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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Flash electropolishing of BCC Fe and Fe-based alloys

The preparation of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples is a critical step in the characterization of materials, and the focused ion beam (FIB) technique is a commonly used method. However, a significant limitation of this technique is the FIB-induced damages on the foil surfaces, which can obscure the real features of interest, particularly in radiation effects studies. To overcome this limitation, this study presents a detailed description of the flash electropolishing technique, which can be used to remove the FIB damage from samples. The flash electropolishing technique has been successfully applied to a range of materials, including Fe, Fe-based model alloys, commercial Fe-Cr alloys, and advanced Fe-Cr alloys, both in their as-received and ion-irradiated states. Furthermore, the parameters used for Fe-Cr model alloys can be adjusted for commercial and advanced alloys with minimal modifications. Further, the study also examined the effects of electropolishing variables, such as perchloric acid concentration, electropolishing temperature, Cr concentration, and voltage. Qualitatively, a general trend and scoping test strategy is explored in our experiments. Overall, the flash electropolishing technique offers a promising solution to the challenges posed by FIB-induced damages in the preparation of TEM samples.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2002

Crack Detection for Aerospace Quality Spur Gears

Health and Usage Monitoring System research and development involves analysis of the vibration signals produced by a gearbox throughout its life. There are two major advantages of knowing the actual lifetime of a gearbox component: safety and cost. In this report, a technique is proposed to help extract the critical data and present it in a manner that can be easy to understand. The key feature of the technique is to make it independent of speed, torque and prior history for localized, single tooth damage such as gear cracks. This extraction technique is demonstrated on two sets of digitized vibration data from cracked spur gears. Standard vibration diagnostic parameters are calculated and presented for comparison. Several new detection algorithms are also presented. The results of this study indicate that crack detection methods examined are not robust or repeatable. The proposed techniques provide a limited improvement to existing diagnostic parameters. Current techniques show that the cracks progressed at a much faster rate than anticipated which reduced available time for detection.

Decker, Harry J.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Computational Reduction of Specimen Noise to Enable Improved Thermography Characterization of Flaws in Graphite Polymer Composites

Flaw detection and characterization with thermographic techniques in graphite polymer composites are often limited by localized variations in the thermographic response. Variations in properties such as acceptable porosity, fiber volume content and surface polymer thickness result in variations in the thermal response that in general cause significant variations in the initial thermal response. These result in a "noise" floor that increases the difficulty of detecting and characterizing deeper flaws. A method is presented for computationally removing a significant amount of the "noise" from near surface porosity by diffusing the early time response, then subtracting it from subsequent responses. Simulations of the thermal response of a composite are utilized in defining the limitations of the technique. This method for reducing the data is shown to give considerable improvement characterizing both the size and depth of damage. Examples are shown for data acquired on specimens with fabricated delaminations and impact damage.

Winfree, William P.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Local Guided Wavefield Analysis for Characterization of Delaminations in Composites

Delaminations in composite laminates resulting from impact events may be accompanied by minimal indication of damage at the surface. As such, inspection techniques are required to ensure defects are within allowable limits. Conventional ultrasonic scanning techniques have been shown to effectively characterize the size and depth of delaminations but require physical contact with the structure. Alternatively, a noncontact scanning laser vibrometer may be used to measure guided wave propagation in the laminate structure. A local Fourier domain analysis method is presented for processing guided wavefield data to estimate spatially-dependent wavenumber values, which can be used to determine delamination depth. The technique is applied to simulated wavefields and results are analyzed to determine limitations of the technique with regards to determining defect size and depth. Finally, experimental wavefield data obtained in quasi-isotropic carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates with impact damage is analyzed and wavenumber is measured to an accuracy of 8.5% in the region of shallow delaminations. Keywords: Ultrasonic wavefield imaging, Windowed Fourier transforms, Guided waves, Structural health monitoring, Nondestructive evaluation

Rogge, Matthew D.↗
DOE OSTI2025

In Situ Measurement of Adhesion for Multimetallic Nanoparticles

The adhesion of nanoparticles to their supports is key to their performance and stability. However, scientific advances in this area have been hampered by the difficulty of experimentally probing adhesion. To date, only a single technique has been developed that can directly measure nanoparticle adhesion, and this technique is inherently limited to monometallic systems. We present a versatile technique for the direct measurement of adhesion for bimetallic nanoparticle systems. This technique combines the spatial resolution of transmission electron microscopy with the force resolution of an atomic force microscope to probe individual, well-characterized nanoparticles. A first study of supported bimetallic nanoparticles provides new insights into the complex impact of alloying on nanoparticle adhesion, explained by charge transfer between constituent metals. The new experimental technique is readily extensible to study other multimetallic nanoparticle systems, including the effects of particle size, shape, and orientation, thus enabling advances in our understanding of nanoparticle physics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1975

Douglas Experience in Flight Flutter Testing

Douglas Aircraft Company experience in flight flutter testing is reviewed briefly, with comments on state-of-the-art excitation and instrumentation techniques used up to the present time. The limitations of previous techniques are discussed with emphasis on the problem of: (1) establishing a flutter margin of safety for predicted marginal flutter modes; (2) resolving instances of flutter not predicted by theoretical calculations in advance; and (3) delaying the airplane demonstration by time consumed in acquisition and reduction of flutter data. Current Douglas philosophy in flight flutter testing is presented and a description given of steady-state vane excitation system development, automatic data handling system, and the potential application of automatic computing methods for increasing flutter data yield.

Philbrick, J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Multiplex gas chromatography for use in space craft

Gas chromatography is a powerful technique for the analysis of gaseous mixtures. Some limitations in this technique still exist which can be alleviated with multiplex gas chromatography (MGC). In MGC, rapid multiple sample injections are made into the column without having to wait for one determination to be finished before taking a new sample. The resulting data must then be reduced using computational methods such as cross correlation. In order to efficiently perform multiplexgas chromatography, experiments in the laboratory and on board future space craft, skills, equipment, and computer software were developed. Three new techniques for modulating, i.e., changing, sample concentrations were demonstrated by using desorption, decomposition, and catalytic modulators. In all of them, the need for a separate gas stream as the carrier was avoided by placing the modulator at the head of the column to directly modulate a sample stream. Finally, the analysis of an environmental sample by multiplex chromatography was accomplished by employing silver oxide to catalytically modulate methane in ambient air.

Valentin, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The polarization lidar technique for cloud research - A review and current assessment

The development of the polarization lidar technique is reviewed, and the current capabilities and limitations of the technique for the cloud research are discussed. At present, polarization lidar is a key component of climate-research programs designed to characterize the properties of cirrus clouds and is an integral part of multiple remote-sensor studies of mixed-phase cloud systems such as winter mountain storms, making it possible to discriminate between cloud phases and to identify some particle types and orientations. Recent theoretical approaches involving ice crystal ray-tracing and cloud microphysical-model simulations are expected to increase the utility of the polarization lidar technique.

Sassen, Kenneth↗
NASA NTRS1995

Two color holographic interferometry for microgravity application

Holographic interferometry is a primary candidate for determining temperature and concentration in crystal growth experiments designed for space. The method measures refractive index changes within the fluid of an experimental test cell resulting from temperature and/or concentration changes. When the refractive index changes are caused by simultaneous temperature and concentration changes, the contributions of the two effects cannot be separated by single wavelength interferometry. By using two wavelengths, however, two independent interferograms can provide the additional independent equation required to determine the two unknowns. There is no other technique available that provides this type of information. The primary objectives of this effort were to experimentally verify the mathematical theory of two color holographic interferometry (TCHI) and to determine the practical value of this technique for space application. In the foregoing study, the theory of TCHI has been tested experimentally over a range of interest for materials processing in space where measurements of temperature and concentration in a solution are required. New techniques were developed and applied to stretch the limits beyond what could be done with existing procedures. The study resulted in the production of one of the most advanced, enhanced sensitivity holographic interferometers in existence. The interferometric measurements made at MSFC represent what is believed to be the most accurate holographic interferometric measurements made in a fluid to date. The tests have provided an understanding of the limitations of the technique in practical use.

Trolinger, James D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Physics of Fusion Welding

Applicabilities and limitations of three techniques analyzed. NASA technical memorandum discusses physics of electron-beam, gas/ tungsten-arc, and laser-beam welding. From comparison of capabilities and limitations of each technique with regard to various welding conditions and materials, possible to develop criteria for selecting best welding technique in specific application. All three techniques classified as fusion welding; small volume of workpiece melted by intense heat source. Heat source moved along seam, leaving in wake solid metal that joins seam edges together.

Nunes, A. C., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Enabling phase quantification of anhydrous cements via Raman imaging

The phase composition of Portland cements is typically determined using conventional techniques like X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Rietveld analysis, optical microscopy point counting, and electron microscopy. However, these techniques have several limitations that may affect their accuracy in certain sample-specific scenarios. Here, we report a highly accurate phase quantification of 11 different types of commercial, anhydrous cements using a new and complementary technique: Raman imaging. Specifically, for the 4 principal phases, composition from our extensive data (250,000 Raman spectra per sample, error < 0.71%) and those obtained from XRD Rietveld and supplier data have high coefficients of determination (R{sup 2} > 0.98, mean deviation <2%). Additionally, we also quantify 8 secondary phases present in cement clinkers (gypsum, anhydrite, bassanite, syngenite, dolomite, calcite, quartz, and portlandite) with a high degree of confidence, thereby demonstrating that Raman imaging is a highly versatile tool for anhydrous phase quantification in a broad variety of cements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1983

Digital multishaker modal testing

A review of several modal testing techniques is made, along with brief discussions of their advantages and limitations. A new technique is presented which overcomes many of the previous limitations. Several simulated experiments are included to verify the validity and accuracy of the new method. Conclusions are drawn from the simulation studies and recommendations for further work are presented. The complete computer code configured for the simulation study is presented.

Blair, M.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Safe Exploration Reinforcement Learning for Load Restoration using Invalid Action Masking

This paper addresses the load restoration problem after a power outage event. Our primary proposed methodology uses a multi-agent reinforcement learning method to make the optimal sequential decisions on picking up critical loads. Typically, a negative reward is provided to discourage the agents from selecting decisions that violate physical constraints during the restoration process. However, the main disadvantage of this approach is its difficulty in applying it to large-scale systems due to the curse of dimensionality. This paper introduces the invalid action masking technique to overcome this limitation. The features of this technique include zero physical constraint violations, reduced training time, and stabilization of the explo- ration process. Simulation results are performed in IEEE 13-node and IEEE 123-node systems showing the better performance of the proposed algorithm in comparison to the conventional approaches both in terms of restored power and learning curve.

reinforcement learning, blackstart, artificial int↗
NASA NTRS1990

Application of a new Navier-Stokes inverse method to the design of advanced airfoils

A new inverse airfoil design method has been developed. This method couples a two-dimensional Navier-Stokes code to a residual-correction design algorithm to produce an efficient design code. Since this method can be used to design airfoils near the limits of performance capabilities, a technique to investigate the limits of lift has been developed to guide the design of new airfoils. Examples of the use of the inverse Navier-Stokes code and the maximum lift technology in the design of new airfoils are presented.

Narramore, J. C.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Preliminary Parametric Cost Model for X-Ray Grazing Incidence Optics for Space Flight

Parametric cost models offer a lot of utility in planning and comparing different missions and concepts. Furthermore, they have a significant advantage over other estimating methodologies as they can be quickly and easily replicated. The cost model presented in this paper focuses on estimating the most likely cost for the X-ray Mirror Assembly (XMA) of space-based X-ray telescopes with grazing incidence optics. The authors recognize the complexities of generating a single cost model that covers multiple fabrication techniques, so they have limited this preliminary study to techniques used on previous and current missions, such as direct polished glass full shell, replicated, and foil optics

Space Telescope Cost Model↗
DOE OSTI2020

“Development and application of analytical detection techniques for droplet-based microfluidics”-A review

Droplet-based microfluidics has emerged as a powerful platform for high-throughput and low-volume analysis and screening. At present, droplet-based microfluidics is transitioning from the proof-of-concept stage to real-world applications. During this process, analytical detection techniques play indispensable roles for successfully implementing droplet-based chemical or biological assays. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in analytical techniques for droplet analysis and elucidate the advantages and limitations of each technique. We cover the majority of technology categories, including optical detection, electrical detection, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, we highlight new research areas that have been enabled by these technical advances. Finally, we provide perspectives on both future technological directions and potential enabling applications.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1986

Middle Atmosphere Program. Handbook for MAP, volume 19

This MAP handbook is concerned with rocket techniques and instrumentation as they are currently employed in the middle atmosphere. It is composed of nine chapters, written by experts on rocket experiments. The emphasis is on measurement techniques rather than results, although results are incorporated wherever they provide examples which illustrate the measurement features. The chapters first cover techniques relating to measurements of neutral dynamics and chemistry, then measurements of the various intermittent and excessive radiation sources which effect the middle atmospheric environment, and finally measurements of the plasma environment including electric fields. The weighting toward plasma related parameters is not accidental, but reflects both the historical headstart given by early development of radio wave and probe techniques to measure electron density, and by the relatively limited number of techniques available for neutral atmospheric measurements.

Goldberg, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Cosmic Ray Energy Determination by the Reduced-Opening Angle Method

Accurate measurement of the primary galactic cosmic ray species energy dependence in the regime beyond approx. 500 GeV/a is difficult due to the low flux and the limitations of energy measurement techniques. However, such observations are essential to resolve several questions of current interest such as: Is the enrichment of heavy species (Z greater that or equal to 6) cosmic rays first reported at higher energies by the proton satellite' and then later at lower energies real? The results from a previous deployment of the reduced opening angle technique are inconclusive but the authors do point to limitations in the previous techniques. Another intriguing puzzle is the energy dependence of silicon cosmic rays. Two independent experiments using different experimental techniques indicate that silicon is under-abundant. At present the observation is limited by statistics; it could still be a three sigma fluctuation. However, if confirmed the current models of acceleration and propagation which are species independent are seriously inadequate. To progress further the species and energy dependence must be accurately measured in a manner that is free from systematic uncertainty. In this report we show that the reduced opening angle method offers a simple and relatively inexpensive method to answer these questions. First we present the physics of the reduced opening angle and indicate the expected energy and charge resolution. The proposed detector design is then presented followed by the expected performance. Where ever possible simple phenomenological expressions that allow 'back of the envelope' estimates are given. More details are presented in the appendices. The limit of the energy resolution and the expected event rates for iron cosmic rays are calculated. Salient points are summarized in the conclusions.

Smith, Arthur E.↗