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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 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Semiclassical S-matrix theory of vibrationally inelastic collisions between two diatomic molecules

We derive a semiclassical S matrix for vibrationally inelastic collisions between two diatomic molecules, assuming a collinear geometry. Our theory incorporates a quantum mechanical superposition principle with classical dynamics and, as such, is an extension of the atom-diatomic molecule theory of Miller. The several approximations to the S matrix differ in the complexity with which the interference between various classical trajectories is treated. We report numerical calculations for H2-D2 and D2-D2 collisions based on two different interaction potentials. The cruder approximations yield transition probabilities which agree with exact quantum mechanical results to within a factor of 2. More sophisticated approximations to the S matrix yield excellent quantitative agreement with the quantum calculations.

Cohen, S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Operator performance and localized muscle fatigue in a simulated space vehicle control task

Fourier transforms in a special purpose computer were utilized to obtain power spectral density functions from electromyograms of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, brachioradialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, brachialis, and pronator teres in eight subjects performing isometric tracking tasks in two directions utilizing a prototype spacecraft rotational hand controller. Analysis of these spectra in general purpose computers aided in defining muscles involved in performing the task, and yielded a derived measure potentially useful in predicting task termination. The triceps was the only muscle to show significant differences in all possible tests for simple effects in both tasks and, overall, was the most consistently involved of the six muscles. The total power monitored for triceps, biceps, and brachialis dropped to minimal levels across all subjects earlier than for other muscles. However, smaller variances existed for the biceps, brachioradialis, brachialis, and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles and could provide longer predictive times due to smaller standard deviations for a greater population range.

Lewis, J. L., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Studies for improved high temperature coatings for Space Shuttle application

Improvement of the current Class 2 Space Shuttle Orbiter RCG coating was experimentally investigated.Coatings, which are applied to LI-900 or LI-2200 tiles, were prepared to provide increased performance in thermal expansion, impact, residual strain and increased viscosity. Turbulent duct arc-plasma tests at NASA/Ames Research Center are continuing on two candidates that show improved low residual strain and increased high temperature viscosity. A coating system with lower fusion-temperature (1950 F) was identified which has the potential of improving tile yield through reduced LI-900 shrinkage and distortion since it can be fused at 250 F lower than the present Class 2 coating.

Creedon, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Constitutive modeling for isotropic materials

The objective of the program is to evaluate and develop existing constitutive models for use in finite-element structural analysis of turbine engine hot section components. The class of constitutive equation studied is considered unified in that all inelastic deformation including plasticity, creep, and stress relaxation are treated in a single term rather than a classical separation of plasticity (time independent) and creep (time dependent) behavior. The unified theories employed also do not utilize the classical yield surface or plastic potential concept. The models are constructed from an appropriate flow law, a scalar kinetic relation between strain rate, temperature and stress, and evolutionary equations for internal variables describing strain or work hardening, both isotropic and directional (kinematic). This and other studies have shown that the unified approach is particularly suited for determining the cyclic behavior of superalloy type blade and vane materials and is entirely compatible with three-dimensional inelastic finite-element formulations. The behavior was examined of a second nickel-base alloy, MAR-M247, and compared it with the Bodner-Partom model, further examined procedures for determining the material-specific constants in the models, and exercised the MARC code for a turbine blade under simulated flight spectrum loading. Results are summarized.

Lindholm, Ulric S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Simulated annealing in orbital flight planning

Simulated annealing is used to solve a minimum fuel trajectory problem in the space station environment. The environment is unique because the space station will define the first true multivehicle environment in space. The optimization yields surfaces which are potentially complex, with multiple local minima. Because of the likelihood of these local minima, descent techniques are unable to offer robust solutions. Other deterministic optimization techniques were explored without success. The simulated annealing optimization is capable of identifying a minimum-fuel, two-burn trajectory subject to four constraints. Furthermore, the computational efforts involved in the optimization are such that missions could be planned on board the space station. Potential applications could include the on-site planning of rendezvous with a target craft of the emergency rescue of an astronaut. Future research will include multiwaypoint maneuvers, using a knowledge base to guide the optimization.

Soller, Jeffrey↗
NASA NTRS1990

Prediction of blade-vortex interaction noise using airloads generated by a finite-difference technique

The present numerical finite-difference scheme for helicopter blade-load prediction during realistic, self-generated three-dimensional blade-vortex interactions (BVI) derives the velocity field through a nonlinear superposition of the rotor flow-field yielded by the full potential rotor flow solver RFS2 for BVI, on the one hand, over the rotational vortex flow field computed with the Biot-Savart law. Despite the accurate prediction of the acoustic waveforms, peak amplitudes are found to have been persistently underpredicted. The inclusion of BVI noise source in the acoustic analysis significantly improved the perceived noise level-corrected tone prediction.

Tadghighi, Hormoz↗
NASA NTRS1992

Experimental study of the electrolysis of silicate melts

Melting and electrolyzing lunar silicates yields oxygen gas and potentially can be practiced in situ to produce oxygen. With the present experiments conducted with simulant oxides at 1425-1480 C, it was ascertained that oxygen can be obtained anodically at feasible rates and current efficiencies. An electrolysis cell was operated with platinum anodes in a sealed vessel, and the production of gas was monitored. In these electrolysis experiments, stability of anodes remained a problem, and iron and silicon did not reduce readily into the liquid silver cathode.

Keller, Rudolf↗
NASA NTRS1993

Stable vacuum UV CCD detectors designed for space flight experiments

Thinned, backside-illuminated, p-channel CCD images are under development which can exploit the surface potential in VUV applications, yielding enhanced quantum efficiency to wavelengths as short as 1100 A. The current goal is production of large-format, 5-micron pixel imagers for spectrographic and imaging VUV spaceflight experiments. Model predictions of the effect of device design on quantum efficiency, well capacity, and crosstalk are presented for such 5-micron-approaching pixel sizes.

Socker, Dennis G.↗
NASA NTRS1947

Calculation of Compressible Flows past Aerodynamic Shapes by Use of the Streamline Curvature

A simple approximate method is given for the calculation of isentropic irrotational flows past symmetrical airfoils, including mixed subsonic-supersonic flows. The method is based on the choice of suitable values for the streamline curvature in the flow field and the subsequent integration of the equations of motion. The method yields limiting solutions for potential flow. The effect of circulation is considered. A comparison of derived velocity distributions with existing results that are based on calculation to the third order in the thickness ratio indicated satisfactory agreement. The results are also presented in the form of a set of compressibility correction rules that lie between the Prandtl-Glauert rule and the von Karman-Tsien rule (approximately). The different rules correspond to different values of the local shape parameter square root sign YC sub a, in which Y is the ordinate and C sub a is the curvature at a point on an airfoil. Bodies of revolution, completely supersonic flows, and the significance of the limiting solutions for potential flow are also briefly discussed.

Perl, W↗
NASA NTRS1993

Quinoa: An emerging new crop with potential for CELSS

Chenopodium quinoa is being considered as a new crop for the Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) because of its high protein values (12 - 18%) and unique amino acid composition. Lysine, and essential amino acid that is deficient in many grain crops, is found in quinoa approaching Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) standards set for humans. This 'new' crop, rich in protein and with desirable proportions of important amino acids, may provide greater versatility in meeting the needs of humans on long-term space missions. Initially, the cultivars CO407 x ISLUGA, CO407 Heat Tolerant Population 1, and Real' (a Bolivian variety) were examined. The first cultivar showed the most promise in greenhouse studies. When grown hydroponically in the greenhouse, with no attempt to maximize productivity, this cultivar produced 202 g m(exp -2) with a harvest index of 37%. None of the cultivars were greater than 70 cm in height. Initial results indicate that quinoa could be an excellent crop for CELSS because of the high concentration of protein, ease of use, versatility in preparation, and potential for greatly increased yields in controlled environments.

Schlick, Greg↗
NASA NTRS2001

Photoemission Experiments for Charge Characteristics of Individual Dust Grains

Photoemission experiments with UV radiation have been performed to investigate the microphysics and charge characteristics of individual isolated dust grains of various compositions and sizes by using the electrodynamic balance facility at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Dust particles of 1 - 100 micrometer diameter are levitated in a vacuum chamber at pressures approx. 10(exp -5) torr and exposed to a collimated beam of UV radiation in the 120-300 nanometers spectral range from a deuterium lamp source with a MgF2 window. A monochromator is used to select the UV radiation wavelength with a spectral resolution of 8 nanometers. The electrodynamic facility permits measurements of the charge and diameters of particles of known composition, and monitoring of photoemission rates with the incident UV radiation. Experiments have been conducted on Al2O3 and silicate particles, and in particular on JSC-1 Mars regolith simulants, to determine the photoelectron yields and surface equilibrium potentials of dust particles when exposed to UV radiation in the 120-250 micrometers spectral range. A brief discussion of the experimental procedure, the results of photoemission experiments, and comparisons with theoretical models will be presented.

Abbas, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Peat Processing

Humics, Inc. already had patented their process for separating wet peat into components and processing it when they consulted NERAC regarding possible applications. The NERAC search revealed numerous uses for humic acid extracted from peat. The product improves seed germination, stimulates root development, and improves crop yields. There are also potential applications in sewage disposal and horticultural peat, etc.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1990

Biophysical basis of growth promotion in primary leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. by hormones versus light: solute accumulation and the growth potential

Rapid cell enlargement in primary leaves of bean is induced by bright white light (WL), gibberellic acid (GA3) or the cytokinin N6-benzyladenine (BA). In previous studies it has been show that all three agents cause an increase in wall extensibility, although by different mechanisms. Here we examine the effects of the three growth promoters on the osmotic potential difference (delta Psi), the accumulation of solutes (delta TSC), the wall yield threshold (Y) and the growth potential (delta Psi -Y). With GA3 and BA, but not WL, there was a rapid decline in delta Psi as measured by the osmotic concentration of expressed sap. Unlike WL, neither GA3 nor BA promoted the accumulation of osmotic solutes. The decline in delta Psi, however, was apparently counteracted by a decline in Y since the growth potential, as measured by the external-osmoticum method, remained unchanged. It is concluded that WL, GA3 and BA all promote cell enlargement of bean leaves by increasing one cellular growth parameter, wall extensibility. Only WL, however, promotes osmotic adjustment during growth.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS2009

Investigating Changes in the High-Latitude Topside Ionosphere During Large Magnetic Storms

A search was conducted to locate periods of nearly simultaneous solar-wind and high latitude topside-ionospheric data during magnetic storms. The focus was on the 20-yr interval from 1965 to 1985 when both solar-wind and Alouette/ISIS topside-sounder data are potentially available. The search yielded 125 large magnetic storms (minimum Dst less than 100) and 280 moderate magnetic storms (minimum Dst between -60 and -100). Solar wind data were available for most, but not all, of these storms. A search of the available high-latitude topside electron-density Ne(h) profiles available from the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), both from manual inspection of 35-mm film ionograms in the 1960s and more recent auto-processing of ISIS-2 topside digital ionograms using the TOPIST software, during 9-day intervals associated with the 125 large magnetic storm minimum Dst times yielded the following results: 31 intervals had 10 or more manual-scaled profiles (21 intervals had more than 100 profiles and 5 of these had more than 1,000 profiles), and 34 intervals had 10 or more TOPIST profiles (2 intervals had more than 100 profiles). In addition, a search of the available Alouette-2, ISIS-1 and ISIS-2 digital ionograms during the above periods has yielded encouraging initial results in that many ISIS-1 ionograms were found for the early time intervals. Future work will include the search for 35-mm film ionograms during selected intervals. This presentation will illustrate the results of this investigation to date.

Fainberg, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS2012

Barrier infrared detector

A superlattice-based infrared absorber and the matching electron-blocking and hole-blocking unipolar barriers, absorbers and barriers with graded band gaps, high-performance infrared detectors, and methods of manufacturing such devices are provided herein. The infrared absorber material is made from a superlattice (periodic structure) where each period consists of two or more layers of InAs, InSb, InSbAs, or InGaAs. The layer widths and alloy compositions are chosen to yield the desired energy band gap, absorption strength, and strain balance for the particular application. Furthermore, the periodicity of the superlattice can be "chirped" (varied) to create a material with a graded or varying energy band gap. The superlattice based barrier infrared detectors described and demonstrated herein have spectral ranges covering the entire 3-5 micron atmospheric transmission window, excellent dark current characteristics operating at least 150K, high yield, and have the potential for high-operability, high-uniformity focal plane arrays.

Ting, David Z.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Adaptive Sensing of Time Series with Application to Remote Exploration

We address the problem of adaptive informationoptimal data collection in time series. Here a remote sensor or explorer agent throttles its sampling rate in order to track anomalous events while obeying constraints on time and power. This problem is challenging because the agent has limited visibility -- all collected datapoints lie in the past, but its resource allocation decisions require predicting far into the future. Our solution is to continually fit a Gaussian process model to the latest data and optimize the sampling plan on line to maximize information gain. We compare the performance characteristics of stationary and nonstationary Gaussian process models. We also describe an application based on geologic analysis during planetary rover exploration. Here adaptive sampling can improve coverage of localized anomalies and potentially benefit mission science yield of long autonomous traverses.

artificial intelligence↗
NASA NTRS2016

End-to-End Assessment of a Large Aperture Segmented Ultraviolet Optical Infrared (UVOIR) Telescope Architecture

Key challenges of a future large aperture, segmented Ultraviolet Optical Infrared (UVOIR) Telescope capable of performing a spectroscopic survey of hundreds of Exoplanets will be sufficient stability to achieve 10-10 contrast measurements and sufficient throughput and sensitivity for high yield Exo-Earth spectroscopic detection. Our team has collectively assessed an optimized end to end architecture including a high throughput coronagraph capable of working with a segmented telescope, a cost-effective and heritage based stable segmented telescope, a control architecture that minimizes the amount of new technologies, and an Exo-Earth yield assessment to evaluate potential performance.

Feinberg, Lee↗
NASA NTRS2019

A Diversity of Calcium-Rich Carbonates in EETA 79001

Carbonate minerals of martian origin are present in several martian meteorites in trace concentrations (less than 1 percent) and possess unique isotopic signatures that suggest that the martian environment and/or isotopic reservoirs are very different from the Earth’s. Carbonates are most common in the older martian meteorites (ALH 84001 and the nakhlites), however, there have been reports of carbonate in the younger shergottites including EETA 79001 (Mars meteorite Elephant Moraine 79001). Acidification studies of Zagami and Shergotty have shown that CO2 is released suggesting that carbonate phases are present in these meteorites, but the origin of these phases is controversial. The young ages of the shergottites makes them important samples for understanding the modern martian environment. The carbonates in EETA 79001 are the best-characterized secondary minerals in a shergottite, but their origin remains controversial. Gooding et al. argued that two types of carbonate occur with-in the glassy parts of the meteorite. One type, nearly pure CaCO3 associated with Ca-sulfate shows textural evidence for being present in the rock prior to it being shocked, suggesting formation on Mars. The second was more abundant and consists of Ca-rich carbonate, possibly with finely intergrown Mg-phosphate, but does not possess any textural relationships indicative of a martian origin. Carbon and oxygen isotopic studies of this carbonate yielded oxygen isotopes that potentially suggest a martian origin as well

Niles, P. B.↗