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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 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Cloud altitude determination from infrared spectral radiances

The CO2 slicing method is generally recognized as the most accurate means of inferring cloud altitude from passive infrared radiance observations. The method is applicable to semi-transparent and broken clouds. During the cirrus FIRE and COHMEX field experiments, CO2 channel radiance data suitable for cloud altitude specification were achieved from moderate spectral resolution satellite sounders (NOAA-TOVS and GOES-VAS) and from a High spectral resolution Interferometer Spectrometer (HIS) flown on the NASA U2/ER2 aircraft. Also aboard the ER2 was a down-looking active lidar unit capable of providing cloud top pressure verifications with high accuracy. A third instrument, the Multispectral Atmospheric Mapping Sensor (MAMS) provided 50 meter resolution infrared window data which is used wtih radiosonde data to verify the heights of middle and low level clouds. Comparisons of lidar and MAMS/radiosonde ground truth cloud heights are made with those determined from: high resolution (0.5/cm) HIS spectra, HIS spectra degraded to the moderate resolution (15/cm) of the VAS/TOVS instruments, and spectrally averaged HIS radiances for individual pairs of VAS spectral channels. The results show that the best results are achieved from high resolution spectra; the RMS difference with the ground truth is 23 mb. The RMS differences between the infrared radiance determination and ground truth increase by 35 percent when the spectral resolution is degraded to the moderate spectral resolution of the VAS/TOVS instruments and by 52 to 183 percent, depending upon channel combinations, when only two spectral channels at VAS/TOVS spectral resolution are used.

Smith, William L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The nondeterministic divide

The nondeterministic divide partitions a vector into two non-empty slices by allowing the point of division to be chosen nondeterministically. Support for high-level divide-and-conquer programming provided by the nondeterministic divide is investigated. A diva algorithm is a recursive divide-and-conquer sequential algorithm on one or more vectors of the same range, whose division point for a new pair of recursive calls is chosen nondeterministically before any computation is performed and whose recursive calls are made immediately after the choice of division point; also, access to vector components is only permitted during activations in which the vector parameters have unit length. The notion of diva algorithm is formulated precisely as a diva call, a restricted call on a sequential procedure. Diva calls are proven to be intimately related to associativity. Numerous applications of diva calls are given and strategies are described for translating a diva call into code for a variety of parallel computers. Thus diva algorithms separate logical correctness concerns from implementation concerns.

Charlesworth, Arthur↗
NASA NTRS1991

The direct simulation of high-speed mixing-layers without and with chemical heat release

A direct numerical simulation of high speed reacting and non-reacting flows for H2-air systems is presented. The calculations are made for a convective Mach number of 0.38 with hyperbolic tangent initial profile and finite rate chemical reactions. A higher-order numerical method is used in time accurate mode to time advance the solution to a statistical steady state. About 600 time slices of all the variables are then stored for statistical analysis. It is shown that most of the problems of high-speed combustion with air are characterized by relatively weak heat release. The present study shows that: (1) the convective speed is reduced by heat release by about 10 percent at this convective Mach number M(sub c) = 0.38; (2) the variation of the mean and rms fluctuation of temperature can be explained on the basis of temperature fluctuation between the flame temperature and the ambient; (3) the growth rate with heat release is reduced by 7 percent; and (4) the entrainment is reduced by 25 percent with heat release. These differences are small in comparison with incompressible flow dynamics, and are argued to be due to the reduced importance of heat release in comparison with the large enthalpy gradients resulting from the large-scale vortex dynamics. It is finally suggested that the problems of reduced mixing in high-speed flows are not severely complicated by heat release.

Sekar, B.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Implementation of an algorithm for cylindrical object identification using range data

One of the problems in 3-D object identification and localization is addressed. In robotic and navigation applications the vision system must be able to distinguish cylindrical or spherical objects as well as those of other geometric shapes. An algorithm was developed to identify cylindrical objects in an image when range data is used. The algorithm incorporates the Hough transform for line detection using edge points which emerge from a Sobel mask. Slices of the data are examined to locate arcs of circles using the normal equations of an over-determined linear system. Current efforts are devoted to testing the computer implementation of the algorithm. Refinements are expected to continue in order to accommodate cylinders in various positions. A technique is sought which is robust in the presence of noise and partial occlusions.

Bozeman, Sylvia T.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A search for embedded young stellar objects in and near the IC 1396 complex

The IRAS data base is used to locate young stellar object candidates in and near the IC 1396 complex located in the Cepheus OB2 association. Co-added survey data are used to identify all sources with a flux density Snu(100) greater than 10 Jy and with Snu(100) greater than Snu(60). The 15 sources located at the positions of globules and dark clouds are further analyzed using the inscan slices to assess the source profiles.

Schwartz, Richard D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Simulation of deep one- and two-dimensional redshift surveys

It is shown that slice or pencil-beam redshift surveys of galaxies can be simulated in a box with nonequal sides. This method saves a lot of computer time and memory while providing essentially the same results as from whole-cube simulations. A 2457.6/h Mpc-long rod (out to a redshift z = 0.58 in two opposite directions) is simulated using the standard biased cold dark matter model as an example to mimic the recent deep pencil-beam surveys by Broadhurst et al. (1990). The structures (spikes) seen in these simulated samples occur when the narrow pencil-beam pierces walls, filaments, and clusters appearing randomly along the line-of-sight. A statistical test for goodness of fit to a periodic lattice has been applied to the observations and the simulations. It is found that the statistical significance level (P = 15.4 percent) is not strong enough to reject the null hypothesis that the observations and the simulations were drawn at random from the same set.

Park, Changbom↗
NASA NTRS1992

Displaying Data As Movies

NMSB Movie computer program displays large sets of data (more than million individual values). Presentation dynamic, rapidly displaying sequential image "frames" in main "movie" window. Any sequence of two-dimensional sets of data scaled between 0 and 255 (1-byte resolution) displayed as movie. Time- or slice-wise progression of data illustrated. Originally written to present data from three-dimensional ultrasonic scans of damaged aerospace composite materials, illustrates data acquired by thermal-analysis systems measuring rates of heating and cooling of various materials. Developed on Macintosh IIx computer with 8-bit color display adapter and 8 megabytes of memory using Symantec Corporation's Think C, version 4.0.

Moore, Judith G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Euclidean black hole vortices

We argue the existence of solutions of the Euclidean Einstein equations that correspond to a vortex sitting at the horizon of a black hole. We find the asymptotic behaviors, at the horizon and at infinity, of vortex solutions for the gauge and scalar fields in an abelian Higgs model on a Euclidean Schwarzschild background and interpolate between them by integrating the equations numerically. Calculating the backreaction shows that the effect of the vortex is to cut a slice out of the Schwarzschild geometry. Consequences of these solutions for black hole thermodynamics are discussed.

Dowker, Fay↗
NASA NTRS1992

Meteoroid and debris special investigation group; status of 3-D crater analysis from binocular imagery

During the 3 month deintegration of the LDEF, the M&D SIG generated approximately 5000 digital color stereo image pairs of impact related features from all space exposed surfaces. Currently, these images are being processed at JSC to yield more accurate feature information. Work is currently underway to determine the minimum number of data points necessary to parametrically define impact crater morphologies in order to minimize the man-hour intensive task of tie point selection. Initial attempts at deriving accurate crater depth and diameter measurements from binocular imagery were based on the assumption that the crater geometries were best defined by paraboloid. We made no assumptions regarding the crater depth/diameter ratios but instead allowed each crater to define its own coefficients by performing a least-squares fit based on user-selected tiepoints. Initial test cases resulted in larger errors than desired, so it was decided to test our basic assumptions that the crater geometries could be parametrically defined as paraboloids. The method for testing this assumption was to carefully slice test craters (experimentally produced in an appropriate aluminum alloy) vertically through the center resulting in a readily visible cross-section of the crater geometry. Initially, five separate craters were cross-sectioned in this fashion. A digital image of each cross-section was then created, and the 2-D crater geometry was then hand-digitized to create a table of XY position for each crater. A 2nd order polynomial (parabolic) was fitted to the data using a least-squares approach. The differences between the fit equation and the actual data were fairly significant, and easily large enough to account for the errors found in the 3-D fits. The differences between the curve fit and the actual data were consistent between the caters. This consistency suggested that the differences were due to the fact that a parabola did not sufficiently define the generic crater geometry. Fourth and 6th order equations were then fitted to each crater cross-section, and significantly better estimates of the crater geometry were obtained with each fit. Work is presently underway to determine the best way to make use of this new parametric crater definition.

Sapp, Clyde A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Characterization of Martian near-subsurface materials by determination of cohesion and angle of internal friction

Back-analysis (reconstruction) of the stability of thirty avalanche chutes was performed in the very limited areas where high resolution imaging overlapped with available 1:500 K topographic map coverage. A new technique was developed to incorporate the third dimension (width) of an avalanche chute in stability back-analysis in order to yield unambiguous values of cohesion and angle of internal friction. The procedure is based upon extending the ordinary method of slices to three dimensions, in order to construct avalanche chute cross-sections whose widths and depths vary as a function of gradient, gravity, density of material, and phi and c. Applying the technique to the well documented slide at Lodalen, Norway as a test produces excellent correspondence with reality. Generally, the technique reveals that the width:depth ratio of any avalanche chute decreases with increasing contrast between the average slope angle and the angle of internal friction. Applying this technique to the martian avalanche chute yields results consistent with indications from earlier work, but with greater certainty. Values of cohesion and angle of internal friction identify the materials at the time of failure as moderately cohesive debris. If Sharp's identification of these features as avalanche chutes is correct, then the results here imply that weathering processes have had a significant effect to depths of tens of meters (where failure has occured) below the martian surface. It is also implied that on relatively steep slopes within Valles Marineris, sizable, unaltered, unmantled bedrock exposures for high resolution spectral and spatial scanning by Mars Observer may be scarce.

Sullivan, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Object linking in repositories

This topic is covered in three sections. The first section explores some of the architectural ramifications of extending the Eichmann/Atkins lattice-based classification scheme to encompass the assets of the full life cycle of software development. A model is considered that provides explicit links between objects in addition to the edges connecting classification vertices in the standard lattice. The second section gives a description of the efforts to implement the repository architecture using a commercially available object-oriented database management system. Some of the features of this implementation are described, and some of the next steps to be taken to produce a working prototype of the repository are pointed out. In the final section, it is argued that design and instantiation of reusable components have competing criteria (design-for-reuse strives for generality, design-with-reuse strives for specificity) and that providing mechanisms for each can be complementary rather than antagonistic. In particular, it is demonstrated how program slicing techniques can be applied to customization of reusable components.

Eichmann, David↗
NASA NTRS1991

Characterization of directionally solidified Hg(1-x)Zn(x)Se semiconducting alloys

Hg(1-x)Zn(x)Se alloys with composition between x = 0.08 and 0.115 were synthesized from elemental constituents and were resolidified using a Bridgman-Stockbarger growth technique. By performing precision mass-density measurements on selected wafers cut perpendicular to the growth axis, it was shown that the axial compositional profiles fit a numerical solution to the 1D diffusion equation which takes into account the variation of interface velocity with time. Infrared transmission-edge measurements performed on selected transverse slices from each ingot showed that the relative radial variations in composition decreased with decreasing growth rate. Van der Pauw measurements on selected wafers showed that the 10 exp 18/cu cm electron concentration, typical of as-grown crystals, could be reduced by approximately an order of magnitude by annealing in Se vapor.

Cobb, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The distribution of galaxies within the 'Great Wall'

The galaxy distribution within the 'Great Wall', the most striking feature in the first three 'slices' of the CfA redshift survey extension is examined. The Great Wall is extracted from the sample and is analyzed by counting galaxies in cells. The 'local' two-point correlation function within the Great Wall is computed and the local correlation length, is estimated 15/h Mpc, about 3 times larger than the correlation length for the entire sample. The redshift distribution of galaxies in the pencil-beam survey by Broadhurst et al. (1990) shows peaks separated about by large 'voids', at least to a redshift of about 0.3. The peaks might represent the intersections of their about 5/h Mpc pencil beams with structures similar to the Great Wall. Under this hypothesis, sampling of the Great Walls shows that l approximately 12/h Mpc is the minimum projected beam size required to detect all the 'walls' at redshifts between the peak of the selection function and the effective depth of the survey.

Ramella, Massimo↗
NASA NTRS1991

Relevance of impacter shape to nonvisible damage and residual tensile strength of a thick graphite/epoxy laminate

A study was made to determine the relevance of impacter shape to nonvisible damage and tensile residual strength of a 36 mm thick graphite/epoxy motor case. The shapes of the impacters were as follows: 12.7 mm and 25.4 mm diameter hemispheres, a sharp corner, and a 6.3 mm diameter bolt-like rod. The investigation revealed that damage initiated when the contact pressure exceeded a critical level. However, the damage was not visible on the surface until an even higher pressure was exceeded. The impact energy to initiate damage or cause visible damage on the surface increased approximately with impacter diameter to the third power. The reduction in strength for nonvisible damage increased with increasing diameter, 9 and 30 percent for the 12.7 mm and 25.4 mm diameter hemispheres, respectively. The corner impacter made visible damage on the surface for even the smallest impact energy. The rod impacter acted like a punch and sliced through the composite. Even so, the critical level of pressure to initiate damage was the same for the rod and hemispherical impacters. Factors of safety for nonvisible damage increased with increasing kinetic energy of impact. The effects of impacter shape on impact force, damage size, damage visibility, and residual tensile strength were predicted quite well assuming Hertzian contact and using maximum stress criteria and a surface crack analysis.

Poe, Clarence C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Radiation budget studies using collocated observations from advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer, High-Resolution Infrared Sounder/2, and Earth Radiation Budget Experiment instruments

Collocated observations from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), High-Resolution Infrared Sounder/2 (HIRS/2), and Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) instruments onboard the NOAA 9 satellite are combined to describe the broadband and spectral radiative properties of the earth-atmosphere system. Broadband radiative properties are determined from the ERBE observations, while spectral properties are determined from the HIRS/2 and AVHRR observations. The presence of clouds, their areal coverage, and cloud top pressure are determined from a combination of the HIRS/2 and the AVHRR observations. The CO2 slicing method is applied to the HIRS/2 to determine the presence of upper level clouds and their effective emissivity. The AVHRR data collocated within the HIRS/2 field of view are utilized to determine the uniformity of the scene and retrieve sea surface temperature. Changes in the top of the atmosphere longwave and shortwave radiative energy budgets, and the spectral distribution of longwave radiation are presented as a function of cloud amount and cloud top pressure. The radiative characteristics of clear sky conditions over oceans are presented as a function of sea surface temperature and atmospheric water vapor structure.

Ackerman, Steven A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The Space Transportation System summer environment on launch pad

This paper describes a 2D flow and thermalanalysis to determine the solar effect on the Space Shuttle launch components subsequent to the external tank (ET) loading operation in extremely hot conditions. An existing CFD code Parabolic Hyperbolic or Elliptical Numerical Integration Code Series was used in the study. The analysis was done for a 2D slice between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the STS and passing through the lower portions of the Redesigned Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs), the ET, and the wing of the Orbiter. The results are presented as local and average values of the heat transfer coefficient, and the Nusselt number, and the surface temperature around the RSRMs and the ET. Solar heating effects increased the surface temperatures of the RSRMs by 9-11 F. Higher prelaunch surface temperatures measured on the east and west RSRMs (in the inboard region between the RSRMs and the ET) during 19 most recent launches of the STS are correlated as a function of the ambient temperature.

Ahmad, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Magnetic resonance imaging as a tool for extravehicular activity analysis

The purpose of this research is to examine the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a means of conducting kinematic studies of the hand for the purpose of EVA capability enhancement. After imaging the subject hand using a magnetic resonance scanner, the resulting 2D slices were reconstructed into a 3D model of the proximal phalanx of the left hand. Using the coordinates of several landmark positions, one is then able to decompose the motion of the rigid body. MRI offers highly accurate measurements due to its tomographic nature without the problems associated with other imaging modalities for in vivo studies.

Dickenson, R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Balancing generality and specificity in component-based reuse

For a component industry to be successful, we must move beyond the current techniques of black box reuse and genericity to a more flexible framework supporting customization of components as well as instantiation and composition of components. Customization of components strikes a balanced between creating dozens of variations of a base component and requiring the overhead of unnecessary features of an 'everything but the kitchen sink' component. We argue that design and instantiation of reusable components have competing criteria - design-for-use strives for generality, design-with-reuse strives for specificity - and that providing mechanisms for each can be complementary rather than antagonistic. In particular, we demonstrate how program slicing techniques can be applied to customization of reusable components.

Eichmann, David A.↗