Useful operator in plasma kinetic theory.
Operator used in derivation of plasma kinetic equation, expressing integral of pair correlation function for stable and unstable cases via Fourier transform
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Operator used in derivation of plasma kinetic equation, expressing integral of pair correlation function for stable and unstable cases via Fourier transform
Concepts for space-based conversion of space radiation energy into useful energy for man's needs are developed and supported by studies of costs, material and size requirements, efficiency, and available technology. Besides the more studied solar power satellite system using microwave transmission, a number of alternative space energy concepts are considered. Topics covered include orbiting mirrors for terrestrial energy supply, energy conversion at a lunar polar site, ultralightweight structures for space power, radiatively sustained cesium plasmas for solar electric conversion, solar pumped CW CO2 laser, superelastic laser energy conversion, laser-enhanced dynamics in molecular rate processes, and electron beams in space for energy storage.
A technique, utilized on the Space Telescope Program, and used for testing satellite attitude pointing and control systems during the engineering and development phases is presented. The technique verifies the hardware models used in design phase computer simulations, verifies the interface between the flight hardware and flight software, and uncovers hardware/software switching or mode logic problems. The testing is accomplished in two phases: a dynamic hardware simulator phase using hardware electronic simulators and an electronic vehicle motion simulator; and a second real hardware phase utilizing engineering model gyros and reaction wheels on an airbearing table. Both phases use an engineering model of the flight computer, flight algorithms and software, and a breadboard data management and computer hardware interface for timing simulations. The purpose of each test and the test phases are described, and examples of closed loop test results for both attitude hold and maneuvering models are given.
Progress in theoretical and experimental research to determine effects of AP size distribution on the pressure-coupled response function is presented. The theoretical model was based upon a preferred frequency mechanism in which ordered fluctuations in the propellant formulation, dependent upon the heterogeneity, contributed to the response. Experiments to charaterize and relate the heterogeneity to response function behavior consisted of scanning electron microscope studies and measurements of dynamic burning at constant pressure. The concept, differences between ideal models and real propellants, and results thus far obtained are discussed.
A 74.5 kW (100 hp) automotive gas turbine was evaluated. The engine structure, bearings, oil system, and electronics were demonstrated and no shaft dynamics or other vibration problem were encountered. Areas identified during the five tests are the scroll retention features, and transient thermal deflection of turbine backplates. Modifications were designed. Seroll retention is addressed by modifying the seal arrangement in front of the gasifier turbine assembly, which will increase the pressure load on the scroll in the forward direction and thereby increase the retention forces. the backplate thermal deflection is addressed by geometric changes and thermal insulation to reduce heat input. Combustor rig proof testing of two ceramic combustor assemblies was completed. The combustor was modified to incorporate slots and reduce sharp edges, which should reduce thermal stresses. The development work focused on techniques to sinter these barrier materials onto the ceramic rotors with successes for both material systems. Silicon carbide structural parts, including engine configuration gasifier rotors (ECRs), preliminary gasifier scroll parts, and gasifier and power turbine vanes are fabricated.
Thirty-five technical reports contain results of investigations in information and electronic systems; materials and processing; systems dynamics; structures and propulsion; and space sciences. Ecology at KSC, satellite de-spin, and the X-ray source monitor were also studied.
Scanning electron microscopy was used to study dynamic polarizations of clustered cells of the anterior part of rat saccular macula and to shed light on the possible roles of two types of hair cells integrated into the same neural circuitry: those with short stereocilia and long kinocilium (ss/lk), and those with long stereocilia and still longer kinocilium (ls/lk). It was found that the ss/lk-type cells could be further subdivided into two types, whereas the ls/lk cells consisted of four major kinds. It was also found that the kinocilium was most often fixed in a recovery stroke position (curved basally, and the upper portion projected back over the tuft) and that the kinocilia were not aligned in parallel in any given part of a macula, even though each cilium pointed in the proper direction relative to the striola line. The possibility of a relationship between the ciliary tuft morphology and the function of the hair cell of which it is a part is discussed.
The basic objectives are to further the professional knowledge of qualified engineering and science faculty members; to stimulate an exchange of ideas between participants and NASA: to enrich and refresh the research and teaching activities of the participants' institutions; and to contribute to the research objectives of the NASA centers. Topics addressed include: cryogenics; thunderstorm simulation; computer techniques; computer assisted instruction; system analysis weather forecasting; rocket engine design; crystal growth; control systems design; turbine pumps for the Space Shuttle Main engine; electron mobility; heat transfer predictions; rotor dynamics; mathematical models; computational fluid dynamics; and structural analysis.
Proposed technique for production of velocity maps from sequences of photographic video images of flows seeded with small particles. In digital image velocimetry, image analyzed by digital Fourier tranformation. Process free of noise, more precise, and consumes less time. Eliminates need to process photographs, indicates directions of velocity vectors unambiguously, and offers increased dynamic ranges. Because all processing performed electronically, eventually capable of mapping flow-velocity fields in real time.
A brief but comprehensive review is given of the technical accomplishments of the NASA Lewis Research Center during the past year. Topics covered include instrumentation and controls technology; internal fluid dynamics; aerospace materials, structures, propulsion, and electronics; space flight systems; cryogenic fluids; Space Station Freedom systems engineering, photovoltaic power module, electrical systems, and operations; and engineering and computational support.
The magnetic structure of the extended solar corona varies with the changing photospheric field during the solar cycle. A simple potential model of the corona using solar surface observations from 1976 to the present shows how the large-scale coronal field evolves over more than a solar activity cycle. These predictions match well with large stable structures inferred from measurements of coronal electron density and the IMF, though dynamic changes are poorly modeled. The sun's polar field was about 25 stronger at solar minimum in 1986 than in 1976; the heliospheric current sheet was also flatter. In Cycle 21 the coronal and photospheric large-scale long-lived field patterns rotated every 26.9 days in the northern hemisphere; the southern field rotated every 28 days. Similar periods have been present in the IMF and in the occurrence of solar flares during the last several solar cycles.
Research on solar and stellar flares is reviewed. The characteristics of flares in various spectral regions are described, and the physics of flares is discussed, including the two-ribbon flare model, coronal mass ejections, flare dynamics, white light flare production, and electron beams and proton beams in hard X-ray flares. The analysis of the flare energy budget, magnetic field measurements, multispectral stellar observations, plasma emissivity, conditions in flare loops, cooling curves, and proton beam signatures is addressed. Microflaring and coronal heating are examined.
Nano-plasticity of thin single-wall carbon nanotubes under uniaxial compression is investigated through generalized tight-binding molecular dynamics (GTBMD) and ab-initio electronic structure methods. A novel mechanism of nano-plasticity of carbon nanotubes under uniaxial compression is observed in which bonding geometry collapses from a graphitic (sp(sup 2)) to a localized diamond like (sp(sup 3)) reconstruction. The computed critical stress (approximately equals 153 G Pa) and the shape of the resulting plastic deformation is in good agreement with recent experimental observation of collapse and fracture of compressed carbon nanotubes in polymer composites.
Spaceflight mechanisms have a reputation for being difficult to develop and operate successfully. This reputation is well earned. Many circumstances conspire to make this so: the environments in which the mechanisms are used are extremely severe, there is usually limited or no maintenance opportunity available during operation due to this environment, the environments are difficult to replicate accurately on the ground, the expense of the mechanism development makes it impractical to build and test many units for long periods of time before use, mechanisms tend to be highly specialized and not prone to interchangeability or off-the-shelf use, they can generate and store a lot of energy, and the nature of mechanisms themselves, as a combination of structures, electronics, etc. designed to accomplish specific dynamic performance, makes them very complex and subject to many unpredictable interactions of many types. In addition to their complexities, mechanism are often counted upon to provide critical vehicle functions that can result in catastrophic events should the functions not be performed. It is for this reason that mechanisms are frequently subjected to special scrutiny in safety processes. However, a failure tolerant approach, along with good design and development practices and detailed design reviews, can be developed to allow such notoriously troublesome mechanisms to be utilized confidently in safety-critical applications.
The title compounds (1 and 2, above) were synthesized by Sonogashira coupling reactions of appropriate Ru(1I) complexes with the electron a cceptors. Characterization was conducted in solution and in frozen ma trices. Finally, the title compounds were evaluated as dopants of sol-gel materials. It was found that the intramolecular quenching efficie ncy of 4-benzoyl-Nmethylpyridinium cation in solution depends on the solvent: photoluminescence is quenched completely in CH,CN, but not i n methanol or ethanol. On the other hand, intramolecular emission que nching by 4-benzyl-N-methyl viologen is complete in all solvents. The difference between the two quenchers is traced electrochemically to t he solvation of the 4-benzoyl-Nmethylpyridiniums by alcohol. In froze n matrices or adsorbed on the surfaces of silica aerogel, both Ru(I1) complex/electron acceptor dyads of this study are photoluminescent, and the absence of quenching has been traced to the environmental rigi dity. When doped aerogels are cooled at 77 K, the emission intensity increases by approximately 4x, and the spectra shift to the blue, analogous to what is observed with Ru(I1) complexes in solutions undergoi ng fluid-to-rigid transition. However, in contrast to frozen solution s, the luminescent moieties in the bulk of aerogels kept at low tempe ratures are still accessible to gas-phase quenchers diffusing through the mesopores, leading to more sensitive platforms for sensors than o ther room-temperature configurations. Thus the photoluminescence of o ur Ru(I1) complex dyads adsorbed on aerogel is quenchable by O2 both at room temperature and at 77 K. Furthermore, it was also found that O 2 modulates the photoluminescence of aerogels doped with 4-benzoyl -N -methylpyridinium-based dyads over a wider dynamic range compared wi th aerogels doped with either our vislogen-based dyads or with Ru(I1) tris(1,lO-phenanthroline) itself.
Research data obtained by the low dose electronic radiography system are reported. Data cover: (1) localization and tracking of Ta screws implanted in the inner wall of the right ventrical of the heart, (2) use of cross hairs to outline inner or outer heart wall contours, (3) quantitative measure of anatomical components which are stationary in size or change size dynamically, and (4) study of dynamic quantitative data from roentenologic or fluoroscopic procedures.
Radio evidence for nonthermal particle acceleration on stars of late spectral type (G, K, and M) is reviewed, including the pre-main-sequence T Tauri stars, the dwarf M flare stars, and the RS CVn binary stars. Both the long-lasting radio emission and the transient radio flares can be attributed to nonthermal electrons accelerated in magnetically confined coronae, radiating by either incoherent gyrosynchrotron radiation or by coherent processes. Related observations of the Sun provide the framework for interpreting the radio emission of late-type stars. We review recent Very Long Base Interferometry (VLBI) observations of single and binary stars, observations of rapid acceleration and dynamic spectra of dwarf M flare stars, and models for long-lasting radio emission from dwarf M flare stars and RS CVn stars. The VLBI data provide evidence for nonthermal particle acceleration in large-scale magnetospheres several times larger than the stellar radius for T Tauri and RS CVn stars. In contrast, rapid radio flares on dwarf M stars require sources much smaller than the visible star in size, and this is consistent with the VLBI data. Dynamic spectra suggest particle acceleration by relativistic electron beams on dwarf M stars. The long-lived radio radiation of dwarf M stars and RS CVn stars requires more-or-less continuous particle acceleration over periods of hours, perhaps by persistent low-amplitude flaring.
Optical heterodyne system used to measure electron density of plasma