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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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Solar and chemical reaction-induced heating in the terrestrial mesosphere and lower thermosphere

Airglow and chemical processes in the terrestrial mesosphere and lower thermosphere are reviewed, and initial parameterizations of the processes applicable to multidimensional models are presented. The basic processes by which absorbed solar energy participates in middle atmosphere energetics for absorption events in which photolysis occurs are illustrated. An approach that permits the heating processes to be incorporated in numerical models is presented.

Mlynczak, Martin G.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Computer Modeling Of Atomization

Improved mathematical models based on fundamental principles of conservation of mass, energy, and momentum developed for use in computer simulation of atomization of jets of liquid fuel in rocket engines. Models also used to study atomization in terrestrial applications; prove especially useful in designing improved industrial sprays - humidifier water sprays, chemical process sprays, and sprays of molten metal. Because present improved mathematical models based on first principles, they are minimally dependent on empirical correlations and better able to represent hot-flow conditions that prevail in rocket engines and are too severe to be accessible for detailed experimentation.

Giridharan, M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Improved Hidden-Markov-Model Method Of Detecting Faults

Method of automated, continuous monitoring to detect faults in complicated dynamic system based on hidden-Markov-model (HMM) approach. Simpler than another, recently proposed HMM method, but retains advantages of that method, including low susceptibility to false alarms, no need for mathematical model of dynamics of system under normal or faulty conditions, and ability to detect subtle changes in characteristics of monitored signals. Examples of systems monitored by use of this method include motors, turbines, and pumps critical in their applications; chemical-processing plants; powerplants; and biomedical systems.

Smyth, Padhraic J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Mathematical Modeling Of Life-Support Systems

Generic hierarchical model of life-support system developed to facilitate comparisons of options in design of system. Model represents combinations of interdependent subsystems supporting microbes, plants, fish, and land animals (including humans). Generic model enables rapid configuration of variety of specific life support component models for tradeoff studies culminating in single system design. Enables rapid evaluation of effects of substituting alternate technologies and even entire groups of technologies and subsystems. Used to synthesize and analyze life-support systems ranging from relatively simple, nonregenerative units like aquariums to complex closed-loop systems aboard submarines or spacecraft. Model, called Generic Modular Flow Schematic (GMFS), coded in such chemical-process-simulation languages as Aspen Plus and expressed as three-dimensional spreadsheet.

Seshan, Panchalam K.↗
NASA NTRS1994

High-Hot-Strength Ceramic Fibers

Continuous fibers consisting of laminae of alumina and yttrium aluminum garnet offer exceptionally high strength, resistance to creep, and chemical stability at high temperatures. These fibers exceed tensile strength of sapphire fibers. Leading candidates for reinforcement of intermetallic-matrix composites in exhaust nozzles of developmental high-speed civil transport aircraft engines. Other applications are in aerospace, automotive, chemical-process, and power-generation industries.

Sayir, Ali↗
NASA NTRS1994

System Measures Loads In Bolts

Improved technique for ultrasonic nondestructive measurement of loads in bolts involves use of pulsed phase-locked loop interferometer. Provides for correction of errors and for automatic readout of loads in bolts. Actual bolt load measured, using transducers rebonded after bolts tightened. Calibration block and thermometer added. Technique applicable to critical fasteners in aerospace applications, nuclear reactors, petroleum and other chemical processing plants, steel bridges, and other structures.

Allison, Sidney G.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Program Computes Dendrite-Settling Velocities

DENDRIFT computer code calculates settling velocities of metal-alloy crystals of various shapes. Also calculates number of other parameters of interest such as volume and surface area of dendrite. Exploits concept of envelope around dendrite to enable calculation of effective sphericity. Program also used to estimate settling velocities of spheres and cylinders with hemispherical ends. Code useful as subprogram in comprehensive solidification/casting code. Concepts widely applicable in chemical-processing industry, helping describe settling or floating of precipitates and flocs. Written in FORTRAN 77.

De Groh, Henry, III↗
NASA NTRS1993

Determining the relative extent of alteration in CM chondrites

The aqueous alteration of CM chondrites provides a record of the processes attending the earliest stages of parent body evolution. However, resolving the alteration pathways of chondritic evolution requires a means for distinguishing the relative extent of alteration that individual samples have experienced. Three new indices for gauging the relative degree of alteration in CM chondrites based on modal and compositional analyses of 7 CM falls were proposed. The proposed alteration parameters are consistent with the basic tenets of several previous models and correlate with additional indices to produce an integrated method for determining the relative extent of alteration. The model predicts the following order of progressive alteration: Murchison (MC) is less than or equal to Bells (BL) is less than Murray (MY) is less than Cochabamba (CC) is less than Mighei (MI) is less than Nogoya (NG) is less than or equal to Cold Bokkeveld (CB). The broad range of CM phyllosilicate compositions observed within individual meteorites is fundamental to the characterization of the aqueous alteration process. Chemical analyses of CM phyllosilicates suggest that these phases became systematically enriched in Mg and depleted in Fe with increasing alteration.

Browning, Lauren B.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Diagnostic studies of the HxOy-NxOy-O3 photochemical system using data from NASA GTE field expeditions

The research effort supported in part by the subject grant focused on three related topics. Our major effort was concentrated on the analysis of data gathered during GTE field expeditions. Ancillary efforts were directed at: the development and application of a Global Chemical Transport Model for the study of the atmospheric reactive nitrogen budget; the development and application of a one-dimensional, time dependent cloud model for the study of the impact of in-cloud aqueous phase chemistry on the atmospheric sulfur budget; and mechanistic studies of the chemical processes involved in dry deposition of ozone to vegetative surfaces. In the sections below, we briefly summarize the central conclusions of each of these efforts. These discussions are followed by a listing of the papers completed during the granting period and the graduate students supported by funds from the grant. Reprints and preprints of all papers completed with support from the grant are attached as appendices.

Chameides, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Evolution of catalytic RNA in the laboratory

We are interested in the biochemistry of existing RNA enzymes and in the development of RNA enzymes with novel catalytic function. The focal point of our research program has been the design and operation of a laboratory system for the controlled evolution of catalytic RNA. This system serves as working model of RNA-based life and can be used to explore the catalytic potential of RNA. Evolution requires the integration of three chemical processes: amplification, mutation, and selection. Amplification results in additional copies of the genetic material. Mutation operates at the level of genotype to introduce variability, this variability in turn being expressed as a range of phenotypes. Selection operates at the level of phenotype to reduce variability by excluding those individuals that do not conform to the prevailing fitness criteria. These three processes must be linked so that only the selected individuals are amplified, subject to mutational error, to produce a progeny distribution of mutant individuals. We devised techniques for the amplification, mutation, and selection of catalytic RNA, all of which can be performed rapidly in vitro within a single reaction vessel. We integrated these techniques in such a way that they can be performed iteratively and routinely. This allowed us to conduct evolution experiments in response to artificially-imposed selection constraints. Our objective was to develop novel RNA enzymes by altering the selection constraints in a controlled manner. In this way we were able to expand the catalytic repertoire of RNA. Our long-range objective is to develop an RNA enzyme with RNA replicase activity. If such an enzyme had the ability to produce additional copies of itself, then RNA evolution would operate autonomously and the origin of life will have been realized in the laboratory.

Joyce, Gerald F.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Water in Earth's mantle: Hydrogen analysis of mantle olivine, pyroxenes and garnet using the SIMS

Hydrogen (or water) in the Earth's interior plays a key role in the evolution and dynamics of the planet. However, the abundance and the existence form of the hydrogen have scarcely been clear in practice. Hydrogen in the mantle was incorporated in the interior during the formation of the Earth. The incorporated hydrogen was hardly possible to concentrate locally inside the Earth considering its high mobility and high reactivity. The hydrogen, preferably, could be distributed homogeneously over the mantle and the core by the subsequent physical and chemical processes. Therefore, hydrogen in the mantle could be present in the form of trace hydrogen in nominally anhydrous mantle minerals. The hydrogen and the other trace elements in mantle olivines, orthopyroxenes, clinopyroxenes, and garnets were determined using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) for elucidating (1) the exact hydrogen contents, (2) the correlation between the hydrogen and the other trace elements, (3) the dependence of the hydrogen contents on the depth, and (4) the dependence of the whole rock water contents on the depth.

Kurosawa, Masanori↗
NASA NTRS1992

Extraction of quantitative surface characteristics from AIRSAR data for Death Valley, California

Polarimetric Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) data were collected for the Geologic Remote Sensing Field Experiment (GRSFE) over Death Valley, California, USA, in Sep. 1989. AIRSAR is a four-look, quad-polarization, three frequency instrument. It collects measurements at C-band (5.66 cm), L-band (23.98 cm), and P-band (68.13 cm), and has a GIFOV of 10 meters and a swath width of 12 kilometers. Because the radar measures at three wavelengths, different scales of surface roughness are measured. Also, dielectric constants can be calculated from the data. The AIRSAR data were calibrated using in-scene trihedral corner reflectors to remove cross-talk; and to calibrate the phase, amplitude, and co-channel gain imbalance. The calibration allows for the extraction of accurate values of rms surface roughness, dielectric constants, sigma(sub 0) backscatter, and polarization information. The radar data sets allow quantitative characterization of small scale surface structure of geologic units, providing information about the physical and chemical processes that control the surface morphology. Combining the quantitative information extracted from the radar data with other remotely sensed data sets allows discrimination, identification and mapping of geologic units that may be difficult to discern using conventional techniques.

Kierein-Young, K. S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Visible-infrared properties of controlled laboratory soils

Almost all surfaces available for remote observation consist of particulate materials or soils. The distribution of mean particle sizes depend on the original material and physical and chemical processes that have acted on the surface over time. It is well known that the optical and infrared spectral properties of materials depends on the particle size. There has been little detailed study, however, of natural soils, namely particulate materials with a range of particle sizes. Current models for intimate mixing typically use an average particle size in calculations and are most successful when the particle size is constrained by known sieve fractions. Preliminary results of a study in which soils were prepared with a known composition and range of particle sizes are reported. This discussion presents the overall visible to infrared properties of these synthetic soils and evaluates the mid-infrared properties.

Pieters, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

CONFIG: Integrated engineering of systems and their operation

This article discusses CONFIG 3, a prototype software tool that supports integrated conceptual design evaluation from early in the product life cycle, by supporting isolated or integrated modeling, simulation, and analysis of the function, structure, behavior, failures and operations of system designs. Integration and reuse of models is supported in an object-oriented environment providing capabilities for graph analysis and discrete event simulation. CONFIG supports integration among diverse modeling approaches (component view, configuration or flow path view, and procedure view) and diverse simulation and analysis approaches. CONFIG is designed to support integrated engineering in diverse design domains, including mechanical and electro-mechanical systems, distributed computer systems, and chemical processing and transport systems.

Malin, Jane T.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Interstellar grains in primitive meteorites - Diamond, silicon carbide, and graphite

Primitive meteorites contain a few parts per million (ppm) of pristine interstellar grains that provide information on nuclear and chemical processes in stars. Their interstellar origin is proven by highly anomalous isotopic ratios, varying more than 1000-fold for elements such as C and N. Most grains isolated thus far are stable only under highly reducing conditions (C/O greater than 1), and apparently are 'stardust' formed in stellar atmospheres. Microdiamonds, of median size about 10 A, are most abundant (about 400-1800 ppm) but least understood. They contain anomalous noble gases including Xe-HL, which shows the signature of the r- and p-processes. Silicon carbide, of grain size 0.2-10 microns and abundance about 6 ppm, shows the signature of the s-process and apparently comes mainly from red giant carbon (AGB) stars of 1-3 solar masses. Some grains appear to be not less than 10 exp 9 a older than the solar system. Graphite spherules of grain size 0.8-7 microns and abundance less than 2 ppm contain highly anomalous C and noble gases, as well as large amounts of fossil Mg-26 from the decay of extinct Al-26. They seem to come from at least three sources, probably AGB stars, novae, and Wolf-Rayet stars.

Anders, Edward↗
NASA NTRS1994

Climate-chemical interactions and greenhouse effects of trace gases

A completely coupled one-dimensional radiative-convective (RC) and photochemical-diffusion (PC) model has been developed recently and used to study the climate-chemical interactions. The importance of radiative-chemical interactions within the troposphere and stratosphere has been examined in some detail. We find that increases of radiatively and/or chemically active trace gases such as CO2, CH4 and N2O have both the direct effects and the indirect effects on climate change by changing the atmospheric O3 profile through their interaction with chemical processes in the atmosphere. It is also found that the climatic effect of ozone depends strongly on its vertical distribution throughout the troposphere and stratosphere, as well on its column amount in the atmosphere.

Shi, Guang-Yu↗
NASA NTRS1994

Column amounts of trace gases from ground based FTIR measurements in the late north polar winters 1990 and 1991

Two FTIR spectrometers were employed in the late winters 1990 and 1991 in Esrange, North Sweden, and in Ny Aalesund, Spitsbergen to detect zenith column amounts of several trace gases. Time series of column amounts of the trace gases O3, N2O, CH4, HNO3, NO2, CHl, and HF have been derived from the measured spectra. Additionally, some information on the vertical distribution of HCl could be obtained by analyzing the spectral line shapes. The results are interpreted in terms of dynamical and chemical processes.

Adrian, Gabriele↗