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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 595 records · Page 33

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DOE OSTI2016

A SEARCH FOR MASS LOSS ON THE CEPHEID INSTABILITY STRIP USING H i 21 cm LINE OBSERVATIONS

We present the results of a search for H i 21 cm line emission from the circumstellar environments of four Galactic Cepheids (RS Pup, X Cyg, ζ Gem, and T Mon) based on observations with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array. The observations were aimed at detecting gas associated with previous or ongoing mass loss. Near the long-period Cepheid T Mon, we report the detection of a partial shell-like structure whose properties appear consistent with originating from an earlier epoch of Cepheid mass loss. At the distance of T Mon, the nebula would have a mass (H i+He) of ∼0.5M{sub ⊙}, or ∼6% of the stellar mass. Assuming that one-third of the nebular mass comprises swept-up interstellar gas, we estimate an implied mass-loss rate of M-dot ∼(0.6--2)×10{sup −5} M{sub ⊙} yr{sup −1}. No clear signatures of circumstellar emission were found toward ζ Gem, RS Pup, or X Cyg, although in each case, line-of-sight confusion compromised portions of the spectral band. For the undetected stars, we derive model-dependent 3σ upper limits on the mass-loss rates, averaged over their lifetimes on the instability strip, of ≲(0.3--6)×10{sup −6} M{sub ⊙} yr{sup −1} and estimate the total amount of mass lost to be less than a few percent of the stellar mass.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2020

High-resolution Spectral Discriminants of Ocean Loss for M-dwarf Terrestrial Exoplanets

In the near future, extremely large ground-based telescopes may conduct some of the first searches for life beyond the solar system. High spectral resolution observations of reflected light from nearby exoplanetary atmospheres could be used to search for the biosignature oxygen. However, while Earth’s abundant O{sub 2} is photosynthetic, early ocean loss may also produce high atmospheric O{sub 2} via water vapor photolysis and subsequent hydrogen escape. To explore how to use spectra to discriminate between these two oxygen sources, we generate high-resolution line-by-line synthetic spectra of both a habitable Earth-like and post-ocean-loss Proxima Centauri b. We examine the strength and profile of four bands of O{sub 2} from 0.63 to 1.27 μm, and quantify their relative detectability. We find that 10 bar O{sub 2} post-ocean-loss atmospheres have strong suppression of oxygen bands, and especially the 1.27 μum band. This suppression is due to additional strong, broad O{sub 2}–O{sub 2} collisionally induced absorption (CIA) generated in these more massive O{sub 2} atmospheres, which is not present for the smaller amounts of oxygen generated by photosynthesis. Consequently, any detection of the 1.27 μm band in reflected light indicates lower Earth-like O{sub 2} levels, which suggests a likely photosynthetic origin. However, the 0.69 μm O{sub 2} band is relatively unaffected by O{sub 2}–O{sub 2} CIA, and the presence of an ocean-loss high-O{sub 2} atmosphere could be inferred via detection of a strong 0.69 μm O{sub 2} band, and a weaker or undetected 1.27 μm band. These results provide a strategy for observing and interpreting O{sub 2} in exoplanet atmospheres, that could be considered by future ground-based telescopes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2020

An Overview of Wind Energy Production Prediction Bias, Losses, and Uncertainties

The financing of a wind farm directly relates to the preconstruction energy yield assessments which estimate the annual energy production for the farm. The accuracy and the precision of the preconstruction energy estimates can dictate the profitability of the wind project. Historically, the wind industry tended to overpredict the annual energy production of wind farms. Experts have been dedicated to eliminating such prediction errors in the past decade, and recently the industry is recording near-zero average energy prediction bias. Herein, we present an overview of the energy yield assessment errors across the global wind energy industry. We identify a long-term trend of reduction in the overprediction bias, whereas the uncertainty associated with the prediction error is prominent. We also summarize the recent advancements of the wind resource assessment process that justify the bias reduction, including the improvements in modeling and measurement techniques. Additionally, because the energy losses and uncertainties substantially influence the prediction error, we document and examine the estimated and observed loss and uncertainty values from the literature, according to the proposed framework in the International Electrotechnical Commission 61400-15 wind resource assessment standard. From our findings, we highlight the opportunities for the industry to move forward, such as the validation and reduction of prediction uncertainty, and the prevention of energy losses caused by wake effect and environmental events. Overall, this study provides a summary on how the wind energy industry has been quantifying and reducing prediction errors, energy losses, and production uncertainties. Finally, for this work to be as reproducible as possible, we include all of the data used in the analysis in appendices to the manuscript.

literature review↗

DOE OSTI2017

Evolution of substrate specificity in a retained enzyme driven by gene loss

The connection between gene loss and the functional adaptation of retained proteins is still poorly understood. We apply phylogenomics and metabolic modeling to detect bacterial species that are evolving by gene loss, with the finding that Actinomycetaceae genomes from human cavities are undergoing sizable reductions, including loss of L-histidine and L-tryptophan biosynthesis. We observe that the dual-substrate phosphoribosyl isomerase A or priA gene, at which these pathways converge, appears to coevolve with the occurrence of trp and his genes. Characterization of a dozen PriA homologs shows that these enzymes adapt from bifunctionality in the largest genomes, to a monofunctional, yet not necessarily specialized, inefficient form in genomes undergoing reduction. These functional changes are accomplished via mutations, which result from relaxation of purifying selection, in residues structurally mapped after sequence and X-ray structural analyses. Our results show how gene loss can drive the evolution of substrate specificity from retained enzymes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

Evolution of Substrate Specificity in A Retained Enzyme Driven by Gene Loss

The connection between gene loss and the functional adaptation of retained proteins is still poorly understood. Here, we apply phylogenomics and metabolic modeling to detect bacterial species that are evolving by gene loss, with the finding that Actinomycetaceae genomes from human cavities are undergoing sizable reductions, including loss of L-histidine and L-tryptophan biosynthesis. We also observe that the dual-substrate phosphoribosyl isomerase A or priA gene, at which these pathways converge, appears to coevolve with the occurrence of trp and his genes. Characterization of a dozen PriA homologs shows that these enzymes adapt from bifunctionality in the largest genomes, to a monofunctional, yet not necessarily specialized, inefficient form in genomes undergoing reduction. These functional changes are accomplished via mutations, which result from relaxation of purifying selection, in residues structurally mapped after sequence and X-ray structural analyses. These results show how gene loss can drive the evolution of substrate specificity from retained enzymes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Drought adaptation in Arabidopsis thaliana by extensive genetic loss-of-function

Interdisciplinary syntheses are needed to scale up discovery of the environmental drivers and molecular basis of adaptation in nature. Here we integrated novel approaches using whole genome sequences, satellite remote sensing, and transgenic experiments to study natural loss-of-function alleles associated with drought histories in wild Arabidopsis thaliana. The genes we identified exhibit population genetic signatures of parallel molecular evolution, selection for loss-of-function, and shared associations with flowering time phenotypes in directions consistent with longstanding adaptive hypotheses seven times more often than expected by chance. We then confirmed predicted phenotypes experimentally in transgenic knockout lines. These findings reveal the importance of drought timing to explain the evolution of alternative drought tolerance strategies and further challenge popular assumptions about the adaptive value of genetic loss-of-function in nature. These results also motivate improved species-wide sequencing efforts to better identify loss-of-function variants and inspire new opportunities for engineering climate resilience in crops.

Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics↗

NASA NTRS1972

Rotor windage losses for Lundell alternators

The Lundell alternator is being investigated for power system applications. At the high speeds required, power loss due to windage can become high and result in significant heating of the alternator. This loss must be incorporated in the cooling design. The velocity profiles expected in these alternators are highly turbulent, and the Reynolds numbers are well above the levels previously reported; the available data could only be extrapolated. For this reason, a range of experimental data was generated to permit accurate calculation of the windage power loss for Lundell alternator design. Windage tests were conducted on two concentric rotor-stator configurations in ambient air, producing Reynolds numbers as high as 100,000. Using the data obtained, a method was developed to calculate the windage loss for any Lundell alternator given the geometry and cavity conditions.

Gorland, S. H.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Respiratory weight losses during exercise.

Evaporative water loss from the respiratory tract was determined over a wide range of exercise. The absolute humidity of the expired air was the same at all levels of exercise and equal to that measured at rest. The rate of respiratory water loss during exercise was found to be 0.019 of the oxygen uptake times (44 minus water vapor pressure). The rate of weight loss during exercise due to CO2-O2 exchange was calculated. For exercise at oxygen consumption rates exceeding 1.5 L/min in a dry environment with a water vapor pressure of 10 mm Hg, the total rate of weight loss via the respiratory tract is on the order of 2-5 g/min.

Mitchell, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Evidence that pitch angle scattering is an important loss mechanism for energetic electrons in the inner radiation belt of Jupiter

Analysis of data from the Pioneer 10 flyby discloses that pitch angle scattering plays an important part in determining the distribution of energetic electrons in the inner magnetosphere of Jupiter. Angular distributions measured by a Cerenkov detector reveal that redistribution takes place in pitch angle. Additionally, the radial profile of phase space density along the equator demands simultaneous particle losses. The loss rates are too high to be accounted for by synchrotron radiation loss, but are reasonably attributed to pitch angle scattering into the planetary loss cone.

Fillius, W.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Losses in radial inflow turbines

A study was conducted to determine experimentally and theoretically the losses in radial inflow turbine nozzles. Extensive experimental data was obtained to investigate the flow behavior in a full-scale radial turbine stator annulus. A theoretical model to predict the losses in both the vaned and vaneless regions of the nozzle was developed. In this analysis, the interaction effects between the stator and the rotor are not considered. It was found that the losses incurred due to the end wall boundary layers can be significant, especially if they are characterized by a strong crossflow. The losses estimated using the analytical study are compared with the experimentally determined values.

Khalil, I. M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

An investigation of viscous losses in radial inflow turbine nozzles

A theoretical model is developed to predict losses in radial inflow turbine nozzles. The analysis is presented in two parts. The first one evaluates the losses which occur across the vaned region of the nozzle, while the second part deals with the losses which take place in the vaneless field. It is concluded that the losses in a radial nozzle would not be greatly affected by the addition of a large vaneless space.

Khalil, I.↗

NASA NTRS1976

A survey of mass loss from Be and shell stars using ultraviolet data from Copernicus

Ultraviolet spectra of intermediate resolution have been obtained with Copernicus of twelve objects classified as Be or shell stars, and an additional 19 dwarfs of spectral classes B0-B4. Some of these spectra show marked asymmetries in certain resonance lines, especially the Si IV doublet at 1400 A, indicating the presence of outflowing material with maximum velocities of nearly 1000 km/sec. Direct evidence for mass loss at these velocities is seen for the first time in dwarf stars as late as B1.5. Later than B0.5, the only survey objects showing this phenomenon are Be stars. Among the stars considered there is a correlation between the presence of mass-loss effects and projected rotational velocity, suggesting that the UV flux from B1-B3 dwarfs is sufficient to drive high-velocity stellar winds only if rotation reduces the effective gravity near the equator. The role of mass-loss in producing the Be star phenomenon and the effects of rotation on mass loss are discussed.

Marlborough, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Inlet total pressure loss due to acoustic wall treatment

Experimental determination of the effect of diffuser wall acoustic treatment on inlet total pressure loss. Data were obtained by testing an inlet model with 10 different acoustically treated diffusers differing only in the design of the Helmholtz resonator acoustic treatment. Tests were conducted in a wind tunnel at forward velocities to 41 meters per second for inlet throat Mach numbers of .5 to .8 and angles of attack as high as 50 degrees. Results indicate a pressure loss penalty due to acoustic treatment that increases linearly with the porosity of the acoustic facing sheet. For a surface porosity of 14% the total pressure loss was 21% greater than that for an untreated inlet. The penalty resulting from treatment increased for average throat Mach numbers above approximately .7 where local regions of sonic or supersonic surface flow were encountered. Pressure loss over the treatment was not affected by the presence of noise.

Miller, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Polarization loss of a satellite - Data collection sensor link

It is noted that the stringent economy of data-collection systems consisting of several widely dispersed satellite-monitored sensor platforms can be partially achieved by using an inexpensive linearly polarized antenna on each platform and that due to Faraday rotation of the ionosphere, the satellite antenna must be circularly polarized to avoid a prohibitive polarization loss. The cumulative probability distribution of polarization loss between a linearly polarized platform antenna and an elliptically polarized satellite antenna is computed for satellite-antenna axial ratios of 3 and 4 dB. The results indicate that a polarization loss of 4.5 dB must be expected for a reliability of 85% and an axial ratio of 3 dB. It is suggested that the conventional assignment of a 3-dB polarization loss to the communication link considered may not insure the required link reliability.

Estep, H.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Neutrino angular momentum loss in rotating stars

We consider how an axisymmetric, uniformly and slowly rotating homogeneous star might be affected by the loss of energy and angular momentum via neutrino emission. For example, these losses can cause a collapsing, rotating star to flatten either faster or slower than would be the case if these losses were not taken fully into account, depending on the efficiency of the angular momentum loss mechanism.

Epstein, R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Ozone profiles and chemical loss rates in the tropical stratosphere deduced from backscatter ultraviolet measurements

Analysis of data obtained by the backscatter ultraviolet (BUV) experiment on the Atmosphere Explorer E satellite has provided equatorial ozone mixing ratio profiles for equinox and solstice conditions. The combination of these results with a pure oxygen chemical model yields the rate of odd oxygen loss due to the sum of the odd hydrogen, nitrogen, and chlorine cycles. Use of recent mid-latitude stratospheric measurements of HO(x), NO(x), and ClO(x) with the BUV data provides an independent calculation of the catalytic loss. Below 45 km the agreement between the two sets of loss rates is satisfactory. At higher altitudes the odd hydrogen cycle provides far more O(x) loss than can be tolerated by the BUV measurements if the photodissociation of O2 is the only source and has the currently accepted magnitude. The results suggest either a tropical HO(x) concentration smaller than is now believed or the presence of a very large source of odd oxygen in the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere.

Frederick, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Prolonged weightlessness and calcium loss in man

Calcium losses occurring in men subjected to weightlessness in orbital space flight for periods of up to twelve weeks were determined, and the data are used to predict the long-term consequences of weightlessness upon the skeletal system. Loss of calcium increased exponentially from about 50 mg/d at the end of the first week to approximately 300 mg/d at the end of 12 weeks. Hypercalciuria reached a constant level within four weeks while fecal calcium losses continued to increase throughout the period of exposure. Calcium losses from the calcaneus were closely correlated with calcium imbalance, but no changes were detected in the mineral mass of the ulna and radius. It is suggested that the demineralization process may not be totally reversible

Rambaut, P. C.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Relation of ultrasonic energy loss factors and constituent properties in unidirectional composites

A model is developed relating composite constituents properties with ultrasonic energy loss factors for longitudinal waves propagating in the principal directions of a unidirectional graphite/epoxy fiber composite. All the constituents are assumed to behave as linear viscoelastic materials with energy dissipation properties defined by loss factors. It is found that by introducing a new constituent called the interface material, the composite and constituent properties can be brought into consistency with simple series and parallel models. An expression relating the composite loss factors to the loss factors of the constituents is derived and its coefficients are evaluated.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗