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At least 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Seasonal variations in the atmospheric distribution of a reactive chlorine compound, tetrachloroethene (CCl2 = CCl2)

Tropospheric mixing ratios of CCl2 = CCl2 were measured at remote surface locations in the Pacific between 71 deg N and 47 deg S during September and December of 1989, and March and June of 1990. The observed gradient of decreasing concentrations from the northern to the southern hemisphere, and very low concentrations in the southern hemisphere throughout the year, indicates a predominant input from the northern hemisphere. Seasonal measurements in the northern hemisphere showed maximum CCl2 = CCl2 concentrations occurring in the late summer. This distinct seasonal variation is strongly coupled to the atmompheric abundance of hydroxyl radical, the only important species responsible for CCl2 = CCl2 removal. With the estimated global CCl2 =CCl2 emissions, the lifetime is calculated to be about 5.4 months which is in good agreement with the 4.0 month estimate obtained from the inverse ratio of its measured hydroxyl reaction rate constant compared with that of methyl-chloroform CH3CCl3.

Wang, Charles J.-L.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Using Temperature Sensitive Paint Technology

New facilities and test techniques afford research aerodynamicists many opportunities to investigate complex aerodynamic phenomena. For example, NASA Langley Research Center's National Transonic Facility (NTF) can hold Mach number, Reynolds number, dynamic pressure, stagnation temperature and stagnation pressure constant during testing. This is important because the wing twist associated with model construction may mask important Reynolds number effects associated with the flight vehicle. Beyond this, the NTF's ability to vary Reynolds number allows for important research into the study of boundary layer transition. The capabilities of facilities such as the NTF coupled with test techniques such as temperature sensitive paint yield data that can be applied not only to vehicle design but also to validation of computational methods. Development of Luminescent Paint Technology for acquiring pressure and temperature measurements began in the mid-1980s. While pressure sensitive luminescent paints (PSP) were being developed to acquire data for aerodynamic performance and loads, temperature sensitive luminescent paints (TSP) have been used for a much broader range of applications. For example, TSP has been used to acquire surface temperature data to determine the heating due to rotating parts in various types of mechanical systems. It has been used to determine the heating pattern(s) on circuit boards. And, it has been used in boundary layer analysis and applied to the validation of full-scale flight performance predictions. That is, data acquired on the same model can be used to develop trends from off design to full scale flight Reynolds number, e.g. to show the progression of boundary layer transition. A discussion of issues related to successfully setting-up TSP tests and using TSP systems for boundary layer studies is included in this paper, as well as results from a variety of TSP tests. TSP images included in this paper are all grey-scale so that similar to pictures from sublimating chemical tests areas of laminar flow appear "lighter," or white, and areas of turbulent flow appear "darker."

Hamner, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Statistical Decomposition and Machine Learning to Clean In Situ Spaceflight Magnetic Field Measurements

Robust in situ magnetic field measurements are critical to understanding the various mechanisms that couple mass, momentum, and energy throughout our solar system. However, the spacecraft on which magnetometers are often deployed contaminate the magnetic field measurements via onboard subsystems including reaction wheels and magnetorquers. Two magnetometers can be deployed at different distances from the spacecraft to determine an approximation of the interfering field for subsequent removal, but constant data streams from both magnetometers can be impractical due to power and telemetry limitations. Here we propose a method to identify and remove time-varying magnetic interference from sources such as reaction wheels using statistical decomposition and convolutional neural networks, providing high-fidelity magnetic field data even in cases where dual-sensor measurements are not constantly available. For example, a measurement interval from the Parker Solar Probe outboard magnetometer experienced a 95.1% reduction in reaction wheel interference following application of the proposed technique.

magnetic field data↗
NASA NTRS1993

A dc-coupled, high sensitivity bolometric detector system for the Infrared Telescope in Space

We report the performance of an ac bridge readout system that has been developed for use on the Infrared Telescope in Space which is scheduled for launch in 1994. The ac bridge readout provides excellent dc stability enabling observing strategies well-suited to space-borne observations. The ability to modulate the optical signal slowly allows the use of new, highly sensitive, long time-constant bolometers. At 300 mK, the bolometers have an electrical noise equivalent power of 3 x 10 exp -17 W/sq rt Hz. The total noise of the differential signal, including amplifier noise, is less than 8 x 10 exp -17 W/sq rt Hz at frequencies as low as 35 mHz.

Devlin, M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Theory of the optimally coupled Q-switched laser

The general equations describing Q-switched laser operation are transcendental in nature and require numerical solutions, which greatly complicates the optimization of real devices. Here, it is shown that, using the mathematical technique of Lagrange multipliers, one can derive simple analytic expressions for all of the key parameters of the optimally coupled laser, i.e., one which uses an optimum reflector to obtain maximum laser efficiency for a given pump level. These parameters can all be expressed as functions of a single dimensionless variable z, defined as the ratio of the unsaturated small-signal gain to the dissipative (nonuseful) optical loss, multiplied by a few simple constants. Laser design tradeoff studies and performance projections can be accomplished quickly with the help of several graphs and a simple hand calculator. Sample calculations for a high-gain Nd:YAG and a low-gain alexandrite laser are presented as illustrations of the technique.

Degnan, John J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Time-accurate Navier-Stokes computations of classical two-dimensional edge tone flow fields

Time-accurate Navier-Stokes computations were performed to study a Class II (acoustic) whistle, the edge tone, and gain knowledge of the vortex-acoustic coupling mechanisms driving production of these tones. Results were obtained by solving the full Navier-Stokes equations for laminar compressible air flow of a two-dimensional jet issuing from a slit interacting with a wedge. Cases considered were determined by varying the distance from the slit to the edge. Flow speed was kept constant at 1750 cm/sec as was the slit thickness of 0.1 cm, corresponding to conditions in the experiments of Brown. Excellent agreement was obtained in all four edge tone stage cases between the present computational results and the experimentally obtained results of Brown. Specific edge tone generated phenomena and further confirmation of certain theories concerning these phenomena were brought to light in this analytical simulation of edge tones.

Liu, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Time-dependent simulation of oblique MHD cosmic-ray shocks using the two-fluid model

Using a new, second-order accurate numerical method we present dynamical simulations of oblique MHD cosmic-ray (CR)-modified plane shock evolution. Most of the calculations are done with a two-fluid model for diffusive shock acceleration, but we provide also comparisons between a typical shock computed that way against calculations carried out using the more complete, momentum-dependent, diffusion-advection equation. We also illustrate a test showing that these simulations evolve to dynamical equilibria consistent with previously published steady state analytic calculations for such shocks. In order to improve understanding of the dynamical role of magnetic fields in shocks modified by CR pressure we have explored for time asymptotic states the parameter space of upstream fast mode Mach number, M(sub f), and plasma beta. We compile the results into maps of dynamical steady state CR acceleration efficiency, epsilon(sub c). We have run simulations using constant, and nonisotropic, obliquity (and hence spatially) dependent forms of the diffusion coefficient kappa. Comparison of the results shows that while the final steady states achieved are the same in each case, the history of CR-MHD shocks can be strongly modified by variations in kappa and, therefore, in the acceleration timescale. Also, the coupling of CR and MHD in low beta, oblique shocks substantially influences the transient density spike that forms in strongly CR-modified shocks. We find that inside the density spike a MHD slow mode wave can be generated that eventually steepens into a shock. A strong layer develops within the density spike, driven by MHD stresses. We conjecture that currents in the shear layer could, in nonplanar flows, results in enhanced particle accretion through drift acceleration.

Frank, Adam↗
NASA NTRS1959

Comparison of Rocket Performance using Exhaust Diffuser and Conventional Techniques for Altitude Simulation

A rocket engine with an exhaust-nozzle area ratio of 25 was operated at a constant chamber pressure of 600 pounds per square inch absolute over a range of oxidant-fuel ratios at an altitude pressure corresponding to approximately 47,000 feet. At this condition, the nozzle flow is slightly underexpanded as it leaves the nozzle. The altitude simulation was obtained first through the use of an exhaust diffuser coupled with the rocket engine and secondly, in an altitude test chamber where separate exhauster equipment provided the altitude pressure. A comparison of performance data from these two tests has established that a diffuser used with a rocket engine operating at near-design nozzle pressure ratio can be a valid means of obtaining altitude performance data for rocket engines.

Sivo, Joseph N.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Gating effects in Halobacterium halobium membrane transport

The transport of Na(+) via an H(+)/Na(+) antiporter and of aspartate and serine via Na(+)/amino acid symport systems was studied in Halobacterium halobium cell envelope vesicles. Gradients for H(+) were produced by illuminating the bacteriorhodopsin-containing vesicles at different light intensities, and the rate and extent of Na(+) transport were followed as functions of the electrochemical potential difference for protons. The coupling of Na(+) and H(+) gradients suggested a translocation stoichiometry of 2H(+)/Na(+) for the antiporter. The rate of Na(+) transport increases steeply above a critical transmembrane electrochemical proton gradient, and since the electrical and the chemical potentials of H(+) at this threshold point vary with the experimental conditions, while the sum of these potentials is constant, it was concluded that the gating of the Na(+) transport is caused by the total electrochemical gradient.

Lanyi, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Frequency response of charge transfer in MOS inversion layers

The dynamics of charge transfer from a reservoir into an MOS inversion layer, which limits the frequency response of an MOS transistor or a charge-coupled device, is investigated. Using Berman and Kerr's model of space-charge capacitance in the semiconductor, a small-signal distributed model is developed for an MOS structure which transfers charge in an inversion channel due to a variation in the gate voltage. The dynamics of the charge transfer is characterized by a time constant which is determined by the length of the inversion channel and its mobility. Experimental data of gate capacitance vs frequency, taken from a test structure with a diffused source/drain well, are satisfactorily fitted by theoretical curves derived from the model. The channel mobility is precisely determined from the adjusted time constant. The influence of interface states on the capacitance-frequency relationship is also briefly discussed.

Lieneweg, U.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Lower bound on e+e- decay of massive neutrinos

Astronomical observations of SN1987A, such as the light curve, spectral intensities of lines, the X-ray emissions, etc., constrain the lifetime for the decay of a heavy neutrino 1 MeV less than or equivalent to m sub nu H less than or equal to 50 MeV through nu sub H yields nu sub 1+e(+)+e(-) exceeds 4 x 10 to the 15th exp(-m sub nuH/5MeV) seconds. Otherwise. resulting ionization energy deposits and stronger X-ray emission would have been observed. This coupled with traditional cosmological considerations argues that the lifetime of tau-neutrinos probably exceeds the age of the universe. This in turn would imply the standard cosmological mass bound does apply to nu sub tau, namely m sub nu sub tau less than or equivalent to 100 h squared eV (where h is the Hubble constant in units of 100 km/sec/mpc). The only significant loophole for these latter arguments would be if nu sub tau primarily decays rapidly into particles having very weak interactions.

Cowsik, R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Precision measurement of magnetic characteristics of an article with nullification of external magnetic fields

An apparatus for characterizing the magnetic field of a device under test is discussed. The apparatus is comprised of five separate devices: (1) a device for nullifying the ambient magnetic fields in a test environment area with a constant applied magnetic field; (2) a device for rotating the device under test in the test environment area; (3) a device for sensing the magnetic field (to obtain a profile of the magnetic field) at a sensor location which is along the circumference of rotation; (4) a memory for storing the profiles; and (5) a processor coupled to the memory for characterizing the magnetic field of the device from the magnetic field profiles thus obtained.

Honess, Shawn B.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Star formation thresholds in H II galaxies with H I companions

We present high resolution Very Large Array (VLA) 21 cm line observations of five H II galaxies combined with previous lower resolution data from Taylor et al. (1993) and optical broadband R and H-alpha Charge Coupled Device (CCD) images of the systems. Following Kennicutt (1989) we calculated the threshold H I surface density for star formation for the H II galaxies and compared the location and shape of this predicted threshold density contour with the optical shape of the galaxies. We find generally a good correlation between these two, although a constant density contour of 10(exp 21)/sq cm fits the images of the optical galaxies equally as well. The H I synthesis observations have revealed that the H II galaxies have sharply peaked H I radial profiles, in contrast to the relatively flattened profiles of low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies, suggesting that large central concentrations of gas are a necessary condition for the occurrence of bursts of massive star formation seen in H II galaxies. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that LSB galaxies represent the quiescent phase of H II galaxies, if a suitable mechanism exists (such as galaxy interactions) to cause H I to concentrate at the center of LSB galaxies prior to the onset of the burst of star formation. However, it is noted that the H II galaxies (and dwarf galaxies in general) span a relatively large range in mass. Since many properties correlate with mass (e.g., gas mass fraction), we point out that great care needs to be taken in choosing the proper comparison samples of LSB and H II galaxies.

Taylor, Christopher L.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Ethylene Production by Plants in a Closed Environment

Ethylene production by 20-sq m stands of wheat, soybean, lettuce and potato was monitored throughout growth and development in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Biomass Production Chamber. Chamber ethylene concentrations rose during periods of rapid growth for all four species, reaching 120 parts per billion (ppb) for wheat, 60 ppb for soybean, and 40 to 50 ppb for lettuce and potato. Following this, ethylene concentrations declined during seed fill and maturation (wheat and soybean), or remained relatively constant (potato). Lettuce plants were harvested during rapid growth and peak ethylene production. The highest ethylene production rates (unadjusted for chamber leakage) ranged from 0.04 to 0.06 ml/sq m/day during rapid growth of lettuce and wheat stands, or approximately 0.8 to 1.1 ml/g fresh weight/h. Results suggest that ethylene production by plants is a normal event coupled to periods of rapid metabolic activity, and that ethylene removal or control measures should be considered for growing crops in a tightly closed CELSS.

Wheeler, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Soil Surface Runoff Scheme for Improving Land-Hydrology and Surface Fluxes in Simple SiB (SSiB)

Evapotranspiration on land is hard to measure and difficult to simulate. On the scale of a GCM grid, there is large subgrid-scale variability of orography, soil moisture, and vegetation. Our hope is to be able to tune the biophysical constants of vegetation and soil parameters to get the most realistic space-averaged diurnal cycle of evaporation and its climatology. Field experiments such as First ISLSCP Field Experiment (FIFE), Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS), and LBA help a great deal in improving our evapotranspiration schemes. However, these improvements have to be matched with, and coupled to, consistent improvement in land-hydrology; otherwise, the runoff problems will intrinsically reflect on the soil moisture and evapotranspiration errors. Indeed, a realistic runoff simulation also ensures a reasonable evapotranspiration simulation provided the precipitation forcing is reliable. We have been working on all of the above problems to improve the simulated hydrologic cycle. Through our participation in the evaluation and intercomparison of land-models under the behest of Global Soil Wetness Project (GSWP), we identified a few problems with Simple SiB (SSIB; Xue et al., 1991) hydrology in regions of significant snowmelt. Sud and Mocko (1999) show that inclusion of a separate snowpack model, with its own energy budget and fluxes with the atmosphere aloft and soil beneath, helps to ameliorate some of the deficiencies of delayed snowmelt and excessive spring season runoff. Thus, much more realistic timing of melt water generation was simulated with the new snowpack model in the subsequent GSWP re-evaluations using 2 years of ISLSCP Initiative I forcing data for 1987 and 1988. However, we noted an overcorrection of the low meltwater infiltration of SSiB. While the improvement in snowmelt timing was found everywhere, the snowmelt infiltration has became excessive in some regions, e.g., Lena river basin. This leads to much reduced runoff in many basins as compared to observations. We believe this is a consequence of neglect of the influence of subgrid-scale variations in orography that affects the production of surface runoff.

Sud, Y. C.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Microgravity Transport Phenomena Experiment (MTPE) Overview

The Microgravity Transport Phenomena Experiment (MTPE) is a fluids experiment supported by the Fundamentals in Biotechnology program in association with the Human Exploration and Development of Space (BEDS) initiative. The MTP Experiment will investigate fluid transport phenomena both in ground based experiments and in the microgravity environment. Many fluid transport processes are affected by gravity. Osmotic flux kinetics in planar membrane systems have been shown to be influenced by gravimetric orientation, either through convective mixing caused by unstably stratified fluid layers, or through a stable fluid boundary layer structure that forms in association with the membrane. Coupled transport phenomena also show gravity related effects. Coefficients associated with coupled transport processes are defined in terms of a steady state condition. Buoyancy (gravity) driven convection interferes with the attainment of steady state, and the measurement of coupled processes. The MTP Experiment measures the kinetics of molecular migration that occurs in fluids, in response to the application of various driving potentials. Three separate driving potentials may be applied to the MTP Experiment fluids, either singly or in combination. The driving potentials include chemical potential, thermal potential, and electrical potential. Two separate fluid arrangements are used to study membrane mediated and bulk fluid transport phenomena. Transport processes of interest in membrane mediated systems include diffusion, osmosis, and streaming potential. Bulk fluid processes of interest include coupled phenomena such as the Soret Effect, Dufour Effect, Donnan Effect, and thermal diffusion potential. MTP Experiments are performed in the Microgravity Transport Apparatus (MTA), an instrument that has been developed specifically for precision measurement of transport processes. Experiment fluids are contained within the MTA fluid cells, designed to create a one dimensional flow geometry of constant cross sectional area, and to facilitate fluid filling and draining operations in microgravity. The fluid cells may be used singly for bulk solutions, or in a Stokes diaphragm configuration to investigate membrane mediated phenomena. Thermal and electrical driving potentials are applied to the experiment fluids through boundary plates located at the ends of the fluid cells. In the ground based instrument, two constant temperature baths circulate through reservoirs adjacent to the boundary plates, and establish the thermal environment within the fluid cells. The boundary plates also serve as electrodes for measurement and application of electrical potentials. The Fluid Manipulation System associated with the MTA is a computer controlled system that enables storage and transfer of experiment fluids during on orbit operations. The system is used to automatically initiate experiments and manipulate fluids by orchestrating pump and valve operations through scripted sequences. Unique technologies are incorporated in the MTA for measurement of fluid properties. Volumetric Flow Sensors have been developed for precision measurement of total fluid volume contained within the fluid cells over time. This data is most useful for measuring the kinetics of osmosis, where fluid is transported from one fluid cell to another through a semipermeable membrane. The MicroSensor Array has been designed to perform in situ measurement of several important fluid parameters, providing simultaneous measurement of solution composition at multiple locations within the experiment fluids. Micromachined sensors and interface electronics have been developed to measure temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, cation activity, and anion activity. The Profile Refractometer uses a laser optical system to directly image the fluid Index of Refraction profile that exists along the MTA fluid cell axis. A video system acquires images of the RI profile over time, and records the transport kinetics that occur upon application of chemical, thermal, or electrical driving potentials. Image processing algorithms have been developed to analyze the refractometer images on a pixel by pixel basis, calibrating and scaling the measured Index of Refraction profile to correlated solution properties of interest such as density, concentration, and temperature. Additional software has been developed to compile the processed images into a three dimensional matrix that contains fluid composition data as a function of experiment time and position in the fluid cell. These data are combined with data from the other sensor systems, and analyzed in the context of transport coefficients associated with the various transport phenomena. Analysis protocols have been developed to measure the transient kinetics, and steady state distribution of fluid components that occur in response to the applied driving potentials. The results are expressed in terms of effective transport coefficients. Experiments have been performed using a variety of solutes, and results generated are that are in agreement with published transport coefficient values.

Mason, Larry W.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Computational Modeling as a Design Tool in Microelectronics Manufacturing

Plans to introduce pilot lines or fabs for 300 mm processing are in progress. The IC technology is simultaneously moving towards 0.25/0.18 micron. The convergence of these two trends places unprecedented stringent demands on processes and equipments. More than ever, computational modeling is called upon to play a complementary role in equipment and process design. The pace in hardware/process development needs a matching pace in software development: an aggressive move towards developing "virtual reactors" is desirable and essential to reduce design cycle and costs. This goal has three elements: reactor scale model, feature level model, and database of physical/chemical properties. With these elements coupled, the complete model should function as a design aid in a CAD environment. This talk would aim at the description of various elements. At the reactor level, continuum, DSMC(or particle) and hybrid models will be discussed and compared using examples of plasma and thermal process simulations. In microtopography evolution, approaches such as level set methods compete with conventional geometric models. Regardless of the approach, the reliance on empricism is to be eliminated through coupling to reactor model and computational surface science. This coupling poses challenging issues of orders of magnitude variation in length and time scales. Finally, database development has fallen behind; current situation is rapidly aggravated by the ever newer chemistries emerging to meet process metrics. The virtual reactor would be a useless concept without an accompanying reliable database that consists of: thermal reaction pathways and rate constants, electron-molecule cross sections, thermochemical properties, transport properties, and finally, surface data on the interaction of radicals, atoms and ions with various surfaces. Large scale computational chemistry efforts are critical as experiments alone cannot meet database needs due to the difficulties associated with such controlled experiments and costs.

Meyyappan, Meyya↗
NASA NTRS1985

Jet production in super-Eddington accretion disks

A two-dimensional, radiation-coupled, Newtonian hydrodynamic simulation is reported for a super-Eddington, mass accretion rate, M = 4 M(E) disk accretion flow onto a 3-solar mass pseudoblack hole. Near the disk midplane, convection cells effectively block the accretion flow, even though viscous heating maximizes there. Accretion predominantly occurs in a supersonic inflow which follows streamlines of approximately constant angular momentum. The optically thick inflow traps radiation so that 80 percent of the luminosity is absorbed by the black hole; the emergent power is sub-Eddington. An axial jet self consistently forms just outside a conical photosphere which bounds the accretion zone; radiation pressure accelerates the jet to about 10 to the 10th cm/s. The jet's mass efflux is only 0.4 percent of the total mass accretion rate.

Eggum, G. E.↗