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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 505 records · Page 28

OGLE-2015-BLG-1649Lb: A Gas Giant Planet around a Low-mass Dwarf

We report the discovery of an exoplanet from the analysis of the gravitational microlensing event OGLE-2015-BLG-1649 that challenges the core accretion model of planet formation and appears to support the disk instability model. The planet/host-star mass ratio is q = 7.2 × 10^(−3) and the projected separation normalized to the angular Einstein radius is s = 0.9. We conducted high-resolution follow-up observations using the Infrared Camera and Spectrograph (IRCS) camera on the Subaru telescope and are able to place an upper limit on the lens flux. From these measurements we are able to exclude all host stars greater than or equal in mass to a G-type dwarf. We conducted a Bayesian analysis with these new flux constraints included as priors resulting in estimates of the masses of the host star and planet. These are ML = 0.34 ± 0.19 M⊙ and M(p)=2.5 (+1.5,-1.4) M(Jup), respectively. The distance to the system is D(L)=4.23 (+1.51, -1.64) kpc. The projected star–planet separation is a(┴)=2.07 (+0.65,-0.77) au. The estimated relative lens-source proper motion, ~7.1 mas/yr, is fairly high and thus the lens can be better constrained if additional follow-up observations are conducted several years after the event.

M. Nagakane↗

Composite Structure Modeling and Analysis of Advanced Aircraft Fuselage Concepts

NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project and the Boeing Company are collabrating to advance the unitized damage arresting composite airframe technology with application to the Hybrid-Wing-Body (HWB) aircraft. The testing of a HWB fuselage section with Pultruded Rod Stitched Efficient Unitized Structure (PRSEUS) construction is presently being conducted at NASA Langley. Based on lessons learned from previous HWB structural design studies, improved finite-element models (FEM) of the HWB multi-bay and bulkhead assembly are developed to evaluate the performance of the PRSEUS construction. In order to assess the comparative weight reduction benefits of the PRSEUS technology, conventional cylindrical skin-stringer-frame models of a cylindrical and a double-bubble section fuselage concepts are developed. Stress analysis with design cabin-pressure load and scenario based case studies are conducted for design improvement in each case. Alternate analysis with stitched composite hat-stringers and C-frames are also presented, in addition to the foam-core sandwich frame and pultruded rod-stringer construction. The FEM structural stress, strain and weights are computed and compared for relative weight/strength benefit assessment. The structural analysis and specific weight comparison of these stitched composite advanced aircraft fuselage concepts demonstrated that the pressurized HWB fuselage section assembly can be structurally as efficient as the conventional cylindrical fuselage section with composite stringer-frame and PRSEUS construction, and significantly better than the conventional aluminum construction and the double-bubble section concept.

Mukhopadhyay, Vivek↗

Investigating Local Buckling and Plastic Collapse in Multifunctional Sandwich Composite Cores using a Unit Cell Method

The primary goal of developing analytical models of composite sandwich cores has been to obtain simple expressions for elastic and failure response to improve the rapid analysis of composite structures. An earlier investigation by the authors was made to verify the accuracy of widely-used analytical models that calculate equivalent elastic moduli of a uniform homogeneous single layer of material in place of the complex honeycomb core properties in sandwich composites. This transformation of elastic properties permits a coarsening of the finite element model (FEM) of the core to a fraction of the computational cost in simulating the original complex core architecture. In addition, the core was assumed constructed of multi-layered isotropic walls to support potential additional functionality beyond simple load-carrying capability.

Erik Saether↗

Examination of Short- and Long-Range Atomic Order Nanocrystalline SiC and Diamond by Powder Diffraction Methods

The real atomic structure of nanocrystals determines unique, key properties of the materials. Determination of the structure presents a challenge due to inherent limitations of standard powder diffraction techniques when applied to nanocrystals. Alternate methodology of the structural analysis of nanocrystals (several nanometers in size) based on Bragg-like scattering and called the "apparent lattice parameter" (alp) is proposed. Application of the alp methodology to examination of the core-shell model of nanocrystals will be presented. The results of application of the alp method to structural analysis of several nanopowders were complemented by those obtained by determination of the Atomic Pair Distribution Function, PDF. Based on synchrotron and neutron diffraction data measured in a large diffraction vector of up to Q = 25 Angstroms(exp -1), the surface stresses in nanocrystalline diamond and SiC were evaluated.

Palosz, B.↗

Stratigraphy and geochemistry of the Stone mountain core (64001/2)

Ferromagnetic resonance and magnetic data measured on both sections of the double drive tube cord 64001/2 collected on Stone mountain, station four, Apollo 16 are reported, along with instrumental neutron activation analysis data measured on the lower section. These data provide insight into the depositional and irradiational history and the geochemical provenances of the core.

Korotev, R. L.↗

Input Files and Procedures for Analysis of SMA Hybrid Composite Beams in MSC.Nastran and ABAQUS

A thermoelastic constitutive model for shape memory alloys (SMAs) and SMA hybrid composites (SMAHCs) was recently implemented in the commercial codes MSC.Nastran and ABAQUS. The model is implemented and supported within the core of the commercial codes, so no user subroutines or external calculations are necessary. The model and resulting structural analysis has been previously demonstrated and experimentally verified for thermoelastic, vibration and acoustic, and structural shape control applications. The commercial implementations are described in related documents cited in the references, where various results are also shown that validate the commercial implementations relative to a research code. This paper is a companion to those documents in that it provides additional detail on the actual input files and solution procedures and serves as a repository for ASCII text versions of the input files necessary for duplication of the available results.

Turner, Travis L.↗

Low NOx Fuel-Flex Combustor Summary

Combustion and emissions testing of United Technologies Research Center’s (UTRC’s) small core combustor in NASA GRC’s CE-5 flametube test facility comprising of LTO and cruise conditions has been completed. Sufficient NOx emissions data was collected to formulate correlation equations for assessing reductions in NOx for LTO against CAEP/6 and cruise against 2005 best-in-class. Back-to-back testing of Jet-A fuel and a 50/50 blend of Jet-A with an alternative fuel demonstrated a measurable effect of fuel composition on non-volatile particulate matter emissions. Post-test analysis indicates LTO NOx emissions >80% below CAEP6 in UTRC single-sector tests of small-core N+3 combustor. Documentation describing N+3 combustor concept selected, design approach, initial flametube test & analysis results; and preferred concept recommended for higher fidelity research has also been completed. This Lean Burn combustor concept shows potential to meet/exceed NASA’s Far Term LTO NOX reduction goals, but further investigation of dynamic characteristics of the combustor concept are required to ensure good operability over the entire flight regime conditions.

Angela D Surgenor↗

Computer implementation of analysis and optimization procedures for control-structure interaction problems

Implementation aspects of control-structure interaction analysis and optimization by the staggered use of single-discipline analysis modules are discussed. The single-discipline modules include structural analysis, controller synthesis and optimization. The software modularity is maintained by employing a partitioned control-structure interaction analysis procedure, thus avoiding the need for embedding the single-discipline modules into a monolithic program. A software testbed has been constructed as a stand-alone analysis and optimization program and tested for its versatility and software modularity by applying it to the dynamic analysis and preliminary design of a prototype Earth Pointing Satellite. Experience with the in-core testbed program so far demonstrates that the testbed is efficient, preserves software modularity, and enables the analyst to choose a different set of algorithms, control strategies and design parameters via user software interfaces. Thus, the present software architecture is recommended for adoption by control-structure interaction analysts as a preliminary analysis and design tool.

Belvin, W. Keith↗

Engineering Analysis Studies for Preliminary Design of Lightweight Cryogenic Hydrogen Tanks in UAV Applications

A series of engineering analysis studies were conducted to investigate the potential application of nanoclay-enhanced graphite/epoxy composites and polymer cross-linked silica aerogels in cryogenic hydrogen storage tank designs. This assessment focused on the application of these materials in spherical tank designs for unmanned aeronautic vehicles with mission durations of 14 days. Two cryogenic hydrogen tank design concepts were considered: a vacuum-jacketed design and a sandwiched construction with an aerogel insulating core. Analyses included thermal and structural analyses of the tank designs as well as an analysis of hydrogen diffusion to specify the material permeability requirements. The analyses also provided material property targets for the continued development of cross-linked aerogels and nanoclay-enhanced graphite/epoxy composites for cryogenic storage tank applications. The results reveal that a sandwiched construction with an aerogel core is not a viable design solution for a 14-day mission. A vacuum-jacketed design approach was shown to be far superior to an aerogel. Aerogel insulation may be feasible for shorter duration missions. The results also reveal that the application of nanoclay-enhanced graphite/epoxy should be limited to the construction of outer tanks in a vacuum-jacketed design, since a graphite/epoxy inner tank does not provide a significant weight savings over aluminum and since the ability of nanoclay-enhanced graphite/epoxy to limit hydrogen permeation is still in question.

Sullivan, Roy M.↗

Vector magnetometer design study: Analysis of a triaxial fluxgate sensor design demonstrates that all MAGSAT Vector Magnetometer specifications can be met

The design of the vector magnetometer selected for analysis is capable of exceeding the required accuracy of 5 gamma per vector field component. The principal elements that assure this performance level are very low power dissipation triaxial feedback coils surrounding ring core flux-gates and temperature control of the critical components of two-loop feedback electronics. An analysis of the calibration problem points to the need for improved test facilities.

Adams, D. F.↗

Variational Coupled Loads Analysis using the Hybrid Parametric Variation Method

Time-domain coupled loads analysis (CLA)is used to determine the response of a launch vehicle and payload system to transient forces, such as liftoff, engine ignitions and shutdowns, jettison events, and atmospheric flight loads, such as buffet. CLA, using Hurty/Craig-Bampton (HCB)component models, is the accepted method for the establishment of design-level loads for launch systems. However, uncertainty in the component models flows into uncertainty in predicted system results. Uncertainty in the structural responses during launch is a significant concern because small variations in launch vehicle and payload mode shapes and their interactions can result in significant variations in system loads. Uncertainty quantification (UQ)is used to determine statistical bounds on prediction accuracy based on model uncertainty. In this paper uncertainty is treated at the HCB component-model level. In an effort to account for model uncertainties and statistically bound their effect on CLA predictions, this work combines CLA with UQ in a process termed variational coupled loads analysis (VCLA). The modeling of uncertainty using a parametric approach, in which input parameters are represented by random variables, is common, but its major drawback is the resulting uncertainty is limited to the form of the nominal model. Uncertainty in model form is one of the biggest contributors to uncertainty in complex built-up structures. Model-form uncertainty can be represented using a nonparametric approach based on random matrix theory (RMT). In this work, UQ is performed using the hybrid parametric variation (HPV)method, which combines parametric with nonparametric uncertainty at the HCB component model level. The HPV method requires the selection of dispersion values for the HCB fixed-interface (FI)eigenvalues, and the HCB mass and stiffness matrices. The dispersions are based upon component test-analysis modal correlation results. During VCLA, random component models are assembled into an ensemble of random systems using a Monte Carlo (MC)approach. CLA is applied to each of the ensemble members to produce an ensemble of system-level responses for statistical analysis. The proposed methodology is demonstrated through its application to a buffet loads analysis of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS)during the transonic regime fifty seconds after liftoff. Core stage (CS)section shears and moments are recovered, and statistics are computed.

Uncertainty Quantification↗

Structural Element Testing in Support of the Design of the NASA Composite Crew Module

In January 2007, the NASA Administrator and Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate chartered the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) to design, build, and test a full-scale Composite Crew Module (CCM). For the design and manufacturing of the CCM, the team adopted the building block approach where design and manufacturing risks were mitigated through manufacturing trials and structural testing at various levels of complexity. Following NASA's Structural Design Verification Requirements, a further objective was the verification of design analysis methods and the provision of design data for critical structural features. Test articles increasing in complexity from basic material characterization coupons through structural feature elements and large structural components, to full-scale structures were evaluated. This paper discusses only four elements tests three of which include joints and one that includes a tapering honeycomb core detail. For each test series included are specimen details, instrumentation, test results, a brief analysis description, test analysis correlation and conclusions.

Kellas, Sotiris↗

Elastic and plastic buckling of simply supported solid-core sandwich plates in compression

A solution is presented for the problem of the compressive buckling of simply supported, flat, rectangular, solid-core sandwich plates stressed either in the elastic range or in the plastic range. Charts for the analysis of long sandwich plates are presented for plates having face materials of 24s-t3 aluminum alloy, 76s-t6 alclad aluminum alloy, and stainless steel. A comparison of computed and experimental buckling stresses of square solid-core sandwich plates indicates fair agreement between theory and experiment.

Seide, Paul↗

CF6 jet engine performance improvement program. Task 1: Feasibility analysis

Technical and economic engine improvement concepts selected for subsequent development include: (1) fan improvement; (2) short core exhaust; (3) HP turbine aerodynamic improvement; (4) HP turbine roundness control; (5) HP turbine active clearance control; and (6) cabin air recirculation. The fuel savings for the selected engine modification concepts for the CF6 fleet are estimated.

Fasching, W. A.↗

A sunspot periodicity and the solar rotation

A least squares power spectrum analysis of daily sunspot numbers for the last 122 years yielded a statistically significant peak at 12.0715 plus or minus .002 days period. This feature at 11.685 days (sidereal) of the sunspot spectrum is discussed in relation to the peak at 12.22 days (sidereal) which Dicke found in his oblateness data. The data is attributed to the Sun's core if the core rotates at either 12.0715 days or 24.1430 days period (synodic). It is suggested that spacecraft observations combined with correlative analysis of solar surface features between eastern and western hemispheres could further reveal a basic core periodicity. A Dicke type space oblateness experiment is discussed for providing better photospheric observations than a ground instrument to determine the core periodicity.

Knight, J. W.↗

The SunPy Project: An Interoperable Ecosystem for Solar Data Analysis

The SunPy Project is a community of scientists and software developers creating an ecosystem of Python packages for solar physics. The project includes the sunpy core package as well as a set of affiliated packages. The sunpy core package provides general purpose tools to access data from different providers, read image and time series data, and transform between commonly used coordinate systems. Affiliated packages perform more specialized tasks that do not fall within the more general scope of the sunpy core package. In this article, we give a high-level overview of the SunPy Project, how it is broader than the sunpy core package, and how the project curates and fosters the affiliated package system. We demonstrate how components of the SunPy ecosystem, including sunpy and several affiliated packages, work together to enable multi-instrument data analysis workflows. We also describe members of the SunPy Project and how the project interacts with the wider solar physics and scientific Python communities. Finally, we discuss the future direction and priorities of the SunPy Project.

Solar physics↗

Computational mechanics analysis tools for parallel-vector supercomputers

Computational algorithms for structural analysis on parallel-vector supercomputers are reviewed. These parallel algorithms, developed by the authors, are for the assembly of structural equations, 'out-of-core' strategies for linear equation solution, massively distributed-memory equation solution, unsymmetric equation solution, general eigen-solution, geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis, design sensitivity analysis for structural dynamics, optimization algorithm and domain decomposition. The source code for many of these algorithms is available from NASA Langley.

Storaasli, O. O.↗