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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 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

Gradient Compression Stockings may Prevent Recovery after Bed Rest Deconditioning

Introduction: Astronauts continue to wear a compression garment during and immediately after landing to prevent orthostatic intolerance (OI). We recently developed a custom-fitted, 3-piece garment that consists of thigh-high stockings with biker-style shorts that provides continuous, gradient compression: 55 mmHg at the ankle that decreases to approximately 20 mmHg at the top of the leg and 15 mmHg over the abdomen. This garment has been shown to be effective in preventing symptoms of OI during a short stand test after Space Shuttle missions, but symptoms may persist for several days after a long-duration mission in some astronauts. The purpose of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of wearing these elastic, gradient compression garments during orthostatic testing after 2 weeks of 6 degree head-down tilt bed rest as a model of spaceflight and to determine whether they would impact recovery after bed rest. Methods: Eight (5 treatment, 3 control) of 16 subjects have completed this study to-date. All subjects wore the 3-piece garment from waking until tilt testing (~3 h) as a simulation of the timeline for astronauts on landing day (BR+0). Control subjects removed the garment after the tilt test. Treatment subjects wore the garment for the remainder of the day and wore lower compression thigh-high only garments on the day after bed rest (BR+1). Blood pressure, heart rate, and stroke volume responses to a 15-min 80 degree head-up tilt test were determined before 2 weeks of 6 degree head-down tilt, and on BR+0 and BR+1. Plasma volume (PV) was measured before each of these test sessions. Data are mean SE. Results: Compression garments prevented signs of OI on BR+0; all subjects in both groups completed the full 15-min test. Heart rate responses to tilt were lower on BR+0 than all other test days. Control subjects demonstrated a marginal PV decrease after bed rest, but showed typical recovery the day after bed rest (BR+0: 2.32 plus or minus 0.15 L to BR+1: 2.79 plus or minus 0.15 L). Treatment subjects did not recover PV the day after bed rest (BR+0: 2.61 plus or minus 0.23 L to BR+1: 2.61 plus or minus 0.23 L). Conclusion: Abdomen-high compression garments, which are effective in preventing post-bed rest orthostatic intolerance, may slow recovery of PV. Modified garments with reduced compression may be necessary to prevent prolonging recovery.

Stenger, Michael B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Modified k-epsilon model for compressible free shear flows

The k-epsilon model has heretofore been unable to predict experimentally observed decreases in the spreading rate of turbulent supersonic free-shear layers encountered with increasing Mach number. The present modification of the two-equation k-epsilon-1 model is able to effectively reduce the model to a 1-equation k model in highly compressible flows; as a result, a significant improvement in accuracy is obtained for predictions concerning supersonic shear layers.

Brescianini, C. P.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Strategies for on-chip digital data compression for X-ray pixel detectors

Here, the continued desire for X-ray pixel detectors with higher frame rates will stress the ability of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designers to provide sufficient off-chip bandwidth to reach continuous frame rates in the 1 MHz regime. To move from the current 10 kHz to the 1 MHz frame rate regime, ASIC designers will continue to pack as many power-hungry high-speed transceivers at the periphery of the ASIC as possible. In this paper, however, we present new strategies to make the most efficient use of the off-chip bandwidth by utilizing data compression schemes for X-ray photon-counting and charge-integrating pixel detectors. In particular, we describe a novel in-pixel compression scheme that converts from analog to digital converter units to encoded photon counts near the photon Poisson noise level and achieves a compression ratio of >1.5x independent of the dataset. In addition, we describe a simple yet efficient zero-suppression compression scheme called "zeromask" (ZM) located at the ASIC's edge before streaming data off the ASIC chip. ZM achieves average compression ratios of >4x, >7x, and >8x for high-energy X-ray diffraction, ptychography, and X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy datasets, respectively. We present the conceptual designs, register-transfer level block diagrams, and the physical ASIC implementation of these compression schemes in 65 nm CMOS. When combined, these two digital compression schemes could increase the effective off-chip bandwidth by a factor of 6-12x.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1936

Some Effects of Injection Advance Angle, Engine-Jacket Temperature, and Speed on Combustion in a Compression-Ignition Engine

An optical indicator and a high-speed motion-picture camera capable of operating at the rate of 2,000 frames per second were used to record simultaneously the pressure development and the flame formation in the combustion chamber of the NACA combustion apparatus. Tests were made at engine speeds of 570 and 1,500 r.p.m. The engine-jacket temperature was varied from 100 degrees to 300 degrees F. And the injection advance angle from 13 degrees after top center to 120 degrees before top center. The results show that the course of the combustion is largely controlled by the temperature and pressure of the air in the chamber from the time the fuel is injected until the time at which combustion starts and by the ignition lag. The conclusion is presented that in a compression-ignition engine with a quiescent combustion chamber the ignition lag should be the longest that can be used without excessive rates of pressure rise; any further shortening of the ignition lag decreased the effective combustion of the engine.

Rothrock, A M↗
DOE OSTI2024

Rupture Jumping and Seismic Complexity in Models of Earthquake Cycles for Fault Stepovers with Off-Fault Plasticity

ABSTRACT Fault stepovers are prime examples of geometric complexity in natural fault zones that may affect seismic hazard by determining whether an earthquake rupture continues propagating or abruptly stops. However, the long-term pattern of seismicity near-fault stepovers and underlying mechanisms of rupture jumping in the context of earthquake cycles are rarely studied. Leveraging a hybrid numerical scheme combining the finite element and the spectral boundary integral methods, FEBE, we carry out fully dynamic simulations of sequences of earthquakes and aseismic slip for both compressive and tensile stepovers with off-fault plasticity. We consider a rate-and-state friction law for the fault friction and pressure-sensitive Drucker–Prager plasticity for the off-fault bulk response. We observe that the accumulation of plastic deformation, an indication of off-fault damage, is significantly different in the two cases, with more plastic deformation projected in the overlapping region for the tensile stepover. The seismic pattern for a tensile stepover is more complex than for a compressive stepover, and incorporating plasticity also increases complexity, relative to the elastic case. A tensile stepover with off-fault plasticity shows rupture segmentation, temporal clustering, and frequent rupture jumping from one fault to another. These results shed light on possible mechanisms of rupture jumping in fault stepovers as well as the long-term evolution of the fault zone.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experiments on the single-mode Richtmyer–Meshkov instability with reshock at high energy densities

Here, the hydrodynamic instability growth of a reshocked single-mode interface between high energy density fluids is studied. A laser-driven shock wave is used to drive an initially solid, sinusoidal interface between a dense plastic (1.43 g/cc) and a light foam (≈ 0.110 g/cc). After the interface has grown to a nonlinear state where the amplitude is of order of the wavelength, it is reshocked. The reshock compresses the nonlinear perturbation, which then grows at about twice the rate. While the pre-reshock growth rate is sensitive to the initial amplitude and wavelength of the perturbation, the post-reshock growth rate is comparatively insensitive to the initial condition. Qualitatively, we observe that the perturbations are less coherent after reshock, consistent with the idea that having a reshock accelerates the transition to turbulence. We find that some memory of the initial condition remains, even after reshock at late time: it appears if the initial perturbations have large enough wavelengths, and the flow structure of size comparable to the initial wavelength persists through reshock. Our results agree with design simulations and are consistent with the phenomenology of reshock studies in conventional gaseous shock tubes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Durability Optimization of CO 2 Electrolyzers for Syngas Evolution

Recently, there has been an increased interest in mitigating anthropogenic CO 2 emissions through the electrochemical conversion of CO 2 into fuels and fuel feedstocks, including hydrogen gas (H 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and mixtures of the two to yield syngas. Commercial applications of these systems require high catalytic selectivity for the desired products, while exhibiting operational lifetimes exceeding thousands of hours. Advancements in this field have produced systems that display high selectivity of the desired products at faradaic efficiencies exceeding 95%. Despite the advancements made in CO 2 electrolysis, system durability remains a standing challenge in the field. CO 2 electrolyzer lifetimes are often limited by carbonate fouling, catalyst degradation, detrimental flooding of electrode microporous layers and anion exchange membrane (AEM) failures. In this report, a 5 cm 2 membrane electrode assembly (MEA) device is used to investigate potential failure modes and to optimize AEM CO 2 electrolyzer operation. Key findings of this study include the importance of CO 2 flow rate, use of a thin PiperION PTFE-reinforced membrane, optimizing compression to enhance contact under 40 in-lb compression, and the effect of more compressible, commercial iridium oxide anodes on system durability.

Abouremeleh, Mohammed H. [Lawrence Berkeley Nation↗
DOE OSTI2020

Connecting Dynamic Strain Aging to Deformation Processing in Magnesium-Calcium-Based Alloys

Fuel consumption can be improved by reducing car weight with substitution of aluminum and steel parts with magnesium (Mg). Magnesium formability at room temperature is limited due to strong basal texture generated prior processing. Shear band nucleation, observed under conditions in which dynamic strain aging (DSA), have been attributed to be responsible for texture weakening in dilute Mg – Rare Earths (RE) alloys. A low–cost substitution of RE is calcium (Ca) with similar atomic size. It is hypothesized that deformation of Mg – Ca alloys under DSA conditions improves Mg formability. In this study, Mg–Ca and Mg–Ca–Zn alloys were characterized using optical microscopy, XRD, and SEM/EDS. Compression testing was performed between 200 and 300C at different strain rates to observe DSA behavior. This work was performed under DOE Award Number DE-EE0007756.

Manuel, Michele↗
NASA NTRS1974

Studies of Martian polar regions

The flow law determined experimentally for solid CO2 establishes that an hypothesis of glacial flow of CO2 at the Martian poles is not physically unrealistic. Compression experiments carried out under 1 atmosphere pressure and constant strain rate conditions demonstrate that the strength of CO2 near its sublimation point is considerably less than the strength of water ice near its melting point. A plausible glacial model for the Martian polar caps was constructed. The CO2 deposited near the pole would have flowed outward laterally to relieve high internal shear stresses. The topography of the polar caps, and the uniform layering and general extent of the layered deposits were explained using this model.

Smith, C. I.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Analysis of NiAlTa precipitates in beta-NiAl + 2 at. pct Ta alloy

Results are reported from experiments performed to identify the precipitates, and their orientation in the matrix, in a beta-NiAl alloy containing 2 at. pct. Ta after undergoing creep test at 1300 K. Test specimens formed by extruding hot powders were compressed at 1300 K for about 50 hr at a strain rate averaging 6/1 million per sec. The specimens were then thinned and examined under an electron microscope and by X-ray diffractometry. An intermetallic NiAlTa compound with a hexagonal Cl4 structure appeared as second phase precipitates in the samples, exhibiting plate-like shapes and a habit plane close to (012). The prism planes of the hexagonal NiAlTa precipitates paralleled the closest packed planes in the cubic beta-NiAl matrix.

Pathare, V.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Effect of grain size on the high temperature properties of B2 aluminides

Measurements of the slow plastic flow behavior of cobalt, iron and nickel B2 crystal structure aluminides were conducted on materials fabricated by metallurical techniques. Due to this processing, the aluminides invariably had small equiaxed grains, ranging in size from about 3 to 60 microns in diameter. Grain size was dependent on the extrusion temperature used for powder consolidation, and it proved to be remarkably stable at elevated temperatures. Mechanical properties of all three aluminides were determined via constant velocity compression testing in air between 1000 and 1400 K at strain rates ranging from approx. 10 to the minus 3 power to 10 to the minus 7 power s (-1).

Whittenberger, J. Daniel↗
NASA NTRS1989

Block adaptive quantization of Magellan SAR data

A report is presented on a data compression scheme that will be used to reduce the SAR data rate on the NASA Magellan mission to Venus. The spacecraft has only one scientific instrument, a radar system for imaging the surface, for altimetric profiling of the planet topography, and for measuring radiation from the planet surface. A straightforward implementation of the scientific requirements of the mission results in a data rate higher than can be accommodated by the available system bandwidth. A data-rate-reduction scheme which includes operation of the radar in burst mode and block-adaptive quantization of the SAR data is selected to satisfy the scientific requirements. Descriptions of the quantization scheme and its hardware implementation are given. Burst-mode SAR operation is also briefly discussed.

Kwok, Ronald↗
NASA NTRS1990

Hybrid vision activities at NASA Johnson Space Center

NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, is active in several aspects of hybrid image processing. (The term hybrid image processing refers to a system that combines digital and photonic processing). The major thrusts are autonomous space operations such as planetary landing, servicing, and rendezvous and docking. By processing images in non-Cartesian geometries to achieve shift invariance to canonical distortions, researchers use certain aspects of the human visual system for machine vision. That technology flow is bidirectional; researchers are investigating the possible utility of video-rate coordinate transformations for human low-vision patients. Man-in-the-loop teleoperations are also supported by the use of video-rate image-coordinate transformations, as researchers plan to use bandwidth compression tailored to the varying spatial acuity of the human operator. Technological elements being developed in the program include upgraded spatial light modulators, real-time coordinate transformations in video imagery, synthetic filters that robustly allow estimation of object pose parameters, convolutionally blurred filters that have continuously selectable invariance to such image changes as magnification and rotation, and optimization of optical correlation done with spatial light modulators that have limited range and couple both phase and amplitude in their response.

Juday, Richard D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The compositional structure and the effects of exothermicity in an unpremixed planar jet flame

Results are presented of direct numerical simulations (DNS) of a randomly perturbed compressible, spatially developing planar jet under the influence of a finite rate Arrhenius chemical reaction of the type F + O yields Product + Heat. The objectives of the simulations are to assess the compositional structure of the flame and to determine the influence of reaction exothermicity by means of statistical sampling of the data generated by DNS. It is shown that even with this idealized kinetics model, the simulated results exhibit features in accordance with experimental data. These results indicate that the Damkoehler number is an important parameter in determining the statistical composition of the reacting field, and that the results are insensitive to the mechanism by which this parameter is varied. It is demonstrated that as the intensity of mixing is increased and the effect of finite rate chemistry is more pronounced, the magnitudes of the ensemble mean and rms of the product mass fraction decrease, and those of the reactants mass fraction increase. Also, at higher mixing rates the joint probability density functions of the reactants' mass fractions shift towards higher values within the composition domain indicating a lower reactedness. These trends are consistent with those observed experimentally and are very useful in portraying the statistical structure of non-equilibrium diffusion flames. The DNS generated data are also utilized to examine the applicability of the 'laminar diffusion flamelet model' in predicting the rate of the reactant conversion with finite rate chemistry. This examination indicates that the bounds of the product formation scale reasonably well with those obtained by the flamelet model. However, in the range of the relatively low values of the Damkoehler numbers considered, the scatter of the results is substantially more than that to be completely determined by the closure.

Steinberger, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The mirror and ion cyclotron anisotropy instabilities

The linear dispersion equation for fully electromagnetic waves and instabilities at arbitrary directions of propagation relative to a background magnetic field B(0) in a homogeneous Vlasov plasma is solved numerically for bi-Maxwellian particle distributions. For isotropic plasmas the dispersion and damping of the three modes below the proton cyclotron frequency are studied as functions of Beta(i) and T(e)/T(i). The transport ratios of helicity, cross-helicity, Alfven ratio, compressibility, and parallel compressibility are defined. Under the condition that the proton temperature perpendicular to B(0) is greater than the parallel temperature, the growth rates and transport ratios of the mirror instability and the ion cyclotron anisotropy instability are examined and compared. Both the proton parallel compressibility and the proton Alfven ratio are significantly different for the two growing modes.

Gary, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A hybrid multigrid technique for computing steady-state solutions to supersonic flows

Recently, Li and Sanders have introduced a class of finite difference schemes to approximate generally discontinuous solutions to hyperbolic systems of conservation laws. These equations have the form together with relevant boundary conditions. When modelling hypersonic spacecraft reentry, the differential equations above are frequently given by the compressible Euler equations coupled with a nonequilibrium chemistry model. For these applications, steady state solutions are often sought. Many tens (to hundreds) of super computer hours can be devoted to a single three space dimensional simulation. The primary difficulty is the inability to rapidly and reliably capture the steady state. In these notes, we demonstrate that a particular variant from the schemes presented can be combined with a particular multigrid approach to capture steady state solutions to the compressible Euler equations in one space dimension. We show that the rate of convergence to steady state coming from this multigrid implementation is vastly superior to the traditional approach of artificial time relaxation. Moreover, we demonstrate virtual grid independence. That is, the rate of convergence does not depend on the degree of spatial grid refinement.

Sanders, Richard↗