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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 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Parallel-processing with surface plasmons, a new strategy for converting the broad solar spectrum

A new strategy for efficient solar-energy conversion is based on parallel processing with surface plasmons: guided electromagnetic waves supported on thin films of common metals like aluminum or silver. The approach is unique in identifying a broadband carrier with suitable range for energy transport and an inelastic tunneling process which can be used to extract more energy from the more energetic carriers without requiring different materials for each frequency band. The aim is to overcome the fundamental 56-percent loss associated with mismatch between the broad solar spectrum and the monoenergetic conduction electrons used to transport energy in conventional silicon solar cells. This paper presents a qualitative discussion of the unknowns and barrier problems, including ideas for coupling surface plasmons into the tunnels, a step which has been the weak link in the efficiency chain.

Anderson, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

A study of electric transmission lines for use on the lunar surface

The sources for electrical power on a lunar base are said to include solar/chemical, nuclear (static conversion), and nuclear (dynamic conversion). The transmission of power via transmission lines is more practical than power beaming or superconducting because of its low cost and reliable, proven technology. Transmission lines must have minimum mass, maximum efficiency, and the ability to operate reliably in the lunar environment. The transmission line design includes conductor material, insulator material, conductor geometry, conductor configuration, line location, waveform, phase selection, and frequency. This presentation oulines the design. Liquid and gaseous dielectrics are undesirable for long term use in the lunar vacuum due to a high probability of loss. Thus, insulation for high voltage transmission line will most likely be solid dielectric or vacuum insulation.

Gaustad, Krista L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Integrated optical components in thin films of polymers

The results will be reported on the study of integrated optical components based on nonlinear optical polymeric films. Polymers poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polyimide (PI) doped with organic laser dyes 4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-p dimethylaminostyryl-4H pyran (DCM) and 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 - pentamethyl-2,6 -diethyl-pyrromethene -BF2-complex (Pyrommethene 567, PM-567) were selected as materials for light guiding films. Additionally, UV polymerized polydiacetylene (PDA) on glass substrate was used as a waveguide material. Optical waveguides were fabricated using spin coating of preoxidized silicon wafers (1.5 micrometer silicon oxide layer) with organic dye/polymer solution followed by soft baking. the modes in slab waveguides were studied using prism coupling techniques. Measured values of mode coupling angles in multimode waveguides were used to calculate film thickness and refractive index for different polarizations. Refractive index anisotropy was found in PDA waveguide. The optimal conditions of spin coating for single mode waveguide fabrication were estimated. Propagation losses were measured by collecting the light scattered from the trace of a propagating mode either by scanning photo detector or by CCD camera. Different types of light coupling techniques were used including end-dire coupling, prism and grating coupling. Mechanical printing technique was developed for coupling grating fabrication resulting in gratings with 4% diffraction efficiency. The gratings demonstrated good stability with diffraction efficiency relaxation rate 2.4 dB/hour at a temperature approximately 15-20 C below glass transition point. Dye doped waveguides were transversally pumped with frequency doubled Nd:YAG Q-switched laser producing intensive light emission with apparent 6 kW/sq cm pump threshold and spectrum narrowing near 617 nm peak in the case of DCM doped waveguide. PM-567 doped waveguide pumped with CW Ar(+) laser (514 nm wavelength) far below threshold (0.1 W/sq.cm pump power) demonstrated emission spectrum narrowing near 616 nm peak with 18% power conversion slope efficiency. In this case emission spectrum modification was caused by the enhanced light absorption along the direction of propagating waveguide modes. Changing length, thickness, and other morphlogical waveguide parameters one can modify emission spectrum in predictable direction. The results show that polymeric waveguides, especially based on high temperature polymers such as Pl, can be used to produce a varietiy of active and passive silicon compatible integrated optical components for aerospace applications.

Sarkisov, Sergey↗
NASA NTRS2011

Adaptation of the Electra Radio to Support Multiple Receive Channels

Proposed future Mars missions plan communication between multiple assets (rovers). This paper presents the results of a study carried out to assess the potential adaptation of the Electra radio to a multi-channel transceiver. The basic concept is a Frequency Division multiplexing (FDM) communications scheme wherein different receiver architectures are examined. Options considered include: (1) multiple IF slices, A/D and FPGAs each programmed with an Electra baseband modem; (2) common IF but multiple A/Ds and FPGAs and (3) common IF, single A/D and single or multiple FPGAs programmed to accommodate the FDM signals. These options represent the usual tradeoff between analog and digital complexity. Given the space application, a common IF is preferable; however, multiple users present dynamic range challenges (e.g., near-far constraints) that would favor multiple IF slices (Option 1). Vice versa, with a common IF and multiple A/Ds (Option 2), individual AGC control of the A/Ds would be an important consideration. Option 3 would require a common AGC control strategy and would entail multiple digital down conversion paths within the FPGA. In this paper, both FDM parameters as well as the different Electra design options will be examined. In particular, signal channel spacing as a function of user data rates and transmit powers will be evaluated. In addition, tradeoffs between the different Electra design options will be presented with the ultimate goal of defining an augmented Electra radio architecture for potential future missions.

Time Division multiplexing↗
NASA NTRS1976

Development, applications, and future of infrared upconversion

Infrared upconversion is a technique that converts linearly polarized infrared photons to photons of higher frequency. The technique can be applied advantageously to the detection of IR radiation because the upconverted signal can be detected by photon-counting devices available for the visible spectral region. In addition, unlike presently available IR detectors, an upconversion device can provide sensitivity to IR radiation without the need for cryogenic cooling. Infrared upconversion was first demonstrated in 1961. By 1974, approximately 100% quantum conversion efficiency and a bandwidth of 1.81 microns had been attained. Photometric detection of IR radiation from various astronomical objects had also been demonstrated. Research is presently under way on the application of upconversion to astronomical spectroscopy and to imaging. The major drawback to the upconversion technique is the sheer bulk of the apparatus involved. It is anticipated that this problem can be overcome by applying the developing technology of integrated optics.

Gurski, T. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Magnetoacoustic heating by ion Landau damping

The Vlasov-fluid model of Freidberg (1972) is used to study the resonance heating of a sharp-boundary screw pinch. The analysis provides the first treatment of the magnetoacoustic heating of a cylindrical plasma by means of ion Landau damping, which was identified as a viable dissipative mechanism for the conversion of magnetoacoustic wave energy into ion thermal energy. In addition, local and global energy conservation are considered, and formulae and numerical results for the thermal energy doubling time and the associated induced rf electric fields are presented. It is shown that collisionless absorption can provide a heating mechanism when an equilibrium plasma column is pumped by oscillations of the confining magnetic field at a frequency near the oblique magnetoacoustic frequency.

Turner, L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The Nimbus F Random Access Measurement System /RAMS/

In 1974, the Random Access Measurement System (RAMS) will be launched aboard the Nimbus F satellite as part of the Tropical Wind, Energy Conversion, and Reference Level Experiment (TWERLE). This paper describes operation and performance of the RAMS instrument, which will provide a means of tracking and collecting data from a large number of instrumented platforms. In operation, the RAMS will perform satellite onboard processing of up to eight simultaneous platform transmissions, following search and detection of the randomly received platform transmissions in a compressed-time expanded-frequency domain. The processed data is stored aboard the satellite for readout every 108 minutes (orbital period), and platform locational coordinates and/or velocity components are determined in a central ground data processing facility.

Coates, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Efficient CW diode-pumped Tm, Ho:YLF laser with tunability near 2.067 microns

A conversion efficiency of 42 percent and slope efficiency of approximately 60 percent relative to absorbed pump power are reported from a continuous wave diode-pumped Tm, Ho:YLF laser at 2 microns with output power of 84 mW at sub-ambient temperatures. The emission spectrum is etalon tunable over a range of 16/cm centered on 2.067 microns, with fine tuning capability of the transition frequency with crystal temperature at a measured rate of about -0.03/cm-K. The effective emission cross section is measured to be 5 x 10 exp -21 sq cm. These and other aspects of the laser performance are discussed in the context of calculated atmospheric absorption characteristics in this spectral region and potential use in remote sensing applications.

Mcguckin, B. T.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A 100 GHz Josephson mixer using resistively-shunted Nb tunnel junctions

The authors describe preliminary mixer results using resistively shunted Nb/AlO(x)/Nb tunnel junctions in a 100-GHz waveguide mixer mount. The mixer utilizes robust, lithographically defined devices which have nonhysteretic I-V curves. A receiver temperature of 390 K (DSB) has been obtained with a conversion loss of -6.5 dB. The receiver's behavior agrees qualitatively with the behavior predicted by the resistively shunted junction model. Substantial improvements in performance are expected with the use of better-optimized shunted junctions, and numerical simulations suggest that, if devices with higher ICRN (critical current-normal state resistance) products can be obtained, Josephson effect mixers could be competitive with SIS mixers at high frequencies.

Schoelkopf, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Tunable CW diode-pumped Tm,Ho:YLiF4 laser operating at or near room temperature

A conversion efficiency of 42% and slope efficiency of 60% relative to absorbed pump power are obtained from a continuous wave diode-pumped Tm,Ho:YLiF4 laser at 2 microns with output power of 84 mW at a crystal temperature of 275 K. The emission spectrum is etalon tunable over a range of7 nm (16.3/cm) centered on 2.067 microns with fine tuning capability of the transition frequency with crystal temperature at a measured rate of -0.03/(cm)K. The effective emission cross-section is measured to be 5 x 10(exp -21) cm squared. These and other aspects of the laser performance are disclosed in the context of calculated atmospheric absorption characteristics in this spectral region and potential use in remote sensing applications. Single frequency output and frequency stabilization are achieved using an intracavity etalon in conjunction with an external reference etalon.

Mcguckin, Brendan T.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Sub-Micron Long HTS Ho Electron Mixers

The hot-electron bolometer mixer made from a high-T, superconductor (HTS) was introduced recently as an alternative to a Schottky mixer at THz frequencies. The performance of the mixer depends on the total thermal conductance for heat removal from the phonon sub-system due to either length-dependent phonon diffusion or phonon escape to the substrate. We have measured both the length and temperature dependencies of the IF bandwidth of the mixers fabricated from 25-35 mn thick YBCO films on MgO and sapphire substrates. The films were grown by a laser deposition technique and electron-beam lithography was used to define bridge lengths down to 50 nm. Mixer measurements were done using signal frequencies in the range of 1-100 GHz. For 50 nm and 400 nm long devices on MgO, the 3-dB bandwidth was about 100 MHz. At temperatures below 60 K, the hot-electron plateau was clearly seen starting around 2-3 GHz. At temperatures above 70 K, the flux-flow effects begin to dominate and the IF bandwidth increases to 1-8 GHz, while the conversion efficiency drops by several dB. This temperature dependence of the IF bandwidth can account for previously reported unexpectedly high bandwidth of HTS mixers.

Harnack, 0.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Tunable CW diode-pumped Tm,Ho:YLiF4 laser operating at or near room temperature

A conversion efficiency of 42 percent and slope efficiency of 60 percent relative to absorbed pump power are obtained from a continuous wave diode-pumped Tm,Ho:YLiF4 laser at 2 microns with output power of 84mW at a crystal temperature of 275K. The emission spectrum is etalon tunable over a range of 7nm (16.3 cm(sup -1) centered on 2.067 microns with fine tuning capability of the transition frequency with crystal temperature at a measured rate of -0.03/(cm)K. The effective emission cross-section is measured to be 5 x 10(sup -21) cm squared. These and other aspects of the laser performance are disclosed in the context of calculated atmospheric absorption characteristics in this spectral region and potential use in remote sensing applications. Single frequency output and frequency stabilization are achieved using an intracavity etalon in conjunction with an external reference etalon.

Mcguckin, Brendan T.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A discrete gust model for use in the design of wind energy conversion systems

A discrete gust model has been designed which includes an expression for the number of times per unit time thy wind exceeds a specific value. This expression, based on Rice's (1944, 1945) number-of-crossings model, assumes that the yearly mean wind speed is averaged over a period of 10 minutes to 1 (one) hour. Vertical and lateral coherence functions are the basis for a mathematical filter which isolates atmospheric disturbances of a characteristic size (e. g., those which would completely engulf a rotor). Predictions are calculated usising the given definition of cut-off frequency, then they are compared with actual data, showing that the model is reliable. The expression is provided in a format such that it may be used for engineering design calculations.

Frost, W.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Logistics Reduction and Repurposing Technology for Long Duration Space Missions

One of NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) projects is the Logistics Reduction and Repurposing (LRR) project, which has the goal of reducing logistics resupply items through direct and indirect means. Various technologies under development in the project will reduce the launch mass of consumables and their packaging, enable reuse and repurposing of items, and make logistics tracking more efficient. Repurposing also reduces the trash burden onboard spacecraft and indirectly reduces launch mass by one manifest item having two purposes rather than two manifest items each having only one purpose. This paper provides the status of each of the LRR technologies in their third year of development under AES. Advanced clothing systems (ACSs) are being developed to enable clothing to be worn longer, directly reducing launch mass. ACS has completed a ground exercise clothing study in preparation for an International Space Station technology demonstration in 2014. Development of launch packaging containers and other items that can be repurposed on-orbit as part of habitation outfitting has resulted in a logistics-to-living (L2L) concept. L2L has fabricated and evaluated several multi-purpose cargo transfer bags for potential reuse on-orbit. Autonomous logistics management is using radio frequency identification (RFID) to track items and thus reduce crew time for logistics functions. An RFID dense reader prototype is under construction and plans for integrated testing are being made. A heat melt compactor (HMC) second generation unit for processing trash into compact and stable tiles is nearing completion. The HMC prototype compaction chamber has been completed and system development testing is under way. Research has been conducted on the conversion of trash-to-gas (TtG) for high levels of volume reduction and for use in propulsion systems. A steam reformation system was selected for further system definition of the TtG technology.

Broyan, James Lee, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Logistics Reduction and Repurposing Technology for Long Duration Space Missions

One of NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) projects is the Logistics Reduction and Repurposing (LRR) project, which has the goal of reducing logistics resupply items through direct and indirect means. Various technologies under development in the project will reduce the launch mass of consumables and their packaging, enable reuse and repurposing of items and make logistics tracking more efficient. Repurposing also reduces the trash burden onboard spacecraft and indirectly reduces launch mass by replacing some items on the manifest. Examples include reuse of trash as radiation shielding or propellant. This paper provides the status of the LRR technologies in their third year of development under AES. Advanced clothing systems (ACS) are being developed to enable clothing to be worn longer, directly reducing launch mass. ACS has completed a ground exercise clothing study in preparation for an International Space Station (ISS) technology demonstration in 2014. Development of launch packaging containers and other items that can be repurposed on-orbit as part of habitation outfitting has resulted in a logistics-to-living (L2L) concept. L2L has fabricated and evaluated several multi-purpose cargo transfer bags (MCTBs) for potential reuse on orbit. Autonomous logistics management (ALM) is using radio frequency identification (RFID) to track items and thus reduce crew requirements for logistics functions. An RFID dense reader prototype is under construction and plans for integrated testing are being made. Development of a heat melt compactor (HMC) second generation unit for processing trash into compact and stable tiles is nearing completion. The HMC prototype compaction chamber has been completed and system development testing is underway. Research has been conducted on the conversion of trash-to-gas (TtG) for high levels of volume reduction and for use in propulsion systems. A steam reformation system was selected for further system definition of the TtG technology. And benefits analysis of all LRR technologies have been updated with the latest test and analysis results.

Broyan, James L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A tunable dual frequency dye laser - dual frequency oscillator design

The pulsed dye laser offers a tunable oscillator, followed by three amplifiers. It is pumped by a dual frequency Nd:YAG laser. Tuning and spectral width are controlled by a holographic network connected to a high power telescope. The modified two wavelength dye laser allows for absorption lidar techniques for remote sensing of the atmosphere. Line switching is achieved by electrooptical commutation. A feasibility experiment was performed with the original oscillator. A model was then built, and tested with different dyes. After a few modifications were made to improve the conversion efficiency, this oscillator was inserted in the laser to check whether the amplifier stages were correctly adjusted.

Abury, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Origin and Variability of Upper Tropospheric Nitrogen Oxides and Ozone at Northern Mid-Latitudes

Measurements of NO(x) and ozone performed during the NOXAR project are compared with results from the coupled chemistry-climate models ECHAM4.L39(DLR)/CHEM and GISS-model. The measurements are based on flights between Europe and the East coast of America and between Europe and the Far East in the latitude range 40 deg N to 65 deg N. The comparison concentrates on tropopause altitudes and reveals strong longitudinal variations of seasonal mean NO,, of 200 pptv. Either model reproduced strong variations 3 km below but not at the tropopause, indicating a strong missing NO(x) or NO(y) sink over remote areas, e.g. NO(x) to HNO3 conversion by OH from additional OH sources or HNO3 wash-out. Vertical profiles show maximum NO(x) values 2-3 km below the tropopause with a strong seasonal cycle. ECHAM4.L39(DLR)/CHEM reproduces a maximum, although located at the tropopause with a less pronounced seasonal cycle, whereas the GISS model reproduces the seasonal cycle but not the profile's shape due to its coarser vertical resolution. A comparison of NO(x) frequency distributions reveals that both models are capable of reproducing the observed variability, except that ECHAM4.L39(DLR)/CHEM shows no very high NO(x) mixing ratios. Ozone mean values, vertical profiles and frequency distributions are much better reproduced in either model, indicating that the NO(x) frequency distribution, namely the most frequent NO(x) mixing ratio, is more important for the tropospheric photochemical ozone production than its mean value. Both models show that among all sources, NO(x) from lightning contributes most to the seasonal cycle of NO(x) at tropopause altitudes. The impact of lightning in the upper troposphere on NO(x) does not vary strongly with altitude, whereas the impact of surface emissions decreases with altitude. However, the models show significant differences in lightning induced NO(x) concentrations, especially in winter, which may be related to the different treatment of the lower stratospheric coupling between dynamics and chemistry.

Grewe, V.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Conversion of electrostatic plasma waves into electromagnetic waves - Numerical calculation of the dispersion relation for all wavelengths.

The dispersion curves have been computed for a wide range of wavelengths from electromagnetic waves to electrostatic waves in a magnetoactive warm plasma with a Maxwellian velocity distribution function. The computation was carried out mainly for the perpendicular propagation mode. The upper hybrid resonance is the connection point of the electrostatic waves and the electromagnetic waves. The electrostatic waves not associated with the upper hybrid resonance are subjected to electron cyclotron damping when the wavelength becomes long. Oblique propagation is allowed for the electrostatic waves in a frequency range from the plasma frequency to the upper hybrid resonance frequency in the long-wavelength region where Landau damping can be neglected and where the electrostatic mode smoothly connects to the electromagnetic X-mode. In a slightly inhomogeneous plasma, the Bernstein-mode electrostatic wave can escape by being converted into the O-mode electromagnetic wave; two reflections take place during this escape process.

Oya, H.↗