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At least 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Variety in the Variability of Accreting Supermassive Binary Black Holes

Accreting supermassive binary black holes are key multi-messenger sources for LISA, yet are challenging to simulate realistically as solving the radiation magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations over the full dynamic spatio-temporal range of the problem is computationally infeasible at present. We report on our collaboration's progress simulating these systems using general relativistic MHD simulations and dynamic GR. In order to cover a larger temporal range in one set of simulations, we constrain our view to the circumbinary disk region and measure the effects binary mass ratio, accretion disk size, and black hole spin have on the structure and variability of the accretion flow. We particularly emphasize how these parameters influence the overdensity feature, which orbits the binary near the edge of the cavity, since it is responsible for most of the electromagnetic emission's variability and variability is a key signature of a system being a binary. Extending to smaller length scales, we will report on simulations following accretion all the down to the event horizons so that we can begin to investigate how black hole spin affects mini-disk dynamics, accretion rate, and jet power.

Scott C Noble↗
NASA NTRS2020

WISEA J041451.67-585456.7 and WISEA J181006.18-101000.5: The First Extreme T-type Subdwarfs?

We present the discoveries of WISEA J041451.67−585456.7 and WISEA J181006.18−101000.5, two low-temperature (1200–1400 K), high proper motion T-type subdwarfs. Both objects were discovered via their high proper motion (>0farcs5 yr(exp -1)); WISEA J181006.18−101000.5 as part of the NEOWISE proper motion survey and WISEA J041451.67−585456.7 as part of the citizen science project Backyard Worlds; Planet 9. We have confirmed both as brown dwarfs with follow-up near-infrared spectroscopy. Their spectra and near-infrared colors are unique among known brown dwarfs, with some colors consistent with L-type brown dwarfs and other colors resembling those of the latest-type T dwarfs. While no forward model consistently reproduces the features seen in their near-infrared spectra, the closest matches suggest very low metallicities ([Fe/H] ≼ −1), making these objects likely the first examples of extreme subdwarfs of the T spectral class (esdT). WISEA J041451.67−585456.7 and WISEA J181006.18−101000.5 are found to be part of a small population of objects that occupy the “substellar transition zone,” and have the lowest masses and effective temperatures of all objects in this group.

T subdwarfs↗
NASA NTRS2022

Mapping Phyllosilicates on the Asteroid Bennu Using Thermal Emission Spectra and Machine Learning Model Applications

Bennu, the target of the OSIRIS-REx mission, is an asteroid with compositions analogous to low petrologic type CI, CM, CR, and/or ungrouped carbonaceous chondrites. Asteroids like Bennu provide information about the building blocks of the early Solar System. Analysis of the mid-infrared remote sensing data informs mineral quantification. We apply a phyllosilicate specific model, developed by Breitenfeld et al. (2021) that distinguishes between Mg and Fe serpentines, to Baseball Diamond 1 (BBD1), Equatorial Station 3 (EQ3), and Touch-And-Go OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer data. The average total phyllosilicate predictions are 73 (BBD1) and 72 vol% (EQ3). We observe higher Fe-cronstedtite and lower Mg-rich serpentine content in the equatorial region of Bennu than average. Mid-infrared spectral variability may be explained by sorting effects through mass movement.

Bennu↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Investigating the Relationship between the Cell Wall Integrity Pathway and Unfolded Protein Response

Plants have made significant contributions to astronaut health in spaceflight missions. To further spaceflight research in optimizing plant viability, this study aims to understand the factors involved in maintaining cell wall integrity, which is vital to plant morphology and structural stability. Spaceflight can negatively impact the cell wall; thus, it is crucial to investigate how to mitigate spaceflight stressors to maintain the integrity of the cell wall. The structural integrity of plants’ cell walls depends on secondary cell wall biogenesis, which enables the repair and architectural support of plants like A. thaliana. This biogenesis is triggered by a signal transduction cascade: first initiated by cell wall stress, the CWI (cell wall integrity) pathway is activated, followed by the UPR (unfolded protein response), then the cell wall’s integrity is maintained through secondary cell wall biogenesis. Through a re-analysis of GeneLab Dataset 321 (GLDS-321), a study from NASA’s Open Science Data Repository that investigates the effects of spaceflight on the UPR, several genes were found to be associated with the cell wall. This proposal postulates a relationship between the UPR and the CWI pathway and their direct effect on secondary cell wall biogenesis by investigating IRX7, a gene associated with secondary cell wall biogenesis. The predicted outcome of overexpressing IRX7 is increased resilience of the cell wall by upregulating both the UPR and the CWI pathway, while silencing IRX7 is predicted to compromise the cell wall integrity by downregulating the UPR and the CWI pathway. This study will give insight into the needed measures to increase cell wall resilience in stressful environments: As spaceflight durations increase and uncertain climate change events progress on Earth, understanding how to optimize cell wall resilience – a fundamental pillar of plant health – can effectively enhance mass crop production and quality and ensure the physical and psychological health of astronauts in long-term space missions.

GL4HS↗
NASA NTRS2024

Foam With Direction: Unraveling the Anisotropic Radiation Shielding Properties of 2D Boron Nitride Nanoplatelet Foams

Neutron radiation exposure is one of the main challenges faced during space missions. There is a critical need for advanced lightweight radiation shielding materials. Two-dimensional (2D) boron nitride nanoplatelets (BNNP) are excellent candidates for polymer matrix nanofillers due to their superior neutron shielding and thermal and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the 2D material anisotropic behavior unlocks the potential for composite property tailoring. This study fabricated ultra- lightweight lamellar BNNP foams (density 0.05 g cm –3 and 97.5% porous) via freeze-drying processing. The neutron shielding effectiveness or mass absorption coefficient of the BNNP foams with walls perpendicular to the direction of the radiation source was 14.47 cm 2 g –1 , while that of the foam with parallel configuration was only 8.51 cm 2 g –1 . The orientation-dependent neutron radiation shielding properties were modeled using the Beer-Lambert law for porous composite materials. The BNNP foam in this study has the potential to benefit advanced tailorable radiation shielding technologies for future aerospace missions.

Radiation shielding↗
NASA NTRS1996

Modeling Orifice Pulse Tube Coolers

We have developed a calculational model that treats all the components of an orifice pulse tube cooler. We base our analysis on 1-dimensional thermodynamic equations for the regenerator and we assume that all mass flows, pressure oscillations and temperature oscillations are small and sinusoidal. Non-linear pressure drop effects are included in the regenerator to account for finite pressure amplitude effects. The resulting mass flows and pressures are matched at the boundaries with the other components of the cooler: compressor, aftercooler, cold heat exchanger, pulse tube, hot heat exchanger, orifice and reservoir. The results of the calculation are oscillating pressures, mass flows and enthalpy flows in the main components of the cooler. By comparing with the calculations of other available models, we show that our model is very similar to REGEN 3 from NIST and DeltaE from Los Alamos National Lab. Our model is much easier to use than other available models because of its simple graphical interface and the fact that no guesses are required for the operating pressures or mass flows. In addition, the model only requires a few minutes of running time allowing many parameters to be optimized in a reasonable time. A version of the model is available for use over the World Wide Web at http://irtek.arc.nasa.gov. Future enhancements include adding a bypass orifice and including second order terms in steady mass streaming and steady heat transfer. A two-dimensional anelastic approximation of the fluid equations will be used as the basis for the latter analysis. Preliminary results are given in dimensionless numbers appropriate for oscillating compressible flows. The model shows how transverse heat transfer reduces enthalpy flow, particularly for small pulse tubes. The model also clearly shows mass recirculation in the open tube on the order of the tube length. They result from the higher order Reynolds stresses. An interesting result of the linearized approach is that the steady mass streaming does not affect the enthalpy flow at second order. The major effect of recirculating mass streaming is to increase transverse temperature gradients, which leads to higher entropy production and reduced efficiency.

Roach, Kittel P.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Constraints on Triple Oxygen Isotope Kinetics

Isotopic disequilibrium is not as well constrained as equilibrium, hindering interpretation of isotopic variations. Kinetic isotope effects, a subset of disequilibrium, are common in nature and have been assumed to be distinct from equilibrium and mass independent isotope effects based on underdeveloped criteria. Using basic physical principles, we provide needed mechanistic constraints on mass-dependent kinetic isotope effects for the triple oxygen isotope system. We find some kinetic isotope effects yield large isotopic variations, exceeding equilibrium, which could be mistaken for mass independent relationships. Meanwhile, other kinetic isotope effects are found to have triple oxygen isotope relationships that could be mistaken for equilibrium isotope effects. Comparison against prior case studies of thermal decomposition of calcite (CaCO3) and brucite (Mg(OH)2) further tests our results. Although oxygen is the focus here, our approach applies to any system with more than two isotopes.

Isotope Geochemistry↗
NASA NTRS2015

Probing the Effects of External Irradiation on Low-Mass Protostars Through Unbiased Line Surveys

The envelopes of molecular gas around embedded low-mass protostars show different chemistries, which can be used to trace their formation history and physical conditions. The excitation conditions of some molecular species can also be used to trace these physical conditions, making it possible to constrain for instance sources of heating and excitation. Aims. We study the range of influence of an intermediate-mass Herbig Be protostar. We also study the effect of feedback from the environment on the chemical and physical properties of embedded protostars. Methods. We followed up on an earlier line survey of the Class 0I source R CrA IRS7B in the 0.8 mm window with an unbiased line survey of the same source in the 1.3 mm window using the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) telescope. We also studied the excitation of the key species H2CO, CH3OH, and c-C3H2 in a complete sample of the 18 embedded protostars in the Corona Australis star-forming region. Radiative transfer models were employed to establish abundances of the molecular species. Results. We detect line emission from 20 molecular species (32 including isotopologues) in the two surveys. The most complex species detected are CH3OH, CH3CCH, CH3CHO, and CH3CN (the latter two are only tentatively detected). CH3CN and several other complex organic molecules are significantly under-abundant in comparison with what is found towards hot corino protostars. The H2CO rotational temperatures of the sources in the region decrease with the distance to the Herbig Be star R CrA, whereas the c-C3H2 temperatures remain constant across the star-forming region.Conclusions. The high H2CO temperatures observed towards objects close to R CrA suggest that this star has a sphere of influence of several 10 000 AU in which it increases the temperature of the molecular gas to 3050 K through irradiation. The chemistry in the IRS7B envelope differs significantly from many other embedded protostars, which could be an effect of the external irradiation from R CrA.

ISM: individual objects↗
NASA NTRS1982

Transonic flutter study of a wind-tunnel model of a supercritical wing with/without winglet

The scaled flutter model was a 1/6.5-size, semispan version of a supercritical wing (SCW) proposed for an executive-jet-transport airplane. The model was tested cantilever-mounted with a normal wingtip, a wingtip with winglet, and a normal wingtip ballasted to simulate the winglet mass properties. Flutter and aerodynamic data were acquired at Mach numbers from 0.6 to 0.95. The measured transonic flutter speed boundary for each wingtip configuration had roughly the same shape with a minimum flutter speed near M = 0.82. The winglet addition and wingtip mass ballast decreased the wing flutter speed by about 7 and 5%, respectively; thus, the winglet effect on flutter was more a mass effect than an aerodynamic effect. Flutter characteristics calculated using a doublet-lattice analysis (which included interference effects) were in good agreement with the experimental results up to M = 0.82. Comparisons of measured static aerodynamic data with predicted data indicated that the model was aerodynamically representative of the airplane SCW.

Ruhlin, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Nitrogen tetroxide scrubber data analysis

A major difficulty in the analysis of scrubber data is that of separating the physical effects, such as mass transfer, from the physico-chemical effects, such as reaction rates. This is especially true for the absorbtion of nitrogen tetroxide in the various liquids that were tested in the NASA-Kennedy Space Center Hypergolic Toxic Scrubber Program. A fruitful approach to correlating the data for outlet concentrations was to treat the overall absorbtion as a pseudo first-order absorbtion equation. This approach provided a method for normalizing the data to constant inlet concentration, constant sump liquor condition, and constant scrubbing time, and permitted evaluation of the test and fluid parameters that affected both absorbtion rate and scrubbing time. The analysis indicated that scrubber performance may be improved by optimizing liquor concentrations and liquor flowrate distributions.

Simon, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Miniature Piezoelectric Macro-Mass Balance

Mass balances usually use a strain gauge that requires an impedance measurement and is susceptible to noise and thermal drift. A piezoelectric balance can be used to measure mass directly by monitoring the voltage developed across the piezoelectric balance, which is linear with weight or it can be used in resonance to produce a frequency change proportional to the mass change (see figure). The piezoelectric actuator/balance is swept in frequency through its fundamental resonance. If a small mass is added to the balance, the resonance frequency shifts down in proportion to the mass. By monitoring the frequency shift, the mass can be determined. This design allows for two independent measurements of mass. Additionally, more than one sample can be verified because this invention allows for each sample to be transported away from the measuring device upon completion of the measurement, if required. A piezoelectric actuator, or many piezoelectric actuators, was placed between the collection plate of the sampling system and the support structure. As the sample mass is added to the plate, the piezoelectrics are stressed, causing them to produce a voltage that is proportional to the mass and acceleration. In addition, a change in mass delta m produces a change in the resonance frequency with delta f proportional to delta m. In a microgravity environment, the spacecraft could be accelerated to produce a force on the piezoelectric actuator that would produce a voltage proportional to the mass and acceleration. Alternatively, the acceleration could be used to force the mass on the plate, and the inertial effects of the mass on the plate would produce a shift in the resonance frequency with the change in frequency related to the mass change. Three prototypes of the mass balance mechanism were developed. These macro-mass balances each consist of a solid base and an APA 60 Cedrat flextensional piezoelectric actuator supporting a measuring plate. A similar structure with 3 APA 120 Cedrat flextensional piezoelectric actuators spaced equidistantly at 120 degrees supporting the plate and a softer macro balance with an APA 150 actuator/sensor were developed. These flextensional actuators were chosen because they increase the sensitivity of the actuator to stress, allow the piezoelectric to be pre-stressed, and the piezoelectric element is a stacked multilayer actuator, which has a considerably lower input impedance than a monolithic element that allows for common instruments (e.g., input impedance of 10 megohms) to measure the voltage without rapidly discharging the charge/voltage on the piezoelectric actuator.

Sherrit, Stewart↗
NASA NTRS1982

Transonic flutter study of a wind-tunnel model of a supercritical wing with/without winglet

The model was a 1/6.5-size, semipan version of a wing proposed for an executive-jet-transport airplane. The model was tested with a normal wingtip, a wingtip with winglet, and a normal wingtip ballasted to simulate the winglet mass properties. Flutter and aerodynamic data were acquired at Mach numbers (M) from 0.6 to 0.95. The measured transonic flutter speed boundary for each wingtip configuration had roughly the same shape with a minimum flutter speed near M=0.82. The winglet addition and wingtip mass ballast decreased the wing flutter speed by about 7 and 5 percent, respectively; thus, the winglet effect on flutter was more a mass effect than an aerodynamic effect.

Ruhlin, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The effects of excitation waveforms and shaker moving mass on the measured modal characteristics of a 2- by 5-foot aluminum plate

Ground vibration tests were conducted to compare and to investigate the effects of five excitation waveforms and the shaker moving mass (equipment and armature used to attach the shaker to the structure) on the experimental modal characteristics of a 2- by 5-ft aluminum plate using fast Fourier transform techniques. The five types of excitation waveforms studied were sine dwell, random, impact, sine sweep, and impulsive sine. The results showed that the experimental modal frequencies for all types of excitation were within 3 percent, while the modal damping data exhibited greater scatter. The sets of mode shapes obtained by the five types of excitation were consistent. The results of the shaker moving mass investigation on the 2- by 5-ft aluminum plate showed that modal frequency decreases and modal damping remains relatively constant with an increase in shaker moving mass. The generalized mass of the structure appears to decrease with an increase in shaker moving mass. In addition, it was seen that having a shaker near a node line can reduce some of the effects of the added shaker moving mass on the frequencies and the damping.

Voracek, David F.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Constraints on triple oxygen isotope kinetics

Triple oxygen isotope measurements have been used as tracers for classifying meteorites, as indicators of atmospheric chemistry and as a proxy for primary productivity among other uses. These utilities rely on the mass dependency of most chemical reactions: δ17O is proportional to δ18O by roughly a factor of 0.5. However,in detail it is known that mass-dependency factorsvary. Constraints on mass dependency are well established for equilibrium isotope effects, but similar constraints for kinetic isotope effects are lacking.Here, we provide constraints for isotope effects generated by unidirectional chemical reactions (i.e. kinetic isotope effects, KIEs). A simplified Monte Carlo model is used to estimatethe range of kinetic isotope effects. It is found that the range of KIEs exceeds the range of equilibrium isotope effects such that some mass dependent kinetic isotope effects could be mistaken for being mass-independent. For the16O-17O-18O system,Δ′17Ovariations as large 0.8‰ can be generated from a single reaction step. Two case studies from published literature, on the thermal decomposition of calcite (CaCO3) and brucite (Mg(OH)2), are used to test the extreme limits of the modeled results. Isotope fractionationsgenerated fromdensity functional theory models of the surface reaction steps are shownto match the published data. The fractionation models are strictly mass dependent thus this result suggests thermal decomposition of calcite is also mass dependent. Although oxygen is the focus here, our approach applies to any system with more than two isotopes.

J. A. Hayles↗
NASA NTRS1992

Observed temporal variations in the Earth's gravity field from 16-year Starlette orbit analysis

Satellite laser ranging data to Starlette, collected during the period from 1975 to 1990, are analyzed to determine yearly values of the second degree annual (Sa) and semiannual (Ssa) tides, simultaneously with average values of other low degree and order tide parameters. The yearly fluctuations in the values for Sa and Ssa are associated with changes in the Earth's second degree zonal harmonic caused by meteorological excitation. The Starlette-determined mean values for the amplitude of the annual and semiannual variations in J2 are 32.3 x 10 exp -11 and 19.5 x 10 exp -11, respectively; while the rms about the mean values are 4.1 x 10 exp -11 and 6.3 x 10 exp -11, respectively. The annual delta-J2 is in good agreement with the value obtained from the combined effects of air mass redistribution without the oceanic inverted-barometer effects (non-IB) and hydrological change. Approximately 90 percent of the observed annual variation from Starlette is attributed to the meteorological mass redistribution occurring on the Earth's surface.

Cheng, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Experimental studies of transpiration cooling with shock interaction in hypersonic flow, part B

This report describes the result of experimental studies conducted to examine the effects of the impingement of an oblique shock on the flowfield and surface characteristics of a transpiration-cooled wall in turbulent hypersonic flow. The principal objective of this work was to determine whether the interaction between the oblique shock and the low-momentum region of the transpiration-cooled boundary layer created a highly distorted flowfield and resulted in a significant reduction in the cooling effectiveness of the transpiration-cooled surface. As a part of this program, we also sought to determine the effectiveness of transpiration cooling with nitrogen and helium injectants for a wide range of blowing rates under constant-pressure conditions in the absence of shock interaction. This experimental program was conducted in the Calspan 48-Inch Shock Tunnel at nominal Mach numbers of 6 and 8, for a Reynolds number of 7.5 x 10(exp 6). For these test conditions, we obtained fully turbulent boundary layers upstream of the interaction regions over the transpiration-cooled segment of the flat plate. The experimental program was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, we examined the effects of mass-addition level and coolant properties on the cooling effectiveness of transpiration-cooled surfaces in the absence of shock interaction. In the second phase of the program, we examined the effects of oblique shock impingement on the flowfield and surface characteristics of a transpiration-cooled surface. The studies were conducted for a range of shock strengths with nitrogen and helium coolants to examine how the distribution of heat transfer and pressure and the characteristics of the flowfield in the interaction region varied with shock strength and the level of mass addition from the transpiration-cooled section of the model. The effects of the distribution of the blowing rate along the interaction regions were also examined for a range of blowing rates through the transpiration-cooled panels. The regions of shockwave/boundary layer interaction examined in these studies were induced by oblique shocks generated with a sharp, flat plate, inclined to the freestream at angles of 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, and 10 degrees. It was found that, in the absence of an incident shock, transpiration cooling was a very effective method for reducing both the heat transfer and the skin friction loads on the surface. The helium coolant was found to be significantly more effective than nitrogen, because of its low molecular weight and high specific heat. The studies of shock-wave/transpiration-cooled surface interaction demonstrated that the interaction region between the incident shock and the low-momentum transpiration-cooled boundary layer did not result in a significant increase in the size of attached or separated interaction regions, and did not result in significant flowfield distortions above the interaction region. The increase in heating downstream of the shock-impingement point could easily be reduced to the values without shock impingement by a relatively small increase in the transpiration cooling in this region. Surprisingly, this increase in cooling rate did not result in a significant increase in size of the region ahead of the incident shock or create a significantly enlarged interaction region with a resultant increase in the distortion level in the inviscid flow. Thus, transpiration cooling appears to be a very effective technique to cool the internal surfaces of scramjet engines, where shocks in the engine would induce large local increases in wall heating and create viscous/inviscid interactions that could significantly disturb the smooth flow through the combustor. However, if hydrogen is used as the coolant, burning upstream of shock impingement might result in localized hot spots. Clearly, further research is needed in this area.

Holden, Michael S.↗