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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2005

Implementing Recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board: Development of On-Orbit IR Thermography

One of NASA's Space Shuttle Return-to-Flight (RTF) efforts has been to develop thermography for the on-orbit inspection of the Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) portion of the Orbiter Wing Leading Edge (WLE). This paper addresses the capability of thermography to detect cracks in RCC by using in-plane thermal gradients that naturally occur on-orbit. Crack damage, which can result from launch debris impact, is a detection challenge for other on-orbit sensors under consideration for RTF, such as the Intensified Television Camera and Laser Dynamic Range Imager. We studied various cracks in RCC, both natural and simulated, along with material characteristics, such as emissivity uniformity, in steady-state thermography. Severity of crack, such as those likely and unlikely to cause burn through were tested, both in-air and in-vacuum, and the goal of this procedure was to assure crew and vehicle safety during reentry by identification and quantification of a damage condition while on-orbit. Expected thermal conditions are presented in typical shuttle orbits, and the expected damage signatures for each scenario are presented. Finally, through statistical signal detection, our results show that even at very low in-plane thermal gradients, we are able to detect damage at or below the threshold for fatality in the most critical sections of the WLE, with a confidence exceeding 1 in 10,000 probability of false negative.

Ottens, Brian P.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Quantitative Electron Probe Microanalysis: State of the Art

Quantitative electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) has improved due to better instrument design and X-ray correction methods. Design improvement of the electron column and X-ray spectrometer has resulted in measurement precision that exceeds analytical accuracy. Wavelength-dispersive spectrometer (WDS) have layered-dispersive diffraction crystals with improved light-element sensitivity. Newer energy-dispersive spectrometers (EDS) have Si-drift detector elements, thin window designs, and digital processing electronics with X-ray throughput approaching that of WDS Systems. Using these systems, digital X-ray mapping coupled with spectrum imaging is a powerful compositional mapping tool. Improvements in analytical accuracy are due to better X-ray correction algorithms, mass absorption coefficient data sets,and analysis method for complex geometries. ZAF algorithms have ban superceded by Phi(pz) algorithms that better model the depth distribution of primary X-ray production. Complex thin film and particle geometries are treated using Phi(pz) algorithms, end results agree well with Monte Carlo simulations. For geological materials, X-ray absorption dominates the corretions end depends on the accuracy of mass absorption coefficient (MAC) data sets. However, few MACs have been experimentally measured, and the use of fitted coefficients continues due to general success of the analytical technique. A polynomial formulation of the Bence-Albec alpha-factor technique, calibrated using Phi(pz) algorithms, is used to critically evaluate accuracy issues and can be also be used for high 2% relative and is limited by measurement precision for ideal cases, but for many elements the analytical accuracy is unproven. The EPMA technique has improved to the point where it is frequently used instead of the petrogaphic microscope for reconnaissance work. Examples of stagnant research areas are: WDS detector design characterization of calibration standards, and the need for more complete treatment of the continuum X-ray fluorescence correction.

Carpernter, P. K.↗
NASA NTRS2012

A New and General Formulation of the Parametric HFGMC Micromechanical Method for Three-Dimensional Multi-Phase Composites

The recent two-dimensional (2-D) parametric formulation of the high fidelity generalized method of cells (HFGMC) reported by the authors is generalized for the micromechanical analysis of three-dimensional (3-D) multiphase composites with periodic microstructure. Arbitrary hexahedral subcell geometry is developed to discretize a triply periodic repeating unit-cell (RUC). Linear parametric-geometric mapping is employed to transform the arbitrary hexahedral subcell shapes from the physical space to an auxiliary orthogonal shape, where a complete quadratic displacement expansion is performed. Previously in the 2-D case, additional three equations are needed in the form of average moments of equilibrium as a result of the inclusion of the bilinear terms. However, the present 3-D parametric HFGMC formulation eliminates the need for such additional equations. This is achieved by expressing the coefficients of the full quadratic polynomial expansion of the subcell in terms of the side or face average-displacement vectors. The 2-D parametric and orthogonal HFGMC are special cases of the present 3-D formulation. The continuity of displacements and tractions, as well as the equilibrium equations, are imposed in the average (integral) sense as in the original HFGMC formulation. Each of the six sides (faces) of a subcell has an independent average displacement micro-variable vector which forms an energy-conjugate pair with the transformed average-traction vector. This allows generating symmetric stiffness matrices along with internal resisting vectors for the subcells which enhances the computational efficiency. The established new parametric 3-D HFGMC equations are formulated and solution implementations are addressed. Several applications for triply periodic 3-D composites are presented to demonstrate the general capability and varsity of the present parametric HFGMC method for refined micromechanical analysis by generating the spatial distributions of local stress fields. These applications include triply periodic composites with inclusions in the form of a cavity, spherical inclusion, ellipsoidal inclusion, discontinuous aligned short fiber. A 3-D repeating unit-cell for foam material composite is simulated.

Haj-Ali, Rami↗
NASA NTRS2014

In-Situ Resource Utilization for Space Exploration: Resource Processing, Mission-Enabling Technologies, and Lessons for Sustainability on Earth and Beyond

As humanity begins to reach out into the solar system, it has become apparent that supporting a human or robotic presence in transit and/or on station requires significant expendable resources including consumables (to support people), fuel, and convenient reliable power. Transporting all necessary expendables is inefficient, inconvenient, costly, and, in the final analysis, a complicating factor for mission planners and a significant source of potential failure modes. Over the past twenty-five years, beginning with the Space Exploration Initiative, researchers at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), academic collaborators, and industrial partners have analyzed, researched, and developed successful solutions for the challenges posed by surviving and even thriving in the resource limited environment(s) presented by near-Earth space and non-terrestrial surface operations. In this retrospective paper, we highlight the efforts of the co-authors in resource simulation and utilization, materials processing and consumable(s) production, power systems and analysis, fuel storage and handling, propulsion systems, and mission operations. As we move forward in our quest to explore space using a resource-optimized approach, it is worthwhile to consider lessons learned relative to efficient utilization of the (comparatively) abundant natural resources and improving the sustainability (and environment) for life on Earth. We reconsider Lunar (and briefly Martian) resource utilization for potential colonization, and discuss next steps moving away from Earth.

Hepp, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS2015

In-Situ Resource Utilization for Space Exploration: Resource Processing, Mission-Enabling Technologies, and Lessons for Sustainability on Earth and Beyond

As humanity begins to reach out into the solar system, it has become apparent that supporting a human or robotic presence in transit andor on station requires significant expendable resources including consumables (to support people), fuel, and convenient reliable power. Transporting all necessary expendables is inefficient, inconvenient, costly, and, in the final analysis, a complicating factor for mission planners and a significant source of potential failure modes. Over the past twenty-five years, beginning with the Space Exploration Initiative, researchers at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), academic collaborators, and industrial partners have analyzed, researched, and developed successful solutions for the challenges posed by surviving and even thriving in the resource limited environment(s) presented by near-Earth space and non-terrestrial surface operations. In this retrospective paper, we highlight the efforts of the co-authors in resource simulation and utilization, materials processing and consumable(s) production, power systems and analysis, fuel storage and handling, propulsion systems, and mission operations. As we move forward in our quest to explore space using a resource-optimized approach, it is worthwhile to consider lessons learned relative to efficient utilization of the (comparatively) abundant natural resources and improving the sustainability (and environment) for life on Earth. We reconsider Lunar (and briefly Martian) resource utilization for potential colonization, and discuss next steps moving away from Earth.

Specific impulse↗
NASA NTRS2017

Order-Reduced Solution of the Nonlinear High-Fidelity Generalized Method of Cells Micromechanics Relations

The High-Fidelity Generalized Method of Cells (HFGMC) is one technique for accurately simulating nonlinear composite material behavior. The HFGMC uses a higher-order approximation for the subcell displacement field that allows for a more accurate determination of the subcell stressstrain fields at the cost of some computational efficiency. In order to reduce computational costs associated with the solution of the ensuing system of simultaneous equations, the HFGMC global system of equations for doubly-periodic repeating unit cells with nonlinear constituents was reduced in size through the use of a Petrov-Galerkin-based Proper Orthogonal Decomposition order-reduction scheme. A number of cases were presented that address the computational feasibility of using order-reduction techniques to solve solid mechanics problems involving complex microstructures.

order-reduction↗
NASA NTRS2019

Integration of MAC/GMC into CalculiX, an Open Source Finite Element Code

An analysis framework is presented that makes available multiscale analysis of composite structures using the open-source FEA solver package CalculiX CrunchiX (CCX). At the center of this framework is the coupling of the Finite Element Analysis - Micromechanics Analysis Code (FEAMAC) library from NASA's Micromechanics Analysis Code with Generalized Method of Cells (MAC/GMC) to allow micromechanics analysis. The results show that the proposed coupling can be used with appropriate care for multiscale FEA simulations of composite materials. The largest error reported in this validation was in a four-point bend test specimen with an error of less than 1% difference in the maximum deflection of the beam.

Yapor Genao, Francisco A.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Microscale Analysis of Spacecraft Heat Shields

Imagine entering Earth’s atmosphere after returning from the outer solar system. A heat shield less than 2 inches thick protects you from temperatures up to 2,900° Celsius (5,252° Fahrenheit). Such conditions were experienced by NASA’s Stardust capsule during reentry in 2006. The only materials capable of providing the necessary protection are composites with complex microstructures. Evaluating these materials is difficult, requiring precise knowledge of their properties. To this end, NASA scientists are developing research codes to compute material properties and simulate ablation at the microscale using agency supercomputers. Utilizing these tools, along with experiments, researchers are working to push the limits of spaceflight, allowing for greater flexibility in future space missions.

Thornton, John M.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Solution of the Nonlinear High-Fidelity Generalized Method of Cells Micromechanics Relations via Order-Reduction Techniques

The High-Fidelity Generalized Method of Cells (HFGMC) is one technique, distinct from traditional finite element approaches, for accurately simulating nonlinear composite material behavior. In this work, the HFGMC global system of equations for doubly-periodic repeating unit cells with nonlinear constituents has been reduced in size through the novel application of a Petrov-Galerkin Proper Orthogonal Decomposition order-reduction scheme in order to improve its computational efficiency. Order-reduced models of an E-glass/Nylon 12 composite led to a 4.8 to 6.3x speedup in the equation assembly/solution runtime while maintaining model accuracy. This corresponded to a 21 to 38 percent reduction in total runtime. The significant difference in assembly/solution and total runtimes was attributed to the evaluation of integration point inelastic field quantities; this step was identical between the unreduced and order-reduced models. Nonetheless, order-reduced techniques offer the potential to significantly improve the computational efficiency of multiscale calculations.

Ricks, Trenton M.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Active Thermography Based on Tensor Rank Decomposition

Principal Component Thermography applies Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) to post-process data that are derived from active thermographic inspections. SVD provides useful compression of the data and allows for better understanding of substructure and indications of potential damage. In the standard approach, SVD is applied to a certain reshaping of a three-dimensional data stack into a two-dimensional array. This work applies the CANDECOMP-PARAFAC (CP) tensor rank decomposition directly to the three-dimensional data to avoid the initial reshaping step in order to begin to develop an inspection method that can more accurately detect defects in non-homogeneous and anisotropic materials. Tests against simulated data that compare the CP decomposition method with traditional Principal Component Thermography based on SVD are described. Finally, the method of Proper Generalized Decomposition (PGD) is used to derive the CP decomposition, and its performance against other algorithms is also discussed.

Thermography↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

What’s Going on with Compact Fuel Element Environmental Test (CFEET)

Recently, space nuclear propulsion has again become a concept of high interest for deep space missions. A nuclear thermal engine can offer numerous benefits including the option of a mission abort along with shorter transit times for crewed missions. The compact fuel element environment test (CFEET) facility was first introduced in 2012 as a low cost alternative to the Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environmental Simulator (NTREES) where materials of interest are exposed to prototypical conditions inside a nuclear thermal engine, including elevated temperatures in the presence of a hydrogen flow. CFEET has become a reliable and recognizable instrument to test the survivability of potential fuel material under hot hydrogen at high temperatures. The furnace has undergone several changes and improvements over the last years. This presentation will focus on new upgrades to improve the processing conditions, temperature measurement accuracy, and to qualify CFEET for reaching temperatures of up to 2900K.

Jamelle K.P. Williams↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

GEER (Glenn Extreme Environments Rig): Current Project Status

Venus is Earth’s closest planetary neighbor, and it is often considered as Earth’s twin for its size and density. However, the extreme Venus surface conditions (temperatures of ~ 460 o C, pressure of ~90 bars, and reactive atmospheric chemical species such as supercritical CO 2 , sulfuric acid, and other toxic elements) results in short duration of Venus lander missions to date to survive for only 127 minutes. It is essential to enable multiple longer-lived Venus surface missions to understand the planet’s origin, history, climate, and interior. A systematic approach for future Venus lander material selection is to characterize and study the reactivity of high potential materials by exposing materials to a simulated Venus surface conditions. Glenn Extreme Environments Rig (GEER) at NASA’s Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been the leading facility simulating the high-temperature and pressure extremes of Venus as well as reproducing conditions of the gas mixture expected at the Venus surface since 2015. Here, we report on GEER’s recent accomplishments in assessing risks for future potential Venus missions and ongoing testing process and capability enhancement in supporting other planetary science missions.

GEER↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Application of the MAT 213 Composite Impact Model to NASA Problems of Interest

As composite materials are gaining increased use in aircraft components where impact resistance under high-energy impact conditions is important (such as the turbine engine fan case), the need for accurate material models to simulate the deformation, damage, and failure response of polymer matrix composites under impact conditions is becoming more critical.

Polymer Matrix Composites↗
NASA NTRS2008

Structural, Physical, and Compositional Analysis of Lunar Simulants and Regolith

Relative to the prior manned Apollo and unmanned robotic missions, planned Lunar initiatives are comparatively complex and longer in duration. Individual crew rotations are envisioned to span several months, and various surface systems must function in the Lunar environment for periods of years. As a consequence, an increased understanding of the surface environment is required to engineer and test the associated materials, components, and systems necessary to sustain human habitation and surface operations. The effort described here concerns the analysis of existing simulant materials, with application to Lunar return samples. The interplay between these analyses fulfills the objective of ascertaining the critical properties of regolith itself, and the parallel objective of developing suitable stimulant materials for a variety of engineering applications. Presented here are measurements of the basic physical attributes, i.e. particle size distributions and general shape factors. Also discussed are structural and chemical properties, as determined through a variety of techniques, such as optical microscopy, SEM and TEM microscopy, Mossbauer Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman microspectroscopy, inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence mapping. A comparative description of currently available stimulant materials is discussed, with implications for more detailed analyses, as well as the requirements for continued refinement of methods for simulant production.

Greenberg, Paul↗
NASA NTRS2012

A Model for Simulating the Response of Aluminum Honeycomb Structure to Transverse Loading

A 1-dimensional material model was developed for simulating the transverse (thickness-direction) loading and unloading response of aluminum honeycomb structure. The model was implemented as a user-defined material subroutine (UMAT) in the commercial finite element analysis code, ABAQUS(Registered TradeMark)/Standard. The UMAT has been applied to analyses for simulating quasi-static indentation tests on aluminum honeycomb-based sandwich plates. Comparison of analysis results with data from these experiments shows overall good agreement. Specifically, analyses of quasi-static indentation tests yielded accurate global specimen responses. Predicted residual indentation was also in reasonable agreement with measured values. Overall, this simple model does not involve a significant computational burden, which makes it more tractable to simulate other damage mechanisms in the same analysis.

Ratcliffe, James G.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Comparative Measurements of Earth and Martian Entry Environments in the NASA Langley HYMETS Facility

Arc-jet facilities play a major role in the development of heat shield materials for entry vehicles because they are capable of producing representative high-enthalpy flow environments. Arc-jet test data is used to certify material performance for a particular mission and to validate or calibrate models of material response during atmospheric entry. Materials used on missions entering Earth s atmosphere are certified in an arc-jet using a simulated air entry environment. Materials used on missions entering the Martian atmosphere should be certified in an arc-jet using a simulated Martian atmosphere entry environment, which requires the use of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide has not been used as a test gas in a United States arc-jet facility since the early 1970 s during the certification of materials for the Viking Missions. Materials certified for the Viking missions have been used on every entry mission to Mars since that time. The use of carbon dioxide as a test gas in an arc-jet is again of interest to the thermal protection system community for certification of new heat shield materials that can increase the landed mass capability for Mars bound missions beyond that of Viking and Pathfinder. This paper describes the modification, operation, and performance of the Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System (HYMETS) arc-jet facility with carbon dioxide as a test gas. A basic comparison of heat fluxes, various bulk properties, and performance characteristics for various Earth and Martian entry environments in HYMETS is provided. The Earth and Martian entry environments consist of a standard Earth atmosphere, an oxygen-rich Earth atmosphere, and a simulated Martian atmosphere. Finally, a preliminary comparison of the HYMETS arc-jet facility to several European plasma facilities is made to place the HYMETS facility in a more global context of arc-jet testing capability.

Splinter, Scott C.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Flow Simulation of Solid Rocket Motors: Injection Induced Water-Flow Tests from Porous Media - 1

Prior to selecting a proper porous material for use in simulating the internal port flow of a solid rocket motor (SRM), in cold-flow testing, the flow emerging from porous materials is experimentally investigated. The injection-flow emerging from a porous matrix always exhibits a lumpy velocity profile that is spatially stable and affects the development of the longitudinal port flow. This flow instability, termed pseudoturbulence, is an inherent signature of the porous matrix and is found to generally increase with the wall porosity and with the injection flow rate. Visualization studies further show that the flow from porous walls made from shaving-type material (sintered stainless-steel) exhibits strong recirculation zones that are conspicuously absent in walls made from nodular or spherical material (sintered bronze). Detailed flow visualization observations and hot-film measurements are reported from tests of injection-flow and a coupled cross-flow from different porous wall materials. Based on the experimental data, discussion is provided on the choice of suitable material for SRM model testing while addressing the consequences and shortcomings from such a test.

Ramachandran, N.↗