Publications

Results 90301–90325 of 99,299

Search results

Jump to search filters

The Umbra Simulation Framework

Gottlieb, Eric J.; Harrigan, Raymond W.; Mcdonald, Michael J.; Oppel, Frederick J.; Xavier, Patrick G.

Umbra is a new Sandia-developed modeling and simulation framework. The Umbra framework allows users to quickly build models and simulations for intelligent system development, analysis, experimentation, and control and supports tradeoff analyses of complex robotic systems, device, and component concepts. Umbra links together heterogeneous collections of modeling tools. The models in Umbra include 3D geometry and physics models of robots, devices and their environments. Model components can be built with varying levels of fidelity and readily switched to allow models built with low fidelity for conceptual analysis to be gradually converted to high fidelity models for later phase detailed analysis. Within control environments, the models can be readily replaced with actual control elements. This paper describes Umbra at a functional level and describes issues that Sandia uses Umbra to address.

More Details

Quadratic Reciprocity and the Group Orders of Particle States

Wagner, John S.

The construction of inverse states in a finite field F{sub P{sub P{alpha}}} enables the organization of the mass scale by associating particle states with residue class designations. With the assumption of perfect flatness ({Omega}total = 1.0), this approach leads to the derivation of a cosmic seesaw congruence which unifies the concepts of space and mass. The law of quadratic reciprocity profoundly constrains the subgroup structure of the multiplicative group of units F{sub P{sub {alpha}}}* defined by the field. Four specific outcomes of this organization are (1) a reduction in the computational complexity of the mass state distribution by a factor of {approximately}10{sup 30}, (2) the extension of the genetic divisor concept to the classification of subgroup orders, (3) the derivation of a simple numerical test for any prospective mass number based on the order of the integer, and (4) the identification of direct biological analogies to taxonomy and regulatory networks characteristic of cellular metabolism, tumor suppression, immunology, and evolution. It is generally concluded that the organizing principle legislated by the alliance of quadratic reciprocity with the cosmic seesaw creates a universal optimized structure that functions in the regulation of a broad range of complex phenomena.

More Details

PorSalsa User's Manual

Martinez, Mario J.; Hopkins, Polly L.; Reeves, Paul C.

This report describes the use of PorSalsa, a parallel-processing, finite-element-based, unstructured-grid code for the simulation of subsurface nonisothermal two-phase, two component flow through heterogeneous porous materials. PorSalsa can also model the advective-dispersive transport of any number of species. General source term and transport coefficient implementation greatly expands possible applications. Spatially heterogeneous flow and transport data are accommodated via a flexible interface. Discretization methods include both Galerkin and control volume finite element methods, with various options for weighting of nonlinear coefficients. Time integration includes both first and second-order predictor/corrector methods with automatic time step selection. Parallel processing is accomplished by domain decomposition and message passing, using MPI, enabling seamless execution on single computers, networked clusters, and massively parallel computers.

More Details

Determination of Supersymmetric Particle Masses and Attributes with Genetic Divisors

Wagner, John S.

Arithmetic conditions relating particle masses can be defined on the basis of (1) the supersymmetric conservation of congruence and (2) the observed characteristics of particle reactions and stabilities. Stated in the form of common divisors, these relations can be interpreted as expressions of genetic elements that represent specific particle characteristics. In order to illustrate this concept, it is shown that the pion triplet ({pi}{sup {+-}}, {pi}{sup 0}) can be associated with the existence of a greatest common divisor d{sub 0{+-}} in a way that can account for both the highly similar physical properties of these particles and the observed {pi}{sup {+-}}/{pi}{sup 0} mass splitting. These results support the conclusion that a corresponding statement holds generally for all particle multiplets. Classification of the respective physical states is achieved by assignment of the common divisors to residue classes in a finite field F{sub P{sub {alpha}}} and the existence of the multiplicative group of units F{sub P{sub {alpha}}} enables the corresponding mass parameters to be associated with a rich subgroup structure. The existence of inverse states in F{sub P{sub {alpha}}} allows relationships connecting particle mass values to be conveniently expressed in a form in which the genetic divisor structure is prominent. An example is given in which the masses of two neutral mesons (K{degree} {r_arrow} {pi}{degree}) are related to the properties of the electron (e), a charged lepton. Physically, since this relationship reflects the cascade decay K{degree} {r_arrow} {pi}{degree} + {pi}{degree}/{pi}{degree} {r_arrow} e{sup +} + e{sup {minus}}, in which a neutral kaon is converted into four charged leptons, it enables the genetic divisor concept, through the intrinsic algebraic structure of the field, to provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of both electric charge and lepton number. It is further shown that the fundamental source of supersymmetry can be expressed in terms of hierarchical relationships between odd and even order subgroups of F{sub P{sub {alpha}}}, an outcome that automatically reflects itself in the phenomenon of fermion/boson pairing of individual particle systems. Accordingly, supersymmetry is best represented as a group rather than a particle property. The status of the Higgs subgroup of order 4 is singular; it is isolated from the hierarchical pattern and communicates globally to the mass scale through the seesaw congruence by (1) fusing the concepts of mass and space and (2) specifying the generators of the physical masses.

More Details

Evolution of Stress in ScD{sub 2}/Cr Thin Films Fabricated by Evaporation and High Temperature Reaction

Adams, David P.; Brown, Laurence E.; Goeke, Ronald S.; Romero, Juan A.; Silva, Andrew D.

The stress of scandium dideuteride, ScD{sub 2}, thin films is investigated during each stage of vacuum processing including metal deposition via evaporation, reaction and cooldown. ScD{sub 2} films with thin Cr underlayers are fabricated on three different substrate materials: molybdenum-alumina cermet, single crystal sapphire and quartz. In all experiments, the evaporated Cr and Sc metal is relatively stress-free. However, reaction of scandium metal with deuterium at elevated temperature to form a stoichiometric dideuteride phase leads to a large compressive in-plane film stress. Compression during hydriding results from an increased atomic density compared with the as-deposited metal film. After reaction with deuterium, samples are cooled to ambient temperature, and a tensile stress develops due to mismatched coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of the substrate-film couple. The residual film stress and the propensity for films to crack during cooldown depends principally on the substrate material when using identical process parameters. Films deposited onto quartz substrates show evidence of stress relief during cooldown due to a large CTE misfit; this is correlated with crack nucleation and propagation within films. All ScD{sub 2} layers remain in a state of tension when cooled to 30 C. An in-situ, laser-based, wafer curvature sensor is designed and implemented for studies of ScD{sub 2} film stress during processing. This instrument uses a two-dimensional array of laser beams to noninvasively monitor stress during sample rotation and with samples stationary. Film stress is monitored by scattering light off the backside of substrates, i.e., side opposite of the deposition flux.

More Details

Ribbon Surface Pressure and Wake Velocity Data for the Experimental Validation of a Vortex-Based Parachute Inflation Code

Mcbride, Donald D.; Clark Jr., Edward L.; Henfling, John F.; Wolfe, Walter P.

An experiment to measure surface pressure data on a series of three stainless steel simulated parachute ribbons was conducted. During the first phase of the test, unsteady pressure measurements were made on the windward and leeward sides of the ribbons to determine the statistical properties of the surface pressures. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements were simultaneously made to establish the velocity field in the wake of the ribbons and its correlation with the pressure measurements. In the second phase of the test, steady-state pressure measurements were made to establish the pressure distributions. In the third phase, the stainless steel ribbons were replaced with nylon ribbons and PIV measurements were made in the wake. A detailed error analysis indicates that the accuracy of the pressure measurements was very good. However, an anomaly in the flow field caused the wake behind the stainless steel ribbons to establish itself in a stable manner on one side of the model. This same stability was not present for the nylon ribbon model although an average of the wake velocity data indicated an apparent 2{degree} upwash in the wind tunnel flow field. Since flow angularity upstream of the model was not measured, the use of the data for code validation is not recommended without a second experiment to establish that upstream boundary condition.

More Details

LIST/BMI Turbines Instrumentation and Infrastructure

Jones, Perry L.; Sutherland, Herbert J.

In support of two major SNL programs, the Long-term Inflow and Structural Test (LIST) program and the Blade Manufacturing Initiative (BMI), three Micon 65/13M wind turbines have been erected at the USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) center in Bushland, Texas. The inflow and structural response of these turbines are being monitored with an array of 60 instruments: 34 to characterize the inflow, 19 to characterize structural response and 7 to characterize the time-varying state of the turbine. The primary characterization of the inflow into the LIST turbine relies upon an array of five sonic anemometers. Primary characterization of the structural response of the turbine uses several sets of strain gauges to measure bending loads on the blades and the tower and two accelerometers to measure the motion of the nacelle. Data are sampled at a rate of 30 Hz using a newly developed data acquisition system. The system features a time-synchronized continuous data stream and telemetered data from the turbine rotor. This paper documents the instruments and infrastructure that have been developed to monitor these turbines and their inflow.

More Details

Moving Least-Squares: A Numerical Differentiation Method for Irregularly Spaced Calculation Points

Gossler, Albert A.

Numerical methods may require derivatives of functions whose values are known only on irregularly spaced calculation points. This document presents and quantifies the performance of Moving Least-Squares (MLS), a method of derivative evaluation on irregularly spaced points that has a number of inherent advantages. The user selects both the spatial dimension of the problem and order of the highest conserved moment. The accuracy of calculations is maintained on highly irregularly spaced points. Not required are creation of additional calculation points or interpolation of the calculation points onto a regular grid. Implementation of the method requires the use of only a relatively small number of calculation points. The method is fast, robust and provides smooth results even as the order of the derivative increases.

More Details

Meso-Machining Capabilities

Benavides, Gilbert L.; Adams, David P.; Yang, Pin

Meso-scale manufacturing processes are bridging the gap between silicon-based MEMS processes and conventional miniature machining. These processes can fabricate two and three-dimensional parts having micron size features in traditional materials such as stainless steels, rare earth magnets, ceramics, and glass. Meso-scale processes that are currently available include, focused ion beam sputtering, micro-milling, micro-turning, excimer laser ablation, femtosecond laser ablation, and micro electro discharge machining. These meso-scale processes employ subtractive machining technologies (i.e., material removal), unlike LIGA, which is an additive meso-scale process. Meso-scale processes have different material capabilities and machining performance specifications. Machining performance specifications of interest include minimum feature size, feature tolerance, feature location accuracy, surface finish, and material removal rate. Sandia National Laboratories is developing meso-scale mechanical components and actuators which require meso-scale parts fabricated in a variety of materials. Subtractive meso-scale manufacturing processes expand the functionality of meso-scale components and complement silicon based MEMS and LIGA technologies.

More Details

Programming Paradigms for Massively Parallel Computers: LDRD Project Final Report

Brightwell, Ronald B.

This technical report presents the initial proposal and renewable proposals for an LDRD project whose intended goal was to enable applications to take full advantage of the hardware available on Sandia's current and future massively parallel supercomputers by analyzing various ways of combining distributed-memory and shared-memory programming models. Despite Sandia's enormous success with distributed-memory parallel machines and the message-passing programming model, clusters of shared-memory processors appeared to be the massively parallel architecture of the future at the time this project was proposed. They had hoped to analyze various hybrid programming models for their effectiveness and characterize the types of application to which each model was well-suited. The report presents the initial research proposal and subsequent continuation proposals that highlight the proposed work and summarize the accomplishments.

More Details

Synthetic Aperture Radar Image Formation in Reconfigurable Logic

Dudley, Peter A.

This paper studies the implementation of polar format, synthetic aperture radar image formation in modern Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA's). The polar format algorithm is described in rough terms and each of the processing steps is mapped to FPGA logic. This FPGA logic is analyzed with respect to throughput and circuit size for compatibility with airborne image formation.

More Details

Formation of pyramid elements for hexahedra to tetrahedra transitions

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

Owen, Steven J.

New algorithms are proposed for the modification of a mixed hexahedra-tetrahedra element mesh to maintain compatibility by the insertion of pyramid elements. Several methods for generation of the pyramids are presented involving local tetrahedral transformations and/or node insertion near the hex/tet interface. Local smoothing and topological operations improve the quality of the transition region. Results show superior performance of the resulting elements in a commercial finite-element code over non-conforming interface conditions. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

More Details

Chamber transport

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Olson, Craig L.

Heavy ion beam transport through the containment chamber plays a crucial role in all heavy ion fusion (HIF) scenarios. Here, several parameters are used to characterize the operating space for HIF beams; transport modes are assessed in relation to evolving target/accelerator requirements; results of recent relevant experiments and simulations of HIF transport are summarized; and relevant instabilities are reviewed. All transport options still exist, including (1) vacuum ballistic transport, (2) neutralized ballistic transport, and (3) channel-like transport. Presently, the European HIF program favors vacuum ballistic transport, while the US HIF program favors neutralized ballistic transport with channel-like transport as an alternate approach. Further transport research is needed to clearly guide selection of the most attractive, integrated HIF system. © 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

More Details

Superconductivity in the polymeric phase of Na2CsC60

Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications

Morosin, Bruno W.

We have studied the reversible pressure induced structural transition (primitive cubic to polymeric monoclinic) of Na2CsC60 and the superconductivity in both phases. We have established that the single carbon-carbon bonded polymeric phase of Na2CsC60 is superconducting with an ambient pressure transition temperature about 3 K lower than that for the primitive cubic phase. We believe that an analogous lowering of the transition temperature in the corresponding phase of Na2RbC60 either leads to a very low transition temperature or to a total absence of superconductivity. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.

More Details
Results 90301–90325 of 99,299
Results 90301–90325 of 99,299