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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 397 records · Page 22

Satellite observations of snow and ice with an imaging passive microwave spectrometer

The scanning microwave spectrometer (SCAMS) on the Nimbus-6 satellite continuously maps the terrestrial surface with a resolution of about 150 km at 22.235 and 31.400 GHz. SCAMS observes at six angles besides nadir, yielding brightness temperatures which are a function of the distribution and character of various types of snow and ice, including microstructure and subsurface profiles in refractive index, loss (moisture or salinity), and temperature. Spectral signatures exhibiting interesting topographical structure have been observed. To aid in the interpretation of these data, a model was developed to describe the propagation of microwave intensity in a scattering medium characterized by three-dimensional random fluctuations of refractive index in addition to nonrandom variations in permittivity, temperature, and loss. The model combines Maxwell's equations in the Born approximation with radiative-transfer theory; this approach yields the variation of intensity with polarization, direction, and position.

Fisher, A. D.↗

High speed electrostatic photomultiplier tube for the 1.06 micrometer wavelength. Cup and slat dynode chain combined with flat cathode and coax output produces 0.25 nsec rise time

The Varian cup and slat dynode chain was modified to have a flat cathode. These modifications were incorporated in an all-electrostatic photomultiplier tube having a rise time of 0.25 n sec. The tube delivered under the contract had a flat S-20 opaque cathode with a useful diameter of 5 mm. The design of the tube is such that a III to V cathode support is mounted in place of the existing cathode substrate. This cathode support is designed to accept a transferred III to V cathode and maintain the cathode surface in the same position as the S-20 photocathode.

Sparks, S. D.↗

Technology development of the Space Transportation System mission and terrestrial applications of satellite technology

The Space Transportation System (STS) is discussed, including the launch processing system, the thermal protection subsystem, meteorological research, sound supression water system, rotating service structure, improved hypergol or removal systems, fiber optics research, precision positioning, remote controlled solid rocket booster nozzle plugs, ground operations for Centaur orbital transfer vehicle, parachute drying, STS hazardous waste disposal and recycle, toxic waste technology and control concepts, fast analytical densitometry study, shuttle inventory management system, operational intercommunications system improvement, and protective garment ensemble. Terrestrial applications are also covered, including LANDSAT applications to water resources, satellite freeze forecast system, application of ground penetrating radar to soil survey, turtle tracking, evaluating computer drawn ground cover maps, sparkless load pulsar, and coupling a microcomputer and computing integrator with a gas chromatograph.

Source record↗

Protostellar disks and the primitive solar nebula

The objective is to obtain quantitative information on the turbulent transport of mass, angular momentum, and energy under the conditions that characterize the solar nebula, by direct numerical calculations. These calculations were made possible by research conducted on supercomputers (Cray XMP and Cray 2) by the Ames Computational Fluid Dynamics Branch. Techniques were developed that permitted the accurate representation of turbulent flows over the full range of important eddy sizes. So far, these techniques were applied (and verified) primarily in mundane laboratory situations, but they have a strong potential for astrophysical applications. A sequence of numerical experiments were conducted to evaluate the Reynold's stress tensor, turbulent heat transfer rate, turbulent dissipation rate, and turbulent kinetic energy spectrum, as functions of position, for conditions relevant to the solar nebula. Emphasis is placed on the variation of these properties with appropriate nondimensional quantities, so that relations can be derived that will be useful for disk modeling under a variety of hypotheses and initial conditions.

Cassen, P. M.↗

Vibration Method for Tracking the Resonant Mode and Impedance of a Microwave Cavity

A vibration technique his been developed to continuously maintain mode resonance and impedance much between a constant frequency magnetron source and resonant cavity. This method uses a vibrating metal rod to modulate the volume of the cavity in a manner equivalent to modulating an adjustable plunger. A similar vibrating metal rod attached to a stub tuner modulates the waveguide volume between the source and cavity. A phase sensitive detection scheme determines the optimum position of the adjustable plunger and stub turner during processing. The improved power transfer during the heating of a 99.8% pure alumina rod was demonstrated using this new technique. Temperature-time and reflected power-time heating curves are presented for the cases of no tracking, impedance tracker only, mode tracker only and simultaneous impedance and mode tracking. Controlled internal melting of an alumina rod near 2000 C using both tracking units was also demonstrated.

Barmatz, M.↗

Metal-Ferroelectric-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor NAND Gate Switching Time Analysis

Previous research investigated the modeling of a N Wga te constructed of Metal-Ferroelectric- Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MFSFETs) to obtain voltage transfer curves. The NAND gate was modeled using n-channel MFSFETs with positive polarization for the standard CMOS n-channel transistors and n-channel MFSFETs with negative polarization for the standard CMOS p-channel transistors. This paper investigates the MFSFET NAND gate switching time propagation delay, which is one of the other important parameters required to characterize the performance of a logic gate. Initially, the switching time of an inverter circuit was analyzed. The low-to-high and high-to-low propagation time delays were calculated. During the low-to-high transition, the negatively polarized transistor pulls up the output voltage, and during the high-to-low transition, the positively polarized transistor pulls down the output voltage. The MFSFETs were simulated by using a previously developed model which utilized a partitioned ferroelectric layer. Then the switching time of a 2-input NAND gate was analyzed similarly to the inverter gate. Extension of this technique to more complicated logic gates using MFSFETs will be studied.

Phillips, Thomas A.↗

Conceptual Design of an Electric Sail Technology Demonstration Mission Spacecraft

There is great interest in examining the outer planets of our solar system and Heliopause region (edge of Solar System) and beyond regions of interstellar space by both the Planetary and Heliophysics communities. These needs are well docu-mented in the recent National Academy of Sciences Decadal Surveys. There is significant interest in developing revolutionary propulsion techniques that will enable such Heliopause scientific missions to be completed within 10 to15 years of the launch date. One such enabling propulsion technique commonly known as Electric Sail (E-Sail) propulsion employs positively charged bare wire tethers that extend radially outward from a rotating spacecraft spinning at a rate of one revolution per hour. Around the positively charged bare-wire tethers, a Debye Sheath is created once positive voltage is applied. This sheath stands off of the bare wire tether at a sheath diameter that is proportional to the voltage in the wire coupled with the flux density of solar wind ions within the solar system (or the location of spacecraft in the solar system. The protons that are expended from the sun (solar wind) at 400 to 800 km/sec are electrostatically repelled away from these positively charged Debye sheaths and propulsive thrust is produced via the resulting momentum transfer. The amount of thrust produced is directly proportional to the total wire length. The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Electric Sail team is currently funded via a two year Phase II NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) awarded in July 2015. The team's current activities are: 1) Developing a Particle in Cell (PIC) numeric engineering model from the experimental data collected at MSFC's Solar Wind Facility on the interaction between simulated solar wind interaction with a charged bare wire that can be applied to a variety of missions, 2) The development of the necessary tether deployers and tethers to enable successful de-ployment of multiple, multi km length bare tethers, 3) Controllability of the space-craft via a voltage bias to steer itself through the solar system to destinations of discovery. These activities once demonstrated analytically, will require a technology demonstration mission (TDM) around the year2020 to demonstrate that all systems work together seamlessly before a Heliophysics Electrostatic Rapid Transit System (HERTS) mission could be initiated. A notional TDM spacecraft that meets the requirements of such a mission will be showcased in this paper.

Wiegmann, Bruce M.↗

Testing and validation of the microbial environment of the NASA rodent spaceflight habitat water delivery system.

Sterilized, deionized water within a closed, self-sufficient system has been used in NASA spaceflight rodent studies for several decades. Within the specialized spaceflight rodent habitat, water is delivered through a compression spring-loaded bag system to maintain positive pressure. Refill of the drinking water occurs every 30 days by direct transfer of potable water from aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This enables long term use without a weekly water change out, which meets spaceflight requirements, but contrasts with the general guidelines for the sanitation of water delivery systems. Even though the water is iodinated to minimize microbial growth, rodents are fed a special diet of high moisture nutrient-rich food bars based on the AIN-93 diet that may contribute to microbial growth in this water system. We designed a ground study to assess the quality of drinking water that is given to rodents throughout a mission. We conducted the ground test using 20 female C57BL/6J mice housed in this specialized habitat to mimic the timeline of a 90-day mission as well as the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, and pCO2) within the ISS. We used a novel sampling method to test water at 2-week intervals for the 90-days, and also after each 30-day refill of the water delivery system. Mice in standard vivarium cages with water bottles were also included for comparison to the habitat. The results showed that overall microbial load remained close to zero for the duration, while total organic compound concentrations increased from 1370g/L to 10650g/L over the course of 90 days but remained below the level of concern. Inorganic ions and pH were also found to be at acceptable levels. Overall, we conclude that this system is effective in delivering clean, potable water to rodents for the 90-day duration of current missions to the ISS.

water↗

Heat-Transfer Measurements on the Apexes of Two 60 deg Sweptback Delta Wings (Panel Semiapex Angle of 30 deg) Having 0 deg and 45 deg Dihedral at a Mach Number of 4.95

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the heat-transfer rates at the apex of two 60 degree sweptback delta wings (panel semi-apex angle of 30 degrees) having cylindrical leading edges and 0 degrees and 45 degree positive dihedral. The models tested might correspond to the first several feet of a hypersonic reentry vehicle. The tests were conducted at a Mach number of 4.95 and a stagnation temperature of 400 F. nominal test-section unit Reynolds numbers varied from 2 x 10(exp 6) to 12 x 10(exp 6) per foot. The results of the investigation indicated that the laminar heat-transfer distributions (ratio of local to stagnation-line heating rate) about the models normal to the leading edges were in close agreement with two-dimensional blunt-body theory. The three-dimensional stagnation point heat-transfer rate on the 0 degree dihedral model was in excellent agreement with theory and the stagnation-line heat transfer on the straight portion of the leading edge of both models approached a constant level 12 percent above the theoretical stagnation-line level on an isolated swept infinite cylinder. When the heating rates on the 45 degree dihedral model (planform sweep of 69.3 degree) were compared with those on the 0 degree dihedral model (planform sweep of 60 degrees) at equal angles of attack and equal lifts greater than zero, the stagnation-line heating rates on the 45 degrees dihedral model were, in general, considerably lower as a result of the difference in effective sweeps of the leading edges. On the wing panels inboard from the stagnation lines, the differences in heating were very small. The stagnation-line heat-transfer variation with angle of attack, the shift in stagnation-line location, and the reduction in stagnation-line heat transfer resulting from the increase in effective sweep when positive dihedral is incorporated into a constant-panel 0 degree dihedral wing, all agreed with the results of a theoretical study made of highly swept delta wings with large positive dihedral.

Gunn, Charles R.↗

TAOS Orbit Determination Results Using Global Positioning Satellites

Orbit determination results for the Air Force Phillips Laboratory's Technology for Autonomous Operational Survivability (TAOS) satellite using a Rockwell AST V Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver are presented in this paper. Under a cooperative effort, GPS orbit determination technology developed at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has been transferred to the U.S. Air Force. JPL's post processing differential GPS software MIRAGE [1] was modified to perform precise orbit determination for the TAOS satellite. Reconstructed TAOS position accuracies of 10 meters (3 sigma) are the objective. With four days of data, three-dimensional positions of less than 3 meters (1 sigma) have been achieved with overlapping orbit determination spans. Orbit determination results are also compared with those of the on-board GPS receiver's navigation solutions and with the Air Force's Satellite Control Network SGLS processing.

TAOS↗

International time transfer and portable clock evaluation using GPS timing receivers: Preliminary results

The overall experiment was designed to test the positioning and navigation capabilities of the GPS timing receivers developed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for the NASA Goddard Laser Tracking Network (GITN). To perform this experiment, a reliable and redundant time scale was set up onboard the ship, and a back-up on shore. This situation provided the opportunity to perform simultaneously a timing experiment ideally divided into two parts, the main objectives of the experimentation being: (1) To test GPS timing receiver synchronization capabilities on a moving platform, and to perform an intercontinental synchronization via GPS between participating international timing laboratories in Europe and in the United States. (2) To evaluate the performance of cesium portable clocks in the field.

Wardrip, S. C.↗

Chapter Twelve - Proton transfer and drug binding details revealed in neutron diffraction studies of wild-type and drug resistant HIV-1 protease

HIV-1 protease is an essential therapeutic target for the design and development of antiviral inhibitors to treat AIDS. We used room temperature neutron crystallography to accurately determine hydrogen atom positions in several protease complexes with clinical drugs, amprenavir and darunavir. Hydrogen bonding interactions were carefully mapped to provide an unprecedented picture of drug binding to the protease target. We demonstrate that hydrogen atom positions within the enzyme catalytic site can be altered by introducing drug resistant mutations and by protonating surface residues that trigger proton transfer reactions between the catalytic Asp residues and the hydroxyl group of darunavir. When protein perdeuteration is not feasible, we validate the use of initial H/D exchange with unfolded protein and partial deuteration in pure D2O with hydrogenous glycerol to maximize deuterium incorporation into the protein, with no detrimental effects on the growth of quality crystals suitable for neutron diffraction experiments.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

3D Radiative Transfer Effects in Multi-Angle/Multi-Spectral Radio-Polarimetric Signals from a Mixture of Clouds and Aerosols Viewed by a Non-Imaging Sensor

When observing a spatially complex mix of aerosols and clouds in a single relatively large field-of-view, nature entangles their signals non-linearly through polarized radiation transport processes that unfold in the 3D position and direction spaces. In contrast, any practical forward model in a retrieval algorithm will use only 1D vector radiative transfer (vRT) in a linear mixing technique. We assess the difference between the observed and predicted signals using synthetic data from a high-fidelity 3D vRT model with clouds generated using a Large Eddy Simulation model and an aerosol climatology. We find that this difference is signal--not noise--for the Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor (APS), an instrument developed by NASA. Moreover, the worst case scenario is also the most interesting case, namely, when the aerosol burden is large, hence hase the most impact on the cloud microphysics and dynamics. Based on our findings, we formulate a mitigation strategy for these unresolved cloud adjacency effects assuming that some spatial information is available about the structure of the clouds at higher resolution from "context" cameras, as was planned for NASA's ill-fated Glory mission that was to carry the APS but failed to reach orbit. Application to POLDER (POLarization and Directionality of Earth Reflectances) data from the period when PARASOL (Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Sciences coupled with Observations from a Lidar) was in the A-train is briefly discussed.

APS↗

Curved Displacement Transfer Functions for Geometric Nonlinear Large Deformation Structure Shape Predictions

For shape predictions of structures under large geometrically nonlinear deformations, Curved Displacement Transfer Functions were formulated based on a curved displacement, traced by a material point from the undeformed position to deformed position. The embedded beam (depth-wise cross section of a structure along a surface strain-sensing line) was discretized into multiple small domains, with domain junctures matching the strain-sensing stations. Thus, the surface strain distribution could be described with a piecewise linear or a piecewise nonlinear function. The discretization approach enabled piecewise integrations of the embedded-beam curvature equations to yield the Curved Displacement Transfer Functions, expressed in terms of embedded beam geometrical parameters and surface strains. By entering the surface strain data into the Displacement Transfer Functions, deflections along each embedded beam can be calculated at multiple points for mapping the overall structural deformed shapes. Finite-element linear and nonlinear analyses of a tapered cantilever tubular beam were performed to generate linear and nonlinear surface strains and the associated deflections to be used for validation. The shape prediction accuracies were then determined by comparing the theoretical deflections with the finiteelement- generated deflections. The results show that the newly developed Curved Displacement Transfer Functions are very accurate for shape predictions of structures under large geometrically nonlinear deformations.

displacement theory↗

Ion focusing device

Apparatus include a plurality of electrode arrangements spaced apart from each other opposite an ion propagation axis and defining an ion transfer channel that extends along the ion propagation axis that tapers between an input end that is situated to receive ions and an output end that is situated to couple the received ions to an input end of an ion guide. Methods include positioning a plurality of electrode arrangements at oblique angles opposite an ion propagation axis so as to form a ion transfer channel that tapers between an input end and an output end, and coupling the output end of the ion transfer channel to an input end of an ion optical element so as to direct ions in the ion transfer channel into the ion optical element. Related systems are also disclosed.

Ibrahim, Yehia M.↗

Multi-physics Modeling of Radiative Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow for the Reactor Cavity Cooling System

High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) are notable for their high thermal efficiency and potential for combined heat and power applications. These reactors are particularly appealing due to their advanced passive safety features. HTGRs utilize passive safety systems that function without requiring active components like pumps or compressors during emergencies. These reactor designs depend on a Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) to manage decay heat removal from the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) during accident conditions. The RCCS consists of vertical rectangular channels known as "risers" or riser ducts positioned around the RPV. These risers receive heat from the RPV through both convective and radiative heat transfer mechanisms. Understanding the interplay of multiple physical phenomena, such as fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and neutron interactions, is essential for the effective design and operation of nuclear reactors, particularly for systems like the RCCS. Multi-physics simulations provide a comprehensive approach to studying these interactions, offering detailed insights and enhancing accuracy. They are especially important in RCCS designs, where the interaction between radiative and convective heat transfer can significantly impact system performance. By leveraging multi-physics simulations, complex reactor behaviors can be modeled without compromising the fidelity of the underlying physical processes. This work aims to establish a robust methodology for coupling multiple physical processes in an air-cooled RCCS. By focusing on validating this multi-physics approach, the study involves designing test cases that simulate various conditions to verify the numerical models employed. The outcomes of this research will provide critical insights for accurately modeling and optimizing complex nuclear systems like the RCCS.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Automated parking garage system model

A one-twenty-fifth scale model of the key components of an automated parking garage system is described. The design of the model required transferring a vehicle from an entry level, vertically (+Z, -Z), to a storage location at any one of four storage positions (+X, -X, +Y, +Y, -Y) on the storage levels. There are three primary subsystems: (1) a screw jack to provide the vertical motion of the elevator, (2) a cam-driven track-switching device to provide X to Y motion, and (3) a transfer cart to provide horizontal travel and a small amount to vertical motion for transfer to the storage location. Motive power is provided by dc permanent magnet gear motors, one each for the elevator and track switching device and two for the transfer cart drive system (one driving the cart horizontally and the other providing the vertical transfer). The control system, through the use of a microprocessor, provides complete automation through a feedback system which utilizes sensing devices.

Collins, E. R., Jr.↗

Nonadiabatic Electronic Energy Transfer in Chemical Oxygen-Iodine Laser: Powered by Derivative Coupling or Spin-Orbit Coupling?

Derivative couplings near a conical intersection and spin-orbit couplings between different spin states are known to facilitate nonadiabatic transitions in molecular systems. In this report, we investigate a prototypical electronic energy transfer process, I( 2 P 3/2 )+O 2 (a 1 Δ g )→I( 2 P 1/2 )+ O 2 (X 3 Σ g - ), which is of great importance for the chemical oxygen-iodine laser. To understand the nonadiabatic dynamics, this multistate process is investigated in full dimensionality with quantum wave packets using diabatic potential energy surfaces coupled by both derivative and spin-orbit couplings, all determined from first principles. A near quantitative agreement with structural, energetic, and kinetic measurements is achieved. Detailed analyses suggest that the nonadiabatic dynamics is largely controlled by derivative coupling near conical intersections, which leads to a small effective barrier and hence a slightly positive temperature dependence of the rate coefficient. The new findings should extend our understanding of energy transfer, provide a quantitative basis for numerical simulations of the chemical oxygen-iodine laser, and have important implications in other electronic energy transfer processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗