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At least 469 records · Page 26

Direct calculation of the reactive transition matrix by L-squared quantum mechanical variational methods with complex boundary conditions

A new formalism of the generalized Newton variational principle for the calculation of quantum mechanical state-to-state reaction probabilities is presented. The reformulation involves solving directly for the transition matrix rather than the reactance mtrix so that calculations may be carried out for individual columns of the transition matrix without obtaining solutions for all possible initial channels. The convergence of calculations with real and complex boundary conditions are compared for H + H2 - H2 + H, O + H2 - OH + H, and O + HD - OH + D and OD + H.

Sun, Yan↗

Recovery strategies for microburst encounters using reactive and forward-look wind shear detection

The threat of convective microburst wind shear phenomena to aircraft is studied. An attempt was made to quantify the benefits of forward-look sensing and to develop and test a candidate set of strategies for recovery from inadvertent microburst encounters during the landing approach. A batch simulation of various wind shear encounters was carried out; the simulation consisted of a point-mass aircraft model, an analytical microburst, and a simple wind shear detection scheme. It was found that forward-look alerts given 10 sec prior to microburst entry permitted recoveries to be made with little altitude loss.

Hinton, David A.↗

Model-free simulations of turbulent reactive flows

The current computational methods for solving transport equations of turbulent reacting single-phase flows are critically reviewed, with primary attention given to those methods that lead to model-free simulations. In particular, consideration is given to direct numerical simulations using spectral (Galerkin) and pseudospectral (collocation) methods, spectral element methods, and Lagrangian methods. The discussion also covers large eddy simulations and turbulence modeling.

Givi, Peyman↗

The application of optical potentials for reactive scattering - A case study

A precise method is presented for measuring decay fractions of metastable cluster ions with corrections concerning instrumental artifacts and ion trajectory of parents and daughters. Experimental data are used to derive the Gspann parameter and heat capacity of clusters as described in Klots' evaporative ensemble model. The model is applied to obtain binding energies of ammonia cluster ions. The deduced binding energy values are in very good agreement with both thermochemical data and Engelking's (1986) modified statistical theory.

Neuhauser, Daniel↗

Budgets of reactive nitrogen, hydrocarbons, and ozone over the Amazon forest during the wet season

The atmospheric composition over the Amazon forest during the wet season is simulated with a one-dimensional photochemical model for the planetary boundary layer (PBL) extending from the ground to 2000-m altitude. The model is constrained and evaluated using observations from the Amazon Boundary Layer Experiment 2B field expedition. Results indicate that only about 20 percent of NO(x) emitted by soils is exported to the atmosphere above the forest canopy. The balance is deposited to vegetation before leaving the canopy layer. The small NO(x) flux that escapes from the canopy is nevertheless sufficient to account for the low NO concentrations observed in the PBL. Soil emission can account for only a portion of NO(y) observed over the forest. Organic nitrates of nonbiogenic origin likely account for the balance of NO(y). Enhancements of CO observed in the PBL appear to reflect direct emission of CO by the forest ecosystem. Concentrations of O3 in the PBL are regulated largely by transport from aloft and deposition to the canopy, with little net influence from photochemistry. Ozone is photochemically produced immediately above the forest where NO concentrations are relatively high, but is photochemically consumed in the upper portion of the PBL.

Jacob, Daniel J.↗

Reactive Fluorescent Dyes For Urethane Coatings

Molecules of fluorescent dyes chemically bound in urethane conformal-coating materials to enable nondestructive detection of flaws in coats through inspection under ultraviolet light, according to proposal. Dye-bonding technique prevents outgassing of dyes, making coating materials suitable for use where flaw-free coats must be assured in instrumentation or other applications in which contamination by outgassing must be minimized.

Willis, Paul B.↗

Ultraviolet spectrum and chemical reactivity of the ClO dimer

The ClO dimer was prepared by photolysis (wavelength greater than 300 nm) of Cl2/Cl2O or Cl2/O3 mixtures or by photolysis of Cl2O alone. Temperatures were in the range 195-217 K, and experiments were carried out both in the gas phase and in the cryogenic solvents CF4, CO2, and N2O. Dimer cross sections in the range 190-400 nm are reported both in the gas phase and in the solvents. Results indicate that ClOOCl is the only dimer structure formed as a stable product. Upper limits of 1 x 10 to the -19th and 1 x 10 to the -20th cu cm/s are placed on the reactions of ClOOCl with O3 and with itself, respectively.

Demore, W. B.↗

Three-dimensional calculation of the mixing of radial jets from slanted slots with a reactive cylindrical crossflow

A numerical model that calculates the 3D chemically reacting flowfield in an experimental low emission combustor is described. The ICEd-ALE finite volume computational methodology is employed in this study. Radial jets issuing from slanted slots interact with a cylindrical axially flowing mainstream to produce a bulk swirl velocity downstream of the slot region. The swirl pattern at a given axial station is composed of a clockwise rotating region near the wall and a counterclockwise rotating region extending from the combustor centerline. The jet radial penetration and downstream swirl velocity axial development are shown to depend principally on the jet-to-mainstream momentum flux ratio.

Winowich, N. S.↗

The use of containerless processing in researching reactive materials

It has recently become possible to perform containerless, high-temperature liquid-phase processing of many nonvolatile materials without resort to orbital microgravity, thereby facilitating the conduct of materials research in conjunction with noncontact diagnostic instruments. The melt-levitation techniques are electromagnetic, aerodynamic, acoustic, aeroacoustic, and electrostatic; nonorbital microgravity conditions are obtainable aboard NASA's KC-135 aircraft on parabolic flight paths, as well as in drop tubes and towers. Applications encompass the purification of metals and the creation of nonequilibrium and metastable structures. Process control and property measurements include optical pyrometry and emissivity, laser polarimetry, and drop calorimetry.

Weber, J. K. R.↗

Numerical simulation of the reactive flow in advanced (HSR) combustors using KIVA-2

Recent work has been done with the goal of establishing ultralow emission aircraft gas turbine combustors. A significant portion of the effort is the development of three dimensional computational combustor models. The KIVA-II computer code which is based on the Implicit Continuous Eulerian Difference mesh Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ICED-ALE) numerical scheme is one of the codes selected by NASA to achieve these goals. This report involves a simulation of jet injection through slanted slots within the Rich burn/Quick quench/Lean burn (RQL) baseline experimental rig. The RQL combustor distinguishes three regions of combustion. This work specifically focuses on modeling the quick quench mixer region in which secondary injection air is introduced radially through 12 equally spaced slots around the mixer circumference. Steady state solutions are achieved with modifications to the KIVA-II program. Work currently underway will evaluate thermal mixing as a function of injection air velocity and angle of inclination of the slots.

Winowich, Nicholas S.↗

Report of investigations into charge cadmium reactivity: Nickel-cadmium cell ESD 91-86

In Aug. 1990, a presentation was given at the 25th Ann. IECEC meeting on the results of Destructive Physical Analysis (DPA) on two successive sets of Ni-Cd cells. The cells were of two different separator types, Pellon 2505 and 2536. One cell of each separator type was analyzed on two occasions; the first pair were analyzed to establish baseline data on essentially new cells; the second pair were analyzed after the cells had been on charge-discharge cycling for a year in connection with a satellite simulation study. The gas composition found in the cells, the absence of charged cadmium in the analytical data, and the appearance of dried out portions on the Cd plates in the one year cell S/N 7 which used Pellon 2505 as its separator material, were questions which arose. These concerns are answered and the observational results are clarified.

Lewis, Harlan L.↗

The analysis of reactively loaded microstrip antennas by finite difference time domain modelling

In recent years, much interest has been shown in the use of printed circuit antennas in mobile satellite and communications terminals at microwave frequencies. Although such antennas have many advantages in weight and profile size over more conventional reflector/horn configurations, they do, however, suffer from an inherently narrow bandwidth. A way of optimizing the bandwidth of such antennas by an electronic tuning technique using a loaded probe mounted within the antenna structure is examined, and the resulting far-field radiation patterns are shown. Simulation results from a 2D finite difference time domain (FDTD) model for a rectangular microstrip antenna loaded with shorting pins are given and compared to results obtained with an actual antenna. It is hoped that this work will result in a design package for the analysis of microstrip patch antenna elements.

Hilton, G. S.↗

Thermodynamic reactivity, growth and characterization of mercurous halide crystals

Thermodynamic calculations were carried out for the Hg-X-O system (X = Cl, Br, I) to identify the potential sources of contamination and relative stability of oxides and oxy-halide phases. The effect of excess mercury vapor pressure on the optical quality of mercurous halide crystal was studied by growing several mercurous chloride crystals from mercury-rich composition. The optical quality of crystals was examined by birefringence interferometry and laser scattering studies. Crystals grown in slightly mercury-rich composition showed improved optical quality relative to stoichiometric crystals.

Singh, N. B.↗

Effects of an unbalanced magnetron in a unique dual-cathode, high rate reactive sputtering system

Simple plasma and magnetic field measurements are presented to illustrate the opportunities afforded by using unbalanced magnetrons in a dual-cathode system. The system employs a pair of opposed cathodes, 38 cm x 13 cm, placed 27.5 cm apart, to coat specimens mounted on a rotational substrate holder. Comparisons are drawn between the original 'balanced' magnetron and several unbalanced configurations in terms of field strengths, deposition rates, etching characteristics, and substrate ion current densities for the growth of TiN films. The effects of 'unbalancing' on the nature of the plasma within the 3D geometry of the deposition chamber are elucidated via plasma probe and magnetic field studies performed under a variety of conditions. All the unbalanced configurations examined provided enhanced ion bombardment at the surface of the growing film. The closed-field or opposed magnet geometry resulted in a threefold or greater increase in current density when compared with that obtained using the corresponding mirrored geometry under the same conditions.

Rohde, S. L.↗

Reactive control and reasoning assistance for scientific laboratory instruments

Scientific laboratory instruments that are involved in chemical or physical sample identification frequently require substantial human preparation, attention, and interactive control during their operation. Successful real-time analysis of incoming data that supports such interactive control requires: (1) a clear recognition of variance of the data from expected results; and (2) rapid diagnosis of possible alternative hypotheses which might explain the variance. Such analysis then aids in decisions about modifying the experiment protocol, as well as being a goal itself. This paper reports on a collaborative project at the NASA Ames Research Center between artificial intelligence researchers and planetary microbial ecologists. Our team is currently engaged in developing software that autonomously controls science laboratory instruments and that provides data analysis of the real-time data in support of dynamic refinement of the experiment control. the first two instruments to which this technology has been applied are a differential thermal analyzer (DTA) and a gas chromatograph (GC). coupled together, they form a new geochemicstry and microbial analysis tool that is capable of rapid identification of the organiz and mineralogical constituents in soils. The thermal decomposition of the minerals and organics, and the attendance release of evolved gases, provides data about the structural and molecular chemistry of the soil samples.

Thompson, David E.↗

Stability and reactivity of dimethylethoxysilane

The chemistry of the compound dimethylethoxysilane (DMES) is discussed especially as it relates to waterproofing silica surfaces. Some of the desirable properties of this compound are that it readily reacts with silica in the vapor phase, it is a low boiling point liquid (54 C), and the by-product of its reaction with silica is the rather inert substances ethanol. It is currently used by NASA to re-waterproof the HRSI shuttle tiles before relaunching the vehicle. Very little information is available on this particular compound in the literature or even on related silane compounds that have both a hydride group and an alkoxy group. Since the close proximity of two groups often drastically affects the chemical behavior of each group, chemical reactions were carried out in the laboratory with DMES to verify the expected behavior of these two functional groups located on DMES. Some of the reactions tested would be potentially useful for quantitative or qualitative measurements on DMES. To study the reactions of DMES with silica surfaces, cabosil was used as a silica substrate because of its high surface area and the ease of detection by infrared spectroscopy as well as other techniques.

Johnson, Richard E.↗