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287 records · Page 16

Modeling the Deterioration of Engine and Low Pressure Compressor Performance During a Roll Back Event Due to Ice Accretion

The main focus of this study is to apply a computational tool for the flow analysis of the engine that has been tested with ice crystal ingestion in the Propulsion Systems Laboratory (PSL) of NASA Glenn Research Center. A data point was selected for analysis during which the engine experienced a full roll back event due to the ice accretion on the blades and flow path of the low pressure compressor. The computational tool consists of the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) engine system thermodynamic cycle code, and an Euler-based compressor flow analysis code, that has an ice particle melt estimation code with the capability of determining the rate of sublimation, melting, and evaporation through the compressor blade rows. Decreasing the performance characteristics of the low pressure compressor (LPC) within the NPSS cycle analysis resulted in matching the overall engine performance parameters measured during testing at data points in short time intervals through the progression of the roll back event. Detailed analysis of the fan-core and LPC with the compressor flow analysis code simulated the effects of ice accretion by increasing the aerodynamic blockage and pressure losses through the low pressure compressor until achieving a match with the NPSS cycle analysis results, at each scan. With the additional blockages and losses in the LPC, the compressor flow analysis code results were able to numerically reproduce the performance that was determined by the NPSS cycle analysis, which was in agreement with the PSL engine test data. The compressor flow analysis indicated that the blockage due to ice accretion in the LPC exit guide vane stators caused the exit guide vane (EGV) to be nearly choked, significantly reducing the air flow rate into the core. This caused the LPC to eventually be in stall due to increasing levels of diffusion in the rotors and high incidence angles in the inlet guide vane (IGV) and EGV stators. The flow analysis indicating compressor stall is substantiated by the video images of the IGV taken during the PSL test, which showed water on the surface of the IGV flowing upstream out of the engine, indicating flow reversal, which is characteristic of a stalled compressor.

Veres, Joseph P.↗

Modeling the Deterioration of Engine and Low Pressure Compressor Performance During a Roll Back Event Due to Ice Accretion

The main focus of this study is to apply a computational tool for the flow analysis of the engine that has been tested with ice crystal ingestion in the Propulsion Systems Laboratory (PSL) of NASA Glenn Research Center. A data point was selected for analysis during which the engine experienced a full roll back event due to the ice accretion on the blades and flow path of the low pressure compressor. The computational tool consists of the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) engine system thermodynamic cycle code, and an Euler-based compressor flow analysis code, that has an ice particle melt estimation code with the capability of determining the rate of sublimation, melting, and evaporation through the compressor blade rows. Decreasing the performance characteristics of the low pressure compressor (LPC) within the NPSS cycle analysis resulted in matching the overall engine performance parameters measured during testing at data points in short time intervals through the progression of the roll back event. Detailed analysis of the fan-core and LPC with the compressor flow analysis code simulated the effects of ice accretion by increasing the aerodynamic blockage and pressure losses through the low pressure compressor until achieving a match with the NPSS cycle analysis results, at each scan. With the additional blockages and losses in the LPC, the compressor flow analysis code results were able to numerically reproduce the performance that was determined by the NPSS cycle analysis, which was in agreement with the PSL engine test data. The compressor flow analysis indicated that the blockage due to ice accretion in the LPC exit guide vane stators caused the exit guide vane (EGV) to be nearly choked, significantly reducing the air flow rate into the core. This caused the LPC to eventually be in stall due to increasing levels of diffusion in the rotors and high incidence angles in the inlet guide vane (IGV) and EGV stators. The flow analysis indicating compressor stall is substantiated by the video images of the IGV taken during the PSL test, which showed water on the surface of the IGV flowing upstream out of the engine, indicating flow reversal, which is characteristic of a stalled compressor.

Jorgenson, Philip C. E.↗

High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of the supernova remnant N132D

A joint nonequilibrium ionization analysis of spectral data from the Einstein Observatory of the SNR N132D in the LMC is presented on the basis of data from the Focal Plane Crystal Spectrometer (FPCS) and the Solid State Spectrometer (SSS), and lower spectral resolution data from the IPC and the Monitor Proportional Counter (MPC). The FPCS detected individual emission lines of O VII, O VIII, Ne IX, Ne X, Fe XVII, and possibly Fe XX. Measured line widths for the oxygen lines suggest Doppler broadening that is roughly consistent with optically measured expansion velocities of 2250 km/s. At the SSS/IPC temperature, FPCS flux ratios constrain the O/Fe abundance to be at least 1.9 times its solar value and the O/Ne abundance to be 0.2-1.0 times its solar value. Models for remnants with progenitor masses of 20 and 25 solar masses are completely consistent with the data, while remnants with progenitor masses of 13 and 15 solar masses can be made consistent if the progenitors are required to eject a large fraction of their iron cores.

Hwang, Una↗

Modeling study on the cleavage step of the self-splicing reaction in group I introns

A three-dimensional model of the Tetrahymena thermophila group I intron is used to further explore the catalytic mechanism of the transphosphorylation reaction of the cleavage step. Based on the coordinates of the catalytic core model proposed by Michel and Westhof (Michel, F., Westhof, E. J. Mol. Biol. 216, 585-610 (1990)), we first converted their ligation step model into a model of the cleavage step by the substitution of several bases and the removal of helix P9. Next, an attempt to place a trigonal bipyramidal transition state model in the active site revealed that this modified model for the cleavage step could not accommodate the transition state due to insufficient space. A lowering of P1 helix relative to surrounding helices provided the additional space required. Simultaneously, it provided a better starting geometry to model the molecular contacts proposed by Pyle et al. (Pyle, A. M., Murphy, F. L., Cech, T. R. Nature 358, 123-128. (1992)), based on mutational studies involving the J8/7 segment. Two hydrated Mg2+ complexes were placed in the active site of the ribozyme model, using the crystal structure of the functionally similar Klenow fragment (Beese, L.S., Steitz, T.A. EMBO J. 10, 25-33 (1991)) as a guide. The presence of two metal ions in the active site of the intron differs from previous models, which incorporate one metal ion in the catalytic site to fulfill the postulated roles of Mg2+ in catalysis. The reaction profile is simulated based on a trigonal bipyramidal transition state, and the role of the hydrated Mg2+ complexes in catalysis is further explored using molecular orbital calculations.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

Hydrogen storage in Earth's mantle and core

Two different approaches to explaining how hydrogen might be stored in the mantle are illustrated by a number of papers published over the past 25-30 years, but there has been little attempt to provide objective comparisons of the two. One approach invokes the presence in the mantle of dense hydrous magnesium silicates (DHMS) stable at elevated pressures and temperatures. The other involves nominally anhydrous minerals (NAM) that contain hydrogen as a minor constituent on the ppm level. Experimental studies on DHMS indicate these phases may be stable to pressures and temperatures as high at 16 GPa and 1200 C. This temperature is lower than that indicated by a mantle geotherm at 16 GPa, but may be reasonable for a subducting slab. It is possible that other DHMS could be stable to even higher pressures, but little is known about maximum temperature limits. For NAM, small amounts of hydrogen (up to several hundred ppm) have been detected in olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and garnet recovered from xenoliths in kimberlites, eclogites, and alkali basalts; it has been demonstrated that synthetic wadsleyite and perovskite can accommodate significant amounts of hydrogen. A number of problems are associated with each possibility. For NAM originating in the mantle, one would like to assume that the hydrogen measured in samples recovered on Earth's surface was incorporated when the phase-crystallized at high temperatures and pressures, but it could have been introduced during transport to the surface. Major problems for the DHMS proponents are that none of these phases have been found as minerals and little is yet known about their stabilities in systems containing other cations such as Fe, Al, and Ca.

Prewitt, Charles T.↗

A Coordinated Microstructural and Isotopic Study ofa Wark-Lovering Rim on a Vigarano CAI

We carried out a coordinated mineralogical and isotopic study of a Wark-Lovering (WL) rim on a Ca,Al-rich inclusion (CAI) from the reduced CV3 chondrite Vigarano. The outermost edge of the CAI mantle is mineralogically and texturally distinct compared to the underlying mantle that is composed of coarse, zoned melilite (Åk~10-60) grains. The mantle edge contains fine-grained gehlenite with hibonite and rare grossite that likely formed by rapid crystallization from a melt enriched in Ca and Al. These gehlenite and hibonite layers are surrounded by successive layers of spinel, zoned melilite (Åk~0-10), zoned diopside that grades outwards from Al,Ti-rich to Al,Ti-poor, and forsteritic olivine intergrown with diopside. These layered textures are indicative of sequential condensation of spinel, melilite, diopside, and forsterite onto hibonite. Anorthite occurs as a discontinuous layer that corrodes adjacent melilite and Al2 diopside, and appears to have replaced them, probably even later than the forsterite layer formation. Based on these observations, we conclude that the WL rim formation was initiated by flash melting and extensive evaporation of the original inclusion edge, followed by subsequent gas-solid reactions under highly dynamic conditions. All the WL rim minerals are 16O-rich (Δ17O = ~−23‰), indicating their formation in an 16O-rich nebular reservoir. Our Al-Mg measurements of hibonite, spinel, and diopside from the WL rim, as well as spinel and Al,Ti-diopside in the core, define a single, well-correlated isochron with an inferred initial 26Al/27Al ratio of (4.94 ± 0.12) × 10−5. This indicates that the WL rim formed shortly after the host CAI. In contrast, the lack of 26Mg excesses in the WL rim anorthite suggest its later formation or later isotopic disturbance in the solar nebula, after 26Al had decayed.

Jangmi Han↗

CO Signatures in Subtropical Convective Clouds and Anvils during CRYSTAL-FACE: An Analysis of Convective Transport and Entrainment using Observations and a Cloud-Resolving Model

Convective systems are an important mechanism in the transport of boundary layer air into the upper troposphere. The Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers-Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (CRYSTAL-FACE) campaign, in July 2002, was developed as a comprehensive atmospheric mission to improve knowledge of subtropical cirrus systems and their roles in regional and global climate. In situ measurements of carbon monoxide (CO), water vapor (H2Ov), and total water (H2Ot) aboard NASA's WB-57F aircraft and CO aboard the U.S. Navy's Twin Otter aircraft were obtained to study the role of convective transport. Three flights sampled convective outflow on 11, 16 and 29 July found varying degrees of CO enhancement relative to the free troposphere. A cloud-resolving model used the in situ observations and meteorological fields to study these three systems. Several methods of filtering the observations were devised here using ice water content, relative humidity with respect to ice, and particle number concentration as a means to statistically sample the model results to represent the flight tracks. A weighted histogram based on ice water content observations was then used to sample the simulations for the three flights. In addition, because the observations occurred in the convective outflow cirrus and not in the storm cores, the model was used to estimate the maximum CO within the convective systems. In general, anvil-level air parcels contained an estimated 20-40% boundary layer air in the analyzed storms.

Lopez, Jimena P.↗

CO Signatures in Subtropical Convective Clouds and Anvils During CRYSTAL-FACE: An Analysis of Convective Transport and Entertainment Using Observations and a Cloud-Resolving Model

Convective systems are an important mechanism in the transport of boundary layer air into the upper troposphere. The Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers-Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (CRYSTAL-FACE) campaign, in July 2002, was developed as a comprehensive atmospheric mission to improve knowledge of subtropical cirrus systems and their roles in regional and global climate. In situ measurements of carbon monoxide (CO), water vapor (H20v), and total water (H20t) aboard NASA's . WB-57F aircraft and CO aboard the U.S. Navy's Twin Otter aircraft were obtained to study the role of convective transport. Three flights sampled convective outflow on 11, 16 and 29 July found varying degrees of CO enhancement relative to the fiee troposphere. A cloud-resolving model used the in situ observations and meteorological fields to study these three systems. Several methods of filtering the observations were devised here using ice water content, relative humidity with respect to ice, and particle number concentration as a means to statistically sample the model results to represent the flight tracks. A weighted histogram based on ice water content observations was then used to sample the simulations for the three flights. In addition, because the observations occurred in the convective outflow cirrus and not in the storm cores, the model was used to estimate the maximum CO within the convective systems. In general, anvil-level air parcels contained an estimated 20-40% boundary layer air in the analyzed storms.

Lopez, Jimena P.↗

Discovery of coesite and shocked quartz associated with the upper Eocene cpx spherule layer

At least two major impact ejecta layers have been discovered in upper Eocene strata. The upper layer is the North American microtektite layer. lt consists tektite fragments, microtektites, and shocked mineral grains (e.g., quartz and feldspar with multiple sets of PDFs, coesite and reidite (a high-pressure polymorph of zircon)). The slightly older layer contains clinopyroxene-bearing (cpx) spherules and microtektites associated with an Ir anomaly. The North American tektite layer may be derived from the Chesapeake Bay impact structure, and the cpx spherule layer may from the Popigai impact crater. A cpx spherule layer associated with a positive Ir anomaly was recently found at ODP Site 709, western Indian Ocean. A large sample (Hole 709C, core 31, section 4, 145-150 cm), originally used for a study of interstitial water by shipboard scientists, was acquired for the purpose of recovering a large number of spherules for various petrographic and geochemical studies. A split of the sample (50.35 g) was disaggregated and wet-sieved. More than 17,000 cpx spherules and several hundred microtektites (larger than 125 microns) were recovered from the sample. Rare white opaque grains were observed in the 125-250 micron size fraction after removal of the carbonate component using dilute HCI. Seven of the white opaque grains were X-rayed using a Gandolfi camera and six were found to be coesite (probably mixed with lechatelierite). Eighty translucent colorless grains from the 63-125 micron size fraction were studied with a petrographic microscope. Four of the grains exhibit one to two sets of planar deformation features (PDFs). The only other possible known occurrence of shocked minerals associated with the cpx spherule layer is at Massignano, Italy, where pancake-shaped clay spherules (thought to be diagenetically altered cpx spherules are associated with a positive Ir anomaly and Ni- rich spinel crystals. Shocked quartz grains with multiple sets of PDFs also occur at this site. Until now, unmelted impact ejecta have not been found associated with the cpx spherules at any of the other 20 sites around the world and this is the first time that coesite has been found associated with the cpx spherule layer. The discovery of coesite and shocked quartz associated with the cpx spherules at Site 709 in Indian Ocean is further evidence for the impact origin of the cpx spherule layer. We hope that future discovery of other unmelted minerals from this sample may provide materials to establish constraints on the provenance of this late Eocene ejecta.

Liu, S.↗

The Ly(alpha) Line Profiles of Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies: Fast Winds and Lyman Continuum Leakage

We present new Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic Origins Spectrograph far-ultraviolet (far-UV) spectroscopy and Keck Echellete optical spectroscopy of 11 ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs), a rare population of local galaxies experiencing massive gas inflows, extreme starbursts, and prominent outflows. We detect Ly(alpha) emission from eight ULIRGs and the companion to IRAS09583+4714. In contrast to the P Cygni profiles often seen in galaxy spectra, the Ly(alpha) profiles exhibit prominent, blueshifted emission out to Doppler shifts exceeding −1000 km/s in three H II-dominated and two AGN-dominated ULIRGs. To better understand the role of resonance scattering in shaping the Ly(alpha) line profiles, we directly compare them to non-resonant emission lines in optical spectra. We find that the line wings are already present in the intrinsic nebular spectra, and scattering merely enhances the wings relative to the line core. The Ly(alpha) attenuation (as measured in the COS aperture) ranges from that of the far-UV continuum to over 100 times more. A simple radiative transfer model suggests the Ly(alpha) photons escape through cavities which have low column densities of neutral hydrogen and become optically thin to the Lyman continuum in the most advanced mergers. We show that the properties of the highly blueshifted line wings on the Ly(alpha) and optical emission-line profiles are consistent with emission from clumps of gas condensing out of a fast, hot wind. The luminosity of the Ly(alpha) emission increases nonlinearly with the ULIRG bolometric luminosity and represents about 0.1-1% of the radiative cooling from the hot winds in the H II-dominated ULIRGs.

Infrared↗

The Next Generation Marshall Grazing Incidence X-Ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS) Sounding Rocket Experiments

The Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS) is a sounding rocket experiment that carries an X-ray slitless imaging spectrograph to observe spectrally dispersed soft X-ray (SXR) images of the solar corona over a wide field-of-view. The first flight of MaGIXS occurred on 30 July 2021, during which several emission lines from coronal structures including X-ray bright points were observed. Analysis of MaGIXS-1 data demonstrated the application of new inversion techniques and opened a new arena of inverting complex spectroheliogram data, which has spatial-spectral information overlapped. The second flight of MaGIXS, with a simplified optical design, is scheduled for 2024. The goal of MaGIXS-2 is to observe high temperature diagnostic emission lines within an active region core. MaGIXS-1 discovered dominant missing emission lines near 15Å wavelength region, which hosts several closely spaced satellite lines of Fe XVII, Fe XVI, and Fe XV ions, arising from relatively cool plasma that peaks near 2MK. These lines are expected to be enhanced at lower temperatures and offers one of the most unique diagnostics to measure electron temperature, as well as signatures of equilibrium state of the plasma in active regions, which has not been studied so far. The science goal of the third sounding rocket flight of MaGIXS is to determine coronal heating parameters, such as the spatial and temporal properties of coronal heating events, by measuring discriminating observations, such as electron temperature, effective temperature, density, abundance, and departures from thermal equilibrium of the plasma, by observing the Sun in the SXR wavelength range. For this, the MaGIXS instrument will be upgraded with a new X-ray telescope mirror that will provide higher spatial and spectral resolution and throughput, allowing for spectral lines to be observed at the relevant spatial and temporal scales. In addition, MaGIXS-3 will also carry The Resolving Inversion Context X-ray Spectrometer (TRICXS), a high dispersion Bragg crystal spectrometer to spectrally resolve the lines near 15Å, critical to unlock the full diagnostic potential of this wavelength range. Here we will present the preliminary concept design of MaGIXS-3 and discuss the potential observations.

X-ray Imaging↗

Thermodynamic and Diffusion Model Estimates on Metamorphic Temperatures and Timescales for Basaltic Eucrite GRA 98098

Introduction: HED meteorites are thought to rep-resent igneous rocks from Vesta’s basaltic crust and preserve evidence of early crustal metamorphism. Determining the temperatures and timescales of thermal metamorphism is important for reconstructing crustal evolution in the early solar system. Here, we study basaltic eucrite Graves Nunataks (GRA) 98098, which has been identified as a highly metamorphosed eucrite [1]. We present new estimates on metamorphic temperatures determined via thermodynamic modeling as well as the initial results from diffusion models constraining timescales of thermal metamorphism. Sample Description: GRA 98098 is an unbrecciated eucrite with a granoblastic plagioclase and pyroxene mineralogy. Millimeter to cm-long lathes of tridymite cross-cut and poikilitically enclose plagioclase and pyroxene [1,this work]. Pyroxene grains have exsolved into Ca-rich (~Wo38En29Fs33) and Ca-poor (~Wo4.5En36Fs59.5) lamellae. Both unzoned and zoned plagioclase grains are observed. Unzoned plagioclase grains are found solely with tridymite laths. These grains have ~An92 compositions. The cores of the zoned plagioclase grains have the same composition and thin, relatively sodic rims (~An67), (Fig. 1). The bulk sample is unusually enriched in highly in-compatible elements and has one of the most fractionated REE patterns reported [1]. Maximum metamorphic temperatures of 985±78°C have been estimated using two-pyroxene thermometry [2]. Methods: Thermodynamic modeling. Thermodynamic models were constructed using the software Perple_X, which employs a Gibbs free energy minimization in order to determine the most stable phase assemblage for a given bulk rock composition [3]. Bulk composition was calculated using mineral com-positions acquired via EMPA (this study) and the observed abundancies present in the thin section. Two bulk compositions were estimated; 1) includes all phases present in the thin section, (assumes that all phases are present during metamorphism), 2) excludes tridymite from the bulk calculation (assumes that tridymite was not present during metamorphism). In order to determine whether metamorphic equilibria was achieved and estimate temperatures of metamorphism, we compared measured pyroxene compositions with thermodynamically predicted compositions [4, Fig. 2]. Diffusion Modeling. Several time-temperature de-pendent diffusion profiles were calculated in order to determine the best match for XAn chemical profiles observed at the edges of the zoned plagioclase (Fig. 3). We assumed that the start condition was a stepwise gradient at the plagioclase/pyroxene interface. We also assumed an average diffusion coefficient (D) and a constant temperature using the equation in [5]. D was determined for two temperatures (T = 1060ºC; near eucrite solidus [6] and T = 985ºC; metamorphism reported in [4]) and then XAn was calculated as a function of distance from plagioclase core to rim using an error function solution to Fick’s second law. Results: Thermodynamic model results are summarized in Fig. 2. For a bulk composition that includes all phases in the thin section, pyroxene endmember compositions plot in the following temperature ranges: Fs ~660-860ºC, En~1000ºC & 1150ºC, and Wo~760-900ºC (Fig. 2a). For a bulk composition that excludes tridymite from the peak metamorphic assemblage (i.e., the bulk composition minus the contribution from tridymite), a temperature range could not be determined for the Fs component of pyroxene. For Wo, T~760-900ºC and En, T~1000ºC & 1150ºC (Fig. 2b). Fig. 3 summarizes the diffusion model results. For T = 1060°C & 985°C, the most appropriate time interval was estimated based on which diffusion curve most matched (solid lines, Fig. 3) the EMPA data. For T = 1060°C, the best looking match was t = 500 ka. For T = 985°C, the best match was t = 7 Ma. Discussion and future work: Temperature estimates from thermodynamic models are not conclusive because the temperature ranges determined for pyroxene endmember stability do not overlap (colored fields in Fig. 2), thus implying that there is disequilibrium between pyroxene crystals and the bulk composition considered [4]. Thus, additional exploration is needed to define a metamorphically equilibrated do-main that accurately records peak temperature. The utility of defining metamorphically equilibrated do-mains to improve the accuracy and level of detail elucidated regarding the petrogenetic history of metamorphose samples has been demonstrated previously [4,7]. We suggest that in the case of Fig. 2a, the thin section composition is not representative of the length scales over which metamorphic equilibrium was achieve and in the case of Fig. 2b, the assumption that tridymite was not present during metamorphism was incorrect. However, results from thermodynamic models can provide insight into the relative timing of mineral and compositional textures. For example from texture alone, it is unclear whether tridymite was igneous in origin and represents the last bits of melt in a crystallizing magma chamber, or if it formed during (and possibly initiated) open system thermal metamorphism. The latter could be consistent with a partial melt hypothesis [8,9] while the former implies that simple fractional crystallization can yield the textures present in GRA 98098. The lack of coincidence be-tween pyroxene endmember compositions in Fig. 2b suggest that the bulk composition minus tridymite was not the assemblage in equilibrium with the pyroxene, suggesting that tridymite was present during metamorphism and formed during igneous crystallization. We conclude that the development of the Na-rich plagioclase rims likely occurred during or immediately after peak thermal metamorphism, because eucrites of similar metamorphic grade and texture have unzoned plagioclase (~An92) [2,4,8], and Na zoning is only observed in the plagioclase not included in the tridymite. This suggests that the zoning formed after tridymite formation, and therefore after igneous crystallization. Thus, the timescales calculated via diffusion modeling possibly represent the time interval over which thermal metamorphism occurred. Cooling rates approximated for the Vestan crust predict that the crust cooled below 300°C around 35-40 Ma after formation[10]. This is consistent with our modeling results that predict formation of the Na rich plagioclase rims occurring at higher temperatures over a period of 0.5 to 7 Ma years. Future work. Additional thermodynamic modeling work will focus on selecting an equilibrated bulk rock domain in which to elucidate metamorphic conditions. Diffusion models currently provide a minimum time-scale, since diffusion slows down as the system cools. Future work with will focus on integrating cooling into the diffusion models and constraining the depth at which thermal metamorphism occurs because it could be used to determine whether the range of time-scales calculated for thermal metamorphism are consistent with the geologic environment.

J S Gorce↗

Charge Generation and Propagation in Igneous Rocks

Various electrical phenomena have been reported prior to or concurrent with earthquakes such as resistivity changes, ground potentials, electromagnetic (EM), and luminous signals. Doubts have been raised as to whether some of these phenomena are real and indeed precursory. One of the reasons for uncertainty is that, despite decades of intense work, there is still no physically coherent model. Using low- to medium-velocity impacts to measure electrical signals with microsecond time resolution, it has now been observed that when dry gabbro and diorite cores are impacted at relatively low velocities, approximately 100 m/s, highly mobile charge carriers are generated in a small volume near the impact point. They spread through the rocks, causing electric potentials exceeding +400 mV, EM, and light emission. As the charge cloud spreads, the rock becomes momentarily conductive. When a dry granite block is impacted at higher velocity, approximately 1.5 km/s, the propagation of the P and S waves is registered through the transient piezoelectric response of quartz. After the sound waves have passed, the surface of the granite block becomes positively charged, suggesting the same charge carriers as observed during the low-velocity impact experiments, expanding from within the bulk. During the next 2-3 ms the surface potential oscillates, indicating pulses of electrons injected from ground and contact electrodes. The observations are consistent with positive holes, e.g., defect electrons in the O(2-) sublattice, traveling via the O 2p-dominated valence band of the silicate minerals. Before activation, the positive holes lay dormant in the form of electrically inactive positive hole pairs (PHP), chemically equivalent to peroxy links, O3X/OO\XO3, with X=Si(4+), Al(3+), etc. PHPs are introduced into the minerals by way of hydroxyl,O3X-OH, which all nominally anhydrous minerals incorporate when crystallizing in H2O-laden environments. The fact that positive holes can be activated by low-energy impacts, and their attendant sound waves, suggests that they can also be activated by microfracturing. Depending on where in the stressed rock volume the charge carriers are activated, they will form rapidly moving or fluctuating charge clouds that may account for earthquake-related electrical signals and EM emission. Wherever such charge clouds intersect the surface, high fields are expected, causing electric discharges and earthquake lights.

Freund, Friedemann↗

Structural Characterization of Crystalline Ice Nanoclusters

Water ice nanoclusters are useful analogs for studying a variety of processes that occur within icy grains in the extraterrestrial environment. The surface of ice nanoclusters prepared in the laboratory is similar to the surface of interstellar ice grains. In cold molecular clouds, the silicate cores of interstellar grains are typically approx. 100 nm in diameter and have a coating of impure amorphous water ice. Depositional, thermal and radiolytic processes leave the surface and subsurface molecules in a disordered state. In this state, structural defects become mobile and reactions of trapped gases and small molecules can occur. The large surface area of nanocluster deposits relative to their bulk allows for routine observation of such surface-mediated processes. Furthermore, the disordered surface and subsurface layers in nanocluster deposits mimic the structure of amorphous ice rinds found on interstellar dust grains. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM has been used tn characterize the crystallinity, growth mechanism, and size distribution of nanoclusters formed from a mixture of water vapor with an inert carrier gas that has been rapidly cooled to 77K. E M imaging reveals a Gaussian size distribution around a modal diameter that increases from approx. 15 to 30 nm as the percentage of water vapor within the mixture increases from 0.5 to 2.007, respectively . TEM bright and dark field imaging also reveals the crystalline nature of the clusters. h4any of the clusters show a mosaic structure in which crystalline domains originate at the center Other images show mirror planes that are separated by approx. 10 nm. Electron diffraction patterns of these clusters show that the clusters are composed of cubic ice with only a small hexagonal component. Further, the crystalline domain size is approximately the same as the modal diameter suggesting that the clusters are single crystals.

Blake, David↗

Magnetic microspherules associated with the K/T and upper Eocene extinction events

Magnetic microspherules were identified in over 20 K/T boundary sites, and in numerous Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) cores from the Caribbean and Pacific, synchronous with the extinction of several radiolarian species near the end of the Eocene. The K/T magnetic spherules are of particular interest as carriers of Ir and other siderophiles generally found in abundance in K/T boundary clay. Furthermore the textures and unusual chemistry of their component magnetic phases indicate an origin at high temperature, possibly related to (an) unusual event(s) marking the end of the Cretaceous and Eocene periods. Their origin, along with the non-magnetic (sanidine) spheules, is generally ascribed directly to megaimpact events hypothesized to have periodically disrupted life on Earth. A survey of microspherical forms associated with known meteorite and impact derived materials reveals fundamental differences from the extinction related spherules. Low temperature magnetic experiments on the K/T and Upper Eocene spheroids indicate that, unlike tektites, extremely small superparamagnetic carriers are not present in abundance. The extensive subaerial exposure of Cretaceous combustible black shale during sea level regression in the latest Cretaceous represents a potential source for the magnetic spheroids found in certain K/T boundary clays. The recent discovery of high Ir abundances distributed above and below the K/T boundary within shallow water sediments in Israel, which also contain the most extensive known zones of combustion metamorphism, the so called Mottled Zone, adds a further dramatic footnote to the proposed association between the magnetic spheroids and combustion of organic shales. Interestingly, the Mottled Zone also contains the rare mineral magnesioferrite, which was identified both within the K/T magnetic spheroids and as discrete crystals in boundary clay from marine and continental sites.

Cisowski, Stanley M.↗

Application of Single Crystal Failure Criteria: Theory and Turbine Blade Case Study

The orientation of the single crystal material within a structural component is known to affect the strength and life of the part. The first stage blade of the High Pressure Fuel Turbopump (HPFTP)/ Alternative Turbopump Development (ATD), of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) was used to study the effects of secondary axis'orientation angles on the failure rate of the blade. A new failure criterion was developed based on normal and shear strains on the primary crystallographic planes. The criterion was verified using low cycle fatigue (LCF) specimen data and a finite element model of the test specimens. The criterion was then used to study ATD/HPFTP first stage blade failure events. A detailed ANSYS finite element model of the blade was used to calculate the failure parameter for the different crystallographic orientations. A total of 297 cases were run to cover a wide range of acceptable orientations within the blade. Those orientations are related to the base crystallographic coordinate system that was created in the ANSYS finite element model. Contour plots of the criterion as a function of orientation for the blade tip and attachment were obtained. Results of the analysis revealed a 40% increase in the failure parameter due to changing of the primary and secondary axes of material orientations. A comparison between failure criterion predictions and actual engine test data was then conducted. The engine test data comes from two ATD/HPFTP builds (units F3- 4B and F6-5D), which were ground tested on the SSME at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Both units experienced cracking of the airfoil tips in multiple blades, but only a few cracks grew all the way across the wall of the hollow core airfoil.

Sayyah, Tarek↗

KT Boundary Impact Debris from DSDP Site 577

The KT boundary at DSDP Site 577 (Shatsky Rise, western North Pacific) is in a calcareous nannofossil ooze. It is bioturbated so Ir and impact debris are smeared across less than 15 cm of core. An absence of sulfides and chalcophile enrichment and the presence of Mn-micronodules indicate that this boundary did not experience anoxic conditions typical of many other calcareous KT sites. Because of its shallow burial (109 m) ejecta is extremely well preserved and has been the subject of numerous studies. Three high-temperature minerals have been identified at this site. Clinopyroxene (cpx), found only at Site 577 may be precursor to diagenetic sanidine in some European sites. Magnesioferrite spinel has the highest Fe2O3/FeO of any locality and can have and trace inclusions of Ni-magnesiowustite, which is known at only one other site (Site 596). Other debris described includes shocked quartz grains less than 200 microns, hollow spherules possibly related to impact melt glasses found near Chicxulub, and irregular Ir-rich particles that may be derived directly from meteoritic materials. The latter may be related to the fossil meteorite found at Site 576, just 500 km to the east. A large-volume (approx. 10 cc) sample was taken to systematically characterize debris. The less than 60 microns fraction of the carbonate-free sediment contained 44 mg of impact debris. 2700 particles less than l00 microns were classified based on color, shape, and morphology. About 55% are generally light colored, composed mostly of clays, and typically lack magnesioferrite spinel. Less than half of these are quite spherical; many have irregular shapes, possibly from fragmentation. Hollow spherules with smooth shiny surfaces are only 2% of the total but many fragments in the 60 - 100 microns fraction suggest that they were more abundant and that some may have been quite large; 800 microns or more. Cpx-bearing spherules, easily identified by green crystals at the surface, constitute only 2.5% of the total. Three cpx spherules are dumbbells. The other 40% of the debris is a complex assemblage of dark-colored particles, most of which have magnesioferrite spinel. We have currently separated these into 6 groups based on color and morphology, but this hardly describes the diversity of this group. They range from smooth and spherical to rough and irregular in shape. Some have a planar cleavage, similar to some broken cosmic spherules. 220 particles were irradiated for trace element analysis, as groups and as individual particles. It appears that every spherule type as at least a few ng/g Ir. Several of the spinel-bearing particles have been identified with high Ir (200-1500 ng/g), Cr (2-5 mg/g), and Ni (2-10 mg/g), consistent with results. It is hoped that some of these will yield potential fragments of the KT bolide. Only five have been sectioned to date and they are characterized by high concentrations of spinel; two contained traces of magnesiowustite. This debris constitutes a complex assemblage of ejecta materials. The light-colored, spinel-free particles likely derive mainly from target materials. A significant fraction of these are probably alteration products of cpx-spherules. The dark-colored debris is more likely to have high siderophile concentrations, and thus a high extraterrestrial component. However, the majority don't. Most of the larger spinel-bearing spherules have modest Ir concentrations (5-30 ng/g).

Kyte, Frank T.↗