Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “sampled value”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 613 records · Page 34

Multi-Omics Study of the Effect of Redox-Active Metalloporphyrin on Murine Retina During Spaceflight

Astronauts returning from spaceflight have experienced eye problems, which may decrease retinal performance and lead to long-term effects on visual acuity. This study leverages the collected data from spaceflown murine retinas that were treated with redox-active metalloporphyrin (BuOE) to mitigate spaceflight-induced changes and respective ground controls. 10-week-old adult C57BL/6 male mice (n=5 in each of BuOE treated and saline control groups for spaceflown and ground control samples) were flown on Space-X 24 to the ISS national lab, kept in low earth orbit for 35 days and returned to Earth alive. Our multi-omics analysis of RNA-sequencing and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) data generated from subsequent murine retina tissues uncovered genes, pathways, and epigenetic modifications consistent with therapeutic potential of BuOE. From RNA-Seq analysis of spaceflown murine samples, the treatment group show differentially expressed genes relative to saline controls that reached significance (adjusted p-value < 0.05) and included genes Gpx3 and Crhbp, which are related to protection against cell oxidative damage and cellular response to organonitrogen compounds. Ranked fold-changes from the same contrast were used for gene set enrichment analysis, which showed biological processes reaching significance (adjusted p-value < 0.05) including glutathione metabolic processes and cellular response to xenobiotic stimulus. RRBS data of the spaceflown murine samples found 139 hyper or hypo differentially methylated sites spread across chromosomes 1-19 (20% promoters, 21% exons, 43% introns | 20 CpG islands, 7 CpG shores) with a 10% methylation difference (q-value < 0.05).The findings from this investigation have the potential to provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying conditions like spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome and assess the effectiveness of BuOE as a countermeasure for astronauts experiencing neuro-ophthalmic abnormalities, which can lead to long-term effects on visual acuity.

Biostatistics↗

Beneficiation of ilmenite from lumar analog

The results reported were obtained on a meteoric eucrite sample called Millbillillie Sample no. 173. Optical microscopy studies of the sample showed it to consist of ilmenite, troilite, and transparent gangue. The transparent gangue consisted of feldspar (anorthite), pyroxenes, olivines, and opaques. Troilite was present in minor quantities. Screen assay analyses of the 30, 100, 200, and 400 US mesh screen fractions showed that minor concentration of titanium occurred in the 200 x 400 and -400 mesh screen fractions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of the bulk sample showed the presence of a variety of ilmenite grains, ranging from 50 microns down to less than 1 micron without any evidence of liberation. Electron Diffraction Scans (EDS) confirmed the ratio of Fe to Ti in the ilmenite grains. Dry magnetic separation in a Frantz Isodynamic Separator was found to be effective only at sizes finer than 150 microns (100 US mesh) and more so at 200 mesh (74 microns). In each case, dedusting of the sample to remove -400 mesh (-0.037 microns) fines was required. Liberation size was determined to be 200 mesh and finer. The highest grade concentrate assaying 3.45 percent Ti was produced by magnetic separation of the -200 + 400 mesh screen fraction assaying 0.44 Ti (from a -30 mesh sample) at a current setting of 0.35 AMP. This concentrate contained 21.2 percent of the Ti values in the screen fraction with 2.72 weight percent of feed to test. The results can be projected to a sample stage ground to -200 mesh. Magnetic separation of the 200 + 400 mesh (-0.074 + 0.037 microns) should produce a concentrate accounting for 1.41 weight percent of the feed. This concentrate will analyze 3.45 percent Ti and contain 10.3 percent of the Ti values in the feed. By changing the Frantz Magnetic Separator settings, a lower grade concentrate analyzing 0.98 percent Ti can be produced at an increased recovery of 25.4 percent. The concentrate weight will be 11.7 percent of the feed. It must be emphasized that improved grades and recoveries can be obtained with the -400 mesh fines. However, beneficiation of these extremely fine materials is not possible in a practical process scheme.

Ramadorai, G.↗

Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect Imaging of MACS Galaxy Clusters at z greater than 0.5

We present 30 GHz interferometric SZE measurements of a redshift limited, X-ray selected cluster sample from the Massive Cluster Survey (MACS). All eight of the high redshift (z.0.5, dec greater than -15) galaxy clusters were detected. Additional observations were made at 4.8 GHz with the Very Large Array to help constrain the amount of point source contamination to the SZE decrements. From SZE data alone, we derive electron temperatures in the range 5.5-18.5 keV and total masses between 1.5 and 2.6 x 10 circumflex 14 M_sun within a 65 arcsecond radius for the eight clusters. Six of the clusters are MACS discoveries, while two (C10016+1609 and MS 0451.6-0305) were detected by previous X-ray observations and have been recently observed with the Chandra observatory. The X-ray derived temperatures and masses for Cl0016+ 1609 and MS 0451.6-0305 are in good agreement with the SZE-derived values. Strong detections of the SZE signal in this sample of MACS objects confirms that they are hot, massive clusters.

Laroque, S. J.↗

Simulating the Diffusion of Hydrogen in Amorphous Silicates: A ‘Jumping’ Migration Process and its Implications for Solar Wind Implanted Lunar Volatiles

We use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to better explain the movement of atomic hydrogen in amorphous silica and quantify the planetary science implications of these findings. Previous MD simulations had a large range of predicted values and did not agree well with experiment. Our simulations sample atomic motion for a longer duration and consider a wider range of temperatures than previous simulations. In contrast to constant atomic motion, the hydrogen atoms were shown to undergo random intermittent jumps from one oxygen atom to another, the number of which increase with temperature. Predicted diffusion coefficients had a better agreement to experimental values than previous MD simulations, suggesting the importance of longer simulation durations for better statistics. The low activation energy and jumps observed at lunar temperatures do not support the theory of diurnal variations in OH content for an undamaged amorphous silica surface. Instead, we conclude that energetic solar wind impacts can induce two competing atomic hydrogen motion processes in the exposed surface: A prompt effect that induces jumps in the temperature spike volume, but also a long term effect of damage in the structure that traps atomic hydrogen. We then use SDTrimSP to quantify the damage created during exposure and MD to demonstrate the H retention and trapping near these defects. Damage was shown to be dependent on impact energy, with defects easily retaining implanted hydrogen. MD results like those presented herein on unweathered surfaces are therefore most relevant to magnetic anomalies. As a result, we demonstrate the importance of lunar volatile models to account for the damage state of the substrate when modelling hydrogen diffusion, retention, and subsequent OH/water production.

Liam S. Morrissey↗

Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect Imaging of Macs Galaxy Clusters at =>0.5

We present 30 GHz interferometric Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect (SZE) measurements of a redshift-limited, X-ray-selected cluster sample from the Massive Cluster Survey (MACS). All eight of the high-redshift (z > 0.5, delta > -15 deg) galaxy clusters were detected. Additional observations were made at 4.8 GHz with the Very Large Array to help constrain the amount of point source contamination to the SZE decrements. From SZE data alone, we derive electron temperatures in the range 5.5-18.5 keV and total masses between 1.5 and 2.6 x 10(exp 14)/h solar masses within a 65 minute radius (0.28/h Mpc at z = 0.5) for the eight clusters. Six of the clusters are MACS discoveries, while two (C10016+1609 and MS 0451.6-0305) were detected by previous X-ray observations and have been recently observed with the Chandra observatory. The X-ray-derived temperatures and masses for C10016+1609 and MS 0451.6-0305 are in good agreement with the SZE derived values. Strong detections of the SZE signal in this sample of MACS objects confirm that they are hot, massive clusters.

LaRoque, Samuel↗

Optimum thermal infrared bands for mapping general rock type and temperature from space

A study was carried out to determine quantitatively the number and location of spectral bands required to perform general rock type discrimination from spaceborne imaging sensors using only thermal infrared measurements. Beginning with laboratory spectra collected under idealized conditions from relatively well-characterized homogeneous samples, a radiative transfer model was used to transform ground exitance values into the corresponding spectral radiance at the top of the atmosphere. Taking sensor noise into account, analysis of these data revealed that three 1 micron wide spectral bands would permit independent estimations of rock type and sample temperature from a satellite infrared multispectral scanner. This study, which ignores the mixing of terrain elements within the instantaneous field of view of a satellite scanner, indicates that the location of three spectral bands at 8.1-9.1, 9.5-10.5, and 11.0-12.0 microns, and the employment of appropriate preprocessing to minimize atmospheric effects makes it possible to predict general rock type and temperature for a variety of atmospheric states and temperatures.

Holmes, Q. A.↗

Nonuniform sampling techniques for antenna applications

A two-dimensional sampling technique, which can employ irregularly spaced samples (amplitude and phase) in order to generate the complete far-field patterns is presented. The technique implements a matrix inversion algorithm, which depends only on the nonuniform sampled data point locations and with no dependence on the actual field values at these points. A powerful simulation algorithm is presented to allow a real-life simulation of many reflector/feed configurations and to determine the usefulness of the nonuniform sampling technique for the copolar and cross-polar patterns. Additionally, an overlapped window concept and a generalized error simulation model are discussed to identify the stability of the technique for recovering the field data among the nonuniform sampled data. Numerical results are tailored for the pattern reconstruction of a 20-m offset reflector antenna operating at L-band. This reflector is planned to be used in a proposed measurement concept of large antenna aboard the Space Shuttle, whereby it would be almost impractical to accurately control the movement of the Shuttle with respect to the RF source in prescribed directions in order to generate uniform sampled points. Also, application of the nonuniform sampling technique to patterns obtained using near-field measured data is demonstrated. Finally, results of an actual far-field measurement are presented for the construction of patterns of a reflector antenna from a set of nonuniformly distributed measured amplitude and phase data.

Rahmat-Samii, Yahya↗

Buoyant Effects on the Flammability of Silicone Samples Planned for the Spacecraft Fire Experiment (Saffire)

Flammability experiments on silicone samples were conducted in anticipation of the Spacecraft Fire Experiment (Saffire). The sample geometry was chosen to match the NASA 6001 Test 1 specification, namely 5 cm wide by 30 cm tall. Four thicknesses of silicone (0.25, 0.36, 0.61 and 1.00 mm) were examined. Tests included traditional upward buoyant flame spread using Test 1 procedures, downward opposed flow flame spread, horizontal and angled flame spread, forced flow upward and downward flame spread. In addition to these configurations, upward and downward tests were also conducted in a chamber with varying oxygen concentrations. In the upward buoyant flame spread tests, the flame generally did not burn the entire sample. As thickness was increased, the flame spread distance decreased before flame extinguishment. For the thickest sample, ignition could not be achieved. In the downward tests, the two thinnest samples permitted the flame to burn the entire sample, but the spread rate was lower compared to the corresponding upward values. The other two thicknesses could not be ignited in the downward configuration. The increased flammability for downward spreading flames relative to upward ones is uncommon. The two thinnest samples also burned completely in the horizontal configuration, as well as at angles up to 75 degrees from the horizontal. The upward and downward flammability behavior was compared in atmospheres of varying oxygen concentration to determine a maximum oxygen concentration for each configuration. Upward tests in air with an added forced flow were more flammable. Complementary analyses using SEM and TGA techniques suggest the importance of the silica layer formed on the burned sample surface. As silicone burns upward, silica deposits downstream •If the silicone is ignited in the downward configuration, it burns the entire length of the sample •Burning upward at an angle increases the burn length in some cases possibly due to less silica deposition •Forced flow in the upward burning case increases flammability, likely due to an increase in convective flow preventing silica from depositing •Samples in upward configuration burning under forced flow self extinguish after forced flow is removed

Flammability↗

Buoyant Effects on the Flammability of Silicone Samples Planned for the Spacecraft Fire Experiment (Saffire)

Flammability experiments on silicone samples were conducted in anticipation of the Spacecraft Fire Experiment (Saffire). The sample geometry was chosen to match the NASA 6001 Test 1 specification, namely 5 cm wide by 30 cm tall. Four thicknesses of silicone (0.25, 0.36, 0.61 and 1.00 mm) were examined. Tests included traditional upward buoyant flame spread using Test 1 procedures, downward opposed-flow flame spread, horizontal and angled flame spread, and forced-flow upward and downward flame spread. In addition to these configurations, upward and downward tests were conducted in a chamber with varying oxygen concentrations. In the upward buoyant flame spread tests, the flame generally did not burn the entire sample. As thickness was increased, the flame spread distance decreased before flame extinguishment. For the thickest sample, ignition could not be achieved. In the downward tests, the two thinnest samples permitted the flame to burn the entire sample, but the spread rate was lower compared to the corresponding upward values. The other two thicknesses could not be ignited in the downward configuration. The increased flammability for downward spreading flames relative to upward ones is uncommon. The two thinnest samples also burned completely in the horizontal configuration, as well as at angles up to 75 degrees from the horizontal. Upward tests in air with an added forced flow were more flammable. The upward and downward flammability behavior was compared in atmospheres of varying oxygen concentration to determine a maximum oxygen concentration for each configuration. Complementary analyses using EDS, TGA, and SEM techniques suggest the importance of the silica layer deposited downstream onto the unburned sample surface.

Flammability↗

Ar-40/Ar-36 variations in Apollo 15 and 16 regolith

Values of Ar-40/Ar-36 have been determined for a large number of Apollo 15 and Apollo 16 fines, including samples from a range of depths in the Apollo 15 and 16 deep drill cores. Most of the Ar-40 in these samples is 'excess Ar-40' in that it has not been produced by in situ decay of K. Values of Ar-40/Ar-36 range from 0.74 to 4.35 and demonstrate that the regolith is not well mixed over depths of several cm or over surface distances greater than about 100 m. However, fines collected over surface distances of less than a few tens of meters tend to possess similar ratios. Values of Ar-40/Ar-36 in the Apollo 15 drill core increase with depth by nearly a factor of four (0.74 to 2.86) in the 0 to 80 cm depth range, then decrease for greater depths. Values of Ar-40/Ar-36 in the Apollo 16 drill core are nearly constant at about 1.3, except for the deepest sample analyzed (about 2.7). Concentrations of glass-bonded agglutinate particles in the fines tend to correlate with lower Ar-40/Ar-36, and may indicate that dynamic regolith processes also affect the trapped Ar-40/Ar-36.

Bogard, D. D.↗

Multirate sampled-data yaw-damper and modal suppression system design

A multirate control law synthesized algorithm based on an infinite-time quadratic cost function, was developed along with a method for analyzing the robustness of multirate systems. A generalized multirate sampled-data control law structure (GMCLS) was introduced. A new infinite-time-based parameter optimization multirate sampled-data control law synthesis method and solution algorithm were developed. A singular-value-based method for determining gain and phase margins for multirate systems was also developed. The finite-time-based parameter optimization multirate sampled-data control law synthesis algorithm originally intended to be applied to the aircraft problem was instead demonstrated by application to a simpler problem involving the control of the tip position of a two-link robot arm. The GMCLS, the infinite-time-based parameter optimization multirate control law synthesis method and solution algorithm, and the singular-value based method for determining gain and phase margins were all demonstrated by application to the aircraft control problem originally proposed for this project.

Berg, Martin C.↗

Optimum thermal infrared bands for mapping general rock type and temperature from space

A study was carried out to determine quantitatively the number and locations of spectral bands required to perform general rock-type discrimination from spaceborne imaging sensors using only thermal infrared measurements. Beginning with laboratory spectra collected under idealized conditions from relatively well characterized, homogeneous samples, a radiative transfer model was employed to transform ground exitance values into the corresponding spectral radiance at the top of the atmosphere. Taking sensor noise into account analysis of these data revealed that three 1 micrometer wide spectral bands would permit independent estimators of rock-type and sample temperature from a satellite infrared multispectral scanner. This study, indicates that the location of three spectral bands at 8.1-9.1 micrometers, 9.5-10.5 micrometers and 11.0-12.0 micrometers, and the employment of appropriate preprocessing to minimize atmospheric effects makes it possible to predict general rock-type and temperature for a variety of atmospheric states and temperatures.

Holmes, Q. A.↗

Using Vanadium in Spinel as a Sensor of Oxygen Fugacity in Meteorites: Applications to Mars, Vesta, and Other Asteroids

Igneous and metamorphic rocks commonly contain a mineral assemblage that allows oxygen fugacity to be calculated or constrained such as FeTi oxides, olivine-opx-spinel, or some other oxybarometer [1]. Some rocks, however, contain a limited mineral assemblage and do not provide constraints on fO2 using mineral equilibria. Good examples of the latter are orthopyroxenites or dunites, such as diogenites, ALH 84001, chassignites, or brachinites. In fact it is no surprise that the fO2 of many of these samples is not well known, other than being "reduced" and below the metal saturation value. In order to bridge this gap in our understanding, we have initiated a study of V in chromites in natural meteorite samples. Because the V pre-edge peak intensity and energy in chromites varies with fO2 (Fig. 1) [2], and this has been calibrated over a large fO 2 range, we can apply this relation to rocks for which we otherwise have no fO2 constraints.

Righter, K.↗

Lithological Variation with Depth and Decoupling of Maturity Parameters in Apollo 16 Regolith Core 68001/2

Using FerroMagnetic Resonance (FMR) and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), we have determined the maturity (surface exposure) parameter I(sub s)/FeO and concentrations of twenty- five chemical elements on samples taken every half centimeter down the 61-cm length of the 68001/2 regolith core (double drive tube) collected at station 8 on the Apollo 16 mission to the Moon. Contrary to premission expectations, no ejecta or other influence from South Ray crater is evident in the core, although a small inflection in the I(sub s)/FeO profile at 3 cm depth may be related the South Ray crater impact. Regolith maturity generally decreases with depth, as in several previously studied cores. We recognize five compositionally distinct units in the core, which we designate A through E, although all are similar in composition to each other and to other soils from the Cayley plains at the Apollo 16 site. Unit A (0-33 cm) is mature to submature throughout (I(sub s)/FeO: 89-34 units) and is indistinguishable in composition from surface soils collected at station 8. Unit B (33-37 cm) is enriched slightly in a component of anorthositic norite composition. Unit D (42-53 cm) is compositionally equivalent to 80 wt% Unit-A soil plus 20 wt% Apollo-16-type dimict breccia consisting of subequal parts anorthosite and impact-melt breccia. Compared to Unit A, Unit E (53-61 cm) contains a small proportion (up to 4%) of some component compositionally similar to Apollo 14 sample 14321. Unit C (37-42 cm) is unusual. For lithophile and siderophile elements, it is similar to Units A and D. However, I(sub s)/FeO is low throughout the unit (less than 30 units) and in a bluish-gray zone at 41 cm depth I(sub s)/FeO drops to 1.6 units, the lowest value that we have observed in several hundred Apollo 16 soil samples. Samples from the bluish-gray zone also have low Zn concentrations, less than 10 micro g/g, compared to 20-30 micro g/g for the rest of the core. Although both values are consistent with fragmented rock material that has received virtually no surface exposure, the abundance of agglutinates in the bluish-gray soil of Unit C is moderately high, typical of a submature soil that would ordinarily have I(sub s)/FeO - 30. We believe that the anomalously low values of I(sub s)/FeO and Zn concentration result because the soil was heated to -800-1000 'C, probably during an impact. This temperature range is sufficient to volatize the surface-correlated Zn and agglomerate the nanophase metal giving rise to the FMR signal but is not great enough to sinter the soil. Alternatively, the unusual soil interval may represent a disaggregated or incipient regolith breccia, although there is no significant difference in the texture or clast-matrix relationships between Unit C and adjacent units.

Korotev, Randy L.↗

Chlorine Isotopic Compositions of Apatite in Apollo 14 Rocks: Evidence for Widespread Vapor-Phase Metasomatism on the Lunar Nearside ~4 Billion Years Ago

Compared to most other planetary materials in the Solar System, some lunar rocks display high delta (sup 37) Cl signatures. Loss of Cl in a H<<Cl environment has been invoked to explain the heavy signatures observed in lunar samples, either during volcanic eruptions onto the lunar surface or during large scale degassing of the lunar magma ocean. To explore the conditions under which Cl isotope fractionation occurred in lunar basaltic melts, five Apollo 14 crystalline samples were selected (14053,19, 14072,13, 14073,9, 14310,171 along with basaltic clast 14321,1482) for in situ analysis of Cl isotopes using secondary ion mass spectrometry. Cl isotopes were measured within the mineral apatite, with delta (sup 37) Cl values ranging from +14.6 ± 1.6 per mille to +40.0 ± 2.9 per mille. These values expand the range previously reported for apatite in lunar rocks, and include some of the heaviest Cl isotope compositions measured in lunar samples to date. The data here do not display a trend between increasing rare earth elements contents and delta (sup 37) Cl values, reported in previous studies. Other processes that can explain the wide inter- and intra-sample variability of delta (sup 37) Cl values are explored. Magmatic degassing is suggested to have potentially played a role in fractionating Cl isotope in these samples. Degassing alone, however, could not create the wide variability in isotopic signatures. Our favored hypothesis, to explain small scale heterogeneity, is late-stage interaction with a volatile-rich gas phase, originating from devolatilization of lunar surface regolith rocks ~4 billion years ago. This period coincides with vapor-induced metasomastism recorded in other lunar samples collected at the Apollo 16 and 17 landing sites, pointing to the possibility of widespread volatile-induced metasomatism on the lunar nearside at that time, potentially attributed to the Imbrium formation event.

apatit↗

Effects of orbital exposure on Halar during the LDEF mission

Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were performed on samples of Halar exposed on the LDEF Mission for 6 years in orbit and unexposed Halar control samples. Sections 10-100 microns thick were removed from the exposed surface down to a depth of 1,000 microns through the 3 mm thick samples. The TMA and DSC results, which arise from the entire slice and not just its surface, showed no differences between the LDEF and the control samples. TMA scans were run from ambient to 300 C; results were compared by a tabulation of the glass transition temperatures. DSC scans were run from ambient to 700 C; the enthalpy of melting was compared for the samples as a function of section depth with the sample. The TGA results, which arise from the surface of the sample initially, showed a sharp increase in the topmost 50 micron section (the exposed, discolored side) in the weight loss of 170 C in oxygen. This weight loss dropped to bulk values in the range of depth of 50-200 microns. The control sample showed only a slight increase in weight loss as the top surface was approached. The LDEF Halar sample appears to be mechanically undamaged, with a surface layer which oxidizes faster as a result of orbital exposure.

Brower, William E., Jr.↗

Comparison of the Results of MISSE 6 Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yields of Layered Kapton H Films with Monte Carlo Computational Predictions

A space experiment flown as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment 6B (MISSE 6B) was designed to compare the atomic oxygen erosion yield (Ey) of layers of Kapton H polyimide with no spacers between layers with that of layers of Kapton H with spacers between layers. The results were compared to a solid Kapton H (DuPont, Wilmington, DE) sample. Monte Carlo computational modeling was performed to optimize atomic oxygen interaction parameter values to match the results of both the MISSE 6B multilayer experiment and the undercut erosion profile from a crack defect in an aluminized Kapton H sample flown on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). The Monte Carlo modeling produced credible agreement with space results of increased Ey for all samples with spacers as well as predicting the space-observed enhancement in erosion near the edges of samples due to scattering from the beveled edges of the sample holders.

Oxygen atoms↗

Trace gas emissions from a mid-latitude prescribed chaparral fire

Smoke-plume gas samples were collected at altitudes from 35-670 m above the ground over the San Dimas Experimental Forest during a 400-acre prescribed chaparral fire. Mean emission ratios relative to CO2 for CO, H2, CH4, and total nonmethane hydrocarbons were lower than previous values obtained for large biomass-burning field experiments. Comparison of samples from vigorously flaming and mixed stages of combustion revealed little differences in CO2 normalized emission ratios for these gases (except for N2O).

Cofer, Wesley R., III↗