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At least 343 records · Page 19

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NASA NTRS1984

Experimental methods for quenching structures in lunar-analog silicate melts - Variations as a function of quench media and composition

Compositions analogous to lunar green, orange, and brown glasses were synthesized under consistent conditions, then quenched into a variety of different media when the samples were removed from the furnace. Iron valence and coordination are a direct function of quench media used, spanning the range from brine/ice (most effective quench), water, butyl phthalate, silicone oil, liquid nitrogen, highly reducing CO-CO2 gas, to air (least efficient quench). In the green and brown glasses, Fe(3+) in four-fold and six-fold coordination is observed in the slowest-quenched samples; Fe(2+) coordination varies directly with quench efficiency. Less pronounced changes were observed in the Ti-rich orange glass. Therefore the remote-sensed spectrum of a glass-bearing regolith on the moon may be influenced by the process by which the glass cooled, and extreme caution must be used when comparing spectra of synthetic glass analogs with real lunar glasses.

Dyar, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Study of Eutectic Formation

The objectives of this program are to determine the influence of convection on the microstructure of eutectics and to develop a technique for revealing the longitudinal microstructure of the MnBi-Bi eutectic. Both objectives aim at trying to explain the observed influence of space processing on the microstructure of MnBi-Bi. A computer program was developed and used to determine the concentration field in front of a growing lamellar eutectic. From this the deviation of the interfacial concentration from the eutectic composition was calculated as a function of eutectic composition, freezing rate, convection, and lamellar spacing.

Wilcox, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Temporal variations of the tropical tropopause characteristics

Results of a detailed study of tropopause characteristics at eleven Indian stations spread over a latitude range of 8.4 deg N to 28.6 deg N, using the data obtained during the period 1969 to 1978, are presented and discussed. This study reveals that the semiannual component in TP(T) (the tropopause potential temperature) can mainly be accounted by the corresponding variation on the solar insolation, whereas the annual component is greatly affected by the monsoon phenomenon, which is a large-scale annual one. During this period, the large-scale cloud cover would reduce the convective activity. Again, the annual components of TP(T) and lower stratospheric (18 km) potential temperature show a phase difference of about 6 months, except at the extratropical stations and about 2 to 3 months in the case of semiannual component. At extratropical stations the phase difference is much less, indicating the influence of convective process in the lower stratosphere.

Murthy, B. V. K.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Micromechanisms of thermomechanical fatigue: A comparison with isothermal fatigue

Thermomechanical Fatigue (TMF) experiments were conducted on Mar-M 200, B-1900, and PWA-1480 (single crystals) over temperature ranges representative of gas turbine airfoil environments. The results were examined from both a phenomenological basis and a micromechanical basis. Depending on constituents present in the superalloy system, certain micromechanisms dominated the crack initiation process and significantly influenced the TMF lives as well as sensitivity of the material to the type TMF cycle imposed. For instance, high temperature cracking around grain boundary carbides in Mar-M 200 resulted in short in-phase TMF lives compared to either out-of-phase or isothermal lives. In single crystal PWA-1480, the type of coating applied was seen to be the controlling factor in determining sensitivity to the type of TMF cycle imposed. Micromechanisms of deformation were observed over the temperature range of interest to the TMF cycles, and provided some insight as to the differences between TMF damage mechanisms and isothermal damage mechanisms. Finally, the applicability of various life prediction models to TMF results was reviewed. Current life prediction models based on isothermal data must be modified before being generally applied to TMF.

Bill, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Mysterious iodine-overabundance in Antarctic meteorites

Halogen as well as other trace element concentrations in meteorite finds can be influenced by alteration processes on the Earth's surface. The discovery of Antarctic meteorites offered the opportunity to study meteorites which were kept in one of the most sterile environment of the Earth. Halogen determination in Antartic meteorites was compared with non-Antarctic meteorites. No correlation was found between iodine concentration and the weathering index, or terrestrial age. The halogen measurements indicate a contaminating phase rich in iodine and also containing chlorine. Possible sources for this contamination are discussed.

Dreibus, G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Charge state distributions of oxygen and carbon in the energy range 1 to 300 keV/e observed with AMPTE/CCE in the magnetosphere

Observations of charge state distributions of oxygen and carbon are presented that were obtained with the charge-energy-mass spectrometer onboard the AMPTE/CCE spacecraft. Data were selected for two different local time sectors (apogee at 1300 LT and 0300 LT, respectively), three L-ranges (4-6, 6-8, and greater than 8), and quiet to moderately disturbed days (Kp less than or equal to 4). The charge state distributions reveal the existence of all charge states of oxygen and carbon in the magnetosphere. The relative importance of the different charge states strongly depends on L and much less on local time. The observations confirm that the solar wind and the ionosphere contribute to the oxygen population, whereas carbon only originates from the solar wind. The L-dependence of the charge state distributions can be interpreted in terms of these different ion sources and of charge exchange and diffusion processes that largely influence the distribution of oxygen and carbon in the magnetosphere.

Kremser, G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Sun, weather, and climate

The general field of sun-weather/climate relationships, that is, apparent weather and climate responses to solar activity is introduced and theoretical and experimental suggestions for further research to identify and investigate the unknown causal mechanisms are provided. Topics of discussion include: (1) solar-related correlation factors and energy sources; (2) long-term climatic trends; (3) short-term meteorological correlations; (4) miscellaneous obscuring influences; (5) physical processes and mechanisms; (6) recapitulation of sun-weather relationships; and (7) guidelines for experiments.

Herman, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Geomagnetic activity and local modulations of cosmic rays circa 1 GV

Solar-sector synchronous modulations of the particulate cosmic radiation reaching the earth's atmosphere have been studied using low altitude satellite and surface data. The flux in the broad maximum of the galactic cosmic ray differential spectrum (near GV rigidity) exhibits an intermittent north-south asymmetry (NSA) in mid and high geomagnetic latitudes. During the 1964 and 1965 years of sunspot minimum, this modulation had a negative rigidity dependence and strong correlations with geomagnetic disturbance index (ap) and interplanetary magnetic field direction. Taken together with other features, this ap dependence is consistent with the hypothesis that reconnection of the interplanetary and geomagnetic fields should produce a local NSA independent of much larger scale NSAs associated with cosmic ray gradients in the heliosphere. This finding is also consistent with suggestions that solar activity influence on atmospheric processes may be mediated by the resulting modulations of upper tropospheric ionization.

Ely, J. T. A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Chemical effects in ion mixing of a ternary system (metal-SiO2)

The mixing of Ti, Cr, and Ni thin films with SiO2 by low-temperature (- 196-25 C) irradiation with 290 keV Xe has been investigated. Comparison of the morphology of the intermixed region and the dose dependences of net metal transport into SiO2 reveals that long range motion and phase formation probably occur as separate and sequential processes. Kinetic limitations suppress chemical effects in these systems during the initial transport process. Chemical interactions influence the subsequent phase formation.

Banwell, T.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Improved silicon carbide for advanced heat engines. II - Pressureless sintering and mechanical properties of injection molded silicon carbide

The influence on density and strength of pressureless sintering in vacuum and argon environments has been evaluated with injection molded SiC materials. Main effects and two factor interactions of sintering (cycle variables temperature, time, heating rate, and atmosphere) were assessed. An improved understanding of the influence of the processing flaws and sintering conditions has been obtained. Strength and density have improved from a baseline level of 299 MPa (43.3 Ksi) and 94 pct of theoretical density to values greater than 483 MPa (70 Ksi) and 97 pct.

Whalen, Thomas J.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Divergent plate boundaries and crustal spreading on Venus: Evidence from Aphrodite Terra

The modes of lithospheric heat transfer and the tectonic styles may differ between Earth and Venus, depending on how the high surface temperature (700 K = 430 C), dense and opaque atmosphere (approx. 10 MPa = 100 bars), lack of water oceans, and the other known ways in which Venus differs from Earth, influence basic lithospheric processes, thermal gradient, upper mantle temperature, thermal and chemical evolution, and convection. A fundamental question is whether the lithosphere of Venus is horizontally stable, like the other terrestrial planets, or is mobile like that on Earth. The variety of characteristics, their integrated relationships, and their predictable behavior throughout Western Aphrodite Terra are similar to those features known to occur in association with the terrestrial seafloor at spreading centers and divergent plate boundaries. It is concluded that Western Aphrodite Terra represents the site of crustal spreading centers and divergent plate boundaries. The extent of similar characteristics and processes elsewhere on Venus outside of the 13,000 km long Western and Eastern Aphrodite Terra rise is unknown at the present, but their presence in other areas of the equatorial highlands, suggested from recent analysis, may be tested with forthcoming Magellan data.

Crumpler, L. S.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Protein crystal growth in low gravity

The mechanisms involved in protein crystallization and those parameters which influence the growth process and crystalline perfection were studied. The analysis of the flows around growing crystals is detailed. The preliminary study of the growth of isocitrate lyase and the crystal morphologies found are discussed. Preliminary results of controlled nucleation studies are presented.

Feigelson, Robert S.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The role of interfacial dislocation networks in high temperature creep of superalloys

The dislocation networks generated during high-temperature creep of several single-crystal nickel-based superalloys are analyzed. The networks continually evolve during creep at relatively low temperatures or eventually reach a more stable configuration at high temperatures. Specifically, the role of these networks in directional coarsening processes are studied, along with their formation kinetics, characteristics, and stability during creep. The results of this study combined with previous findings suggest that the directional coarsening process is strongly influenced by elastic strain energy. The dislocation networks formed during primary creep are found to be stable during all subsequent creep stages. Aspects of these dislocation networks are determined to be a product of both the applied creep stress and coherency strains.

Gabb, T. P.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Air motions accompanying the development of a planetary wave critical layer

The horizontal air motions accompanying the development of a planetary wave critical layer are presently investigated on the sphere, in terms of wave amplitude, the characteristics of the zonal flow, and dissipation. While attention is given to adiabatic motions, which should furnish an upper bound on the redistribution of conserved quantities by eddy stirring, nonconservative processes may be important in determining how large a role eddy stirring actually plays in the redistribution of atmospheric constituents. Nonconservative processes may also influence tracer distributions by directly affecting dynamics.

Salby, Murry L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Tropospheric OH in a three-dimensional chemical tracer model - An assessment based on observations of CH3CCl3

The paper introduces the representation of tropospheric chemistry allowing for calculation of chemical reaction rates within a chemical tracer model (CTM) simulation with the accuracy comparable to that of a detailed chemical model. The global distribution of tropospheric OH is calculated as a function of time, atmospheric composition, temperature, and solar irradiance. The globally integrated OH concentration weighted by frequency of reaction with CH3CCl3 is evaluated, along with the feasibility of using the observed latitudinal distribution of CH3CCl3 as a test for computed concentrations of OH. Seasonal variations of CH3CCl3 are also considered as a potential test for computed concentrations of OH. It is demonstrated that annual cycles of CH3CCl3 are controlled, or strongly influenced, by dynamical processes at latitudes northward of 25 deg South.

Spivakovsky, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Combustion of liquid fuel droplets in supercritical conditions

A comprehensive analysis of liquid-fuel droplet combustion in both sub- and super-critical environments has been conducted. The formulation is based on the complete conservation equations for both gas and liquid phases, and accommodates finite-rate chemical kinetics and a full treatment of liquid-vapor phase equilibrium at the droplet surface. The governing equations and the associated interface boundary conditions are solved numerically using a fully coupled, implicit scheme with the dual time-stepping integration technique. The model is capable of treating the entire droplet history, including the transition from the subcritical to the supercritical state. As a specific example, the combustion of n-pentane fuel droplets in air is studied for pressures of 5-140 atm. Results indicate that the ambient gas pressure exerts significant control of droplet gasification and burning processes through its influences on the fluid transport, gas/liquid interface thermodynamics, and chemical reactions. The droplet gasification rate increases progressively with pressure. However, the data for the overall burnout time exhibits a significant variation near the critical burning pressure, mainly as a result of reduced mass-diffusion rate and latent heat of vaporization with increased pressure. The influence of droplet size on the burning characteristics is also noted.

Shuen, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Estimates of surface roughness derived from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data

Radar remote sensing data provide a unique perspective of the earth's crust and the processes that have influenced its evolution. Physically based models are required, however, to relate the geophysical quantities being measured by the radar sensor to useful geologic information. In this study, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data over the Cima volcanic field in the Mojave Desert of California are quantitatively connected with microtopography through inversion of a radar backscatter model. Changes in surface roughness inferred from the derived microtopography are modeled and found to be consistent with aeolian mantling as surfaces age. Estimated rates of aeolian deposition for the Cima area are compared to the Lunar Crater volcanic field in Nevada. Rates of deposition appear to be higher at Cima volcanic field, most likely because of its proximity to Soda Lake, the main source of the aeolian material.

Evans, Diane L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Combustion of liquid-fuel droplets in supercritical conditions

A comprehensive analysis of liquid-fuel droplet combustion in both subcritical and supercritical environments has been conducted. The formulation is based on the complete conservation equations for both gas and liquid phases, and accommodates variable thermophysical properties, finite-rate chemical kinetics, and a full treatment of liquid-vapor phase equilibrium at the drop surface. The governing equations and associated interfacial boundary conditions are solved numerically using a fully coupled, implicit scheme with the dual time-stepping integration technique. The model is capable of treating the entire droplet history, including the transition from the subcritical to supercritical state. As a specific example, the combustion of n-pentane fuel droplets in air is studied for pressures in the range of 5-140 atm. Results indicate that the ambient gas pressure exerts significant control of droplet gasification and burning processes through its influence on fluid transport, gas-liquid interfacial thermodynamics, and chemical reactions. The droplet gasification rate increases progressively with pressure. However, the data for the overall burnout time exhibit a considerable change in the combustion mechanism at the critical pressure, mainly as a result of reduced mass diffusivity and latent heat of vaporization with increased pressure.

Shuen, J. S.↗