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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 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Reinforcement induced microcracking during the conversion of polymer-derived ceramics

This study investigates the role of discontinuous reinforcement on the microcracking of a preceramic polymer matrix during polymer to ceramic conversion. The material system comprised a carbosilane-based, preceramic polymer reinforced with mullite particles. The preceramic resin slurry was formulated for photopolymerization on a digital light projection 3D printer. Micro X-ray computed tomography, using a synchrotron light source, monitored a printed composite part during pyrolysis. The conversion of the carbosilane matrix into Si(O)C generated microcracks in the matrix that radially extended from particles. The likelihood of microcrack formation positively correlated with particle size. The largest particles (>10 4 µm 3 volume or >60 µm side length) always abutted microcracks, while the matrix surrounding smaller particles (<5 µm) was free of microcracks. Numerical calculations showed the particles resist the shrinking matrix during its conversion. This created tensile stresses within the matrix. The driving force for microcrack growth was also analyzed with regard to the influence of matrix material parameters, particle form-factor and crack length. These results reveal the need to consider the form factor of discontinuous reinforcements, with regard to the material properties of the polymer-derived ceramic, in order to reduce or eliminate defects in the final part.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Computational study of the ECN spray C via one-way coupling of internal nozzle flow and ensuing spray

Here, in this study, computational fluid dynamics simulations of the Engine Combustion Network Spray C injector were performed to investigate the effect of the internal nozzle flow on the development of the ensuing spray in automotive fuel injectors. A set of simulation best practices was first developed to achieve an accurate representation of the internal nozzle flow. Detailed, spatiotemporally defined information was extracted at the injector’s orifice exit and stored in maps that were subsequently employed to initialize a Lagrangian spray by means of a static, one-way coupling (OWC) approach. To highlight the impact of the in-nozzle flow on the spray, the OWC approach was compared with the conventional rate-of-injection (ROI) approach, for which the spray parcels are commonly initialized using a blob injection model. The results indicated that, using the ROI approach, considerable evaporation was observed within the plume in the near-nozzle region. On the other hand, the OWC approach showed evidence of evaporation farther downstream and at the plume periphery. The different behavior observed with the two approaches was mostly due to substantial differences in fuel mass distribution. The liquid fuel concentration predicted by the OWC approach matched well with X-ray tomography measurements of projected fuel mass per unit volume, in terms of both magnitude and distribution. In contrast, an unphysical distribution of fuel mass characterized by an extremely low liquid concentration was predicted by the ROI approach. In the far-field, the effect of the in-nozzle flow was found to be weaker as the spray penetrated and interacted with the ambient gas. In this region, the OWC and ROI approaches provided similar predictions of vapor penetration, spray morphology, and mixing-related characteristics.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Orbital selective spin-texture in a topological insulator

Three-dimensional topological insulators support a metallic non-trivial surface state with unique spin texture, where spin and momentum are locked perpendicular to each other. In this work, we investigate the orbital selective spin-texture associated with the topological surface states in Sb2Te{sub 3}, using the first principles calculations. Sb2Te{sub 3} is a strong topological insulator with a p-p type bulk band inversion at the Γ-point and supports a single topological metallic surface state with upper (lower) Dirac-cone has left (right) handed spin-texture. Here, we show that the topological surface state has an additional locking between the spin and orbitals, leading to an orbital selective spin-texture. The out-of-plane orbitals (p{sub z} orbitals) have an isotropic orbital texture for both the Dirac cones with an associated left and right handed spin-texture for the upper and lower Dirac cones, respectively. In contrast, the in-planar orbital texture (p{sub x} and p{sub y} projections) is tangential for the upper Dirac-cone and is radial for the lower Dirac-cone surface state. The dominant in-planar orbital texture in both the Dirac cones lead to a right handed orbital-selective spin-texture.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

A 10{sup 10} solar mass flow of molecular gas in the A1835 brightest cluster galaxy

We report ALMA Early Science observations of the A1835 brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in the CO (3-2) and CO (1-0) emission lines. We detect 5 × 10{sup 10} M {sub ☉} of molecular gas within 10 kpc of the BCG. Its ensemble velocity profile width of ∼130 km s{sup –1} FWHM is too narrow for the molecular clouds to be supported in the galaxy by dynamic pressure. The gas may instead be supported in a rotating, turbulent disk oriented nearly face-on. Roughly 10{sup 10} M {sub ☉} of molecular gas is projected 3-10 kpc to the northwest and to the east of the nucleus with line-of-sight velocities lying between –250 km s{sup –1} and +480 km s{sup –1} with respect to the systemic velocity. The high-velocity gas may be either inflowing or outflowing. However, the absence of high-velocity gas toward the nucleus that would be expected in a steady inflow, and its bipolar distribution on either side of the nucleus, are more naturally explained as outflow. Star formation and radiation from the active galactic nucleus (AGN) are both incapable of driving an outflow of this magnitude. The location of the high-velocity gas projected behind buoyantly rising X-ray cavities and favorable energetics suggest an outflow driven by the radio AGN. If so, the molecular outflow may be associated with a hot outflow on larger scales reported by Kirkpatrick and colleagues. The molecular gas flow rate of approximately 200 M {sub ☉} yr{sup –1} is comparable to the star formation rate of 100-180 M {sub ☉} yr{sup –1} in the central disk. How radio bubbles would lift dense molecular gas in their updrafts, how much gas will be lost to the BCG, and how much will return to fuel future star formation and AGN activity are poorly understood. Our results imply that radio-mechanical (radio-mode) feedback not only heats hot atmospheres surrounding elliptical galaxies and BCGs, but it is able to sweep higher density molecular gas away from their centers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

BRIGHTEST CLUSTER GALAXIES AT THE PRESENT EPOCH

We have obtained photometry and spectroscopy of 433 z ≤ 0.08 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) in a full-sky survey of Abell clusters to construct a BCG sample suitable for probing deviations from the local Hubble flow. The BCG Hubble diagram over 0 < z < 0.08 is consistent to within 2% of the Hubble relation specified by a Ω {sub m} = 0.3, Λ = 0.7 cosmology. This sample allows us to explore the structural and photometric properties of BCGs at the present epoch, their location in their hosting galaxy clusters, and the effects of the cluster environment on their structure and evolution. We revisit the L{sub m} -α relation for BCGs, which uses α, the log-slope of the BCG photometric curve of growth, to predict the metric luminosity in an aperture with 14.3 kpc radius, L{sub m} , for use as a distance indicator. Residuals in the relation are 0.27 mag rms. We measure central stellar velocity dispersions, σ, of the BCGs, finding the Faber-Jackson relation to flatten as the metric aperture grows to include an increasing fraction of the total BCG luminosity. A three-parameter ''metric plane'' relation using α and σ together gives the best prediction of L{sub m} , with 0.21 mag residuals. The distribution of projected spatial offsets, r{sub x} of BCGs from the X-ray-defined cluster center is a steep γ = –2.33 power law over 1 < r{sub x} < 10{sup 3} kpc. The median offset is ∼10 kpc, but ∼15% of the BCGs have r{sub x} > 100 kpc. The absolute cluster-dispersion normalized BCG peculiar velocity |ΔV {sub 1}|/σ {sub c} follows an exponential distribution with scale length 0.39 ± 0.03. Both L{sub m} and α increase with σ {sub c}. The α parameter is further moderated by both the spatial and velocity offset from the cluster center, with larger α correlated with the proximity of the BCG to the cluster mean velocity or potential center. At the same time, position in the cluster has little effect on L{sub m} . Likewise, residuals from the metric plane show no correlation with either the spatial or velocity offset from the cluster center. The luminosity difference between the BCG and second-ranked galaxy, M2, increases as the peculiar velocity of the BCG within the cluster decreases. Further, when M2 is a close luminosity ''rival'' of the BCG, the galaxy that is closest to either the velocity or X-ray center of the cluster is most likely to have the larger α. We conclude that the inner portions of the BCGs are formed outside the cluster, but interactions in the heart of the galaxy cluster grow and extend the envelopes of the BCGs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Cosmology and astrophysics from relaxed galaxy clusters - IV: Robustly calibrating hydrostatic masses with weak lensing

This is the fourth in a series of papers studying the astrophysics and cosmology of massive, dynamically relaxed galaxy clusters. Here, we use measurements of weak gravitational lensing from the Weighing the Giants project to calibrate Chandra X-ray measurements of total mass that rely on the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium. This comparison of X-ray and lensing masses measures the combined bias of X-ray hydrostatic masses from both astrophysical and instrumental sources. While we cannot disentangle the two sources of bias, only the combined bias is relevant for calibrating cosmological measurements using relaxed clusters. Assuming a fixed cosmology, and within a characteristic radius (r 2500 ) determined from the X-ray data, we measure a lensing to X-ray mass ratio of 0.96 ± 9% (stat) ± 9% (sys). We find no significant trends of this ratio with mass, redshift or the morphological indicators used to select the sample. Our results imply that any departures from hydrostatic equilibrium at these radii are offset by calibration errors of comparable magnitude, with large departures of tens-of-percent unlikely. In addition, we find a mean concentration of the sample measured from lensing data of c 200 = 3.0 +4.4 –1.8 . In conclusion, anticipated short-term improvements in lensing systematics, and a modest expansion of the relaxed lensing sample, can easily increase the measurement precision by 30–50%, leading to similar improvements in cosmological constraints that employ X-ray hydrostatic mass estimates, such as on Ω m from the cluster gas mass fraction.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Study of Electric Explosion of Flat Micron-Thick Foils at Current Densities of (5–50)×10 8 A/cm 2

Electric explosions of flat Al, Тi, Ni, Cu, and Та foils with thicknesses of 1–16 μm, widths of 1–8 mm, and lengths of 5–11 mm were studied experimentally on the BIN, XP, and COBRA high-current generators at currents of 40–1000 kA and current densities of (5–50) × 10 8 A/cm 2 . The images of the exploded foils were taken at different angles to the foil surface by using point projection radiography with an X-pinch hot spot as the radiation source, the spatial resolution and exposure time being 3 μm and 50 ps, respectively, as well by the laser probing method with a spatial resolution of 20 μm and an exposure time of 180 ps. In the course of foil explosion, rapidly expanding objects resembling the core and corona of an exploded wire were observed. To this end, it is shown that the core of the exploded foil has a complicated time-varying structure.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Geranium Photodiodes for Hard Xray Detection

This report summarizes the investigations engaged at UC Davis under subcontract B632083, as related to the LLNL-LDRD Project “High-Speed X-Ray Imager Arrays.” The first section entails work done within the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department. The purpose of the work done so far is to understand photodiode design and which parameters are conducive to the design goals, which are: I: Maximize the detector quantum efficiency. The device must have a quantum efficiency of roughly 5% at 80 keV. II: Minimize temporal response. Collection time is limited to 1ns. All charge must be collected in that time. III: Minimize dark current. In this document, various photodiode parameters and designs are explored, and their impact on these goals are tabulated. In addition to these, various instruments that have been constructed for either testing these parameters or helping teammates with their experiments. The second section entails work done with the Materials Science Engineering (MSE) Department. In accordance with the proposed development of the germanium ROIC backside imagers, a critical step in the micromachining of these devices was the removal of the substrate on which the PIN junctions were epitaxially grown. A common technique for the micromachining of silicon wafers is the use of chemical etching alongside an “etch-stop” layer. In this technique, a chemical etchant will remove material until it reaches the etch-stop layer, at which the etch rate will drop significantly. This high selectivity (ratio of etch rates) allows any unevenness in the initial etching to be effectively smoothed away in the event that part of the wafer surface reaches the etch-stop layer sooner than another. An initial literature review found a paper by Divan et al. in which the authors used ion implantation to dope germanium wafers and achieve selectivity on the order of 100, sufficient for a reliable etch-stop.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Screening and qualification methodology for SiC end plug processing methods

Deployment of SiC-ceramic-based fuel cladding for light water reactors requires a hermetic end plug–to–cladding joint that can withstand neutron irradiation during normal operation and maintain integrity during design-basis accidents. Reactor experiments have shown that some SiC composite tubes with SiC end plugs can retain hermeticity after irradiation. However, achieving consistent joint performance under irradiation remains a key challenge. Resolving this issue is essential to enable integral irradiation testing and to demonstrate fuel integrity under commercial-reactor irradiation conditions. This report aims to: (1) provide guidance for designing radiation-tolerant end plug joints for SiC cladding; (2) demonstrate experimental methods to detect processing defects that are unstable under neutron irradiation at light-water-reactor-relevant temperatures and doses; and (3) outline a step-by-step approach for designing and conducting reactor experiments to screen joining methods. The resulting data will be used to improve joint processing and to define critical defect types and sizes that must be detected and eliminated through non-destructive evaluation for quality assurance. Based on prior irradiation experiments at the High Flux Isotope Reactor, differential swelling among the cladding, bonding layer, and end plug was identified as an underlying mechanism for irradiation-induced joint degradation. Accordingly, this effect must be considered in the design of radiation-tolerant joining techniques. In this work, miniature SiC end plug joint specimens irradiated during the previous project were analyzed using X-ray computed tomography to characterize the joint microstructure. Digital volume correlation of the tomography data quantified radiation-induced microstructural changes and enabled evaluation of defect-related risks. Finally, ongoing neutron irradiation efforts using larger specimen volumes are presented. These efforts aim to statistically assess joint performance and to build a microstructure–performance (e.g., leak-tightness) dataset to inform processing improvements and quality control.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Monthly Quality-filtered Aggregation of NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of AVHRR Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR), Version 5

This dataset contains gridded monthly Leaf Area Index (LAI) derived from the daily NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of AVHRR Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR), Version 5. This data record spans from 1981 to 2018 using data from eight NOAA polar orbiting satellites: NOAA-7, -9, -11, -14, -16, -17, -18 and -19. The data are projected on a 0.05 degree x 0.05 degree global grid, as in the original CDR. The original CDR is one of the Land Surface CDR Version 5 products produced by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the University of Maryland (UMD), which is accompanied by algorithm documentation, data flow diagram and source code for the NOAA CDR Program. This dataset is in the netCDF-4 file format following ACDD and CF Conventions. This dataset has applied quality assurance information to only include "OK" data from the original CDR in the monthly aggregation.

Vermote, Eric [NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (G↗
DOE OSTI2026

Monthly Quality-filtered Aggregation of NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of AVHRR (Version 5) and VIIRS (Version 1) Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR)

This dataset contains gridded monthly Leaf Area Index (LAI) derived from the daily NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of AVHRR (Version 5) and VIIRS (Version 1) Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR). This data record spans from 1981 to 2024 using data from NOAA polar orbiting satellites: NOAA-7, -9, -11, -14, -16, -17, -18, -19 and S-NPP. The data are projected on a 0.05 degree x 0.05 degree global grid, as in the original CDR. The original CDR is one of the Land Surface CDR products produced by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the University of Maryland (UMD), which is accompanied by algorithm documentation, data flow diagram and source code for the NOAA CDR Program. This dataset is in the netCDF-4 file format following ACDD and CF Conventions. This dataset has applied quality assurance information to only include "OK" data from the original CDR in the monthly aggregation.

Vermote, Eric [NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (G↗
NASA NTRS1972

Alignment microscope for rotating laser scanner

Microscopic assembly for alignment of rotary laser focuses on small film area along scan line at oblique angle. Suitable choice of angle and location of optical components project laser beam line as X coordinate reticle. Coordination with horizontal recticle line included microscope facilitates Y coordinate position indexing.

Maciel, A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Use of hydrophilic polymer coatings for control of electroosmosis and protein adsorption

The purpose of this project was to examine the utility of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran coatings for control of electroosmosis and protein adsorption; electroosmosis is an important, deleterious process affecting electrophoretic separations, and protein adsorption is a factor which needs to be controlled during protein crystal growth to avoid multiple nucleation sites. Performance of the project required use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to refine previously developed synthetic methods. The results of this spectroscopic examination are reported. Measurements of electroosmotic mobility of charged particles in appropriately coated capillaries reveals that a new, one-step route to coating capillaries gives a surface in which electroosmosis is dramatically reduced. Similarly, both PEG and dextran coatings were shown by protein adsorption measurements to be highly effective at reducing protein adsorption on solid surfaces. These results should have impact on future low-g electrophoretic and protein crystal growth experiments.

Harris, J. Milton↗
NASA NTRS1994

Diamond turning in the production of x ray optics

A demonstration x-ray optic has been produced by diamond turning and replication techniques that could revolutionize the fabrication of advanced mirror assemblies. The prototype optic was developed as part of the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility - Spectrographic project (AXAF-S). The initial part of the project was aimed at developing and testing the replica technique so that it could potentially be used for the production of the entire mirror array comprised of up to 50 individual mirror shells.

Fawcett, Steven C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Protein crystal growth results from the United States Microgravity Laboratory-1 mission

Protein crystal growth experiments have been performed by this laboratory on 18 Space Shuttle missions since April, 1985. In addition, a number of microgravity experiments also have been performed and reported by other investigators. These Space Shuttle missions have been used to grow crystals of a variety of proteins using vapor diffusion, liquid diffusion, and temperature-induced crystallization techniques. The United States Microgravity Laboratory - 1 mission (USML-1, June 25 - July 9, 1992) was a Spacelab mission dedicated to experiments involved in materials processing. New protein crystal growth hardware was developed to allow in orbit examination of initial crystal growth results, the knowledge from which was used on subsequent days to prepare new crystal growth experiments. In addition, new seeding hardware and techniques were tested as well as techniques that would prepare crystals for analysis by x-ray diffraction, a capability projected for the planned Space Station. Hardware that was specifically developed for the USML-1 mission will be discussed along with the experimental results from this mission.

Delucas, Lawrence J.↗
NASA NTRS2005

A Chief Engineer's View of the NASA X-43A Scramjet Flight Test

This paper presents an overview of the preparation and execution of the first two flights of the NASA X-43A scramjet flight test project. The project consisted of three flights, two planned for Mach 7 and one for Mach 10. The first flight, conducted on June 2, 2001, was unsuccessful and resulted in a nine-month mishap investigation. A two-year return to flight effort ensued and concluded when the second Mach 7 flight was successfully conducted on March 27, 2004. The challenges faced by the project team as they prepared the first ever scramjet-powered airplane for flight are presented. Modifications made to the second flight vehicle as a result of the first flight failure and the return to flight activities are discussed. Flight results and lessons learned are also presented.

Marshall, Laurie A.↗