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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11

Transported PDF Modeling of Compressible Turbulent Reactive Flows by using the Eulerian Monte Carlo Fields Method

Although the transported probability density function (PDF) method has been developed for decades, its application has been mainly focused on the low-Mach number flow problems. This work extends the transported PDF method to compressible flow problems. The Eulerian Monte Carlo fields (EMCF) solution method is employed to solve the transported PDF equation for compressible flow problems. A pseudo stagnation enthalpy is introduced and its stochastic partial differential equation is derived to ensure total energy conservation numerically. A new mixing model called interaction by partial exchange with mean (IPEM) is introduced to expand the available choices of mixing models for the EMCF method. The consistency of the EMCF method is examined for solving the transported PDF equation. Numerical implementation details are discussed, such as the density coupling between the compressible flow solver and the EMCF solver, discretization schemes for the mixing terms and the stochastic terms. The implemented compressible flow solver coupled with the EMCF solver is verified and validated in a series of test cases with increasing level of complexity, ranging from a statistically one-dimensional turbulent mixing layer to a self-excited resonance model rocket combustor. It is observed that in general with the increase of compressibility, there is an increase in the sensitivity of the modeling results to the different models and algorithms. This makes it necessary to develop a thorough understanding of the model sensitivity in order to develop a robust and accurate simulation solver for highly compressible turbulent reactive flows. The thermo-acoustic instability inside the model rocket combustor case is captured reasonably, which demonstrates the overall capability of the developed compressible turbulent combustion solver based on the transported PDF method.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Growth of ZnTe by Physical Vapor Transport and Traveling Heater Method

ZnTe crystals were grown by horizontal physical vapor transport (PVT) and a Te-solution vertical traveling heater method (THM). The grown crystals were examined by X-ray Laue diffraction technique and Hall measurements to determine the growth orientation and the electrical properties of the crystals. They were also characterized by low temperature infrared (IR) absorption measurements. Several sets of distinct peaks were observed in the IR absorption spectra for the THM samples and were identified as resulting from CU(2+) impurities. Similar measurements on vapor grown ZnTe showed featureless absorption spectra. Chemical analyses were carried out to measure the impurity content in various ZnTe samples and synchrotron radiation topography was used to Study crystalline microstructure of the (111) ZnTe single crystals grown by PVT.

Su, Ching-Hua↗

Complete characterization of a lithium battery electrolyte using a combination of electrophoretic NMR and electrochemical methods

Improving transport properties of electrolytes is important for developing lithium-ion batteries for future energy storage applications. In Newman's concentrated solution theory, electrolytes are characterized by three transport parameters, conductivity, diffusion coefficient, and transference number, in addition to the thermodynamic factor. In this work, these parameters are all determined for an exemplar liquid electrolyte, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide mixed in tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, using electrochemical methods. The intrinsic coupling between parameters obtained by electrochemical methods results in large error bars in the transference number that obscure the transport behavior of the electrolyte. Here, we use electrophoretic NMR (eNMR) to measure the electric-field-induced ion and solvent velocities to obtain the transference number directly, which enables determination of the thermodynamic factor with greater certainty. In conclusion, our work indicates that the combination of eNMR and electrochemical methods provides a robust approach for complete characterization of battery electrolytes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

System, method, and computer program product for transporting an unmanned vehicle

A method, system, and computer program product is provided for transporting an unmanned vehicle to a destination location. The method includes determining a ground vehicle from a plurality of ground vehicles based on a location of the ground vehicle, the destination location, and a location of the unmanned vehicle, controlling the unmanned vehicle to the location of the ground vehicle, controlling at least one attachment mechanism to attach the unmanned vehicle to the ground vehicle, in response to the ground vehicle traveling to a second location, controlling the at least one attachment mechanism to detach the unmanned vehicle from the ground vehicle, and controlling the unmanned vehicle to the destination location.

Samaras, Constantinos↗

Comparison of dose estimates using the buildup-factor method and a Baryon transport code (BRYNTRN) with Monte Carlo results

Continuing efforts toward validating the buildup factor method and the BRYNTRN code, which use the deterministic approach in solving radiation transport problems and are the candidate engineering tools in space radiation shielding analyses, are presented. A simplified theory of proton buildup factors assuming no neutron coupling is derived to verify a previously chosen form for parameterizing the dose conversion factor that includes the secondary particle buildup effect. Estimates of dose in tissue made by the two deterministic approaches and the Monte Carlo method are intercompared for cases with various thicknesses of shields and various types of proton spectra. The results are found to be in reasonable agreement but with some overestimation by the buildup factor method when the effect of neutron production in the shield is significant. Future improvement to include neutron coupling in the buildup factor theory is suggested to alleviate this shortcoming. Impressive agreement for individual components of doses, such as those from the secondaries and heavy particle recoils, are obtained between BRYNTRN and Monte Carlo results.

Shinn, Judy L.↗

Application of the CATNLF Design Method to a Transonic Transport Empennage Using CDISC

A novel Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) design method has been developed to achieve laminar flow on aircraft empennage at transonic flight conditions. This approach has been applied to the design of a nonlifting vertical tail using CDISC, a knowledgebased aerodynamic design tool developed at the NASA Langley Research Center. A horizontal tail was also designed using an enhanced CATNLF design approach for low-lift components. CDISC was coupled with USM3D-ME, a Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics solver. Stability and transition software was used to determine the laminar extent on the surfaces. Results indicate laminar flow can be sustained at midcruise conditions to about x/c=0.40 on the vertical tail and as much as x/c=0.65 on the horizontal tail lower surface. Transonic longitudinal off-design analysis indicates minimal change in the laminar extent. However, nonzero sideslip angles at transonic conditions can cause premature transition relative to the midcruise condition.

Brent W. Pomeroy↗

Application of multidisciplinary optimization methods to the design of a supersonic transport

An optimization design method is discussed. This method is based on integrating existing disciplinary analysis and sensitivity analysis techniques by means of generalized sensitivity equations. A generic design system implementing this method is described. The system is being used to design the configuration and internal structure of a supersonic transport wing for optimum performance. This problem combines the disciplines of linear aerodynamics, structures, and performance. Initial results which include the disciplines of aerodynamics and structures in a conventional minimum weight design under static aeroelastic constraints are presented.

Barthelemy, J.-F. M.↗

Interpretation of Trace Gas Data Using Inverse Methods and Global Chemical Transport Models

This is a theoretical research project aimed at: (1) development, testing, and refining of inverse methods for determining regional and global transient source and sink strengths for long lived gases important in ozone depletion and climate forcing, (2) utilization of inverse methods to determine these source/sink strengths which use the NCAR/Boulder CCM2-T42 3-D model and a global 3-D Model for Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry (MATCH) which is based on analyzed observed wind fields (developed in collaboration by MIT and NCAR/Boulder), (3) determination of global (and perhaps regional) average hydroxyl radical concentrations using inverse methods with multiple titrating gases, and, (4) computation of the lifetimes and spatially resolved destruction rates of trace gases using 3-D models. Important goals include determination of regional source strengths of methane, nitrous oxide, and other climatically and chemically important biogenic trace gases and also of halocarbons restricted by the Montreal Protocol and its follow-on agreements and hydrohalocarbons used as alternatives to the restricted halocarbons.

Prinn, Ronald G.↗

A unified framework of stabilized finite element method for solving the Boltzmann transport equation

This paper presents a unified framework of stabilized finite element method for solving the Boltzmann transport equation. Unlike the traditional Petrov-Galerkin finite element method which modifies the test function to construct the stabilization term, we derive the stabilization methods from the standard Galerkin weak form with Sub-grid scale model. The basic idea of this method is to decompose the unknowns into its numerical solution and residual, with an approximation for the residual and embeds it in the Galerkin weak form to yield a stabilized variational formula. Different approximations of the residual lead to different stabilization methods, all the frequently used stabilized methods, including the Streamline Upwinding Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) method, Galerkin/Least-Square (GLS) method, and Algebraic Sub-Grid Scale (ASGS) method can be obtained from this framework. The similarities and differences of the different approximations are compared in this paper. The numerical results show that the behaviors of the different methods area similar with the same stabilization parameter, and all these stabilized techniques can obtain a correct and stable solution. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Non-Rocket Earth-Moon Transport System

This paper proposes a new method and transportation system to travel to the Moon. This transportation system uses a mechanical energy transfer and requires only minimal energy so that it provides a 'Free Trip' into space. The method uses the rotary and kinetic energy of the Moon. This paper presents the theory and results of computations for the project provided Free Trips (without rockets and spend a big energy) to the Moon for six thousand people annually. The project uses artificial materials like nanotubes and whiskers that have a ratio of tensile strength to density equal 4 million meters. In the future, nanotubes will be produced that can reach a specific stress up 100 millions meter and will significantly improve the parameters of suggested project. The author is prepared to discuss the problems with serious organizations that want to research and develop these innovations.

Bolonkin, Alexander↗