Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “SHAPE”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13

Shape-morphing composites with designed micro-architectures

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are attractive materials due to their unique mechanical properties, including high deformation capacity and shape recovery. SMPs are easier to process, lightweight, and inexpensive compared to their metallic counterparts, shape memory alloys. However, SMPs are limited to relatively small form factors due to their low recovery stresses. Lightweight, micro-architected composite SMPs may overcome these size limitations and offer the ability to combine functional properties (e.g., electrical conductivity) with shape memory behavior. Fabrication of 3D SMP thermoset structures via traditional manufacturing methods is challenging, especially for designs that are composed of multiple materials within porous microarchitectures designed for specific shape change strategies, e.g. sequential shape recovery. We report thermoset SMP composite inks containing some materials from renewable resources that can be 3D printed into complex, multi-material architectures that exhibit programmable shape changes with temperature and time. Through addition of fiber-based fillers, we demonstrate printing of electrically conductive SMPs where multiple shape states may induce functional changes in a device and that shape changes can be actuated via heating of printed composites. As a result, the ability of SMPs to recover their original shapes will be advantageous for a broad range of applications, including medical, aerospace, and robotic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

SU-F-T-394: Impact of PTV Margins With Taking Into Account Shape Variation On IMRT Plans For Prostate Cancer

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of planning target volume (PTV) margins with taking into consideration clinical target volume (CTV) shape variations on treatment plans of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer. Methods: The systematic errors and the random errors for patient setup errors in right-left (RL), anterior-posterior (AP), and superior-inferior (SI) directions were obtained from data of 20 patients, and those for CTV shape variations were calculated from 10 patients, who were weekly scanned using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The setup error was defined as the difference in prostate centers between planning CT and CBCT images after bone-based registrations. CTV shape variations of high, intermediate and low risk CTVs were calculated for each patient from variances of interfractional shape variations on each vertex of three-dimensional CTV point distributions, which were manually obtained from CTV contours on the CBCT images. PTV margins were calculated using the setup errors with and without CTV shape variations for each risk CTV. Six treatment plans were retrospectively made by using the PTV margins with and without CTV shape variations for the three risk CTVs of 5 test patients. Furthermore, the treatment plans were applied to CBCT images for investigating the impact of shape variations on PTV margins. Results: The percentages of population to cover with the PTV, which satisfies the CTV D98 of 95%, with and without the shape variations were 89.7% and 74.4% for high risk, 89.7% and 76.9% for intermediate risk, 84.6% and 76.9% for low risk, respectively. Conclusion: PTV margins taking into account CTV shape variation provide significant improvement of applicable percentage of population (P < 0.05). This study suggested that CTV shape variation should be taken consideration into determination of the PTV margins.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Efficient Gradient-Based Shape Optimization Methodology Using Inviscid/Viscous CFD

The formerly developed preconditioned-biconjugate-gradient (PBCG) solvers for the analysis and the sensitivity equations had resulted in very large error reductions per iteration; quadratic convergence was achieved whenever the solution entered the domain of attraction to the root. Its memory requirement was also lower as compared to a direct inversion solver. However, this memory requirement was high enough to preclude the realistic, high grid-density design of a practical 3D geometry. This limitation served as the impetus to the first-year activity (March 9, 1995 to March 8, 1996). Therefore, the major activity for this period was the development of the low-memory methodology for the discrete-sensitivity-based shape optimization. This was accomplished by solving all the resulting sets of equations using an alternating-direction-implicit (ADI) approach. The results indicated that shape optimization problems which required large numbers of grid points could be resolved with a gradient-based approach. Therefore, to better utilize the computational resources, it was recommended that a number of coarse grid cases, using the PBCG method, should initially be conducted to better define the optimization problem and the design space, and obtain an improved initial shape. Subsequently, a fine grid shape optimization, which necessitates using the ADI method, should be conducted to accurately obtain the final optimized shape. The other activity during this period was the interaction with the members of the Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Methods Branch of Langley Research Center during one stage of their investigation to develop an adjoint-variable sensitivity method using the viscous flow equations. This method had algorithmic similarities to the variational sensitivity methods and the control-theory approach. However, unlike the prior studies, it was considered for the three-dimensional, viscous flow equations. The major accomplishment in the second period of this project (March 9, 1996 to March 8, 1997) was the extension of the shape optimization methodology for the Thin-Layer Navier-Stokes equations. Both the Euler-based and the TLNS-based analyses compared with the analyses obtained using the CFL3D code. The sensitivities, again from both levels of the flow equations, also compared very well with the finite-differenced sensitivities. A fairly large set of shape optimization cases were conducted to study a number of issues previously not well understood. The testbed for these cases was the shaping of an arrow wing in Mach 2.4 flow. All the final shapes, obtained either from a coarse-grid-based or a fine-grid-based optimization, using either a Euler-based or a TLNS-based analysis, were all re-analyzed using a fine-grid, TLNS solution for their function evaluations. This allowed for a more fair comparison of their relative merits. From the aerodynamic performance standpoint, the fine-grid TLNS-based optimization produced the best shape, and the fine-grid Euler-based optimization produced the lowest cruise efficiency.

Baysal, Oktay↗

High-Temperature Shape Memory Polymers

physical conformation changes when exposed to an external stimulus, such as a change in temperature. Such materials have a permanent shape, but can be reshaped above a critical temperature and fixed into a temporary shape when cooled under stress to below the critical temperature. When reheated above the critical temperature (Tc, also sometimes called the triggering or switching temperature), the materials revert to the permanent shape. The current innovation involves a chemically treated (sulfonated, carboxylated, phosphonated, or other polar function group), high-temperature, semicrystalline thermoplastic poly(ether ether ketone) (Tg .140 C, Tm = 340 C) mix containing organometallic complexes (Zn++, Li+, or other metal, ammonium, or phosphonium salts), or high-temperature ionic liquids (e.g. hexafluorosilicate salt with 1-propyl-3- methyl imidazolium, Tm = 210 C) to form a network where dipolar or ionic interactions between the polymer and the low-molecular-weight or inorganic compound forms a complex that provides a physical crosslink. Hereafter, these compounds will be referred to as "additives". The polymer is semicrystalline, and the high-melt-point crystals provide a temporary crosslink that acts as a permanent crosslink just so long as the melting temperature is not exceeded. In this example case, the melting point is .340 C, and the shape memory critical temperature is between 150 and 250 C. PEEK is an engineering thermoplastic with a high Young fs modulus, nominally 3.6 GPa. An important aspect of the invention is the control of the PEEK functionalization (in this example, the sulfonation degree), and the thermal properties (i.e. melting point) of the additive, which determines the switching temperature. Because the compound is thermoplastic, it can be formed into the "permanent" shape by conventional plastics processing operations. In addition, the compound may be covalently cross - linked after forming the permanent shape by S-PEEK by applying ionizing radiation ( radiation, neutrons), or by chemical crosslinking to form a covalent permanent network. With respect to other shape memory polymers, this invention is novel in that it describes the use of a thermoplastic composition that can be thermally molded or solution-cast into complex "permanent" shapes, and then reheated or redissolved and recast from solution to prepare another shape. It is also unique in that the shape memory behavior is provided by a non-polymer additive.

Yoonessi, Mitra↗

Summary of Ice Shape Geometric Fidelity Studies on an Iced Swept Wing

Understanding the aerodynamic impact of swept-wing ice accretions is a crucial component of the design of modern aircraft. Computer-simulation tools are commonly used to approximate ice shapes, so the necessary level of detail or fidelity of those simulated ice shapes must be understood relative to high-fidelity representations of the ice. Previous tests were performed in the NASA Icing Research Tunnel to acquire high-fidelity ice shapes. Some of those ice shapes are based on aircraft certification requirements. From this database, full-span artificial ice shapes were designed and manufactured for both an 8.9%-scale and 13.3%-scale semispan wing model of the CRM65 which has been established as the full-scale baseline for this swept-wing project. These models were tested in the Walter H. Beech wind tunnel at Wichita State University and at the ONERA (Office national d'etudes et de recherches aerospatiales) F1 facility, respectively. The data collected in the Wichita State University wind tunnel provided a low-Reynolds number baseline study while the pressurized F1 facility produced data over a wide range of Reynolds and Mach numbers with the highest Reynolds number studied being approximately Re = 11.9 by 10 (sup 6). Three different fidelity representations were created based on three different icing conditions. Lower-fidelity ice shapes were created by lofting a smooth ice shape between cross-section cuts of the high-fidelity ice shape. Grit roughness was attached to this smooth ice shape as another fidelity variant. The data indicates that the geometric fidelity of the ice shapes resulted in significant differences in lift and drag. These results were similar at both facilities over the wide range of test conditions utilized.

Aerodynamics↗

Shape memory polymers

New shape memory polymer compositions, methods for synthesizing new shape memory polymers, and apparatus comprising an actuator and a shape memory polymer wherein the shape memory polymer comprises at least a portion of the actuator. A shape memory polymer comprising a polymer composition which physically forms a network structure wherein the polymer composition has shape-memory behavior and can be formed into a permanent primary shape, re-formed into a stable secondary shape, and controllably actuated to recover the permanent primary shape. Polymers have optimal aliphatic network structures due to minimization of dangling chains by using monomers that are symmetrical and that have matching amine and hydroxyl groups providing polymers and polymer foams with clarity, tight (narrow temperature range) single transitions, and high shape recovery and recovery force that are especially useful for implanting in the human body.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Shape memory polymers

New shape memory polymer compositions, methods for synthesizing new shape memory polymers, and apparatus comprising an actuator and a shape memory polymer wherein the shape memory polymer comprises at least a portion of the actuator. A shape memory polymer comprising a polymer composition which physically forms a network structure wherein the polymer composition has shape-memory behavior and can be formed into a permanent primary shape, re-formed into a stable secondary shape, and controllably actuated to recover the permanent primary shape. Polymers have optimal aliphatic network structures due to minimization of dangling chains by using monomers that are symmetrical and that have matching amine and hydroxl groups providing polymers and polymer foams with clarity, tight (narrow temperature range) single transitions, and high shape recovery and recovery force that are especially useful for implanting in the human body.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Shape memory polymers

New shape memory polymer compositions, methods for synthesizing new shape memory polymers, and apparatus comprising an actuator and a shape memory polymer wherein the shape memory polymer comprises at least a portion of the actuator. A shape memory polymer comprising a polymer composition which physically forms a network structure wherein the polymer composition has shape-memory behavior and can be formed into a permanent primary shape, re-formed into a stable secondary shape, and controllably actuated to recover the permanent primary shape. Polymers have optimal aliphatic network structures due to minimization of dangling chains by using monomers that are symmetrical and that have matching amine and hydroxl groups providing polymers and polymer foams with clarity, tight (narrow temperature range) single transitions, and high shape recovery and recovery force that are especially useful for implanting in the human body.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Shape memory polymers

New shape memory polymer compositions, methods for synthesizing new shape memory polymers, and apparatus comprising an actuator and a shape memory polymer wherein the shape memory polymer comprises at least a portion of the actuator. A shape memory polymer comprising a polymer composition which physically forms a network structure wherein the polymer composition has shape-memory behavior and can be formed into a permanent primary shape, re-formed into a stable secondary shape, and controllably actuated to recover the permanent primary shape. Polymers have optimal aliphatic network structures due to minimization of dangling chains by using monomers that are symmetrical and that have matching amine and hydroxl groups providing polymers and polymer foams with clarity, tight (narrow temperature range) single transitions, and high shape recovery and recovery force that are especially useful for implanting in the human body.

Wilson, Thomas S.↗

Definition of a new (Doniach-Sunjic-Shirley) peak shape for fitting asymmetric signals applied to reduced graphene oxide/graphene oxide XPS spectra

The existence of asymmetry in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) photoemission lines is widely accepted, but line shapes designed to accommodate asymmetry are generally lacking in theoretical justification. Here in this work, we present a new line shape for describing asymmetry in XPS signals that is based on two facts. First, the most widely known line shape for fitting asymmetric XPS signals that has a theoretical basis, referred to as the Doniach-Sunjic (DS) line shape, suffers from a mathematical inconvenience, which is that for asymmetric shapes the area beneath the curve (above the x-axis) is infinite. Second, it is common practice in XPS to remove the inelastically scattered background response of a peak in question with the Shirley algorithm. The new line shape described herein attempts to retain the theoretical virtues of the DS line shape, while allowing the use of a Shirley background, with the consequence that the resulting line shape has a finite area. To illustrate the use of this Doniach-Sunjic-Shirley (DSS) line shape, a set of spectra obtained from varying amounts of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO on a patterned, heterogeneous surface are fit and discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Effect of post-extrusion heat treatment on mechanical property of aluminum alloy 2024 tube produced using Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE)

The present work deals with the Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) of aluminum alloy 2024 tubes and mechanical property optimization via post extrusion heat treatments (T3510 and T8510). The ShAPE process enables extruding AA2024 at an extrusion speed of 7.4 m/min and extrusion temperature of 480 °C, which is otherwise beyond the extrudability limit of this alloy using conventional extrusion techniques. The ultimate tensile strength reaches 466 MPa for ShAPE+T3510 condition and 503 MPa for ShAPE+T8510 condition, both of which exceed the corresponding ASTM/ASM (minimum/typical) values for the studied tube geometry. The yield strength reaches 382 MPa for ShAPE+T3510 condition and 481 MPa for ShAPE+T8510 condition, both of which surpass any reported values in the literature or the highest industrial values. In addition, the ductility of AA2024 tube fabricated from ShAPE+T3510 or ShAPE+T8510 are evidently improved by the grain size refinement, second phase refinement, and enhanced uniformity in second phase distribution due to the severe plastic deformation of ShAPE process.

Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusions (ShAPE), ↗

The effect of open-cell metal foams strut shape on convection heat transfer and pressure drop

Metal foams are promising materials for applications where enhancement of heat transfer is needed. Their performance depends on morphological parameters, such as the diameters of cells, pores, and struts, the porosity, the shape of struts. The effect of strut shape on convection heat transfer and pressure drop in open-cell metal foams has been investigated numerically in this paper by introducing the foam shape factor, a parameter that characterizes the shape of the strut. The analysis has been carried out both on real and ideal foams. The geometry of three 40 Pores Per Inch (PPI) real foams, with 0.87, 0.94 and 0.96 average measured porosities, was determined with X-ray Computed Microtomography (XCT) and a morphological analysis of the XCT data was carried out. The geometry of the ideal foams, based on the Lord Kelvin foam model, with the same PPI and porosities as those of the real foams, was generated with the free-to-use software Surface Evolver, building up foams with different strut shapes. Governing equations have been solved with a finite element scheme, assuming a uniform heat flux condition at the solid/fluid boundary of the foam. Results are presented in terms of convection heat transfer coefficients and pressure distributions as a function of strut shape parameters. Here, the comparison between predictions for ideal and real foams, for different strut shapes, confirms that, in all cases, the closer the form of the ideal strut to that of the real strut the better the agreement among predictions. It is also pointed out that the convection heat transfer coefficient is maximized when, at equal porosity, the ligament shape is convex, while a concave strut shape maximizes the pressure drop.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Elastic depths for detecting shape anomalies in functional data

This this paper, we propose a new family of depth measures called the elastic depths that can be used to greatly improve shape anomaly detection in functional data. Shape anomalies are functions that have considerably different geometric forms or features from the rest of the data. Identifying them is generally more difficult than identifying magnitude anomalies because shape anomalies are often not distinguishable from the bulk of the data with visualization methods. The proposed elastic depths use the recently developed elastic distances to directly measure the centrality of functions in the amplitude and phase spaces. Measuring shape outlyingness in these spaces provides a rigorous quantification of shape which, in turn, gives the elastic depths a strong theoretical and practical advantage over other methods in detecting shape anomalies. A simple boxplot and thresholding method are introduced to identify shape anomalies using the elastic depths. We assess the elastic depth's detection skill on simulated shape outlier scenarios and compare them against popular shape anomaly detectors. Finally, bond yields, image outlines, and hurricane trajectories are used to demonstrate our method's applicability to functional data observed on three different manifolds.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

MO-FG-CAMPUS-IeP2-01: Characterization of Beam Shaping Filters and Photon Spectra From HVL Profiles in CT

Purpose: Advanced dosimetry in CT (e.g. the Monte Carlo method) requires an accurate characterization of the shaped filter and radiation quality used during a scan. The purpose of this work was to develop a method where half value layer (HVL) profiles along shaped filters could be made. From the HVL profiles the beam shaping properties and effective photon spectrum for a particular scan can be inferred. Methods: A measurement rig was developed to allow determinations of the HVL under a scatter-free narrow-beam geometry and constant focal spot to ionization chamber distance for different fan angles. For each fan angle the HVL is obtained by fitting the transmission of radiation through different thicknesses of an Al absorber (type 1100) using an appropriate model. The effective Al thickness of shaped filters and effective photon spectra are estimated using a model of photon emission from a Tungsten anode. This method is used to obtain the effective photon spectra and effective Al thickness of shaped filters for a CT scanner recently introduced to the market. Results: This study resulted in a set of effective photon spectra (central ray) for each kVp along with effective Al thicknesses of the different shaped filters. The effective photon spectra and effective Al thicknesses of shaped filters were used to obtain numerically approximated HVL profiles and compared to measured HVL profiles (mean absolute percentage error = 0.02). The central axis HVL found in the vendor’s technical documentation were compared to approximated HVL values (mean absolute percentage error = 0.03). Conclusion: This work has resulted in a unique method of measuring HVL profiles along shaped filters in CT. Further the effective photon spectra and the effective Al thicknesses of shaped filters that were obtained can be incorporated into Monte Carlo simulations.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

A Solar Sail Shape Modeling Approach for Attitude Control Design and Analysis

Solar sails operating in the space environment experience deformations in sail shape that result in relatively large disturbance torques which dictate the required performance of the spacecraft attitude control and momentum management systems. These deformations are driven by thermal loads on the booms (due to uneven solar heating), manufacturing and assembly tolerances, and variations in membrane tension. The Solar Cruiser spacecraft utilizes a four-quadrant sail design with four 30-meter length booms and four triangular sail membranes, creating a square sail structure of >1600 m2. Medium-fidelity mesh models were developed based on a characteristic deformed shape. A series of parametric studies were conducted using this shape paradigm to determine worst-case deformed sail shapes which produce bounding disturbance torques. A large database of shapes was produced, and the forces and moments induced by each individual shape were calculated using a Rios-Reyes reduced order generalized sail model. Two were selected as reference worst-case shapes for the Solar Cruiser mission: one which produced the highest pitch/yaw root-sum-squared (RSS) torque, and one which produced the highest roll torque. The results showed that the worst-case shapes at high solar incidence angles induce significantly higher (2-10x) disturbance torques than an ideal, flat-plate sail. Even with considerable safety margins, assuming an ideal sail is unlikely to sufficiently bound the disturbances, which is critical when designing the attitude control system and sizing actuators. Accurate sail shape modeling methodologies should therefore be employed on future solar sail missions.

Solar Sail↗

A Solar Sail Shape Modeling Approach for Attitude Control Design and Analysis

Solar sails operating in the space environment experience deformations in sail shape that result in relatively large disturbance torques which dictate the required performance of the spacecraft attitude control and momentum management systems. These deformations are driven by thermal loads on the booms (due to uneven solar heating), manufacturing and assembly tolerances, and variations in membrane tension. The Solar Cruiser spacecraft utilizes a four-quadrant sail design with four 30-meter length booms and four triangular sail membranes, creating a square sail structure of >1600 m2. Medium-fidelity mesh models were developed based on a characteristic deformed shape. A series of parametric studies were conducted using this shape paradigm to determine worst-case deformed sail shapes which produce bounding disturbance torques. A large database of shapes was produced, and the forces and moments induced by each individual shape were calculated using a Rios-Reyes reduced order generalized sail model [1]. Two were selected as reference worst-case shapes for the Solar Cruiser mission: one which produced the highest pitch/yaw root-sum-squared (RSS) torque, and one which produced the highest roll torque. The results showed that the worst-case shapes at high solar incidence angles induce significantly higher (2-10x) disturbance torques than an ideal, flat-plate sail. Even with considerable safety margins, assuming an ideal sail is unlikely to sufficiently bound the disturbances, which is critical when designing the attitude control system and sizing actuators. Accurate sail shape modeling methodologies should therefore be employed on future solar sail missions. References [1] L. Rios-Reyes and D. J. Scheeres, “Generalized Model for Solar Sails,” Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 42, Jan. 2005, pp. 182–185, 10.2514/1.9054.

Solar Sail↗

A Review of Ice Particle Shapes in Cirrus formed In Situ and in Anvils

Results from 22 airborne field campaigns, including more than 10 million high–resolution particle images collected in cirrus formed in situ and in convective anvils, are interpreted in terms of particle shapes and their potential impact on radiative transfer. Emphasis is placed on characterizing ice particle shapes in tropical maritime and midlatitude continental anvil cirrus, as well as in cirrus formed in situ in the upper troposphere, and subvisible cirrus in the upper tropical troposphere layer. There is a distinctive difference in cirrus ice particle shapes formed in situ compared to those in anvils that are generated in close proximity to convection. More than half the mass in cirrus formed in situ are rosette shapes (polycrystals and bullet rosettes). Cirrus formed from fresh convective anvils is mostly devoid of rosette–shaped particles. However, small frozen drops may experience regrowth downwind of an aged anvil in a regime with RH ice > ~120% and then grow into rosette shapes. Identifiable particle shapes in tropical maritime anvils that have not been impacted by continental influences typically contain mostly single plate–like and columnar crystals and aggregates. Midlatitude continental anvils contain single–rimed particles, more and larger aggregates with riming, and chains of small ice particles when in a highly electrified environment. Here, the particles in subvisible cirrus are < ~100 μm and quasi–spherical with some plates and rare trigonal shapes. Percentages of particle shapes and power laws relating mean particle area and mass to dimension are provided to improve parameterization of remote retrievals and numerical simulations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A comparison between semi-spheroid- and dome-shaped quantum dots coupled to wetting layer

During the epitaxial growth method, self-assembled semi-spheroid-shaped quantum dots (QDs) are formed on the wetting layer (WL). However for sake of simplicity, researchers sometimes assume semi-spheroid-shaped QDs to be dome-shaped (hemisphere). In this work, a detailed and comprehensive study on the difference between electronic and transition properties of dome- and semi-spheroid-shaped quantum dots is presented. We will explain why the P-to-S intersubband transition behaves the way it does. The calculated results for intersubband P-to-S transition properties of quantum dots show two different trends for dome-shaped and semi-spheroid-shaped quantum dots. The results are interpreted using the probability of finding electron inside the dome/spheroid region, with emphasis on the effects of wetting layer. It is shown that dome-shaped and semi-spheroid-shaped quantum dots feature different electronic and transition properties, arising from the difference in lateral dimensions between dome- and semi-spheroid-shaped QDs. Moreover, an analogy is presented between the bound S-states in the quantum dots and a simple 3D quantum mechanical particle in a box, and effective sizes are calculated. The results of this work will benefit researchers to present more realistic models of coupled QD/WL systems and explain their properties more precisely.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗