994 research outputs found
Direct multiscale coupling of a transport code to gyrokinetic turbulence codes
Direct coupling between a transport solver and local, nonlinear gyrokinetic
calculations using the multiscale gyrokinetic code TRINITY [M. Barnes, Ph.D.
thesis, arxiv:0901.2868] is described. The coupling of the microscopic and
macroscopic physics is done within the framework of multiscale gyrokinetic
theory, of which we present the assumptions and key results. An assumption of
scale separation in space and time allows for the simulation of turbulence in
small regions of the space-time grid, which are embedded in a coarse grid on
which the transport equations are implicitly evolved. This leads to a reduction
in computational expense of several orders of magnitude, making
first-principles simulations of the full fusion device volume over the
confinement time feasible on current computing resources. Numerical results
from TRINITY simulations are presented and compared with experimental data from
JET and ASDEX Upgrade plasmas.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, invited paper for 2009 APS-DPP meeting,
submitted to Phys. Plasma
Non-existence of normal tokamak equilibria with negative central current
Recent tokamak experiments employing off-axis, non-inductive current drive
have found that a large central current hole can be produced. The current
density is measured to be approximately zero in this region, though in
principle there was sufficient current drive power for the central current
density to have gone significantly negative. Recent papers have used a large
aspect-ratio expansion to show that normal MHD equilibria (with axisymmetric
nested flux surfaces, non-singular fields, and monotonic peaked pressure
profiles) can not exist with negative central current. We extend that proof
here to arbitrary aspect ratio, using a variant of the virial theorem to derive
a relatively simple integral constraint on the equilibrium. However, this
constraint does not, by itself, exclude equilibria with non-nested flux
surfaces, or equilibria with singular fields and/or hollow pressure profiles
that may be spontaneously generated.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to Physics of Plasmas, Feb. 14, 2003.
Revised Feb. 24, 2003. Vers. 2: revised May 29 to clarify points raised by
referee, add references to recent work. July 18, accepted for publicatio
Dissipation-Scale Turbulence in the Solar Wind
We present a cascade model for turbulence in weakly collisional plasmas that
follows the nonlinear cascade of energy from the large scales of driving in the
MHD regime to the small scales of the kinetic Alfven wave regime where the
turbulence is dissipated by kinetic processes. Steady-state solutions of the
model for the slow solar wind yield three conclusions: (1) beyond the observed
break in the magnetic energy spectrum, one expects an exponential cut-off; (2)
the widely held interpretation that this dissipation range obeys power-law
behavior is an artifact of instrumental sensitivity limitations; and, (3) over
the range of parameters relevant to the solar wind, the observed variation of
dissipation range spectral indices from -2 to -4 is naturally explained by the
varying effectiveness of Landau damping, from an undamped prediction of -7/3 to
a strongly damped index around -4.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in AIP Conference
Proceedings on "Turbulence and Nonlinear Processes in Astrophysical Plasmas
Kinetic Simulations of Magnetized Turbulence in Astrophysical Plasmas
This letter presents the first ab initio, fully electromagnetic, kinetic
simulations of magnetized turbulence in a homogeneous, weakly collisional
plasma at the scale of the ion Larmor radius (ion gyroscale). Magnetic and
electric-field energy spectra show a break at the ion gyroscale; the spectral
slopes are consistent with scaling predictions for critically balanced
turbulence of Alfven waves above the ion gyroscale (spectral index -5/3) and of
kinetic Alfven waves below the ion gyroscale (spectral indices of -7/3 for
magnetic and -1/3 for electric fluctuations). This behavior is also
qualitatively consistent with in situ measurements of turbulence in the solar
wind. Our findings support the hypothesis that the frequencies of turbulent
fluctuations in the solar wind remain well below the ion cyclotron frequency
both above and below the ion gyroscale.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter
Shearing Box Simulations of the MRI in a Collisionless Plasma
We describe local shearing box simulations of turbulence driven by the
magnetorotational instability (MRI) in a collisionless plasma. Collisionless
effects may be important in radiatively inefficient accretion flows, such as
near the black hole in the Galactic Center. The MHD version of ZEUS is modified
to evolve an anisotropic pressure tensor. A fluid closure approximation is used
to calculate heat conduction along magnetic field lines. The anisotropic
pressure tensor provides a qualitatively new mechanism for transporting angular
momentum in accretion flows (in addition to the Maxwell and Reynolds stresses).
We estimate limits on the pressure anisotropy due to pitch angle scattering by
kinetic instabilities. Such instabilities provide an effective ``collision''
rate in a collisionless plasma and lead to more MHD-like dynamics. We find that
the MRI leads to efficient growth of the magnetic field in a collisionless
plasma, with saturation amplitudes comparable to those in MHD. In the saturated
state, the anisotropic stress is comparable to the Maxwell stress, implying
that the rate of angular momentum transport may be moderately enhanced in a
collisionless plasma.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Ap
White light measurement: a catalyst for change in automotive body dimensional validation. Measurement strategies for stamping and body assembly from tryout through PPAP
This report examines the usage of 3D non-contact white light (WL) measurement technology and how its adoption could impact traditional North American automotive body dimensional evaluation strategies from die tryout through PPAP. The report includes several WL measuring studies involving a longitudinal analysis of door components and their resultant assembly throughout the preproduction process. It provides several recommendations for new part measurement strategies and business processes for automotive body stamped parts and subassemblies. The recommendations support a part quality evaluation process that places a greater emphasis on measuring overall part shape and feature conformance as well as intra-panel correlation patterns (e.g., twists and feature-to-feature relationships) versus process capability conformance of discrete points to individual specifications. These recommendations include adopting percent in specification metrics such as PIST, reducing measurement sample sizes for both tryout runs and PPAP, and utilizing new methods for analyzing and reporting part dimensional data. These new methods are aimed at providing more comprehensive part quality representation to increase the utility of dimensional measurement data for end-users.General Motors Corporation, Body Manufacturing Engineering North America, Pontiac, Mich.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/15514/1/99394.pd
Fuel-saving technologies and facility conversion: costs, benefits, and incentives
Includes bibliographical references (p. 42)Technical report. 2003-2009National Commission on Energy Policy, Washington, D. C.Michigan Environmental Council, Lansinghttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/3129/2/98560.pd
Rocket Testing and Integrated System Health Management
Integrated System Health Management (ISHM) describes a set of system capabilities that in aggregate perform: determination of condition for each system element, detection of anomalies, diagnosis of causes for anomalies, and prognostics for future anomalies and system behavior. The ISHM should also provide operators with situational awareness of the system by integrating contextual and timely data, information, and knowledge (DIaK) as needed. ISHM capabilities can be implemented using a variety of technologies and tools. This chapter provides an overview of ISHM contributing technologies and describes in further detail a novel implementation architecture along with associated taxonomy, ontology, and standards. The operational ISHM testbed is based on a subsystem of a rocket engine test stand. Such test stands contain many elements that are common to manufacturing systems, and thereby serve to illustrate the potential benefits and methodologies of the ISHM approach for intelligent manufacturing
Problems in Rating Disturbed Behavior
This past year Dr. Hammett and I have embarked on a research voyage and, if I may be permitted to use the analogy of a cruise once again, we have been on the slowest of freighters. The Ancient Mariner is our spiritual brother. In speaking of the problems of research, one of the problems is time! There are no short-cuts. There has been, for some time, an increasing awareness of the need to look at the causes as well as methods of treating emotional disturbance in children. Because of the addition of new staff members we have been able to undertake this extensive project without having to diminish our services to the children and their families under our care
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