at which plasticity occurs in nature. As a consequence, plastic shear bands often localize to the scale of one grid cell, and numerical ploys — like introducing an artificial length scale — are needed to counter this. If for whatever reasons (good or bad) this is not done, we find that problems may arise due to the fact that in the staggered grid finite difference discretization, unknowns like components of the stress tensor and velocity vector are located in physically different positions. This incurs frequent interpolation, reducing the accuracy of the discretization. For purely stress-dependent plasticity problems the adverse effects might be contained because the magnitude of the stress discontinuity across a plastic shear band is limited. However, we find that when rate-dependence of friction is added in the mix, things become ugly really fast and the already hard-to-solve and highly nonlinear problem of plasticity incurs an extra penalty.

Comparison of vertical discretization techniques in finite-difference models of ground-water flow; example from a hypothetical New England setting

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harte, Philip T.

1994-01-01

Proper discretization of a ground-water-flow field is necessary for the accurate simulation of ground-water flow by models. Although discretiza- tion guidelines are available to ensure numerical stability, current guidelines arc flexible enough (particularly in vertical discretization) to allow for some ambiguity of model results. Testing of two common types of vertical-discretization schemes (horizontal and nonhorizontal-model-layer approach) were done to simulate sloping hydrogeologic units characteristic of New England. Differences of results of model simulations using these two approaches are small. Numerical errors associated with use of nonhorizontal model layers are small (4 percent). even though this discretization technique does not adhere to the strict formulation of the finite-difference method. It was concluded that vertical discretization by means of the nonhorizontal layer approach has advantages in representing the hydrogeologic units tested and in simplicity of model-data input. In addition, vertical distortion of model cells by this approach may improve the representation of shallow flow processes.

Numerical Solution of Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations Using a Fractional-Step Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kiris, Cetin; Kwak, Dochan

1999-01-01

A fractional step method for the solution of steady and unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations is outlined. The method is based on a finite volume formulation and uses the pressure in the cell center and the mass fluxes across the faces of each cell as dependent variables. Implicit treatment of convective and viscous terms in the momentum equations enables the numerical stability restrictions to be relaxed. The linearization error in the implicit solution of momentum equations is reduced by using three subiterations in order to achieve second order temporal accuracy for time-accurate calculations. In spatial discretizations of the momentum equations, a high-order (3rd and 5th) flux-difference splitting for the convective terms and a second-order central difference for the viscous terms are used. The resulting algebraic equations are solved with a line-relaxation scheme which allows the use of large time step. A four color ZEBRA scheme is employed after the line-relaxation procedure in the solution of the Poisson equation for pressure. This procedure is applied to a Couette flow problem using a distorted computational grid to show that the method minimizes grid effects. Additional benchmark cases include the unsteady laminar flow over a circular cylinder for Reynolds Numbers of 200, and a 3-D, steady, turbulent wingtip vortex wake propagation study. The solution algorithm does a very good job in resolving the vortex core when 5th-order upwind differencing and a modified production term in the Baldwin-Barth one-equation turbulence model are used with adequate grid resolution.

A staggered-grid finite-difference scheme optimized in the time–space domain for modeling scalar-wave propagation in geophysical problems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tan, Sirui, E-mail: siruitan@hotmail.com; Huang, Lianjie, E-mail: ljh@lanl.gov

For modeling scalar-wave propagation in geophysical problems using finite-difference schemes, optimizing the coefficients of the finite-difference operators can reduce numerical dispersion. Most optimized finite-difference schemes for modeling seismic-wave propagation suppress only spatial but not temporal dispersion errors. We develop a novel optimized finite-difference scheme for numerical scalar-wave modeling to control dispersion errors not only in space but also in time. Our optimized scheme is based on a new stencil that contains a few more grid points than the standard stencil. We design an objective function for minimizing relative errors of phase velocities of waves propagating in all directions within amore » given range of wavenumbers. Dispersion analysis and numerical examples demonstrate that our optimized finite-difference scheme is computationally up to 2.5 times faster than the optimized schemes using the standard stencil to achieve the similar modeling accuracy for a given 2D or 3D problem. Compared with the high-order finite-difference scheme using the same new stencil, our optimized scheme reduces 50 percent of the computational cost to achieve the similar modeling accuracy. This new optimized finite-difference scheme is particularly useful for large-scale 3D scalar-wave modeling and inversion.« less

Metal nano-grids for transparent conduction in solar cells

DOE PAGES

Muzzillo, Christopher P.

2017-05-11

A general procedure for predicting metal grid performance in solar cells was developed. Unlike transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) or other homogeneous films, metal grids induce more resistance in the neighbor layer. The resulting balance of transmittance, neighbor and grid resistance was explored in light of cheap lithography advances that have enabled metal nano-grid (MNG) fabrication. The patterned MNGs have junction resistances and degradation rates that are more favorable than solution-synthesized metal nanowires. Neighbor series resistance was simulated by the finite element method, although a simpler analytical model was sufficient in most cases. Finite-difference frequency-domain transmittance simulations were performed for MNGsmore » with minimum wire width (w) of 50 nm, but deviations from aperture transmittance were small in magnitude. Depending on the process, MNGs can exhibit increased series resistance as w is decreased. However, numerous experimental reports have already achieved transmittance-MNG sheet resistance trade-offs comparable to TCOs. The transmittance, neighbor and MNG series resistances were used to parameterize a grid fill factor for a solar cell. In conclusion, this new figure of merit was used to demonstrate that although MNGs have only been employed in low efficiency solar cells, substantial gains in performance are predicted for decreased w in all high efficiency absorber technologies.« less

Metal nano-grids for transparent conduction in solar cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Muzzillo, Christopher P.

A general procedure for predicting metal grid performance in solar cells was developed. Unlike transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) or other homogeneous films, metal grids induce more resistance in the neighbor layer. The resulting balance of transmittance, neighbor and grid resistance was explored in light of cheap lithography advances that have enabled metal nano-grid (MNG) fabrication. The patterned MNGs have junction resistances and degradation rates that are more favorable than solution-synthesized metal nanowires. Neighbor series resistance was simulated by the finite element method, although a simpler analytical model was sufficient in most cases. Finite-difference frequency-domain transmittance simulations were performed for MNGsmore » with minimum wire width (w) of 50 nm, but deviations from aperture transmittance were small in magnitude. Depending on the process, MNGs can exhibit increased series resistance as w is decreased. However, numerous experimental reports have already achieved transmittance-MNG sheet resistance trade-offs comparable to TCOs. The transmittance, neighbor and MNG series resistances were used to parameterize a grid fill factor for a solar cell. In conclusion, this new figure of merit was used to demonstrate that although MNGs have only been employed in low efficiency solar cells, substantial gains in performance are predicted for decreased w in all high efficiency absorber technologies.« less

Timelike pion form factor in lattice QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Xu; Aoki, Sinya; Hashimoto, Shoji; Kaneko, Takashi

2015-03-01

We perform a nonperturbative lattice calculation of the complex phase and modulus of the pion form factor in the timelike momentum region using the finite-volume technique. We use two ensembles of 2 +1 -flavor overlap fermions at pion masses mπ=380 and 290 MeV. By calculating the I =1 correlators in the center-of-mass and three moving frames, we obtain the form factor at ten different values of the timelike momentum transfer around the vector resonance. We compare the results with the phenomenological model of Gounaris-Sakurai and its variant.

Finite-size correction scheme for supercell calculations in Dirac-point two-dimensional materials.

PubMed

Rocha, C G; Rocha, A R; Venezuela, P; Garcia, J H; Ferreira, M S

2018-06-19

Modern electronic structure calculations are predominantly implemented within the super cell representation in which unit cells are periodically arranged in space. Even in the case of non-crystalline materials, defect-embedded unit cells are commonly used to describe doped structures. However, this type of computation becomes prohibitively demanding when convergence rates are sufficiently slow and may require calculations with very large unit cells. Here we show that a hitherto unexplored feature displayed by several 2D materials may be used to achieve convergence in formation- and adsorption-energy calculations with relatively small unit-cell sizes. The generality of our method is illustrated with Density Functional Theory calculations for different 2D hosts doped with different impurities, all of which providing accuracy levels that would otherwise require enormously large unit cells. This approach provides an efficient route to calculating the physical properties of 2D systems in general but is particularly suitable for Dirac-point materials doped with impurities that break their sublattice symmetry.

Transient responses of phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant system. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, Cheng-Yi

1983-01-01

An analytical and computerized study of the steady state and transient response of a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) system was completed. Parametric studies and sensitivity analyses of the PAFC system's operation were accomplished. Four non-linear dynamic models of the fuel cell stack, reformer, shift converters, and heat exchangers were developed based on nonhomogeneous non-linear partial differential equations, which include the material, component, energy balance, and electrochemical kinetic features. Due to a lack of experimental data for the dynamic response of the components only the steady state results were compared with data from other sources, indicating reasonably good agreement. A steady state simulation of the entire system was developed using, nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The finite difference method and trial-and-error procedures were used to obtain a solution. Using the model, a PAFC system, that was developed under NASA Grant, NCC3-17, was improved through the optimization of the heat exchanger network. Three types of cooling configurations for cell plates were evaluated to obtain the best current density and temperature distributions. The steady state solutions were used as the initial conditions in the dynamic model. The transient response of a simplified PAFC system, which included all of the major components, subjected to a load change was obtained. Due to the length of the computation time for the transient response calculations, analysis on a real-time computer was not possible. A simulation of the real-time calculations was developed on a batch type computer. The transient response characteristics are needed for the optimization of the design and control of the whole PAFC system. All of the models, procedures and simulations were programmed in Fortran and run on IBM 370 computers at Cleveland State University and the NASA Lewis Research Center.

Application of a trigonometric finite difference procedure to numerical analysis of compressive and shear buckling of orthotropic panels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stein, M.; Housner, J. D.

1978-01-01

A numerical analysis developed for the buckling of rectangular orthotropic layered panels under combined shear and compression is described. This analysis uses a central finite difference procedure based on trigonometric functions instead of using the conventional finite differences which are based on polynomial functions. Inasmuch as the buckle mode shape is usually trigonometric in nature, the analysis using trigonometric finite differences can be made to exhibit a much faster convergence rate than that using conventional differences. Also, the trigonometric finite difference procedure leads to difference equations having the same form as conventional finite differences; thereby allowing available conventional finite difference formulations to be converted readily to trigonometric form. For two-dimensional problems, the procedure introduces two numerical parameters into the analysis. Engineering approaches for the selection of these parameters are presented and the analysis procedure is demonstrated by application to several isotropic and orthotropic panel buckling problems. Among these problems is the shear buckling of stiffened isotropic and filamentary composite panels in which the stiffener is broken. Results indicate that a break may degrade the effect of the stiffener to the extent that the panel will not carry much more load than if the stiffener were absent.

Comparison of semi-automated center-dot and fully automated endothelial cell analyses from specular microscopy images.

PubMed

Maruoka, Sachiko; Nakakura, Shunsuke; Matsuo, Naoko; Yoshitomi, Kayo; Katakami, Chikako; Tabuchi, Hitoshi; Chikama, Taiichiro; Kiuchi, Yoshiaki

2017-10-30

To evaluate two specular microscopy analysis methods across different endothelial cell densities (ECDs). Endothelial images of one eye from each of 45 patients were taken by using three different specular microscopes (three replicates each). To determine the consistency of the center-dot method, we compared SP-6000 and SP-2000P images. CME-530 and SP-6000 images were compared to assess the consistency of the fully automated method. The SP-6000 images from the two methods were compared. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the three measurements were calculated, and parametric multiple comparisons tests and Bland-Altman analysis were performed. The ECD mean value was 2425 ± 883 (range 516-3707) cells/mm 2 . ICC values were > 0.9 for all three microscopes for ECD, but the coefficients of variation (CVs) were 0.3-0.6. For ECD measurements, Bland-Altman analysis revealed that the mean difference was 42 cells/mm 2 between the SP-2000P and SP-6000 for the center-dot method; 57 cells/mm 2 between the SP-6000 measurements from both methods; and -5 cells/mm 2 between the SP-6000 and CME-530 for the fully automated method (95% limits of agreement: - 201 to 284 cell/mm 2 , - 410 to 522 cells/mm 2 , and - 327 to 318 cells/mm 2 , respectively). For CV measurements, the mean differences were - 3, - 12, and 13% (95% limits of agreement - 18 to 11, - 26 to 2, and - 5 to 32%, respectively). Despite using three replicate measurements, the precision of the center-dot method with the SP-2000P and SP-6000 software was only ± 10% for ECD data and was even worse for the fully automated method. Japan Clinical Trials Register ( http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index/htm9 ) number UMIN 000015236.

Numerical and experimental studies on pulsatile flow in aneurysms arising laterally from a curved parent vessel at various angles.

PubMed

Liou, Tong-Miin; Li, Yi-Chen; Juan, Wei-Cheng

2007-01-01

Both numerical and experimental studies have been performed to characterize the fluid flow inside the lateral aneurysms arising from the curved parent vessels at various angles gamma. The implicit solver was based on the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations of incompressible laminar flow. Solutions were generated by a cell-center finite-volume method that used second order upwind and second order center flux difference splitting for the convection and diffusion term, respectively. The second order Crank-Nicolson method was used in the time integration term while the SIMPLEC algorithm was adopted to handle the pressure-velocity coupling. Complementarily, the particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) was used to measure the velocity fields. The conditions selected were to simulate an internal carotid artery with a diameter of 5 mm by similarity rules. The values of gamma explored were 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and 135 degrees. Pulsatile flow with Wormersley number 3.9 and Reynolds numbers varying from 350 to 850 was considered. The computed results are firstly verified by the PTV measured ones. Discussion of the results is in terms of pulsatile main and secondary velocity vector fields, inflow rates into the aneurysm, and the distributions of wall shear stress and static pressure. It is found that among the angles examined gamma=45( composite function) is the riskiest angle from a fluid dynamics point of view and the aneurysmal dome is at risk.

Equivalent modulus method for finite element simulation of the sound absorption of anechoic coating backed with orthogonally rib-stiffened plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Zhongkun; Yin, Yao; Liu, Bilong

2016-03-01

The finite element method is often used to investigate the sound absorption of anechoic coating backed with orthogonally rib-stiffened plate. Since the anechoic coating contains cavities, the number of grid nodes of a periodic unit cell is usually large. An equivalent modulus method is proposed to reduce the large amount of nodes by calculating an equivalent homogeneous layer. Applications of this method in several models show that the method can well predict the sound absorption coefficient of such structure in a wide frequency range. Based on the simulation results, the sound absorption performance of such structure and the influences of different backings on the first absorption peak are also discussed.

FDTD analysis of a noninvasive hyperthermia system for brain tumors

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Hyperthermia is considered one of the new therapeutic modalities for cancer treatment and is based on the difference in thermal sensitivity between healthy tissues and tumors. During hyperthermia treatment, the temperature of the tumor is raised to 40–45°C for a definite period resulting in the destruction of cancer cells. This paper investigates design, modeling and simulation of a new non-invasive hyperthermia applicator system capable of effectively heating deep seated as well as superficial brain tumors using inexpensive, simple, and easy to fabricate components without harming surrounding healthy brain tissues. Methods The proposed hyperthermia applicator system is composed of an air filled partial half ellipsoidal chamber, a patch antenna, and a head model with an embedded tumor at an arbitrary location. The irradiating antenna is placed at one of the foci of the hyperthermia chamber while the center of the brain tumor is placed at the other focus. The finite difference time domain (FDTD) method is used to compute both the SAR patterns and the temperature distribution in three different head models due to two different patch antennas at a frequency of 915 MHz. Results The obtained results suggest that by using the proposed noninvasive hyperthermia system it is feasible to achieve sufficient and focused energy deposition and temperature rise to therapeutic values in deep seated as well as superficial brain tumors without harming surrounding healthy tissue. Conclusions The proposed noninvasive hyperthermia system proved suitable for raising the temperature in tumors embedded in the brain to therapeutic values by carefully selecting the systems components. The operator of the system only needs to place the center of the brain tumor at a pre-specified location and excite the antenna at a single frequency of 915 MHz. Our study may provide a basis for a clinical applicator prototype capable of heating brain tumors. PMID:22891953

Building Finite Element Models to Investigate Zebrafish Jaw Biomechanics.

PubMed

Brunt, Lucy H; Roddy, Karen A; Rayfield, Emily J; Hammond, Chrissy L

2016-12-03

Skeletal morphogenesis occurs through tightly regulated cell behaviors during development; many cell types alter their behavior in response to mechanical strain. Skeletal joints are subjected to dynamic mechanical loading. Finite element analysis (FEA) is a computational method, frequently used in engineering that can predict how a material or structure will respond to mechanical input. By dividing a whole system (in this case the zebrafish jaw skeleton) into a mesh of smaller 'finite elements', FEA can be used to calculate the mechanical response of the structure to external loads. The results can be visualized in many ways including as a 'heat map' showing the position of maximum and minimum principal strains (a positive principal strain indicates tension while a negative indicates compression. The maximum and minimum refer the largest and smallest strain). These can be used to identify which regions of the jaw and therefore which cells are likely to be under particularly high tensional or compressional loads during jaw movement and can therefore be used to identify relationships between mechanical strain and cell behavior. This protocol describes the steps to generate Finite Element models from confocal image data on the musculoskeletal system, using the zebrafish lower jaw as a practical example. The protocol leads the reader through a series of steps: 1) staining of the musculoskeletal components, 2) imaging the musculoskeletal components, 3) building a 3 dimensional (3D) surface, 4) generating a mesh of Finite Elements, 5) solving the FEA and finally 6) validating the results by comparison to real displacements seen in movements of the fish jaw.

Alignment of smectic mesogens over engineered surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandran, Achu; Joshi, Tilak; Khanna, P. K.; Mehta, Dalip. S.; Haranath, D.; Biradar, Ashok M.

2017-07-01

The alignment of smectic C* liquid crystals (LCs) has been manipulated over and near different surfaces such as bare glass, indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass, patterned glass, and near spacers. The LC sample cell is made of one ITO coated glass plate and other having striped ITO with a Mylar spacer maintaining a finite cell gap between them. Laser scribing is used to make striped ITO, while the scribed area results in the formation of the patterned glass surface. The geometry of the cell is such that overlapped ITO lie in the middle and spacers are placed in the two extreme corners of the cell. The alignment of LC is found to be homeotropic over the ITO coated glass, while it is planar near the spacer. Interestingly, a transition from homeotropic to planar is observed while moving away from the middle towards either corner of the cell. The origin of both types of alignment in the same cell has been explained by considering the difference in the surface energy of different surfaces. This work renders new advancement towards the manipulation of LC alignment using different surfaces and interfaces for advanced electro-optical and photonic devices based on LCs.

Field Dislocation Mechanics for heterogeneous elastic materials: A numerical spectral approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Djaka, Komlan Senam; Villani, Aurelien; Taupin, Vincent

Spectral methods using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms have recently seen a surge in interest in the mechanics of materials community. The present work addresses the critical question of determining accurate local mechanical fields using FFT methods without artificial fluctuations arising from materials and defects induced discontinuities. Precisely, this work introduces a numerical approach based on intrinsic discrete Fourier transforms for the simultaneous treatment of material discontinuities arising from the presence of dislocations and from elastic stiffness heterogeneities. To this end, the elasto-static equations of the field dislocation mechanics theory for periodic heterogeneous materials are numerically solved with FFT inmore » the case of dislocations in proximity of inclusions of varying stiffness. An optimal intrinsic discrete Fourier transform method is sought based on two distinct schemes. A centered finite difference scheme for differential rules are used for numerically solving the Poisson-type equation in the Fourier space, while centered finite differences on a rotated grid is chosen for the computation of the modified Fourier–Green’s operator associated with the Lippmann–Schwinger-type equation. By comparing different methods with analytical solutions for an edge dislocation in a composite material, it is found that the present spectral method is accurate, devoid of any numerical oscillation, and efficient even for an infinite phase elastic contrast like a hole embedded in a matrix containing a dislocation. The present FFT method is then used to simulate physical cases such as the elastic fields of dislocation dipoles located near the matrix/inclusion interface in a 2D composite material and the ones due to dislocation loop distributions surrounding cubic inclusions in 3D composite material. In these configurations, the spectral method allows investigating accurately the elastic interactions and image stresses due to dislocation fields in the presence of elastic inhomogeneities.« less

Field Dislocation Mechanics for heterogeneous elastic materials: A numerical spectral approach

DOE PAGES

Djaka, Komlan Senam; Villani, Aurelien; Taupin, Vincent; ...

2017-03-01

Spectral methods using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms have recently seen a surge in interest in the mechanics of materials community. The present work addresses the critical question of determining accurate local mechanical fields using FFT methods without artificial fluctuations arising from materials and defects induced discontinuities. Precisely, this work introduces a numerical approach based on intrinsic discrete Fourier transforms for the simultaneous treatment of material discontinuities arising from the presence of dislocations and from elastic stiffness heterogeneities. To this end, the elasto-static equations of the field dislocation mechanics theory for periodic heterogeneous materials are numerically solved with FFT inmore » the case of dislocations in proximity of inclusions of varying stiffness. An optimal intrinsic discrete Fourier transform method is sought based on two distinct schemes. A centered finite difference scheme for differential rules are used for numerically solving the Poisson-type equation in the Fourier space, while centered finite differences on a rotated grid is chosen for the computation of the modified Fourier–Green’s operator associated with the Lippmann–Schwinger-type equation. By comparing different methods with analytical solutions for an edge dislocation in a composite material, it is found that the present spectral method is accurate, devoid of any numerical oscillation, and efficient even for an infinite phase elastic contrast like a hole embedded in a matrix containing a dislocation. The present FFT method is then used to simulate physical cases such as the elastic fields of dislocation dipoles located near the matrix/inclusion interface in a 2D composite material and the ones due to dislocation loop distributions surrounding cubic inclusions in 3D composite material. In these configurations, the spectral method allows investigating accurately the elastic interactions and image stresses due to dislocation fields in the presence of elastic inhomogeneities.« less

The Benard problem: A comparison of finite difference and spectral collocation eigen value solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Skarda, J. Raymond Lee; Mccaughan, Frances E.; Fitzmaurice, Nessan

1995-01-01

The application of spectral methods, using a Chebyshev collocation scheme, to solve hydrodynamic stability problems is demonstrated on the Benard problem. Implementation of the Chebyshev collocation formulation is described. The performance of the spectral scheme is compared with that of a 2nd order finite difference scheme. An exact solution to the Marangoni-Benard problem is used to evaluate the performance of both schemes. The error of the spectral scheme is at least seven orders of magnitude smaller than finite difference error for a grid resolution of N = 15 (number of points used). The performance of the spectral formulation far exceeded the performance of the finite difference formulation for this problem. The spectral scheme required only slightly more effort to set up than the 2nd order finite difference scheme. This suggests that the spectral scheme may actually be faster to implement than higher order finite difference schemes.

Three dimensional finite-element analysis of finite-thickness fracture specimens

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raju, I. S.; Newman, J. C., Jr.

1977-01-01

The stress-intensity factors for most of the commonly used fracture specimens (center-crack tension, single and double edge-crack tension, and compact), those that have a through-the-thickness crack, were calculated using a three dimensional finite-element elastic stress analysis. Three-dimensional singularity elements were used around the crack front. The stress intensity factors along the crack front were evaluated by using a force method, developed herein, that requires no prior assumption of either plane stress or plane strain. The calculated stress-intensity factors from the present analysis were compared with those from the literature whenever possible and were generally found to be in good agreement. The stress-intensity factors at the midplane for all specimens analyzed were within 3 percent of the two dimensional plane strain values. The stress intensity factors at the specimen surfaces were considerably lower than at the midplanes. For the center-crack tension specimens with large thickness to crack-length ratios, the stress-intensity factor reached a maximum near the surface of the specimen. In all other specimens considered the maximum stress intensity occurred at the midplane.

Intensity modulation of a terahertz bandpass filter: utilizing image currents induced on MEMS reconfigurable metamaterials.

PubMed

Hu, Fangrong; Fan, Yixing; Zhang, Xiaowen; Jiang, Wenying; Chen, Yuanzhi; Li, Peng; Yin, Xianhua; Zhang, Wentao

2018-01-01

We experimentally demonstrated a tunable terahertz bandpass filter based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) reconfigurable metamaterials. The unit cell of the filter consists of two split-ring resonators (SRRs) and a movable bar. Initially, the movable bar situates at the center of the unit cell, and the filter has two passbands whose central frequencies locate at 0.65 and 0.96 THz. The intensity of the two passbands can be actively modulated by the movable bar, and a maximum modulation depth of 96% is achieved at 0.96 THz. The mechanism of tunability is investigated using the finite-integration time-domain method. The result shows that the image currents induced on the movable bar are opposite the resonance currents induced on the SRRs and, thus, weaken the oscillating intensity of the resonance currents. This scheme paves the way to dynamically control and switch the terahertz wave at some constant frequencies utilizing induced image currents.

Pressure/temperature fluid cell apparatus for the neutron powder diffractometer instrument: probing atomic structure in situ.

PubMed

Wang, Hsiu-Wen; Fanelli, Victor R; Reiche, Helmut M; Larson, Eric; Taylor, Mark A; Xu, Hongwu; Zhu, Jinlong; Siewenie, Joan; Page, Katharine

2014-12-01

This contribution describes a new local structure compatible gas/liquid cell apparatus for probing disordered materials at high pressures and variable temperatures in the Neutron Powder Diffraction instrument at the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory. The new sample environment offers choices for sample canister thickness and canister material type. Finite element modeling is utilized to establish maximum allowable working pressures of 414 MPa at 15 K and 121 MPa at 600 K. High quality atomic pair distribution function data extraction and modeling have been demonstrated for a calibration standard (Si powder) and for supercritical and subcritical CO2 measurements. The new sample environment was designed to specifically target experimental studies of the local atomic structures involved in geologic CO2 sequestration, but will be equally applicable to a wide variety of energy applications, including sorption of fluids on nano/meso-porous solids, clathrate hydrate formation, catalysis, carbon capture, and H2 and natural gas uptake/storage.

An experimental study of mushroom shaped stall cells. [on finite wings with separated flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winkelmann, A. E.

1982-01-01

Surface patterns characterized by a pair of counter-rotating swirls have been observed in connection with the conduction of surface flow visualization experiments involving test geometries with separated flows. An example of this phenomenon occurring on a finite wing with trailing edge stall has been referred to by Winkelmann and Barlow (1980) as 'mushroom shaped'. A description is presented of a collection of experimental results which show or suggest the occurrence of mushroom shaped stall cells on a variety of test geometries. Investigations conducted with finite wings, airfoil models, and flat plates are considered, and attention is given to studies involving the use of bluff models, investigations of shock induced boundary layer separation, and mushroom shaped patterns observed in a number of miscellaneous cases. It is concluded that the mushroom shaped stall cell appears commonly in separated flow regions.

Towards a theory of cortical columns: From spiking neurons to interacting neural populations of finite size

PubMed Central

Gerstner, Wulfram

2017-01-01

Neural population equations such as neural mass or field models are widely used to study brain activity on a large scale. However, the relation of these models to the properties of single neurons is unclear. Here we derive an equation for several interacting populations at the mesoscopic scale starting from a microscopic model of randomly connected generalized integrate-and-fire neuron models. Each population consists of 50–2000 neurons of the same type but different populations account for different neuron types. The stochastic population equations that we find reveal how spike-history effects in single-neuron dynamics such as refractoriness and adaptation interact with finite-size fluctuations on the population level. Efficient integration of the stochastic mesoscopic equations reproduces the statistical behavior of the population activities obtained from microscopic simulations of a full spiking neural network model. The theory describes nonlinear emergent dynamics such as finite-size-induced stochastic transitions in multistable networks and synchronization in balanced networks of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The mesoscopic equations are employed to rapidly integrate a model of a cortical microcircuit consisting of eight neuron types, which allows us to predict spontaneous population activities as well as evoked responses to thalamic input. Our theory establishes a general framework for modeling finite-size neural population dynamics based on single cell and synapse parameters and offers an efficient approach to analyzing cortical circuits and computations. PMID:28422957

The manifestation of optical centers in UV-Vis absorption and luminescence spectra of white blood human cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terent'yeva, Yu G.; Yashchuk, V. M.; Zaika, L. A.; Snitserova, O. M.; Losytsky, M. Yu

2016-12-01

A white blood human cells spectral investigation is presented. The aim of this series of experiments was to obtain and analyze the absorption and luminescence (fluorescence and phosphorescence) spectra at room temperature and at 78 K of newly isolated white blood human cells and their organelles. As a result the optical centers and possible biochemical components that form the studied spectra where identified. Also the differences between the spectra of abnormal cells (B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia BCLL) and normal ones were studied for the whole cells and individual organelles.

Geometrically Flexible and Efficient Flow Analysis of High Speed Vehicles Via Domain Decomposition, Part 1: Unstructured-Grid Solver for High Speed Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

White, Jeffery A.; Baurle, Robert A.; Passe, Bradley J.; Spiegel, Seth C.; Nishikawa, Hiroaki

2017-01-01

The ability to solve the equations governing the hypersonic turbulent flow of a real gas on unstructured grids using a spatially-elliptic, 2nd-order accurate, cell-centered, finite-volume method has been recently implemented in the VULCAN-CFD code. This paper describes the key numerical methods and techniques that were found to be required to robustly obtain accurate solutions to hypersonic flows on non-hex-dominant unstructured grids. The methods and techniques described include: an augmented stencil, weighted linear least squares, cell-average gradient method, a robust multidimensional cell-average gradient-limiter process that is consistent with the augmented stencil of the cell-average gradient method and a cell-face gradient method that contains a cell skewness sensitive damping term derived using hyperbolic diffusion based concepts. A data-parallel matrix-based symmetric Gauss-Seidel point-implicit scheme, used to solve the governing equations, is described and shown to be more robust and efficient than a matrix-free alternative. In addition, a y+ adaptive turbulent wall boundary condition methodology is presented. This boundary condition methodology is deigned to automatically switch between a solve-to-the-wall and a wall-matching-function boundary condition based on the local y+ of the 1st cell center off the wall. The aforementioned methods and techniques are then applied to a series of hypersonic and supersonic turbulent flat plate unit tests to examine the efficiency, robustness and convergence behavior of the implicit scheme and to determine the ability of the solve-to-the-wall and y+ adaptive turbulent wall boundary conditions to reproduce the turbulent law-of-the-wall. Finally, the thermally perfect, chemically frozen, Mach 7.8 turbulent flow of air through a scramjet flow-path is computed and compared with experimental data to demonstrate the robustness, accuracy and convergence behavior of the unstructured-grid solver for a realistic 3-D geometry on a non-hex-dominant grid.

Finite Element Analysis of Walking Beam of a New Compound Adjustment Balance Pumping Unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jufei; Wang, Qian; Han, Yunfei

2017-12-01

In this paper, taking the designer of the new compound balance pumping unit beam as our research target, the three-dimensional model is established by Solid Works, the load and the constraint are determined. ANSYS Workbench is used to analyze the tail and the whole of the beam, the stress and deformation are obtained to meet the strength requirements. The finite element simulation and theoretical calculation of the moment of the center axis beam are carried out. The finite element simulation results are compared with the calculated results of the theoretical mechanics model to verify the correctness of the theoretical calculation. Finally, the finite element analysis is consistent with the theoretical calculation results. The theoretical calculation results are preferable, and the bending moment value provides the theoretical reference for the follow-up optimization and research design.

A Finite Element Study of Micropipette Aspiration of Single Cells: Effect of Compressibility

PubMed Central

Jafari Bidhendi, Amirhossein; Korhonen, Rami K.

2012-01-01

Micropipette aspiration (MA) technique has been widely used to measure the viscoelastic properties of different cell types. Cells experience nonlinear large deformations during the aspiration procedure. Neo-Hookean viscohyperelastic (NHVH) incompressible and compressible models were used to simulate the creep behavior of cells in MA, particularly accounting for the effect of compressibility, bulk relaxation, and hardening phenomena under large strain. In order to find optimal material parameters, the models were fitted to the experimental data available for mesenchymal stem cells. Finally, through Neo-Hookean porohyperelastic (NHPH) material model for the cell, the influence of fluid flow on the aspiration length of the cell was studied. Based on the results, we suggest that the compressibility and bulk relaxation/fluid flow play a significant role in the deformation behavior of single cells and should be taken into account in the analysis of the mechanics of cells. PMID:22400045

Conservative properties of finite difference schemes for incompressible flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morinishi, Youhei

1995-01-01

The purpose of this research is to construct accurate finite difference schemes for incompressible unsteady flow simulations such as LES (large-eddy simulation) or DNS (direct numerical simulation). In this report, conservation properties of the continuity, momentum, and kinetic energy equations for incompressible flow are specified as analytical requirements for a proper set of discretized equations. Existing finite difference schemes in staggered grid systems are checked for satisfaction of the requirements. Proper higher order accurate finite difference schemes in a staggered grid system are then proposed. Plane channel flow is simulated using the proposed fourth order accurate finite difference scheme and the results compared with those of the second order accurate Harlow and Welch algorithm.

Three-dimensional finite element modeling of pericellular matrix and cell mechanics in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disk based on in situ morphology.

PubMed

Cao, Li; Guilak, Farshid; Setton, Lori A

2011-02-01

Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells of the intervertebral disk (IVD) have unique morphological characteristics and biologic responses to mechanical stimuli that may regulate maintenance and health of the IVD. NP cells reside as single cell, paired or multiple cells in a contiguous pericellular matrix (PCM), whose structure and properties may significantly influence cell and extracellular matrix mechanics. In this study, a computational model was developed to predict the stress-strain, fluid pressure and flow fields for cells and their surrounding PCM in the NP using three-dimensional (3D) finite element models based on the in situ morphology of cell-PCM regions of the mature rat NP, measured using confocal microscopy. Three-dimensional geometries of the extracellular matrix and representative cell-matrix units were used to construct 3D finite element models of the structures as isotropic and biphasic materials. In response to compressive strain of the extracellular matrix, NP cells and PCM regions were predicted to experience volumetric strains that were 1.9-3.7 and 1.4-2.1 times greater than the extracellular matrix, respectively. Volumetric and deviatoric strain concentrations were generally found at the cell/PCM interface, while von Mises stress concentrations were associated with the PCM/extracellular matrix interface. Cell-matrix units containing greater cell numbers were associated with higher peak cell strains and lower rates of fluid pressurization upon loading. These studies provide new model predictions for micromechanics of NP cells that can contribute to an understanding of mechanotransduction in the IVD and its changes with aging and degeneration.

Propagating plane harmonic waves through finite length plates of variable thickness using finite element techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, J. H.; Kalinowski, A. J.; Wagner, C. A.

1983-01-01

An analysis is given using finite element techniques which addresses the propagaton of a uniform incident pressure wave through a finite diameter axisymmetric tapered plate immersed in a fluid. The approach utilized in developing a finite element solution to this problem is based upon a technique for axisymmetric fluid structure interaction problems. The problem addressed is that of a 10 inch diameter axisymmetric fixed plate totally immersed in a fluid. The plate increases in thickness from approximately 0.01 inches thick at the center to 0.421 inches thick at a radius of 5 inches. Against each face of the tapered plate a cylindrical fluid volume was represented extending five wavelengths off the plate in the axial direction. The outer boundary of the fluid and plate regions were represented as a rigid encasement cylinder as was nearly the case in the physical problem. The primary objective of the analysis is to determine the form of the transmitted pressure distribution on the downstream side of the plate.

Scott Jenne | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Analysis Center. Areas of Expertise Techno-Economic Analysis Mechanical design 3D modeling/CAD Finite element analysis (FEA) Wave energy conversion Thermal power cycle analysis Research Interests Cost

Foam structure :from soap froth to solid foams.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kraynik, Andrew Michael

2003-01-01

The properties of solid foams depend on their structure, which usually evolves in the fluid state as gas bubbles expand to form polyhedral cells. The characteristic feature of foam structure-randomly packed cells of different sizes and shapes-is examined in this article by considering soap froth. This material can be modeled as a network of minimal surfaces that divide space into polyhedral cells. The cell-level geometry of random soap froth is calculated with Brakke's Surface Evolver software. The distribution of cell volumes ranges from monodisperse to highly polydisperse. Topological and geometric properties, such as surface area and edge length, of themore » entire foam and individual cells, are discussed. The shape of struts in solid foams is related to Plateau borders in liquid foams and calculated for different volume fractions of material. The models of soap froth are used as templates to produce finite element models of open-cell foams. Three-dimensional images of open-cell foams obtained with x-ray microtomography allow virtual reconstruction of skeletal structures that compare well with the Surface Evolver simulations of soap-froth geometry.« less

Dietary recommendations for immunosuppressed patients of 17 hematopoietic stem cell transplantation centers in Brazil

PubMed Central

Vicenski, Paola Pasini; Alberti, Paloma; do Amaral, Denise Johnsson Campos

2012-01-01

Introduction Low-microbial diets are recommended to reduce the risk of foodborne infections when hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients have neutropenia. However there is no pattern concerning the composition of such a diet. Objective To collect information concerning the structure of nutrition departments and the diets recommended for immunosuppressed patients in transplant centers in Brazil. Methods Questionnaires were sent to the 45 Bone Marrow Transplantation Centers listed by the Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Medula Óssea (SBTMO). Completed questionnaires were returned by 17 centers. The questions were related to the profile and the structure of the nutrition department, at what point a general diet is allowed after transplantation, and which food is allowed during the critical period of immunosuppression and soon after transplantation. Results Of the 17 centers that participated, 82% have a professional nutritionist exclusively for the Transplant Department but only 41% have an area specifically for the preparation of diets for immunosuppressed patients. The patients are released from the low-microbial diet to general diets 90-100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation by 29% of the centers and only after suspension of immunosuppressive drugs in 24%. Most centers (88%) restrict the consumption of raw fruits, all restrict the consumption of raw vegetables and 88% forbid the consumption of yogurt in the critical period of immunosuppression. There was no consensus on forbidden foods soon after transplantation. Conclusion Major differences in diets recommended to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients were observed between the different centers. PMID:23049398

New ghost-node method for linking different models with varied grid refinement

USGS Publications Warehouse

James, S.C.; Dickinson, J.E.; Mehl, S.W.; Hill, M.C.; Leake, S.A.; Zyvoloski, G.A.; Eddebbarh, A.-A.

2006-01-01

A flexible, robust method for linking grids of locally refined ground-water flow models constructed with different numerical methods is needed to address a variety of hydrologic problems. This work outlines and tests a new ghost-node model-linking method for a refined "child" model that is contained within a larger and coarser "parent" model that is based on the iterative method of Steffen W. Mehl and Mary C. Hill (2002, Advances in Water Res., 25, p. 497-511; 2004, Advances in Water Res., 27, p. 899-912). The method is applicable to steady-state solutions for ground-water flow. Tests are presented for a homogeneous two-dimensional system that has matching grids (parent cells border an integer number of child cells) or nonmatching grids. The coupled grids are simulated by using the finite-difference and finite-element models MODFLOW and FEHM, respectively. The simulations require no alteration of the MODFLOW or FEHM models and are executed using a batch file on Windows operating systems. Results indicate that when the grids are matched spatially so that nodes and child-cell boundaries are aligned, the new coupling technique has error nearly equal to that when coupling two MODFLOW models. When the grids are nonmatching, model accuracy is slightly increased compared to that for matching-grid cases. Overall, results indicate that the ghost-node technique is a viable means to couple distinct models because the overall head and flow errors relative to the analytical solution are less than if only the regional coarse-grid model was used to simulate flow in the child model's domain.

Axial acoustic radiation force on a sphere in Gaussian field

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, Rongrong; Liu, Xiaozhou, E-mail: xzliu@nju.edu.cn; Gong, Xiufen

2015-10-28

Based on the finite series method, the acoustical radiation force resulting from a Gaussian beam incident on a spherical object is investigated analytically. When the position of the particles deviating from the center of the beam, the Gaussian beam is expanded as a spherical function at the center of the particles and the expanded coefficients of the Gaussian beam is calculated. The analytical expression of the acoustic radiation force on spherical particles deviating from the Gaussian beam center is deduced. The acoustic radiation force affected by the acoustic frequency and the offset distance from the Gaussian beam center is investigated.more » Results have been presented for Gaussian beams with different wavelengths and it has been shown that the interaction of a Gaussian beam with a sphere can result in attractive axial force under specific operational conditions. Results indicate the capability of manipulating and separating spherical spheres based on their mechanical and acoustical properties, the results provided here may provide a theoretical basis for development of single-beam acoustical tweezers.« less

Practical aspects of prestack depth migration with finite differences

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ober, C.C.; Oldfield, R.A.; Womble, D.E.

1997-07-01

Finite-difference, prestack, depth migrations offers significant improvements over Kirchhoff methods in imaging near or under salt structures. The authors have implemented a finite-difference prestack depth migration algorithm for use on massively parallel computers which is discussed. The image quality of the finite-difference scheme has been investigated and suggested improvements are discussed. In this presentation, the authors discuss an implicit finite difference migration code, called Salvo, that has been developed through an ACTI (Advanced Computational Technology Initiative) joint project. This code is designed to be efficient on a variety of massively parallel computers. It takes advantage of both frequency and spatialmore » parallelism as well as the use of nodes dedicated to data input/output (I/O). Besides giving an overview of the finite-difference algorithm and some of the parallelism techniques used, migration results using both Kirchhoff and finite-difference migration will be presented and compared. The authors start out with a very simple Cartoon model where one can intuitively see the multiple travel paths and some of the potential problems that will be encountered with Kirchhoff migration. More complex synthetic models as well as results from actual seismic data from the Gulf of Mexico will be shown.« less

Nonlinear Analysis and Preliminary Testing Results of a Hybrid Wing Body Center Section Test Article

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Przekop, Adam; Jegley, Dawn C.; Rouse, Marshall; Lovejoy, Andrew E.; Wu, Hsi-Yung T.

2015-01-01

A large test article was recently designed, analyzed, fabricated, and successfully tested up to the representative design ultimate loads to demonstrate that stiffened composite panels with through-the-thickness reinforcement are a viable option for the next generation large transport category aircraft, including non-conventional configurations such as the hybrid wing body. This paper focuses on finite element analysis and test data correlation of the hybrid wing body center section test article under mechanical, pressure and combined load conditions. Good agreement between predictive nonlinear finite element analysis and test data is found. Results indicate that a geometrically nonlinear analysis is needed to accurately capture the behavior of the non-circular pressurized and highly-stressed structure when the design approach permits local buckling.

A Large Scale Dynamical System Immune Network Modelwith Finite Connectivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uezu, T.; Kadono, C.; Hatchett, J.; Coolen, A. C. C.

We study a model of an idiotypic immune network which was introduced by N. K. Jerne. It is known that in immune systems there generally exist several kinds of immune cells which can recognize any particular antigen. Taking this fact into account and assuming that each cell interacts with only a finite number of other cells, we analyze a large scale immune network via both numerical simulations and statistical mechanical methods, and show that the distribution of the concentrations of antibodies becomes non-trivial for a range of values of the strength of the interaction and the connectivity.

A hybrid computational model to explore the topological characteristics of epithelial tissues.

PubMed

González-Valverde, Ismael; García-Aznar, José Manuel

2017-11-01

Epithelial tissues show a particular topology where cells resemble a polygon-like shape, but some biological processes can alter this tissue topology. During cell proliferation, mitotic cell dilation deforms the tissue and modifies the tissue topology. Additionally, cells are reorganized in the epithelial layer and these rearrangements also alter the polygon distribution. We present here a computer-based hybrid framework focused on the simulation of epithelial layer dynamics that combines discrete and continuum numerical models. In this framework, we consider topological and mechanical aspects of the epithelial tissue. Individual cells in the tissue are simulated by an off-lattice agent-based model, which keeps the information of each cell. In addition, we model the cell-cell interaction forces and the cell cycle. Otherwise, we simulate the passive mechanical behaviour of the cell monolayer using a material that approximates the mechanical properties of the cell. This continuum approach is solved by the finite element method, which uses a dynamic mesh generated by the triangulation of cell polygons. Forces generated by cell-cell interaction in the agent-based model are also applied on the finite element mesh. Cell movement in the agent-based model is driven by the displacements obtained from the deformed finite element mesh of the continuum mechanical approach. We successfully compare the results of our simulations with some experiments about the topology of proliferating epithelial tissues in Drosophila. Our framework is able to model the emergent behaviour of the cell monolayer that is due to local cell-cell interactions, which have a direct influence on the dynamics of the epithelial tissue. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Finite-Difference Solutions for Compressible Laminar Boundary-Layer Flows of a Dusty Gas over a Semi-Infinite Flat Plate.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-08-01

AD-A174 952 FINITE - DIFFERENCE SOLUTIONS FOR CONPRESSIBLE LANINAR 1/2 BOUNDARY-LAYER FLOUS (U) TORONTO UNIV DOWNSVIEW (ONTARIO) INST FOR AEROSPACE...dilute dusty gas over a semi-infinite flat plate. Details are given of the impliit finite , difference schemes as well as the boundary conditions... FINITE - DIFFERENCE SOLUTIONS FOR COMPRESSIBLE LAMINAR BOUNDARY-LAYER FLOWS OF A DUSTY GAS OVER A SEMI-INFINITE FLAT PLATE by B. Y. Wang and I. I

Verification of a non-hydrostatic dynamical core using the horizontal spectral element method and vertical finite difference method: 2-D aspects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, S.-J.; Giraldo, F. X.; Kim, J.; Shin, S.

2014-11-01

The non-hydrostatic (NH) compressible Euler equations for dry atmosphere were solved in a simplified two-dimensional (2-D) slice framework employing a spectral element method (SEM) for the horizontal discretization and a finite difference method (FDM) for the vertical discretization. By using horizontal SEM, which decomposes the physical domain into smaller pieces with a small communication stencil, a high level of scalability can be achieved. By using vertical FDM, an easy method for coupling the dynamics and existing physics packages can be provided. The SEM uses high-order nodal basis functions associated with Lagrange polynomials based on Gauss-Lobatto-Legendre (GLL) quadrature points. The FDM employs a third-order upwind-biased scheme for the vertical flux terms and a centered finite difference scheme for the vertical derivative and integral terms. For temporal integration, a time-split, third-order Runge-Kutta (RK3) integration technique was applied. The Euler equations that were used here are in flux form based on the hydrostatic pressure vertical coordinate. The equations are the same as those used in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, but a hybrid sigma-pressure vertical coordinate was implemented in this model. We validated the model by conducting the widely used standard tests: linear hydrostatic mountain wave, tracer advection, and gravity wave over the Schär-type mountain, as well as density current, inertia-gravity wave, and rising thermal bubble. The results from these tests demonstrated that the model using the horizontal SEM and the vertical FDM is accurate and robust provided sufficient diffusion is applied. The results with various horizontal resolutions also showed convergence of second-order accuracy due to the accuracy of the time integration scheme and that of the vertical direction, although high-order basis functions were used in the horizontal. By using the 2-D slice model, we effectively showed that the combined spatial discretization method of the spectral element and finite difference methods in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, offers a viable method for development of an NH dynamical core.

An interactive adaptive remeshing algorithm for the two-dimensional Euler equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slack, David C.; Walters, Robert W.; Lohner, R.

1990-01-01

An interactive adaptive remeshing algorithm utilizing a frontal grid generator and a variety of time integration schemes for the two-dimensional Euler equations on unstructured meshes is presented. Several device dependent interactive graphics interfaces have been developed along with a device independent DI-3000 interface which can be employed on any computer that has the supporting software including the Cray-2 supercomputers Voyager and Navier. The time integration methods available include: an explicit four stage Runge-Kutta and a fully implicit LU decomposition. A cell-centered finite volume upwind scheme utilizing Roe's approximate Riemann solver is developed. To obtain higher order accurate results a monotone linear reconstruction procedure proposed by Barth is utilized. Results for flow over a transonic circular arc and flow through a supersonic nozzle are examined.

Pass-Band Characteristics of an L-Shaped Waveguide in a Diamond Structure Photonic Crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Shibin; Ma, Jingcun; Yao, Yunshi; Liu, Xin; Lin, Ping

2018-06-01

The conduction characteristics of a L-shaped waveguide in a diamond structure photonic crystal is investigated in this paper. The waveguides were fabricated with titanium dioxide ceramic via 3-D printing and sintering. The effects of the position and size of line defects on the transmission characteristics are first simulated using a finite-difference time-domain method. The simulated results show that, when the length of the rectangular defect equals the lattice constant, multiple extended modes are generated. When the centers of the single unit cell of the diamond structure and the line defect waveguide coincide, higher transmission efficiency in the line defect can be achieved. In addition, the corner of the L-shaped waveguide was optimized to reduce reflection loss at the turning point using the arc transition of the large diameter. Our experimental results indicate that L-shaped waveguides with an optimized photonic band gap structure and high-K materials can produce a pass-band between 13.8 GHz and 14.4 GHz and increase transmission efficiency. The computed results agree with the experimental results. Our results may help the integration of microwave devices in the future and possibly enable new applications of photonic crystals.

General rules for incorporating noble metal nanoparticles in organic solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ciesielski, A.; Switlik, D.; Szoplik, T.

2017-05-01

Over the recent years, the influence of the addition of noble metal nanoparticles (Au, Ag, Al, Cu) into the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells on their efficiency of visible sunlight absorption has been excessively studied. However, several detailed studies were focused on compounds with similar chemical structure, and thus similar optical and electric properties. Such approach provides little help when it comes to admixing metallic nanoparticles into new compound families with different properties. Moreover, theoretical approaches frequently tend to neglect the fact, that nanoparticles have different dispersion relation than bulk material, which may lead to false conclusions. In this work, we consider additional dispersion modes in the metal permittivity due to finite size of the nanoparticles. We use Maxwell-Garnet effective medium approach (EMA), combined with the transfer matrix method, as well as finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, to create a set of general rules for incorporating noble metal nanoparticles into the active layer. These principles, based on assumed basic properties of the active layer (e.g. real and imaginary part of refractive index, thickness) provide optimal material, size spectrum and fill factor of nanoparticle inclusions in order to ensure the best absorption enhancement. Our results show, that the optimal concentrations for silver nanoparticles are about 50% greater than those determined without taking into account additional components in the permittivity of the metal.

Finite Mathematics and Discrete Mathematics: Is There a Difference?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Marvin L.

Discrete mathematics and finite mathematics differ in a number of ways. First, finite mathematics has a longer history and is therefore more stable in terms of course content. Finite mathematics courses emphasize certain particular mathematical tools which are useful in solving the problems of business and the social sciences. Discrete mathematics…

180 Degree Hybrid (Rat-Race) Junction on CMOS Grade Silicon with a Polyimide Interface Layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ponchak, George E.; Papapolymerou, John

2003-01-01

180-degree hybrid junctions can be used to equally divide power between two output ports with either a 0 or 180-degree phase difference. Alternatively, they can be used to combine signals from two sources and output a sum and difference signal. The main limitation of implementing; these on CMOS grade silicon is the high loss associated with the substrate. In this paper, we present a low loss 180-degree hybrid junction on CMOS grade (15 omega-cm) silicon with a polyimide interface layer for the first time. The divider utilizes Finite Ground Coplanar (FGC) line technology, and operates at a center frequency of 15 GIIz.

Improved methods of vibration analysis of pretwisted, airfoil blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Subrahmanyam, K. B.; Kaza, K. R. V.

1984-01-01

Vibration analysis of pretwisted blades of asymmetric airfoil cross section is performed by using two mixed variational approaches. Numerical results obtained from these two methods are compared to those obtained from an improved finite difference method and also to those given by the ordinary finite difference method. The relative merits, convergence properties and accuracies of all four methods are studied and discussed. The effects of asymmetry and pretwist on natural frequencies and mode shapes are investigated. The improved finite difference method is shown to be far superior to the conventional finite difference method in several respects. Close lower bound solutions are provided by the improved finite difference method for untwisted blades with a relatively coarse mesh while the mixed methods have not indicated any specific bound.

Bifurcating fronts for the Taylor-Couette problem in infinite cylinders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hărăguş-Courcelle, M.; Schneider, G.

We show the existence of bifurcating fronts for the weakly unstable Taylor-Couette problem in an infinite cylinder. These fronts connect a stationary bifurcating pattern, here the Taylor vortices, with the trivial ground state, here the Couette flow. In order to show the existence result we improve a method which was already used in establishing the existence of bifurcating fronts for the Swift-Hohenberg equation by Collet and Eckmann, 1986, and by Eckmann and Wayne, 1991. The existence proof is based on spatial dynamics and center manifold theory. One of the difficulties in applying center manifold theory comes from an infinite number of eigenvalues on the imaginary axis for vanishing bifurcation parameter. But nevertheless, a finite dimensional reduction is possible, since the eigenvalues leave the imaginary axis with different velocities, if the bifurcation parameter is increased. In contrast to previous work we have to use normalform methods and a non-standard cut-off function to obtain a center manifold which is large enough to contain the bifurcating fronts.

Improving sub-grid scale accuracy of boundary features in regional finite-difference models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Panday, Sorab; Langevin, Christian D.

2012-01-01

As an alternative to grid refinement, the concept of a ghost node, which was developed for nested grid applications, has been extended towards improving sub-grid scale accuracy of flow to conduits, wells, rivers or other boundary features that interact with a finite-difference groundwater flow model. The formulation is presented for correcting the regular finite-difference groundwater flow equations for confined and unconfined cases, with or without Newton Raphson linearization of the nonlinearities, to include the Ghost Node Correction (GNC) for location displacement. The correction may be applied on the right-hand side vector for a symmetric finite-difference Picard implementation, or on the left-hand side matrix for an implicit but asymmetric implementation. The finite-difference matrix connectivity structure may be maintained for an implicit implementation by only selecting contributing nodes that are a part of the finite-difference connectivity. Proof of concept example problems are provided to demonstrate the improved accuracy that may be achieved through sub-grid scale corrections using the GNC schemes.

Plasma Theory and Simulation

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-06-30

equation using finite difference methods. The distribution function is represented by a large number of particles. The particle’s velocities change as a...Small angle Coulomb collisions The FP equation for describing small angle Coulomb collisions can be solved numerically using finite difference techniques...A finite Fourrier transform (FT) is made in z, then we can solve for each k using the following finite difference scheme [5]: 2{r 1 +l1 2 (,,+ 1 - fj

Neutron-deuteron analyzing power data at En=22.5 MeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weisel, G. J.; Tornow, W.; Crowell, A. S.; Esterline, J. H.; Hale, G. M.; Howell, C. R.; O'Malley, P. D.; Tompkins, J. R.; Witała, H.

2014-05-01

We present measurements of n-d analyzing power, Ay(θ), at En=22.5 MeV. The experiment uses a shielded neutron source which produced polarized neutrons via the 2H(d⃗,n⃗)3He reaction. It also uses a deuterated liquid-scintillator center detector and six pairs of liquid-scintillator neutron side detectors. Elastic neutron scattering events are identified by using time-of-flight techniques and by setting a window in the center detector pulse-height spectrum. The beam polarization is monitored by using a high-pressure helium gas cell and an additional pair of liquid-scintillator side detectors. The n-d Ay(θ) data were corrected for finite-geometry and multiple-scattering effects using a Monte Carlo simulation of the experiment. The 22.5-MeV data demonstrate that the three-nucleon analyzing power puzzle also exists at this energy. They show a significant discrepancy with predictions of high-precision nucleon-nucleon potentials alone or combined with Tucscon-Melbourne or Urbana IX three-nucleon forces, as well as currently available effective-field theory based potentials of next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order.

An Intercomparison of the Dynamical Cores of Global Atmospheric Circulation Models for Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hollingsworth, Jeffery L.; Bridger, Alison F. C.; Haberle, Robert M.

1998-01-01

This is a Final Report for a Joint Research Interchange (JRI) between NASA Ames Research Center and San Jose State University, Department of Meteorology. The focus of this JRI has been to evaluate the dynamical 'cores' of two global atmospheric circulation models for Mars that are in operation at the NASA Ames Research Center. The two global circulation models in use are fundamentally different: one uses spherical harmonics in its horizontal representation of field variables; the other uses finite differences on a uniform longitude-latitude grid. Several simulations have been conducted to assess how the dynamical processors of each of these circulation models perform using identical 'simple physics' parameterizations. A variety of climate statistics (e.g., time-mean flows and eddy fields) have been compared for realistic solstitial mean basic states. Results of this research have demonstrated that the two Mars circulation models with completely different spatial representations and discretizations produce rather similar circulation statistics for first-order meteorological fields, suggestive of a tendency for convergence of numerical solutions. Second and higher-order fields can, however, vary significantly between the two models.

Nanoengineering Testbed for Nanosolar Cell and Piezoelectric Compounds

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-29

element mesh. The third model was a 3D finite element mesh that included complete geometric representation of Berkovich tip. This model allows for a...height of the specimen. These simulations suggest the proper specimen size to approximate a body of semi-infinite extent for a given indentation depth...tip nanoindentation model was the third and final finite element mesh created for analysis and comparison. The material model and the finite element

Granular flow in silos with moving exit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

To, Kiwing

2017-11-01

We conducted granular flow experiments of mono-disperse plastic beads falling out of a cylindrical silos through a circular orifice at the bottom. When the diameter of the orifice is about twice that of the beads, no finite flow rate can be sustained because of clogging at the orifice. We constructed a silo with a bottom that can rotate with respect to the wall of the silo. Then one can rotate the bottom of the silo so that the orifice can rotate (or move in a circle if the orifice is off centered) with respect to the beads. In such a silo with rotating bottom, a finite flow rate can be sustained. While the flow rate Q depends on the angular frequency ω of the rotating bottom as well as the distance R of the orifice from the axis of the silo, Q at different ω and R can be collapsed to a single curve when Q when plotted against the product of ω and R. Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan 11529.

Vibration and flutter characteristics of the SR7L large-scale propfan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

August, Richard; Kaza, Krishna Rao V.

1988-01-01

An investigation of the vibration characteristics and aeroelastic stability of the SR7L Large-Scale Advanced Propfan was performed using a finite element blade model and an improved aeroelasticity code. Analyses were conducted for different blade pitch angles, blade support conditions, number of blades, rotational speeds, and freestream Mach numbers. A finite element model of the blade was used to determine the blade's vibration behavior and sensitivity to support stiffness. The calculated frequencies and mode shape obtained with this model agreed well with the published experimental data. A computer code recently developed at NASA Lewis Research Center and based on three-dimensional, unsteady, lifting surface aerodynamic theory was used for the aeroelastic analysis to examine the blade's stability at a cruise condition of Mach 0.8 at 1700 rpm. The results showed that the blade is stable for that operating point. However, a flutter condition was predicted if the cruise Mach number was increased to 0.9.

Estimation in a semi-Markov transformation model

PubMed Central

Dabrowska, Dorota M.

2012-01-01

Multi-state models provide a common tool for analysis of longitudinal failure time data. In biomedical applications, models of this kind are often used to describe evolution of a disease and assume that patient may move among a finite number of states representing different phases in the disease progression. Several authors developed extensions of the proportional hazard model for analysis of multi-state models in the presence of covariates. In this paper, we consider a general class of censored semi-Markov and modulated renewal processes and propose the use of transformation models for their analysis. Special cases include modulated renewal processes with interarrival times specified using transformation models, and semi-Markov processes with with one-step transition probabilities defined using copula-transformation models. We discuss estimation of finite and infinite dimensional parameters of the model, and develop an extension of the Gaussian multiplier method for setting confidence bands for transition probabilities. A transplant outcome data set from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research is used for illustrative purposes. PMID:22740583

Flow Cytometry with Gold Nanoparticles and their Clusters as scattering Contrast Agents: FDTD Simulation of Light-Cell Interaction

PubMed Central

Tanev, Stoyan; Sun, Wenbo; Pond, James; Tuchin, Valery V.; Zharov, Vladimir P.

2010-01-01

The formulation of the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) approach is presented in the framework of its potential applications to in vivo flow cytometry based on light scattering. The consideration is focused on comparison of light scattering by a single biological cell alone in controlled refractive index matching conditions and by cells labeled by gold nanoparticles. The optical schematics including phase contrast (OPCM) microscopy as a prospective modality for in vivo flow cytometry is also analyzed. The validation of the FDTD approach for the simulation of flow cytometry may open a new avenue in the development of advanced cytometric techniques based on scattering effects from nanoscale targets. PMID:19670359

Sensitivity analysis on the effective stiffness properties of 3-D orthotropic honeycomb cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karakoç, Alp

2018-01-01

The present study investigates the influences of representative volume element RVE mesh and material parameters, here cell wall elastic moduli, on the effective stiffness properties of three dimensional orthotropic honeycomb cores through strain driven computational homogenization in the finite element framework. For this purpose, case studies were carried out, for which hexagonal cellular RVEs were generated, meshed with eight node linear brick finite elements of varying numbers. Periodic boundary conditions were then implemented on the RVE boundaries by using one-to-one nodal match for the corresponding corners, edges and surfaces for the imposed macroscopic strains. As a novelty, orthotropic material properties were assigned for each cell wall by means of the transformation matrices following the cell wall orientations. Thereafter, simulations were conducted and volume averaged macroscopic stresses were obtained. Eventually, effective stiffness properties were obtained, through which RVE sensitivity analysis was carried out. The investigations indicate that there is a strong relation between number of finite elements and most of the effective stiffness parameters. In addition to this, cell wall elastic moduli also play critical role on the effective properties of the investigated materials.

User's Guide for ENSAERO_FE Parallel Finite Element Solver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eldred, Lloyd B.; Guruswamy, Guru P.

1999-01-01

A high fidelity parallel static structural analysis capability is created and interfaced to the multidisciplinary analysis package ENSAERO-MPI of Ames Research Center. This new module replaces ENSAERO's lower fidelity simple finite element and modal modules. Full aircraft structures may be more accurately modeled using the new finite element capability. Parallel computation is performed by breaking the full structure into multiple substructures. This approach is conceptually similar to ENSAERO's multizonal fluid analysis capability. The new substructure code is used to solve the structural finite element equations for each substructure in parallel. NASTRANKOSMIC is utilized as a front end for this code. Its full library of elements can be used to create an accurate and realistic aircraft model. It is used to create the stiffness matrices for each substructure. The new parallel code then uses an iterative preconditioned conjugate gradient method to solve the global structural equations for the substructure boundary nodes.

Center for Efficient Exascale Discretizations Software Suite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kolev, Tzanio; Dobrev, Veselin; Tomov, Vladimir

The CEED Software suite is a collection of generally applicable software tools focusing on the following computational motives: PDE discretizations on unstructured meshes, high-order finite element and spectral element methods and unstructured adaptive mesh refinement. All of this software is being developed as part of CEED, a co-design Center for Efficient Exascale Discretizations, within DOE's Exascale Computing Project (ECP) program.

A three-dimensional dual potential procedure with applications to wind tunnel inlets and interacting boundary layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rao, K. V.; Pletcher, R. H.; Steger, J. L.; Vandalsem, W. R.

1987-01-01

A dual potential decomposition of the velocity field into a scalar and a vector potential function is extended to three dimensions and used in the finite-difference simulation of steady three-dimensional inviscid rotational flows and viscous flow. The finite-difference procedure was used to simulate the flow through the 80 by 120 ft wind tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. Rotational flow produced by the stagnation pressure drop across vanes and screens which are located at the entrance of the inlet is modeled using actuator disk theory. Results are presented for two different inlet vane and screen configurations. The numerical predictions are in good agreement with experimental data. The dual potential procedure was also applied to calculate the viscous flow along two and three dimensional troughs. Viscous effects are simulated by injecting vorticity which is computed from a boundary layer algorithm. For attached flow over a three dimensional trough, the present calculations are in good agreement with other numerical predictions. For separated flow, it is shown from a two dimensional analysis that the boundary layer approximation provides an accurate measure of the vorticity in regions close to the wall; whereas further away from the wall, caution has to be exercised in using the boundary-layer equations to supply vorticity to the dual potential formulation.

Application of 'steady' state finite element and transient finite difference theory to sound propagation in a variable duct - A comparison with experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumeister, K. J.; Eversman, W.; Astley, R. J.; White, J. W.

1981-01-01

Experimental data are presented for sound propagation in a simulated infinite hard wall duct with a large change in duct cross sectional area. The data are conveniently tabulated for further use. The 'steady' state finite element theory of Astley and Eversman (1981) and the transient finite difference theory of White (1981) are in good agreement with the data for both the axial and transverse pressure profiles and the axial phase angle. Therefore, numerical finite difference and finite element theories appear to be ideally suited for handling duct propagation problems which encounter large axial gradients in acoustic parameters. The measured energy reflection coefficient agrees with the values from the Astley-Eversman modal coupling model.

Development of Implicit Methods in CFD NASA Ames Research Center 1970's - 1980's

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pulliam, Thomas H.

2010-01-01

The focus here is on the early development (mid 1970's-1980's) at NASA Ames Research Center of implicit methods in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). A class of implicit finite difference schemes of the Beam and Warming approximate factorization type will be addressed. The emphasis will be on the Euler equations. A review of material pertinent to the solution of the Euler equations within the framework of implicit methods will be presented. The eigensystem of the equations will be used extensively in developing a framework for various methods applied to the Euler equations. The development and analysis of various aspects of this class of schemes will be given along with the motivations behind many of the choices. Various acceleration and efficiency modifications such as matrix reduction, diagonalization and flux split schemes will be presented.

Numerical studies of the margin of vortices with decaying cores

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, G. C.; Ting, L.

1986-01-01

The merging of vortices to a single one is a canonical incompressible viscous flow problem. The merging process begins when the core sizes or the vortices are comparable to their distances and ends when the contour lines of constant vorticity lines are circularized around one center. Approximate solutions to this problem are constructed by adapting the asymptotic solutions for distinct vortices. For the early stage of merging, the next-order terms in the asymptotic solutions are added to the leading term. For the later stage of merging, the vorticity distribution is reinitialized by vortices with overlapping core structures guided by the 'rule of merging' and the velocity of the 'vortex centers' are then defined by a minimum principle. To show the accuracy of the approximate solution, it is compared with the finite-difference solution.

Multiscale smeared finite element model for mass transport in biological tissue: From blood vessels to cells and cellular organelles.

PubMed

Kojic, M; Milosevic, M; Simic, V; Koay, E J; Kojic, N; Ziemys, A; Ferrari, M

2018-05-21

One of the basic and vital processes in living organisms is mass exchange, which occurs on several levels: it goes from blood vessels to cells and organelles within cells. On that path, molecules, as oxygen, metabolic products, drugs, etc. Traverse different macro and micro environments - blood, extracellular/intracellular space, and interior of organelles; and also biological barriers such as walls of blood vessels and membranes of cells and organelles. Many aspects of this mass transport remain unknown, particularly the biophysical mechanisms governing drug delivery. The main research approach relies on laboratory and clinical investigations. In parallel, considerable efforts have been directed to develop computational tools for additional insight into the intricate process of mass exchange and transport. Along these lines, we have recently formulated a composite smeared finite element (CSFE) which is composed of the smeared continuum pressure and concentration fields of the capillary and lymphatic system, and of these fields within tissue. The element offers an elegant and simple procedure which opens up new lines of inquiry and can be applied to large systems such as organs and tumors models. Here, we extend this concept to a multiscale scheme which concurrently couples domains that span from large blood vessels, capillaries and lymph, to cell cytosol and further to organelles of nanometer size. These spatial physical domains are coupled by the appropriate connectivity elements representing biological barriers. The composite finite element has "degrees of freedom" which include pressures and concentrations of all compartments of the vessels-tissue assemblage. The overall model uses the standard, measurable material properties of the continuum biological environments and biological barriers. It can be considered as a framework into which we can incorporate various additional effects (such as electrical or biochemical) for transport through membranes or within cells. This concept and the developed FE software within our package PAK offers a computational tool that can be applied to whole-organ systems, while also including specific domains such as tumors. The solved examples demonstrate the accuracy of this model and its applicability to large biological systems. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The extent of clonal structure in different lymphoid organs

PubMed Central

1992-01-01

To gain insight into the clonal organization of lymphoid organs, we studied the distribution in situ of donor-derived cells in near- physiological chimeras. We introduced RT7b fetal liver cells into nonirradiated congenic RT7a neonatal rats. The chimerism 6-20 wk after injection ranged from 0.3 to 20%. The numbers of cell clones simultaneously contributing to cell generation in a particular histological feature were deduced from the variance in donor cell distribution. In bone marrow and thymus, donor-derived lymphoid cells were found scattered among host cells, indicating a high mobility of cells. In bone marrow, donor cells were evenly distributed over the entire marrow, even at low chimerism. This indicates that leukopoiesis is maintained by the proliferation of many clones. In the thymus, the various lobules showed different quantities of donor-derived lymphoid cells. Mathematical analysis of these differences indicated that 17-18 cell division cycles occur in the cortex. In spleen, the distribution of donor-derived cells over the germinal centers indicated that 5 d after antigenic stimulation, germinal centers develop oligoclonally. The main conclusions of this work are that (a) bone marrow and thymus are highly polyclonal; (b) 17-18 divisions occur between prothymocyte and mature T cell; and (c) lymphoid cells disperse rapidly while proliferating and differentiating. PMID:1569396

Computational split-field finite-difference time-domain evaluation of simplified tilt-angle models for parallel-aligned liquid-crystal devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Márquez, Andrés; Francés, Jorge; Martínez, Francisco J.; Gallego, Sergi; Álvarez, Mariela L.; Calzado, Eva M.; Pascual, Inmaculada; Beléndez, Augusto

2018-03-01

Simplified analytical models with predictive capability enable simpler and faster optimization of the performance in applications of complex photonic devices. We recently demonstrated the most simplified analytical model still showing predictive capability for parallel-aligned liquid crystal on silicon (PA-LCoS) devices, which provides the voltage-dependent retardance for a very wide range of incidence angles and any wavelength in the visible. We further show that the proposed model is not only phenomenological but also physically meaningful, since two of its parameters provide the correct values for important internal properties of these devices related to the birefringence, cell gap, and director profile. Therefore, the proposed model can be used as a means to inspect internal physical properties of the cell. As an innovation, we also show the applicability of the split-field finite-difference time-domain (SF-FDTD) technique for phase-shift and retardance evaluation of PA-LCoS devices under oblique incidence. As a simplified model for PA-LCoS devices, we also consider the exact description of homogeneous birefringent slabs. However, we show that, despite its higher degree of simplification, the proposed model is more robust, providing unambiguous and physically meaningful solutions when fitting its parameters.

User guide for MODPATH version 6 - A particle-tracking model for MODFLOW

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pollock, David W.

2012-01-01

MODPATH is a particle-tracking post-processing model that computes three-dimensional flow paths using output from groundwater flow simulations based on MODFLOW, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) finite-difference groundwater flow model. This report documents MODPATH version 6. Previous versions were documented in USGS Open-File Reports 89-381 and 94-464. The program uses a semianalytical particle-tracking scheme that allows an analytical expression of a particle's flow path to be obtained within each finite-difference grid cell. A particle's path is computed by tracking the particle from one cell to the next until it reaches a boundary, an internal sink/source, or satisfies another termination criterion. Data input to MODPATH consists of a combination of MODFLOW input data files, MODFLOW head and flow output files, and other input files specific to MODPATH. Output from MODPATH consists of several output files, including a number of particle coordinate output files intended to serve as input data for other programs that process, analyze, and display the results in various ways. MODPATH is written in FORTRAN and can be compiled by any FORTRAN compiler that fully supports FORTRAN-2003 or by most commercially available FORTRAN-95 compilers that support the major FORTRAN-2003 language extensions.

Increasing the open-circuit voltage of photoprotein-based photoelectrochemical cells by manipulation of the vacuum potential of the electrolytes.

PubMed

Tan, Swee Ching; Crouch, Lucy I; Mahajan, Sumeet; Jones, Michael R; Welland, Mark E

2012-10-23

The innately highly efficient light-powered separation of charge that underpins natural photosynthesis can be exploited for applications in photoelectrochemistry by coupling nanoscale protein photoreaction centers to man-made electrodes. Planar photoelectrochemical cells employing purple bacterial reaction centers have been constructed that produce a direct current under continuous illumination and an alternating current in response to discontinuous illumination. The present work explored the basis of the open-circuit voltage (V(OC)) produced by such cells with reaction center/antenna (RC-LH1) proteins as the photovoltaic component. It was established that an up to ~30-fold increase in V(OC) could be achieved by simple manipulation of the electrolyte connecting the protein to the counter electrode, with an approximately linear relationship being observed between the vacuum potential of the electrolyte and the resulting V(OC). We conclude that the V(OC) of such a cell is dependent on the potential difference between the electrolyte and the photo-oxidized bacteriochlorophylls in the reaction center. The steady-state short-circuit current (J(SC)) obtained under continuous illumination also varied with different electrolytes by a factor of ~6-fold. The findings demonstrate a simple way to boost the voltage output of such protein-based cells into the hundreds of millivolts range typical of dye-sensitized and polymer-blend solar cells, while maintaining or improving the J(SC). Possible strategies for further increasing the V(OC) of such protein-based photoelectrochemical cells through protein engineering are discussed.

GEMPIC: geometric electromagnetic particle-in-cell methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraus, Michael; Kormann, Katharina; Morrison, Philip J.; Sonnendrücker, Eric

2017-08-01

We present a novel framework for finite element particle-in-cell methods based on the discretization of the underlying Hamiltonian structure of the Vlasov-Maxwell system. We derive a semi-discrete Poisson bracket, which retains the defining properties of a bracket, anti-symmetry and the Jacobi identity, as well as conservation of its Casimir invariants, implying that the semi-discrete system is still a Hamiltonian system. In order to obtain a fully discrete Poisson integrator, the semi-discrete bracket is used in conjunction with Hamiltonian splitting methods for integration in time. Techniques from finite element exterior calculus ensure conservation of the divergence of the magnetic field and Gauss' law as well as stability of the field solver. The resulting methods are gauge invariant, feature exact charge conservation and show excellent long-time energy and momentum behaviour. Due to the generality of our framework, these conservation properties are guaranteed independently of a particular choice of the finite element basis, as long as the corresponding finite element spaces satisfy certain compatibility conditions.

Modeling and Evaluation of Canted Coil Springs as High Temperature Seal Preloading Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oswald, Jay J.; Mullen, Robert L.; Dunlap, Patrick H., Jr.; Steinetz, Bruce M.

2004-01-01

Future reusable launch vehicles will require advanced structural seals. This includes propulsion seals along edges and hinge lines in hypersonic engines, and control surface seals for movable flaps and elevons on proposed reentry vehicles. Seals must remain in sealing engagement with opposing surfaces, for multiple missions, even though the seal gap may be opening and closing due to thermal and structural loads. To meet this requirement either the seals themselves must be resilient or there must be a resilient structural element behind the seals. Case Western Reserve University is working with NASA s Glenn Research Center to develop more resilient high temperature seal components and preloading devices. Results are presented for a finite element analysis of a canted coil spring that is being considered as a high temperature seal preloading device. This type of spring is a leading candidate due to its ability to provide nearly constant force over a large deflection. The finite element analyses were verified by comparing them to experimental results of canted coil springs of three different stiffnesses, measured at Glenn Research Center. Once validated the parameterized model was combined with a scripting algorithm to assess the effects of key spring design variables (wire diameter, coils per inch, cant amplitude, eccentricity, and spring width) on spring stiffness and maximum Von Mises stress to aid in subsequent design.

Establishing a stem cell culture laboratory for clinical trials

PubMed Central

Sekiya, Elíseo Joji; Forte, Andresa; Kühn, Telma Ingrid Borges de Bellis; Janz, Felipe; Bydlowski, Sérgio Paulo; Alves, Adelson

2012-01-01

Adult stem/progenitor cells are found in different human tissues. An in vitro cell culture is needed for their isolation or for their expansion when they are not available in a sufficient quantity to regenerate damaged organs and tissues. The level of complexity of these new technologies requires adequate facilities, qualified personnel with experience in cell culture techniques, assessment of quality and clear protocols for cell production. The rules for the implementation of cell therapy centers involve national and international standards of good manufacturing practices. However, such standards are not uniform, reflecting the diversity of technical and scientific development. Here standards from the United States, the European Union and Brazil are analyzed. Moreover, practical solutions encountered for the implementation of a cell therapy center appropriate for the preparation and supply of cultured cells for clinical studies are described. Development stages involved the planning and preparation of the project, the construction of the facility, standardization of laboratory procedures and development of systems to prevent cross contamination. Combining the theoretical knowledge of research centers involved in the study of cells with the practical experience of blood therapy services that manage structures for cell transplantation is presented as the best potential for synergy to meet the demands to implement cell therapy centers. PMID:23049427

Fully-Implicit Navier-Stokes (FIN-S)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kirk, Benjamin S.

2010-01-01

FIN-S is a SUPG finite element code for flow problems under active development at NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and within PECOS: a) The code is built on top of the libMesh parallel, adaptive finite element library. b) The initial implementation of the code targeted supersonic/hypersonic laminar calorically perfect gas flows & conjugate heat transfer. c) Initial extension to thermochemical nonequilibrium about 9 months ago. d) The technologies in FIN-S have been enhanced through a strongly collaborative research effort with Sandia National Labs.

Localization and Spreading of Diseases in Complex Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goltsev, A. V.; Dorogovtsev, S. N.; Oliveira, J. G.; Mendes, J. F. F.

2012-09-01

Using the susceptible-infected-susceptible model on unweighted and weighted networks, we consider the disease localization phenomenon. In contrast to the well-recognized point of view that diseases infect a finite fraction of vertices right above the epidemic threshold, we show that diseases can be localized on a finite number of vertices, where hubs and edges with large weights are centers of localization. Our results follow from the analysis of standard models of networks and empirical data for real-world networks.

Finite Element Analysis of M15 and M19 Mines Under Wheeled Vehicle Load

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

the plate statically. An implicit finite element option in a code called LSDYNA was used to model the pressure generated in the explosive by the...figure 4 for the M19 mines. Maximum pressure in the explosive for each mine calculated by LSDYNA code shown for a variety of plate sizes and weights...Director U.S. Army TRADOC Analysis Center-WSMR ATTN: ATRC-WSS-R White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002 Chemical Propulsion Information Agency ATTN

Recent Developments in Computational Techniques for Applied Hydrodynamics.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-07

by block number) Numerical Method Fluids Incompressible Flow Finite Difference Methods Poisson Equation Convective Equations -MABSTRACT (Continue on...weaknesses of the different approaches are analyzed. Finite - difference techniques have particularly attractive properties in this framework. Hence it will...be worthwhile to correct, at least partially, the difficulties from which Eulerian and Lagrangian finite - difference techniques suffer, discussed in

SV40-transformed human fibroblasts: evidence for cellular aging in pre-crisis cells.

PubMed

Stein, G H

1985-10-01

Pre-crisis SV40-transformed human diploid fibroblast (HDF) cultures have a finite proliferative lifespan, but they do not enter a viable senescent state at end of lifespan. Little is known about either the mechanism for this finite lifespan in SV40-transformed HDF or its relationship to finite lifespan in normal HDF. Recently we proposed that in normal HDF the phenomena of finite lifespan and arrest in a viable senescent state depend on two separate processes: 1) an age-related decrease in the ability of the cells to recognize or respond to serum and/or other mitogens such that the cells become functionally mitogen-deprived at the end of lifespan; and 2) the ability of the cells to enter a viable, G1-arrested state whenever they experience mitogen deprivation. In this paper, data are presented that suggest that pre-crisis SV40-transformed HDF retain the first process described above, but lack the second process. It is shown that SV40-transformed HDF have a progressively decreasing ability to respond to serum as they age, but they continue to traverse the cell cycle at the end of lifespan. Concomitantly, the rate of cell death increases steadily toward the end of lifespan, thereby causing the total population to cease growing and ultimately to decline. Previous studies have shown that when SV40-transformed HDF are environmentally serum deprived, they likewise exhibit continued cell cycle traverse coupled with increased cell death. Thus, these results support the hypothesis that pre-crisis SV40-transformed HDF still undergo the same aging process as do normal HDF, but they end their lifespan in crisis rather than in the normal G1-arrested senescent state because they have lost their ability to enter a viable, G1-arrested state in response to mitogen deprivation.

MODFLOW-2005 : the U.S. Geological Survey modular ground-water model--the ground-water flow process

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harbaugh, Arlen W.

2005-01-01

This report presents MODFLOW-2005, which is a new version of the finite-difference ground-water model commonly called MODFLOW. Ground-water flow is simulated using a block-centered finite-difference approach. Layers can be simulated as confined or unconfined. Flow associated with external stresses, such as wells, areal recharge, evapotranspiration, drains, and rivers, also can be simulated. The report includes detailed explanations of physical and mathematical concepts on which the model is based, an explanation of how those concepts are incorporated in the modular structure of the computer program, instructions for using the model, and details of the computer code. The modular structure consists of a MAIN Program and a series of highly independent subroutines. The subroutines are grouped into 'packages.' Each package deals with a specific feature of the hydrologic system that is to be simulated, such as flow from rivers or flow into drains, or with a specific method of solving the set of simultaneous equations resulting from the finite-difference method. Several solution methods are incorporated, including the Preconditioned Conjugate-Gradient method. The division of the program into packages permits the user to examine specific hydrologic features of the model independently. This also facilitates development of additional capabilities because new packages can be added to the program without modifying the existing packages. The input and output systems of the computer program also are designed to permit maximum flexibility. The program is designed to allow other capabilities, such as transport and optimization, to be incorporated, but this report is limited to describing the ground-water flow capability. The program is written in Fortran 90 and will run without modification on most computers that have a Fortran 90 compiler.

Finite element analysis of a micromechanical deformable mirror device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sheerer, T. J.; Nelson, W. E.; Hornbeck, L. J.

1989-01-01

A monolithic spatial light modulator chip was developed consisting of a large number of micrometer-scale mirror cells which can be rotated through an angle by application of an electrostatic field. The field is generated by electronics integral to the chip. The chip has application in photoreceptor based non-impact printing technologies. Chips containing over 16000 cells were fabricated, and were tested to several billions of cycles. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of the device was used to model both the electrical and mechanical characteristics.

High-performance finite-difference time-domain simulations of C-Mod and ITER RF antennas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jenkins, Thomas G.; Smithe, David N.

2015-12-01

Finite-difference time-domain methods have, in recent years, developed powerful capabilities for modeling realistic ICRF behavior in fusion plasmas [1, 2, 3, 4]. When coupled with the power of modern high-performance computing platforms, such techniques allow the behavior of antenna near and far fields, and the flow of RF power, to be studied in realistic experimental scenarios at previously inaccessible levels of resolution. In this talk, we present results and 3D animations from high-performance FDTD simulations on the Titan Cray XK7 supercomputer, modeling both Alcator C-Mod's field-aligned ICRF antenna and the ITER antenna module. Much of this work focuses on scans over edge density, and tailored edge density profiles, to study dispersion and the physics of slow wave excitation in the immediate vicinity of the antenna hardware and SOL. An understanding of the role of the lower-hybrid resonance in low-density scenarios is emerging, and possible implications of this for the NSTX launcher and power balance are also discussed. In addition, we discuss ongoing work centered on using these simulations to estimate sputtering and impurity production, as driven by the self-consistent sheath potentials at antenna surfaces.

High-performance finite-difference time-domain simulations of C-Mod and ITER RF antennas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jenkins, Thomas G., E-mail: tgjenkins@txcorp.com; Smithe, David N., E-mail: smithe@txcorp.com

Finite-difference time-domain methods have, in recent years, developed powerful capabilities for modeling realistic ICRF behavior in fusion plasmas [1, 2, 3, 4]. When coupled with the power of modern high-performance computing platforms, such techniques allow the behavior of antenna near and far fields, and the flow of RF power, to be studied in realistic experimental scenarios at previously inaccessible levels of resolution. In this talk, we present results and 3D animations from high-performance FDTD simulations on the Titan Cray XK7 supercomputer, modeling both Alcator C-Mod’s field-aligned ICRF antenna and the ITER antenna module. Much of this work focuses on scansmore » over edge density, and tailored edge density profiles, to study dispersion and the physics of slow wave excitation in the immediate vicinity of the antenna hardware and SOL. An understanding of the role of the lower-hybrid resonance in low-density scenarios is emerging, and possible implications of this for the NSTX launcher and power balance are also discussed. In addition, we discuss ongoing work centered on using these simulations to estimate sputtering and impurity production, as driven by the self-consistent sheath potentials at antenna surfaces.« less

Mixed finite-difference scheme for free vibration analysis of noncircular cylinders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noor, A. K.; Stephens, W. B.

1973-01-01

A mixed finite-difference scheme is presented for the free-vibration analysis of simply supported closed noncircular cylindrical shells. The problem is formulated in terms of eight first-order differential equations in the circumferential coordinate which possess a symmetric coefficient matrix and are free of the derivatives of the elastic and geometric characteristics of the shell. In the finite-difference discretization, two interlacing grids are used for the different fundamental unknowns in such a way as to avoid averaging in the difference-quotient expressions used for the first derivative. The resulting finite-difference equations are symmetric. The inverse-power method is used for obtaining the eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

Simulating reservoir leakage in ground-water models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fenske, J.P.; Leake, S.A.; Prudic, David E.

1997-01-01

Leakage to ground water resulting from the expansion and contraction of reservoirs cannot be easily simulated by most ground-water flow models. An algorithm, entitled the Reservoir Package, was developed for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) three-dimensional finite-difference modular ground-water flow model MODFLOW. The Reservoir Package automates the process of specifying head-dependent boundary cells, eliminating the need to divide a simulation into many stress periods while improving accuracy in simulating changes in ground-water levels resulting from transient reservoir stage. Leakage between the reservoir and the underlying aquifer is simulated for each model cell corrresponding to the inundated area by multiplying the head difference between the reservoir and the aquifer with the hydraulic conductance of the reservoir-bed sediments.

Test functions for three-dimensional control-volume mixed finite-element methods on irregular grids

USGS Publications Warehouse

Naff, R.L.; Russell, T.F.; Wilson, J.D.; ,; ,; ,; ,; ,

2000-01-01

Numerical methods based on unstructured grids, with irregular cells, usually require discrete shape functions to approximate the distribution of quantities across cells. For control-volume mixed finite-element methods, vector shape functions are used to approximate the distribution of velocities across cells and vector test functions are used to minimize the error associated with the numerical approximation scheme. For a logically cubic mesh, the lowest-order shape functions are chosen in a natural way to conserve intercell fluxes that vary linearly in logical space. Vector test functions, while somewhat restricted by the mapping into the logical reference cube, admit a wider class of possibilities. Ideally, an error minimization procedure to select the test function from an acceptable class of candidates would be the best procedure. Lacking such a procedure, we first investigate the effect of possible test functions on the pressure distribution over the control volume; specifically, we look for test functions that allow for the elimination of intermediate pressures on cell faces. From these results, we select three forms for the test function for use in a control-volume mixed method code and subject them to an error analysis for different forms of grid irregularity; errors are reported in terms of the discrete L2 norm of the velocity error. Of these three forms, one appears to produce optimal results for most forms of grid irregularity.

Simulation of reflectometry Bragg backscattering spectral responses in the absence of a cutoff layer.

PubMed

da Silva, F; da Graça, S; Heuraux, S; Conway, G D

2010-10-01

Experimental reflectometry signals obtained in the absence of a cutoff layer, with the possibility of interferometric operation excluded, show a coherent and recurrent frequency spectrum signature similar to an Alfvén cascade signature. A possible explanation resides in the modulation of a resonant Bragg backscattering response by an Alfvén mode structure located at the center of the plasma whose frequency of oscillation modulates the backscattered signal in a conformable way. This situation is modeled and simulated using an O-mode full-wave Maxwell finite-difference time-domain code and the resulting signatures are discussed.

Numerical boundary condition procedures and multigrid methods; Proceedings of the Symposium, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, October 19-22, 1981

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

Papers presented in this volume provide an overview of recent work on numerical boundary condition procedures and multigrid methods. The topics discussed include implicit boundary conditions for the solution of the parabolized Navier-Stokes equations for supersonic flows; far field boundary conditions for compressible flows; and influence of boundary approximations and conditions on finite-difference solutions. Papers are also presented on fully implicit shock tracking and on the stability of two-dimensional hyperbolic initial boundary value problems for explicit and implicit schemes.

Compressive Loading and Modeling of Stitched Composite Stiffeners

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leone, Frank A., Jr.; Jegley, Dawn C.; Linton, Kim A.

2016-01-01

A series of single-frame and single-stringer compression tests were conducted at NASA Langley Research Center on specimens harvested from a large panel built using the Pultruded Rod Stitched Efficient Unitized Structure (PRSEUS) concept. Different frame and stringer designs were used in fabrication of the PRSEUS panel. In this paper, the details of the experimental testing of single-frame and single-stringer compression specimens are presented, as well as discussions on the performance of the various structural configurations included in the panel. Nonlinear finite element models were developed to further understand the failure processes observed during the experimental campaign.

Radiation of sound from unflanged cylindrical ducts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartharan, S. L.; Bayliss, A.

1983-01-01

Calculations of sound radiated from unflanged cylindrical ducts are presented. The numerical simulation models the problem of an aero-engine inlet. The time dependent linearized Euler equations are solved from a state of rest until a harmonic solution is attained. A fourth order accurate finite difference scheme is used and solutions are obtained from a fully vectorized Cyber-203 computer program. Cases of both plane waves and spin modes are treated. Spin modes model the sound generated by a turbofan engine. Boundary conditions for both plane waves and spin modes are treated. Solutions obtained are compared with experiments conducted at NASA Langley Research Center.

Investigation of chemically-reacting supersonic internal flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chitsomboon, T.; Tiwari, S. N.

1985-01-01

This report covers work done on the research project Analysis and Computation of Internal Flow Field in a Scramjet Engine. The work is supported by the NASA Langley Research Center (Computational Methods Branch of the High-Speed Aerodynamics Division) through research grant NAG1-423. The governing equations of two-dimensional chemically-reacting flows are presented together with the global two-step chemistry model. The finite-difference algorithm used is illustrated and the method of circumventing the stiffness is discussed. The computer program developed is used to solve two model problems of a premixed chemically-reacting flow. The results obtained are physically reasonable.

Application of closed-form solutions to a mesh point field in silicon solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lamorte, M. F.

1985-01-01

A computer simulation method is discussed that provides for equivalent simulation accuracy, but that exhibits significantly lower CPU running time per bias point compared to other techniques. This new method is applied to a mesh point field as is customary in numerical integration (NI) techniques. The assumption of a linear approximation for the dependent variable, which is typically used in the finite difference and finite element NI methods, is not required. Instead, the set of device transport equations is applied to, and the closed-form solutions obtained for, each mesh point. The mesh point field is generated so that the coefficients in the set of transport equations exhibit small changes between adjacent mesh points. Application of this method to high-efficiency silicon solar cells is described; and the method by which Auger recombination, ambipolar considerations, built-in and induced electric fields, bandgap narrowing, carrier confinement, and carrier diffusivities are treated. Bandgap narrowing has been investigated using Fermi-Dirac statistics, and these results show that bandgap narrowing is more pronounced and that it is temperature-dependent in contrast to the results based on Boltzmann statistics.

Discontinuous Finite Element Quasidiffusion Methods

DOE PAGES

Anistratov, Dmitriy Yurievich; Warsa, James S.

2018-05-21

Here in this paper, two-level methods for solving transport problems in one-dimensional slab geometry based on the quasi-diffusion (QD) method are developed. A linear discontinuous finite element method (LDFEM) is derived for the spatial discretization of the low-order QD (LOQD) equations. It involves special interface conditions at the cell edges based on the idea of QD boundary conditions (BCs). We consider different kinds of QD BCs to formulate the necessary cell-interface conditions. We develop two-level methods with independent discretization of the high-order transport equation and LOQD equations, where the transport equation is discretized using the method of characteristics and themore » LDFEM is applied to the LOQD equations. We also formulate closures that lead to the discretization consistent with a LDFEM discretization of the transport equation. The proposed methods are studied by means of test problems formulated with the method of manufactured solutions. Numerical experiments are presented demonstrating the performance of the proposed methods. Lastly, we also show that the method with independent discretization has the asymptotic diffusion limit.« less

Discontinuous Finite Element Quasidiffusion Methods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anistratov, Dmitriy Yurievich; Warsa, James S.

Here in this paper, two-level methods for solving transport problems in one-dimensional slab geometry based on the quasi-diffusion (QD) method are developed. A linear discontinuous finite element method (LDFEM) is derived for the spatial discretization of the low-order QD (LOQD) equations. It involves special interface conditions at the cell edges based on the idea of QD boundary conditions (BCs). We consider different kinds of QD BCs to formulate the necessary cell-interface conditions. We develop two-level methods with independent discretization of the high-order transport equation and LOQD equations, where the transport equation is discretized using the method of characteristics and themore » LDFEM is applied to the LOQD equations. We also formulate closures that lead to the discretization consistent with a LDFEM discretization of the transport equation. The proposed methods are studied by means of test problems formulated with the method of manufactured solutions. Numerical experiments are presented demonstrating the performance of the proposed methods. Lastly, we also show that the method with independent discretization has the asymptotic diffusion limit.« less

Auralization of concert hall acoustics using finite difference time domain methods and wave field synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hochgraf, Kelsey

Auralization methods have been used for a long time to simulate the acoustics of a concert hall for different seat positions. The goal of this thesis was to apply the concept of auralization to a larger audience area that the listener could walk through to compare differences in acoustics for a wide range of seat positions. For this purpose, the acoustics of Rensselaer's Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) Concert Hall were simulated to create signals for a 136 channel wave field synthesis (WFS) system located at Rensselaer's Collaborative Research Augmented Immersive Virtual Environment (CRAIVE) Laboratory. By allowing multiple people to dynamically experience the concert hall's acoustics at the same time, this research gained perspective on what is important for achieving objective accuracy and subjective plausibility in an auralization. A finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation on a three-dimensional face-centered cubic grid, combined at a crossover frequency of 800 Hz with a CATT-Acoustic(TM) simulation, was found to have a reverberation time, direct to reverberant sound energy ratio, and early reflection pattern that more closely matched measured data from the hall compared to a CATT-Acoustic(TM) simulation and other hybrid simulations. In the CRAIVE lab, nine experienced listeners found all hybrid auralizations (with varying source location, grid resolution, crossover frequency, and number of loudspeakers) to be more perceptually plausible than the CATT-Acoustic(TM) auralization. The FDTD simulation required two days to compute, while the CATT-Acoustic(TM) simulation required three separate TUCT(TM) computations, each taking four hours, to accommodate the large number of receivers. Given the perceptual advantages realized with WFS for auralization of a large, inhomogeneous sound field, it is recommended that hybrid simulations be used in the future to achieve more accurate and plausible auralizations. Predictions are made for a parallelized version of the simulation code that could achieve such auralizations in less than one hour, making the tool practical for everyday application.

An energy- and charge-conserving, nonlinearly implicit, electromagnetic 1D-3V Vlasov-Darwin particle-in-cell algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, G.; Chacón, L.

2014-10-01

A recent proof-of-principle study proposes a nonlinear electrostatic implicit particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm in one dimension (Chen et al., 2011). The algorithm employs a kinetically enslaved Jacobian-free Newton-Krylov (JFNK) method, and conserves energy and charge to numerical round-off. In this study, we generalize the method to electromagnetic simulations in 1D using the Darwin approximation to Maxwell's equations, which avoids radiative noise issues by ordering out the light wave. An implicit, orbit-averaged, time-space-centered finite difference scheme is employed in both the 1D Darwin field equations (in potential form) and the 1D-3V particle orbit equations to produce a discrete system that remains exactly charge- and energy-conserving. Furthermore, enabled by the implicit Darwin equations, exact conservation of the canonical momentum per particle in any ignorable direction is enforced via a suitable scattering rule for the magnetic field. We have developed a simple preconditioner that targets electrostatic waves and skin currents, and allows us to employ time steps O(√{mi /me } c /veT) larger than the explicit CFL. Several 1D numerical experiments demonstrate the accuracy, performance, and conservation properties of the algorithm. In particular, the scheme is shown to be second-order accurate, and CPU speedups of more than three orders of magnitude vs. an explicit Vlasov-Maxwell solver are demonstrated in the "cold" plasma regime (where kλD ≪ 1).

The application of an atomistic J-integral to a ductile crack.

PubMed

Zimmerman, Jonathan A; Jones, Reese E

2013-04-17

In this work we apply a Lagrangian kernel-based estimator of continuum fields to atomic data to estimate the J-integral for the emission dislocations from a crack tip. Face-centered cubic (fcc) gold and body-centered cubic (bcc) iron modeled with embedded atom method (EAM) potentials are used as example systems. The results of a single crack with a K-loading compare well to an analytical solution from anisotropic linear elastic fracture mechanics. We also discovered that in the post-emission of dislocations from the crack tip there is a loop size-dependent contribution to the J-integral. For a system with a finite width crack loaded in simple tension, the finite size effects for the systems that were feasible to compute prevented precise agreement with theory. However, our results indicate that there is a trend towards convergence.

Hybrid simulation combining two space-time discretization of the discrete-velocity Boltzmann equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horstmann, Jan Tobias; Le Garrec, Thomas; Mincu, Daniel-Ciprian; Lévêque, Emmanuel

2017-11-01

Despite the efficiency and low dissipation of the stream-collide scheme of the discrete-velocity Boltzmann equation, which is nowadays implemented in many lattice Boltzmann solvers, a major drawback exists over alternative discretization schemes, i.e. finite-volume or finite-difference, that is the limitation to Cartesian uniform grids. In this paper, an algorithm is presented that combines the positive features of each scheme in a hybrid lattice Boltzmann method. In particular, the node-based streaming of the distribution functions is coupled with a second-order finite-volume discretization of the advection term of the Boltzmann equation under the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook approximation. The algorithm is established on a multi-domain configuration, with the individual schemes being solved on separate sub-domains and connected by an overlapping interface of at least 2 grid cells. A critical parameter in the coupling is the CFL number equal to unity, which is imposed by the stream-collide algorithm. Nevertheless, a semi-implicit treatment of the collision term in the finite-volume formulation allows us to obtain a stable solution for this condition. The algorithm is validated in the scope of three different test cases on a 2D periodic mesh. It is shown that the accuracy of the combined discretization schemes agrees with the order of each separate scheme involved. The overall numerical error of the hybrid algorithm in the macroscopic quantities is contained between the error of the two individual algorithms. Finally, we demonstrate how such a coupling can be used to adapt to anisotropic flows with some gradual mesh refinement in the FV domain.

Probing Formability Improvement of Ultra-thin Ferritic Stainless Steel Bipolar Plate of PEMFC in Non-conventional Forming Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bong, Hyuk Jong; Barlat, Frédéric; Lee, Myoung-Gyu

2016-08-01

Formability increase in non-conventional forming profiles programmed in the servo-press was investigated using finite element analysis. As an application, forming experiment on a 0.15-mm-thick ferritic stainless steel sheet for a bipolar plate, a primary component of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, was conducted. Four different forming profiles were considered to investigate the effects of forming profiles on formability and shape accuracy. The four motions included conventional V motion, holding motion, W motion, and oscillating motion. Among the four motions, the holding motion, in which the slide was held for a certain period at the bottom dead point, led to the best formability. Finite element simulations were conducted to validate the experimental results and to probe the formability improvement in the non-conventional forming profiles. A creep model to address stress relaxation effect along with tool elastic recovery was implemented using a user-material subroutine, CREEP in ABAQUS finite element software. The stress relaxation and variable contact conditions during the holding and oscillating profiles were found to be the main mechanism of formability improvement.

Design of a Collapse-Mode CMUT With an Embossed Membrane for Improving Output Pressure.

PubMed

Yu, Yuanyu; Pun, Sio Hang; Mak, Peng Un; Cheng, Ching-Hsiang; Wang, Jiujiang; Mak, Pui-In; Vai, Mang I

2016-06-01

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) have emerged as a competitive alternative to piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers, especially in medical ultrasound imaging and therapeutic ultrasound applications, which require high output pressure. However, as compared with piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers, the output pressure capability of CMUTs remains to be improved. In this paper, a novel structure is proposed by forming an embossed vibrating membrane on a CMUT cell operating in the collapse mode to increase the maximum output pressure. By using a beam model in undamped conditions and finite-element analysis simulations, the proposed embossed structure showed improvement on the maximum output pressure of the CMUT cell when the embossed pattern was placed on the estimated location of the peak deflection. As compared with a uniform membrane CMUT cell worked in the collapse mode, the proposed CMUT cell can yield the maximum output pressure by 51.1% and 88.1% enhancement with a single embossed pattern made of Si3N4 and nickel, respectively. The maximum output pressures were improved by 34.9% (a single Si3N4 embossed pattern) and 46.7% (a single nickel embossed pattern) with the uniform membrane when the center frequencies of both original and embossed CMUT designs were similar.

MODFLOW–USG version 1: An unstructured grid version of MODFLOW for simulating groundwater flow and tightly coupled processes using a control volume finite-difference formulation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Panday, Sorab; Langevin, Christian D.; Niswonger, Richard G.; Ibaraki, Motomu; Hughes, Joseph D.

2013-01-01

A new version of MODFLOW, called MODFLOW–USG (for UnStructured Grid), was developed to support a wide variety of structured and unstructured grid types, including nested grids and grids based on prismatic triangles, rectangles, hexagons, and other cell shapes. Flexibility in grid design can be used to focus resolution along rivers and around wells, for example, or to subdiscretize individual layers to better represent hydrostratigraphic units. MODFLOW–USG is based on an underlying control volume finite difference (CVFD) formulation in which a cell can be connected to an arbitrary number of adjacent cells. To improve accuracy of the CVFD formulation for irregular grid-cell geometries or nested grids, a generalized Ghost Node Correction (GNC) Package was developed, which uses interpolated heads in the flow calculation between adjacent connected cells. MODFLOW–USG includes a Groundwater Flow (GWF) Process, based on the GWF Process in MODFLOW–2005, as well as a new Connected Linear Network (CLN) Process to simulate the effects of multi-node wells, karst conduits, and tile drains, for example. The CLN Process is tightly coupled with the GWF Process in that the equations from both processes are formulated into one matrix equation and solved simultaneously. This robustness results from using an unstructured grid with unstructured matrix storage and solution schemes. MODFLOW–USG also contains an optional Newton-Raphson formulation, based on the formulation in MODFLOW–NWT, for improving solution convergence and avoiding problems with the drying and rewetting of cells. Because the existing MODFLOW solvers were developed for structured and symmetric matrices, they were replaced with a new Sparse Matrix Solver (SMS) Package developed specifically for MODFLOW–USG. The SMS Package provides several methods for resolving nonlinearities and multiple symmetric and asymmetric linear solution schemes to solve the matrix arising from the flow equations and the Newton-Raphson formulation, respectively.

Finite difference and Runge-Kutta methods for solving vibration problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lintang Renganis Radityani, Scolastika; Mungkasi, Sudi

2017-11-01

The vibration of a storey building can be modelled into a system of second order ordinary differential equations. If the number of floors of a building is large, then the result is a large scale system of second order ordinary differential equations. The large scale system is difficult to solve, and if it can be solved, the solution may not be accurate. Therefore, in this paper, we seek for accurate methods for solving vibration problems. We compare the performance of numerical finite difference and Runge-Kutta methods for solving large scale systems of second order ordinary differential equations. The finite difference methods include the forward and central differences. The Runge-Kutta methods include the Euler and Heun methods. Our research results show that the central finite difference and the Heun methods produce more accurate solutions than the forward finite difference and the Euler methods do.

QED multi-dimensional vacuum polarization finite-difference solver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carneiro, Pedro; Grismayer, Thomas; Silva, Luís; Fonseca, Ricardo

2015-11-01

The Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) is expected to deliver peak intensities of 1023 - 1024 W/cm2 allowing to probe nonlinear Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) phenomena in an unprecedented regime. Within the framework of QED, the second order process of photon-photon scattering leads to a set of extended Maxwell's equations [W. Heisenberg and H. Euler, Z. Physik 98, 714] effectively creating nonlinear polarization and magnetization terms that account for the nonlinear response of the vacuum. To model this in a self-consistent way, we present a multi dimensional generalized Maxwell equation finite difference solver with significantly enhanced dispersive properties, which was implemented in the OSIRIS particle-in-cell code [R.A. Fonseca et al. LNCS 2331, pp. 342-351, 2002]. We present a detailed numerical analysis of this electromagnetic solver. As an illustration of the properties of the solver, we explore several examples in extreme conditions. We confirm the theoretical prediction of vacuum birefringence of a pulse propagating in the presence of an intense static background field [arXiv:1301.4918 [quant-ph

Finite-size effects in transcript sequencing count distribution: its power-law correction necessarily precedes downstream normalization and comparative analysis.

PubMed

Wong, Wing-Cheong; Ng, Hong-Kiat; Tantoso, Erwin; Soong, Richie; Eisenhaber, Frank

2018-02-12

Though earlier works on modelling transcript abundance from vertebrates to lower eukaroytes have specifically singled out the Zip's law, the observed distributions often deviate from a single power-law slope. In hindsight, while power-laws of critical phenomena are derived asymptotically under the conditions of infinite observations, real world observations are finite where the finite-size effects will set in to force a power-law distribution into an exponential decay and consequently, manifests as a curvature (i.e., varying exponent values) in a log-log plot. If transcript abundance is truly power-law distributed, the varying exponent signifies changing mathematical moments (e.g., mean, variance) and creates heteroskedasticity which compromises statistical rigor in analysis. The impact of this deviation from the asymptotic power-law on sequencing count data has never truly been examined and quantified. The anecdotal description of transcript abundance being almost Zipf's law-like distributed can be conceptualized as the imperfect mathematical rendition of the Pareto power-law distribution when subjected to the finite-size effects in the real world; This is regardless of the advancement in sequencing technology since sampling is finite in practice. Our conceptualization agrees well with our empirical analysis of two modern day NGS (Next-generation sequencing) datasets: an in-house generated dilution miRNA study of two gastric cancer cell lines (NUGC3 and AGS) and a publicly available spike-in miRNA data; Firstly, the finite-size effects causes the deviations of sequencing count data from Zipf's law and issues of reproducibility in sequencing experiments. Secondly, it manifests as heteroskedasticity among experimental replicates to bring about statistical woes. Surprisingly, a straightforward power-law correction that restores the distribution distortion to a single exponent value can dramatically reduce data heteroskedasticity to invoke an instant increase in signal-to-noise ratio by 50% and the statistical/detection sensitivity by as high as 30% regardless of the downstream mapping and normalization methods. Most importantly, the power-law correction improves concordance in significant calls among different normalization methods of a data series averagely by 22%. When presented with a higher sequence depth (4 times difference), the improvement in concordance is asymmetrical (32% for the higher sequencing depth instance versus 13% for the lower instance) and demonstrates that the simple power-law correction can increase significant detection with higher sequencing depths. Finally, the correction dramatically enhances the statistical conclusions and eludes the metastasis potential of the NUGC3 cell line against AGS of our dilution analysis. The finite-size effects due to undersampling generally plagues transcript count data with reproducibility issues but can be minimized through a simple power-law correction of the count distribution. This distribution correction has direct implication on the biological interpretation of the study and the rigor of the scientific findings. This article was reviewed by Oliviero Carugo, Thomas Dandekar and Sandor Pongor.

Finite-key security analyses on passive decoy-state QKD protocols with different unstable sources.

PubMed

Song, Ting-Ting; Qin, Su-Juan; Wen, Qiao-Yan; Wang, Yu-Kun; Jia, Heng-Yue

2015-10-16

In quantum communication, passive decoy-state QKD protocols can eliminate many side channels, but the protocols without any finite-key analyses are not suitable for in practice. The finite-key securities of passive decoy-state (PDS) QKD protocols with two different unstable sources, type-II parametric down-convention (PDC) and phase randomized weak coherent pulses (WCPs), are analyzed in our paper. According to the PDS QKD protocols, we establish an optimizing programming respectively and obtain the lower bounds of finite-key rates. Under some reasonable values of quantum setup parameters, the lower bounds of finite-key rates are simulated. The simulation results show that at different transmission distances, the affections of different fluctuations on key rates are different. Moreover, the PDS QKD protocol with an unstable PDC source can resist more intensity fluctuations and more statistical fluctuation.

Dielectric modelling of cell division for budding and fission yeast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asami, Koji; Sekine, Katsuhisa

2007-02-01

The frequency dependence of complex permittivity or the dielectric spectrum of a system including a cell in cell division has been simulated by a numerical technique based on the three-dimensional finite difference method. Two different types of cell division characteristic of budding and fission yeast were examined. The yeast cells are both regarded as a body of rotation, and thus have anisotropic polarization, i.e. the effective permittivity of the cell depends on the orientation of the cell to the direction of an applied electric field. In the perpendicular orientation, where the rotational axis of the cell is perpendicular to the electric field direction, the dielectric spectra for both yeast cells included one dielectric relaxation and its intensity depended on the cell volume. In the parallel orientation, on the other hand, two dielectric relaxations appeared with bud growth for budding yeast and with septum formation for fission yeast. The low-frequency relaxation was shifted to a lower frequency region by narrowing the neck between the bud and the mother cell for budding yeast and by increasing the degree of septum formation for fission yeast. After cell separation, the low-frequency relaxation disappeared. The simulations well interpreted the oscillation of the relative permittivity of culture broth found for synchronous cell growth of budding yeast.

The optimal density of cellular solids in axial tension.

PubMed

Mihai, L Angela; Alayyash, Khulud; Wyatt, Hayley

2017-05-01

For cellular bodies with uniform cell size, wall thickness, and shape, an important question is whether the same volume of material has the same effect when arranged as many small cells or as fewer large cells. To answer this question, for finite element models of periodic structures of Mooney-type material with different structural geometry and subject to large strain deformations, we identify a nonlinear elastic modulus as the ratio between the mean effective stress and the mean effective strain in the solid cell walls, and show that this modulus increases when the thickness of the walls increases, as well as when the number of cells increases while the volume of solid material remains fixed. Since, under the specified conditions, this nonlinear elastic modulus increases also as the corresponding mean stress increases, either the mean modulus or the mean stress can be employed as indicator when the optimum wall thickness or number of cells is sought.

Nanoimprint-Transfer-Patterned Solids Enhance Light Absorption in Colloidal Quantum Dot Solar Cells.

PubMed

Kim, Younghoon; Bicanic, Kristopher; Tan, Hairen; Ouellette, Olivier; Sutherland, Brandon R; García de Arquer, F Pelayo; Jo, Jea Woong; Liu, Mengxia; Sun, Bin; Liu, Min; Hoogland, Sjoerd; Sargent, Edward H

2017-04-12

Colloidal quantum dot (CQD) materials are of interest in thin-film solar cells due to their size-tunable bandgap and low-cost solution-processing. However, CQD solar cells suffer from inefficient charge extraction over the film thicknesses required for complete absorption of solar light. Here we show a new strategy to enhance light absorption in CQD solar cells by nanostructuring the CQD film itself at the back interface. We use two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations to study quantitatively the light absorption enhancement in nanostructured back interfaces in CQD solar cells. We implement this experimentally by demonstrating a nanoimprint-transfer-patterning (NTP) process for the fabrication of nanostructured CQD solids with highly ordered patterns. We show that this approach enables a boost in the power conversion efficiency in CQD solar cells primarily due to an increase in short-circuit current density as a result of enhanced absorption through light-trapping.

MODFLOW-NWT – Robust handling of dry cells using a Newton Formulation of MODFLOW-2005

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hunt, Randal J.; Feinstein, Daniel T.

2012-01-01

The first versions of the widely used groundwater flow model MODFLOW (McDonald and Harbaugh 1988) had a sure but inflexible way of handling unconfined finite-difference aquifer cells where the water table dropped below the bottom of the cell—these "dry cells" were turned inactive for the remainder of the simulation. Problems with this formulation were easily seen, including the potential for inadvertent loss of simulated recharge in the model (Doherty 2001; Painter et al. 2008), and rippling of dry cells through the solution that unacceptably changed the groundwater flow system (Juckem et al. 2006). Moreover, solving problems of the natural world often required the ability to reactivate dry cells when the water table rose above the cell bottom. This seemingly simple desire resulted in a two-decade attempt to include the simulation flexibility while avoiding numerical instability.

On the Quality of Velocity Interpolation Schemes for Marker-in-Cell Method and Staggered Grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pusok, Adina E.; Kaus, Boris J. P.; Popov, Anton A.

2017-03-01

The marker-in-cell method is generally considered a flexible and robust method to model the advection of heterogenous non-diffusive properties (i.e., rock type or composition) in geodynamic problems. In this method, Lagrangian points carrying compositional information are advected with the ambient velocity field on an Eulerian grid. However, velocity interpolation from grid points to marker locations is often performed without considering the divergence of the velocity field at the interpolated locations (i.e., non-conservative). Such interpolation schemes can induce non-physical clustering of markers when strong velocity gradients are present (Journal of Computational Physics 166:218-252, 2001) and this may, eventually, result in empty grid cells, a serious numerical violation of the marker-in-cell method. To remedy this at low computational costs, Jenny et al. (Journal of Computational Physics 166:218-252, 2001) and Meyer and Jenny (Proceedings in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics 4:466-467, 2004) proposed a simple, conservative velocity interpolation scheme for 2-D staggered grid, while Wang et al. (Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 16(6):2015-2023, 2015) extended the formulation to 3-D finite element methods. Here, we adapt this formulation for 3-D staggered grids (correction interpolation) and we report on the quality of various velocity interpolation methods for 2-D and 3-D staggered grids. We test the interpolation schemes in combination with different advection schemes on incompressible Stokes problems with strong velocity gradients, which are discretized using a finite difference method. Our results suggest that a conservative formulation reduces the dispersion and clustering of markers, minimizing the need of unphysical marker control in geodynamic models.

Failure mechanisms of additively manufactured porous biomaterials: Effects of porosity and type of unit cell.

PubMed

Kadkhodapour, J; Montazerian, H; Darabi, A Ch; Anaraki, A P; Ahmadi, S M; Zadpoor, A A; Schmauder, S

2015-10-01

Since the advent of additive manufacturing techniques, regular porous biomaterials have emerged as promising candidates for tissue engineering scaffolds owing to their controllable pore architecture and feasibility in producing scaffolds from a variety of biomaterials. The architecture of scaffolds could be designed to achieve similar mechanical properties as in the host bone tissue, thereby avoiding issues such as stress shielding in bone replacement procedure. In this paper, the deformation and failure mechanisms of porous titanium (Ti6Al4V) biomaterials manufactured by selective laser melting from two different types of repeating unit cells, namely cubic and diamond lattice structures, with four different porosities are studied. The mechanical behavior of the above-mentioned porous biomaterials was studied using finite element models. The computational results were compared with the experimental findings from a previous study of ours. The Johnson-Cook plasticity and damage model was implemented in the finite element models to simulate the failure of the additively manufactured scaffolds under compression. The computationally predicted stress-strain curves were compared with the experimental ones. The computational models incorporating the Johnson-Cook damage model could predict the plateau stress and maximum stress at the first peak with less than 18% error. Moreover, the computationally predicted deformation modes were in good agreement with the results of scaling law analysis. A layer-by-layer failure mechanism was found for the stretch-dominated structures, i.e. structures made from the cubic unit cell, while the failure of the bending-dominated structures, i.e. structures made from the diamond unit cells, was accompanied by the shearing bands of 45°. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simulation of thermal stresses in anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell stacks. Part II: Loss of gas-tightness, electrical contact and thermal buckling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakajo, Arata; Wuillemin, Zacharie; Van herle, Jan; Favrat, Daniel

Structural stability issues in planar solid oxide fuel cells arise from the mismatch between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the components. The stress state at operating temperature is the superposition of several contributions, which differ depending on the component. First, the cells accumulate residual stresses due to the sintering phase during the manufacturing process. Further, the load applied during assembly of the stack to ensure electric contact and flatten the cells prevents a completely stress-free expansion of each component during the heat-up. Finally, thermal gradients cause additional stresses in operation. The temperature profile generated by a thermo-electrochemical model implemented in an equation-oriented process modelling tool (gPROMS) was imported into finite-element software (ABAQUS) to calculate the distribution of stress and contact pressure on all components of a standard solid oxide fuel cell repeat unit. The different layers of the cell in exception of the cathode, i.e. anode, electrolyte and compensating layer were considered in the analysis to account for the cell curvature. Both steady-state and dynamic simulations were performed, with an emphasis on the cycling of the electrical load. The study includes two different types of cell, operation under both thermal partial oxidation and internal steam-methane reforming and two different initial thicknesses of the air and fuel compressive sealing gaskets. The results generated by the models are presented in two papers: Part I focuses on cell cracking. In the present paper, Part II, the occurrences of loss of gas-tightness in the compressive gaskets and/or electrical contact in the gas diffusion layer were identified. In addition, the dependence on temperature of both coefficients of thermal expansion and Young's modulus of the metallic interconnect (MIC) were implemented in the finite-element model to compute the plastic deformation, while the possibilities of thermal buckling were analysed in a dedicated and separate model. The value of the minimum stable thickness of the MIC is large, even though significantly affected by the operating conditions. This phenomenon prevents any unconsidered decrease of the thickness to reduce the thermal inertia of the stack. Thermal gradients and the shape of the temperature profile during operation induce significant decreases of the contact pressure on the gaskets near the fuel manifold, at the inlet or outlet, depending on the flow configuration. On the contrary, the electrical contact was ensured independently of the operating point and history, even though plastic strain developed in the gas diffusion layer.

Systems and Photosystems: Cellular Limits of Autotrophic Productivity in Cyanobacteria

PubMed Central

Burnap, Robert L.

2014-01-01

Recent advances in the modeling of microbial growth and metabolism have shown that growth rate critically depends upon the optimal allocation of finite proteomic resources among different cellular functions and that modeling growth rates becomes more realistic with the explicit accounting for the costs of macromolecular synthesis, most importantly, protein expression. The “proteomic constraint” is considered together with its application to understanding photosynthetic microbial growth. The central hypothesis is that physical limits of cellular space (and corresponding solvation capacity) in conjunction with cell surface-to-volume ratios represent the underlying constraints on the maximal rate of autotrophic microbial growth. The limitation of cellular space thus constrains the size the total complement of macromolecules, dissolved ions, and metabolites. To a first approximation, the upper limit in the cellular amount of the total proteome is bounded this space limit. This predicts that adaptation to osmotic stress will result in lower maximal growth rates due to decreased cellular concentrations of core metabolic proteins necessary for cell growth owing the accumulation of compatible osmolytes, as surmised previously. The finite capacity of membrane and cytoplasmic space also leads to the hypothesis that the species-specific differences in maximal growth rates likely reflect differences in the allocation of space to niche-specific proteins with the corresponding diminution of space devoted to other functions including proteins of core autotrophic metabolism, which drive cell reproduction. An optimization model for autotrophic microbial growth, the autotrophic replicator model, was developed based upon previous work investigating heterotrophic growth. The present model describes autotrophic growth in terms of the allocation protein resources among core functional groups including the photosynthetic electron transport chain, light-harvesting antennae, and the ribosome groups. PMID:25654078

Statistics of cosmic density profiles from perturbation theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernardeau, Francis; Pichon, Christophe; Codis, Sandrine

2014-11-01

The joint probability distribution function (PDF) of the density within multiple concentric spherical cells is considered. It is shown how its cumulant generating function can be obtained at tree order in perturbation theory as the Legendre transform of a function directly built in terms of the initial moments. In the context of the upcoming generation of large-scale structure surveys, it is conjectured that this result correctly models such a function for finite values of the variance. Detailed consequences of this assumption are explored. In particular the corresponding one-cell density probability distribution at finite variance is computed for realistic power spectra, taking into account its scale variation. It is found to be in agreement with Λ -cold dark matter simulations at the few percent level for a wide range of density values and parameters. Related explicit analytic expansions at the low and high density tails are given. The conditional (at fixed density) and marginal probability of the slope—the density difference between adjacent cells—and its fluctuations is also computed from the two-cell joint PDF; it also compares very well to simulations. It is emphasized that this could prove useful when studying the statistical properties of voids as it can serve as a statistical indicator to test gravity models and/or probe key cosmological parameters.

Technical Feasibility of Centrifugal Techniques for Evaluating Hazardous Waste Migration

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

direct evaluation of the -influence of acceleration on soil moisture movement. A fully implicit finite difference solution scheme was used. The...using the finite difference scheme mentioned earlier. 2. The soil test apparatus for the centrifuge tests was designed and constructed. 110 3...npcr3 f~nJPX 115 S.. 0i U 4 I3 u cc/ U) C~j tC LL~~*- Lý u ’ uiu ’ 4-’ Uju x~j~r3np~~r~tj~jpU W3= 116 Finite Difference Model The finite difference

Physical insight into light scattering by photoreceptor cell nuclei.

PubMed

Kreysing, Moritz; Boyde, Lars; Guck, Jochen; Chalut, Kevin J

2010-08-01

A recent study showed that the rod photoreceptor cell nuclei in the retina of nocturnal and diurnal mammals differ considerably in architecture: the location of euchromatin and heterochromatin in the nucleus is interchanged. This inversion has significant implications for the refractive index distribution and the light scattering properties of the nucleus. Here, we extend previous two-dimensional analysis to three dimensions (3D) by using both a numerical finite-difference time-domain and an analytic Mie theory approach. We find that the specific arrangement of the chromatin phases in the nuclear core-shell models employed have little impact on the far-field scattering cross section. However, scattering in the near field, which is the relevant regime inside the retina, shows a significant difference between the two architectures. The "inverted" photoreceptor cell nuclei of nocturnal mammals act as collection lenses, with the lensing effect being much more pronounced in 3D than in two dimensions. This lensing helps to deliver light efficiently to the light-sensing outer segments of the rod photoreceptor cells and thereby improve night vision.

Broadband Solar Energy Harvesting in Single Nanowire Resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yiming; Peng, Xingyue; Hyatt, Steven; Yu, Dong

2015-03-01

Sub-wavelength semiconductor nanowires (NWs) can have optical absorption cross sections far beyond their physical sizes at resonance frequencies, offering a powerful method to simultaneously lower the material consumption and enhance photovoltaic performance. The degree of absorption enhancement is expected to substantially increase in materials with high refractive indices, but this has not yet been experimentally demonstrated. Here, we show that the absorption efficiency can be significantly improved in high-index NWs, by a direct observation of 350% external quantum efficiency (EQE) in lead sulfide (PbS) NWs. Broadband absorption enhancement is also realized in tapered NWs, where light of different wavelength is absorbed at segments with different diameters analogous to a tandem solar cell. Our results quantitatively agree with the finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) simulations. Overall, our single PbS NW Schottky solar cells taking advantage of optical resonance, near bandgap open circuit voltage, and long minority carrier diffusion length exhibit power conversion efficiency comparable to single Si NW coaxial p-n junction cells, while the fabrication complexity is greatly reduced.

A simple robust and accurate a posteriori sub-cell finite volume limiter for the discontinuous Galerkin method on unstructured meshes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumbser, Michael; Loubère, Raphaël

2016-08-01

In this paper we propose a simple, robust and accurate nonlinear a posteriori stabilization of the Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element method for the solution of nonlinear hyperbolic PDE systems on unstructured triangular and tetrahedral meshes in two and three space dimensions. This novel a posteriori limiter, which has been recently proposed for the simple Cartesian grid case in [62], is able to resolve discontinuities at a sub-grid scale and is substantially extended here to general unstructured simplex meshes in 2D and 3D. It can be summarized as follows: At the beginning of each time step, an approximation of the local minimum and maximum of the discrete solution is computed for each cell, taking into account also the vertex neighbors of an element. Then, an unlimited discontinuous Galerkin scheme of approximation degree N is run for one time step to produce a so-called candidate solution. Subsequently, an a posteriori detection step checks the unlimited candidate solution at time t n + 1 for positivity, absence of floating point errors and whether the discrete solution has remained within or at least very close to the bounds given by the local minimum and maximum computed in the first step. Elements that do not satisfy all the previously mentioned detection criteria are flagged as troubled cells. For these troubled cells, the candidate solution is discarded as inappropriate and consequently needs to be recomputed. Within these troubled cells the old discrete solution at the previous time tn is scattered onto small sub-cells (Ns = 2 N + 1 sub-cells per element edge), in order to obtain a set of sub-cell averages at time tn. Then, a more robust second order TVD finite volume scheme is applied to update the sub-cell averages within the troubled DG cells from time tn to time t n + 1. The new sub-grid data at time t n + 1 are finally gathered back into a valid cell-centered DG polynomial of degree N by using a classical conservative and higher order accurate finite volume reconstruction technique. Consequently, if the number Ns is sufficiently large (Ns ≥ N + 1), the subscale resolution capability of the DG scheme is fully maintained, while preserving at the same time an essentially non-oscillatory behavior of the solution at discontinuities. Many standard DG limiters only adjust the discrete solution in troubled cells, based on the limiting of higher order moments or by applying a nonlinear WENO/HWENO reconstruction on the data at the new time t n + 1. Instead, our new DG limiter entirely recomputes the troubled cells by solving the governing PDE system again starting from valid data at the old time level tn, but using this time a more robust scheme on the sub-grid level. In other words, the piecewise polynomials produced by the new limiter are the result of a more robust solution of the PDE system itself, while most standard DG limiters are simply based on a mere nonlinear data post-processing of the discrete solution. Technically speaking, the new method corresponds to an element-wise checkpointing and restarting of the solver, using a lower order scheme on the sub-grid. As a result, the present DG limiter is even able to cure floating point errors like NaN values that have occurred after divisions by zero or after the computation of roots from negative numbers. This is a unique feature of our new algorithm among existing DG limiters. The new a posteriori sub-cell stabilization approach is developed within a high order accurate one-step ADER-DG framework on multidimensional unstructured meshes for hyperbolic systems of conservation laws as well as for hyperbolic PDE with non-conservative products. The method is applied to the Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics, to the ideal magneto-hydrodynamics equations (MHD) as well as to the seven-equation Baer-Nunziato model of compressible multi-phase flows. A large set of standard test problems is solved in order to assess the accuracy and robustness of the new limiter.

A study of the response of nonlinear springs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyer, M. W.; Knott, T. W.; Johnson, E. R.

1991-01-01

The various phases to developing a methodology for studying the response of a spring-reinforced arch subjected to a point load are discussed. The arch is simply supported at its ends with both the spring and the point load assumed to be at midspan. The spring is present to off-set the typical snap through behavior normally associated with arches, and to provide a structure that responds with constant resistance over a finite displacement. The various phases discussed consist of the following: (1) development of the closed-form solution for the shallow arch case; (2) development of a finite difference analysis to study (shallow) arches; and (3) development of a finite element analysis for studying more general shallow and nonshallow arches. The two numerical analyses rely on a continuation scheme to move the solution past limit points, and to move onto bifurcated paths, both characteristics being common to the arch problem. An eigenvalue method is used for a continuation scheme. The finite difference analysis is based on a mixed formulation (force and displacement variables) of the governing equations. The governing equations for the mixed formulation are in first order form, making the finite difference implementation convenient. However, the mixed formulation is not well-suited for the eigenvalue continuation scheme. This provided the motivation for the displacement based finite element analysis. Both the finite difference and the finite element analyses are compared with the closed form shallow arch solution. Agreement is excellent, except for the potential problems with the finite difference analysis and the continuation scheme. Agreement between the finite element analysis and another investigator's numerical analysis for deep arches is also good.

Optimization of finite difference forward modeling for elastic waves based on optimum combined window functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jian, Wang; Xiaohong, Meng; Hong, Liu; Wanqiu, Zheng; Yaning, Liu; Sheng, Gui; Zhiyang, Wang

2017-03-01

Full waveform inversion and reverse time migration are active research areas for seismic exploration. Forward modeling in the time domain determines the precision of the results, and numerical solutions of finite difference have been widely adopted as an important mathematical tool for forward modeling. In this article, the optimum combined of window functions was designed based on the finite difference operator using a truncated approximation of the spatial convolution series in pseudo-spectrum space, to normalize the outcomes of existing window functions for different orders. The proposed combined window functions not only inherit the characteristics of the various window functions, to provide better truncation results, but also control the truncation error of the finite difference operator manually and visually by adjusting the combinations and analyzing the characteristics of the main and side lobes of the amplitude response. Error level and elastic forward modeling under the proposed combined system were compared with outcomes from conventional window functions and modified binomial windows. Numerical dispersion is significantly suppressed, which is compared with modified binomial window function finite-difference and conventional finite-difference. Numerical simulation verifies the reliability of the proposed method.

A study on thermal damage during hyperthermia treatment based on DPL model for multilayer tissues using finite element Legendre wavelet Galerkin approach.

PubMed

Kumar, Dinesh; Rai, K N

2016-12-01

Hyperthermia is a process that uses heat from the spatial heat source to kill cancerous cells without damaging the surrounding healthy tissues. Efficacy of hyperthermia technique is related to achieve temperature at the infected cells during the treatment process. A mathematical model on heat transfer in multilayer tissues in finite domain is proposed to predict the control temperature profile at hyperthermia position. The treatment technique uses dual-phase-lag model of heat transfer in multilayer tissues with modified Gaussian distribution heat source subjected to the most generalized boundary condition and interface at the adjacent layers. The complete dual-phase-lag model of bioheat transfer is solved using finite element Legendre wavelet Galerkin approach. The present solution has been verified with exact solution in a specific case and provides a good accuracy. The effect of the variability of different parameters such as lagging times, external heat source, metabolic heat source and the most generalized boundary condition on temperature profile in multilayer tissues is analyzed and also discussed the effective approach of hyperthermia treatment. Furthermore, we studied the modified thermal damage model with regeneration of healthy tissues as well. For viewpoint of thermal damage, the least thermal damage has been observed in boundary condition of second kind. The article concludes with a discussion of better opportunities for future clinical application of hyperthermia treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

COMPARISONS OF THE FINITE-ELEMENT-WITH-DISCONTIGUOUS-SUPPORT METHOD TO CONTINUOUS-ENERGY MONTE CARLO FOR PIN-CELL PROBLEMS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

A. T. Till; M. Hanuš; J. Lou

The standard multigroup (MG) method for energy discretization of the transport equation can be sensitive to approximations in the weighting spectrum chosen for cross-section averaging. As a result, MG often inaccurately treats important phenomena such as self-shielding variations across a material. From a finite-element viewpoint, MG uses a single fixed basis function (the pre-selected spectrum) within each group, with no mechanism to adapt to local solution behavior. In this work, we introduce the Finite-Element-with-Discontiguous-Support (FEDS) method, whose only approximation with respect to energy is that the angular flux is a linear combination of unknowns multiplied by basis functions. A basismore » function is non-zero only in the discontiguous set of energy intervals associated with its energy element. Discontiguous energy elements are generalizations of bands and are determined by minimizing a norm of the difference between snapshot spectra and their averages over the energy elements. We begin by presenting the theory of the FEDS method. We then compare to continuous-energy Monte Carlo for one-dimensional slab and two-dimensional pin-cell problem. We find FEDS to be accurate and efficient at producing quantities of interest such as reaction rates and eigenvalues. Results show that FEDS converges at a rate that is approximately first-order in the number of energy elements and that FEDS is less sensitive to weighting spectrum than standard MG.« less

Full Wave Analysis of Passive Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit Devices Using a Generalized Finite Difference Time Domain (GFDTD) Algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lansing, Faiza S.; Rascoe, Daniel L.

1993-01-01

This paper presents a modified Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) technique using a generalized conformed orthogonal grid. The use of the Conformed Orthogonal Grid, Finite Difference Time Domain (GFDTD) enables the designer to match all the circuit dimensions, hence eliminating a major source o error in the analysis.

Numerical study of slip system activity and crystal lattice rotation under wedge nanoindents in tungsten single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volz, T.; Schwaiger, R.; Wang, J.; Weygand, S. M.

2018-05-01

Tungsten is a promising material for plasma facing components in future nuclear fusion reactors. In the present work, we numerically investigate the deformation behavior of unirradiated tungsten (a body-centered cubic (bcc) single crystal) underneath nanoindents. A finite element (FE) model is presented to simulate wedge indentation. Crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) simulations were performed for face-centered and body-centered single crystals accounting for the slip system family {110} <111> in the bcc crystal system and the {111} <110> slip family in the fcc system. The 90° wedge indenter was aligned parallel to the [1 ¯01 ]-direction and indented the crystal in the [0 1 ¯0 ]-direction up to a maximum indentation depth of 2 µm. In both, the fcc and bcc single crystals, the activity of slip systems was investigated and compared. Good agreement with the results from former investigations on fcc single crystals was observed. Furthermore, the in-plane lattice rotation in the material underneath an indent was determined and compared for the fcc and bcc single crystals.

Finite and spectral cell method for wave propagation in heterogeneous materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joulaian, Meysam; Duczek, Sascha; Gabbert, Ulrich; Düster, Alexander

2014-09-01

In the current paper we present a fast, reliable technique for simulating wave propagation in complex structures made of heterogeneous materials. The proposed approach, the spectral cell method, is a combination of the finite cell method and the spectral element method that significantly lowers preprocessing and computational expenditure. The spectral cell method takes advantage of explicit time-integration schemes coupled with a diagonal mass matrix to reduce the time spent on solving the equation system. By employing a fictitious domain approach, this method also helps to eliminate some of the difficulties associated with mesh generation. Besides introducing a proper, specific mass lumping technique, we also study the performance of the low-order and high-order versions of this approach based on several numerical examples. Our results show that the high-order version of the spectral cell method together requires less memory storage and less CPU time than other possible versions, when combined simultaneously with explicit time-integration algorithms. Moreover, as the implementation of the proposed method in available finite element programs is straightforward, these properties turn the method into a viable tool for practical applications such as structural health monitoring [1-3], quantitative ultrasound applications [4], or the active control of vibrations and noise [5, 6].

Multidimensional directional flux weighted upwind scheme for multiphase flow modeling in heterogeneous porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, G.

2012-12-01

Multiphase flow modeling is an important numerical tool for a better understanding of transport processes in the fields including, but not limited to, petroleum reservoir engineering, remedy of ground water contamination, and risk evaluation of greenhouse gases such as CO2 injected into deep saline reservoirs. However, accurate numerical modeling for multiphase flow remains many challenges that arise from the inherent tight coupling and strong non-linear nature of the governing equations and the highly heterogeneous media. The existence of counter current flow which is caused by the effect of adverse relative mobility contrast and gravitational and capillary forces will introduce additional numerical instability. Recently multipoint flux approximation (MPFA) has become a subject of extensive research and has been demonstrated with great success in reducing considerable grid orientation effects compared to the conventional single point upstream (SPU) weighting scheme, especially in higher dimensions. However, the present available MPFA schemes are mathematically targeted to certain types of grids in two dimensions, a more general form of MPFA scheme is needed for both 2-D and 3-D problems. In this work a new upstream weighting scheme based on multipoint directional incoming fluxes is proposed which incorporates full permeability tensor to account for the heterogeneity of the porous media. First, the multiphase governing equations are decoupled into an elliptic pressure equation and a hyperbolic or parabolic saturation depends on whether the gravitational and capillary pressures are presented or not. Next, a dual secondary grid (called finite volume grid) is formulated from a primary grid (called finite element grid) to create interaction regions for each grid cell over the entire simulation domain. Such a discretization must ensure the conservation of mass and maintain the continuity of the Darcy velocity across the boundaries between neighboring interaction regions. The pressure field is then implicitly calculated from the pressure equation, which in turn results in the derived velocity field for directional flux calculation at each grid node. Directional flux at the center of each interaction surface is also calculated by interpolation from the element nodal fluxes using shape functions. The MPFA scheme is performed by a specific linear combination of all incoming fluxes into the upstream cell represented by either nodal fluxes or interpolated surface boundary fluxes to produce an upwind directional fluxed weighted relative mobility at the center of the interaction region boundary. Such an upwind weighted relative mobility is then used for calculating the saturations of each fluid phase explicitly. The proposed upwind weighting scheme has been implemented into a mixed finite element-finite volume (FE-FV) method, which allows for handling complex reservoir geometry with second-order accuracies in approximating primary variables. The numerical solver has been tested with several bench mark test problems. The application of the proposed scheme to migration path analysis of CO2 injected into deep saline reservoirs in 3-D has demonstrated its ability and robustness in handling multiphase flow with adverse mobility contrast in highly heterogeneous porous media.

Stem Cell, Regenerative Medicine and Cancer | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

Of the estimated trillion cells that build up our bodies, only a little number can self-renew and give rise to many different cell types. These unspecialized cells are called stem cells. Stem cell division and differentiation is fundamental to the development of the mature organism. Stem cells have recently attracted significant attention largely due to their potential medical

All Tumor Cells Are Not Created Equal | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

Cell division is commonly thought of as a process whereby one cell gives rise to two identical daughter cells. However, rare cell divisions are asymmetric, generating daughter cells that may differ in size, developmental potential, or even DNA content. The ability of stem cells to undergo asymmetric division allows them to self-renew while simultaneously generate daughter

Increased functional load on mouse kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells causes changes in nucleolar 3-D architecture.

PubMed

Chelidze, P V; Dzidziguri, D V; Tumanishvili, G D

1998-05-01

Ultrastructural 3-D analysis of nucleolar architecture and Ag-NOR protein distribution in mouse kidney-cortex proximal-tubule epithelium has been performed. A principal scheme of structural changes of the nucleolus and organization of its components during the intensification of pre-rRNA synthesis (dynamic model of a nucleolus) based on computer spatial modelling has been advanced. According to the nucleolar composition, three groups of cells, which differ from each other by rRNA synthesis, are defined in normal kidney. Most nephron proximal-section cells (about 52%) are characterized by lower activity of RNA synthesis. Such kind of cells are defined as group I (nucleolar diameter 0.7-1.5 microm) and always contain resting, ring-shaped or close to ring-shaped dense nucleoli, which have 2 or 3 fibrillar centers. Nucleoli of group II cells (about 37%, nucleolar diameter 1.5-2.5 microm) have a higher level of activity, contain 4-7 fibrillar centers, and their structural organization is close to reticulated forms due to the first indications of vacuolar network (identified as prereticulated nucleoli). The most active cells of group III (about 11%, nucleolar diameter 2.5-3.5 microm) include cells with typical reticulated nucleoli with a well expressed vacuolar network and numerous fibrillar centers (18-22). Increased functional load of the epithelium caused by unilateral nephrectomy and diuretic (4-chlor-H [2-furylmethyl] 5-sulphamyl-antranic acid) injection changed the proportion of the different cell groups: group I decreased (about 25%), whereas groups II and III increased (about 8% and 17%, respectively). The increase of nucleolar activity first causes a deformation of the individual fibrillar centers as well as complication and growth of their surface. Further, a progressive fragmentation of the fibrillar centers and the growth of their total volume is observed. The complication and growth of the total volume of Ag-positive zones is another indication of the nucleolar activation. The vacuolar system develops by a gradual fusion of small isolated cavities into a united vacuolar network. Nucleoli with 2-7 fibrillar centers are considered to be intermediate forms reflecting successive stages of its activation or inactivation: from the resting ring-shaped nucleolus via transient stages of increasing functional activity to the active reticulated nucleoli and vice versa. The observed differences in the nucleolar ultrastructure are regarded as evidence of the functional heterogeneity of cell populations within one functional segment of nephron.

Combination of the discontinuous Galerkin method with finite differences for simulation of seismic wave propagation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lisitsa, Vadim, E-mail: lisitsavv@ipgg.sbras.ru; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk; Tcheverda, Vladimir

We present an algorithm for the numerical simulation of seismic wave propagation in models with a complex near surface part and free surface topography. The approach is based on the combination of finite differences with the discontinuous Galerkin method. The discontinuous Galerkin method can be used on polyhedral meshes; thus, it is easy to handle the complex surfaces in the models. However, this approach is computationally intense in comparison with finite differences. Finite differences are computationally efficient, but in general, they require rectangular grids, leading to the stair-step approximation of the interfaces, which causes strong diffraction of the wavefield. Inmore » this research we present a hybrid algorithm where the discontinuous Galerkin method is used in a relatively small upper part of the model and finite differences are applied to the main part of the model.« less

Finite-key security analyses on passive decoy-state QKD protocols with different unstable sources

PubMed Central

Song, Ting-Ting; Qin, Su-Juan; Wen, Qiao-Yan; Wang, Yu-Kun; Jia, Heng-Yue

2015-01-01

In quantum communication, passive decoy-state QKD protocols can eliminate many side channels, but the protocols without any finite-key analyses are not suitable for in practice. The finite-key securities of passive decoy-state (PDS) QKD protocols with two different unstable sources, type-II parametric down-convention (PDC) and phase randomized weak coherent pulses (WCPs), are analyzed in our paper. According to the PDS QKD protocols, we establish an optimizing programming respectively and obtain the lower bounds of finite-key rates. Under some reasonable values of quantum setup parameters, the lower bounds of finite-key rates are simulated. The simulation results show that at different transmission distances, the affections of different fluctuations on key rates are different. Moreover, the PDS QKD protocol with an unstable PDC source can resist more intensity fluctuations and more statistical fluctuation. PMID:26471947

Struggle for space: viral extinction through competition for cells.

PubMed

Cuesta, José A; Aguirre, Jacobo; Capitán, José A; Manrubia, Susanna C

2011-01-14

The design of protocols to suppress the propagation of viral infections is an enduring enterprise, especially hindered by limited knowledge of the mechanisms leading to viral extinction. Here we report on infection extinction due to intraspecific competition to infect susceptible hosts. Beneficial mutations increase the production of viral progeny, while the host cell may develop defenses against infection. For an unlimited number of host cells, a feedback runaway coevolution between host resistance and progeny production occurs. However, physical space limits the advantage that the virus obtains from increasing offspring numbers; thus, infection clearance may result from an increase in host defenses beyond a finite threshold. Our results might be relevant to devise improved control strategies in environments with mobility constraints or different geometrical properties.