Validation experiments are conducted at discrete settings within an operational domain to assess the predictive maturity of a model that is ultimately used to predict over the entire operational domain. Unless this domain is sufficiently explored with validation experiments, satisfactory model performance at these discrete, tested settings would be insufficient to ensure satisfactory model performance throughout the entire operational domain. The goal of coverage metrics is then to reveal how well a set of validation experiments represents an operational domain. The authors identify the criteria of an exemplary coverage metric, evaluate the ability of existing coverage metrics to fulfill these criteria, and propose a new, improved coverage metric. The proposed metric favors interpolation over extrapolation through a penalty function, causing the metric to prefer a design of validation experiments near the boundaries of the domain, while simultaneously exploring inside the domain. Furthermore, the proposed metric allows the coverage to account for the relative influence of each dimension of the domain on the model output. Application of the proposed coverage metric on a practical, non-trivial two-dimensional problem is demonstrated on the Viscoplastic Self-Consistent material plasticity code for 5182 aluminum alloy. Furthermore, the proposed metric is compared to existing coverage metrics considering a high dimensional problem with application to the Rosenbrock function.

We present a methodology for developing ultra-thin and strong formvar-based membranes with controlled morphologies. Formvar is a thin hydrophilic and oleophilic polymer inert to most chemicals and resistant to radiation. The formvar-based membranes are viable materials as support structures in micro- and macro-scale systems depending on thinness and porosity control. Tunable sub-micron thick porous membranes with 20%-65% porosity were synthesized by controlling the ratios of formvar, glycerol, and chloroform. This synthesis process does not require complex separation or handling methods and allows for the production of strong, thin, and porous formvar-based membranes. An expansive array of these membrane characterizations including chemical compatibility, mechanical responses, wettability, as well as the mathematical simulations as a function of porosity has been presented. The wide range of chemical compatibility allows for membrane applications in various environments, where other polymers would not be suitable. Our formvar-based membranes were found to have an elastic modulus of 7.8 GPa, a surface free energy of 50 mN m and an average thickness of 125 nm. Stochastic model simulations indicate that formvar with the porosity of ∼50% is the optimal membrane formulation, allowing the most material transfer across the membrane while also withstanding the highest simulated pressure loadings before tearing. Development of novel, resilient and versatile membranes with controlled porosity offers a wide range of exciting applications in the fields of nanoscience, microfluidics, and MEMS.

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Purpose – Highly anisotropic zirconium is a material used in the cladding of nuclear fuel rods, ensuring containment of the radioactive material within. The complex material structure of anisotropic zirconium requires model developers to replicate not only the macro-scale stresses but also the meso-scale material behavior as the crystal structure evolves; leading to strongly coupled multi-scale plasticity models. Such strongly coupled models can be achieved through partitioned analysis techniques, which couple independently developed constituent models through an iterative exchange of inputs and outputs. Throughout this iterative process, biases, and uncertainties inherent within constituent model predictions are inevitably transferred between constituents either compensating for each other or accumulating during iterations. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A finite element model at the macro-scale is coupled in an iterative manner with a meso-scale viscoplastic self-consistent model, where the former supplies the stress input and latter represents the changing material properties. The authors present a systematic framework for experiment-based validation taking advantage of both separate-effect experiments conducted within each constituent’s domain to calibrate the constituents in their respective scales and integral-effect experiments executed within the coupled domain to test the validity of the coupled system. Findings – This framework developed is shown to improve predictive capability of a multi-scale plasticity model of highly anisotropic zirconium. Originality/value – For multi-scale models to be implemented to support high-consequence decisions, such as the containment of radioactive material, this transfer of biases and uncertainties must be evaluated to ensure accuracy of the predictions of the coupled model. This framework takes advantage of the transparency of partitioned analysis to reduce the accumulation of errors and uncertainties.