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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
NASA NTRS1981

ECC ozonesonde performance at high altitudes: Pump efficiency

The ECC ozonesonde sampling behavior was examined at pressures ranging from 60 to 6 hPa with the objective of evaluating uncertainties in high altitude ozone data caused by variations in pumping efficiency. The averaged pump efficiency correction curve for a 43 sample set of 3A type ECC pumps showed a 2-3% bias from the curve provided by the manufacturer. In addition, random pump to pump variations (2 sigma) + or - were 5% at 6 hPa. These values probably represent minimum errors since the pumps were from the same production batch. A seven sample set of the newer 4A type ECC pumps was examined, with similar findings as for the 3A types.

Torres, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A new determination of the ultraviolet heating efficiency of the thermosphere

Experimental measurements of relevant parameters over the last five years have made possible an accurate reassessment of the thermospheric heating efficiency for solar ultraviolet photons. The outcome of a steady state calculation applicable to mid-latitudes is reported here. The results are found to be significantly different from an earlier determination, both in magnitude and in variation with altitude. The heating efficiency is approximately 50% near the peak of the extreme ultraviolet energy deposition and falls to approximately 10% near 400 km. The implications for the understanding of the thermospheric energy budget are significant. The various energy channels by which solar energy is transferred to the neutral atmosphere are quantified and summer/winter and solar maximum/solar minimum conditions are compared.

Torr, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Interactions of efficiency and material requirements for terrestrial silicon solar cells

The transport velocity transformation method was used to analyze solar cell designs to determine optimum cell structures. It was found that low resistivity materials should be used up to the onset of Auger recombination; a properly designed three-layer structure permits base region approaching an ideal device in performance; and that higher resistivity front regions will need more sophisticated grid metallization structures than those used now. It was concluded that new features will provide idealized silicon cell structures yielding airmass 1 efficiencies in the 24-26.5% range, with real efficiencies near 22%.

Bowler, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

High efficiency wraparound contact solar cells /HEWACS/

A cell technology, producing high efficiency wrap-around contact solar cells (HEWACS), with both electrical contacts on the back and AMO conversion efficiencies of almost 15%, is presented. A flow chart indicating the baseline process sequence along with the process changes is given. Tests checking for coating delamination and contact integrity, those measuring contact strength, and thermal cycle tests, successfully demonstrated that this cell technology is ready to be moved to the pilot production stage.

Gillanders, M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Effect of zinc impurity on silicon solar-cell efficiency

Zinc is a major residue impurity in the preparation of solar-grade silicon material by the zinc vapor reduction of silicon tetrachloride. This paper projects that in order to get a 17-percent AM1 cell efficiency for the Block IV module of the Low-Cost Solar Array Project, the concentration of the zinc recombination centers in the base region of silicon solar cells must be less than 4 x 10 to the 11th Zn/cu cm in the p-base n+/p/p+ cell and 7 x 10 to the 11th Zn/cu cm in the n-base p+/n/n+ cell for a base dopant impurity concentration of 5 x 10 to the 14 atoms/cu cm. If the base dopant impurity concentration is increased by a factor of 10 to 5 x 10 to the 15th atoms/cu cm, then the maximum allowable zinc concentration is increased by a factor of about two for a 17-percent AM1 efficiency. The thermal equilibrium electron and hole recombination and generation rates at the double-acceptor zinc centers are obtained from previous high-field measurements as well as new measurements at zero field described in this paper. These rates are used in the exact dc-circuit model to compute the projections.

Sah, C.-T.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Information efficiency of line-scan imaging mechanisms

Information theory is used to formulate a single figure of merit for assessing the performance of line-scan imaging systems as a function of their spatial response (PSF or MTF), sensitivity, and sampling and quantization intervals and of the statistical properties of a random radiance field. Information density and efficiency (i.e., the ratio of information density to data density) tend to be optimum when the MTF and sampling passband of the imaging system are matched to the Wiener spectrum of the radiance field. Computational results for the statistical properties of natural radiance fields and the responses of common line-scan imaging mechanisms indicate that information density and efficiency are not strongly sensitive to variations in typical statistical properties of the radiance field and that the best practically realizable performance is approached when the sampling intervals are approximately 0.5-0.7 times the equivalent diameter of the PSF.

Huck, F. O.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The effects of focusing on the efficiency of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering

The efficiency of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) is calculated as a function of the input beam sizes of the Stokes and pump laser beams. A Green's function formalism is used to show that maximum efficiency occurs when the confocal parameters of the two input beams are unequal and when the phase mismatch between the anti-Stokes field and the nonlinear polarization is nonzero.

Guha, S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The liquid droplet radiator - An ultralightweight heat rejection system for efficient energy conversion in space

A heat rejection system for space is described which uses a recirculating free stream of liquid droplets in place of a solid surface to radiate waste heat. By using sufficiently small droplets (less than about 100 micron diameter) of low vapor pressure liquids (tin, tin-lead-bismuth eutectics, vacuum oils) the radiating droplet sheet can be made many times lighter than the lightest solid surface radiators (heat pipes). The liquid droplet radiator (LDR) is less vulnerable to damage by micrometeoroids than solid surface radiators, and may be transported into space far more efficiently. Analyses are presented of LDR applications in thermal and photovoltaic energy conversion which indicate that fluid handling components (droplet generator, droplet collector, heat exchanger, and pump) may comprise most of the radiator system mass. Even the unoptimized models employed yield LDR system masses less than heat pipe radiator system masses, and significant improvement is expected using design approaches that incorporate fluid handling components more efficiently. Technical problems (e.g., spacecraft contamination and electrostatic deflection of droplets) unique to this method of heat rejection are discussed and solutions are suggested.

Mattick, A. T.↗
NASA NTRS1981

High efficiency ion beam accelerator system

An ion accelerator system that successfully combines geometrical and electrostatic focusing principles is presented. This accelerator system uses thin, concave, multiple-hole, closely spaced graphite screen and focusing grids which are coupled to single slot accelerator and decelerator grids to provide high ion extraction efficiency and good focusing. Tests with the system showed a substantial improvement in ion beam current density and collimation as compared with a Pierce electrode configuration. Durability of the thin graphite screen and focusing grids has been proven, and tests are being performed to determine the minimum screen and focusing grid spacing and thickness required to extract the maximum reliable beam current density. Compared with present neutral beam injector accelerator systems, this one has more efficient ion extraction, easier grid alignment, easier fabrication, a less cumbersome design, and the capacity to be constructed in a modular fashion. Conceptual neutral beam injector designs using this modular approach have electrostatic beam deflection plates downstream of each module.

Aston, G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Evaluation of All-Day-Efficiency for selected flat plate and evacuated tube collectors

An evaluation of all day efficiency for selected flat plate and evacuated tube collectors is presented. Computations are based on a modified version of the NBSIR 78-1305A procedure for all day efficiency. The ASHMET and NOAA data bases for solar insolation are discussed. Details of the algorithm used to convert total (global) horizontal radiation to the collector tilt plane of the selected sites are given along with tables and graphs which show the results of the tests performed during this evaluation.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

Thermodynamic limits to the efficiency of solar energy conversion by quantum devices

The second law of thermodynamics imposes a strict limitation to the energy converted from direct solar radiation to useful work by a quantum device. This limitation requires that the amount of energy converted to useful work (energy in any form other than heat) can be no greater than the change in free energy of the radiation fields. Futhermore, in any real energy conversion device, not all of this available free energy in the radiation field can be converted to work because of basic limitations inherent in the device itself. A thermodynamic analysis of solar energy conversion by a completely general prototypical quantum device is presented. This device is completely described by two parameters, its operating temperature T sub R and the energy threshold of its absorption spectrum. An expression for the maximum thermodynamic efficiency of a quantum solar converter was derived in terms of these two parameters and the incident radiation spectrum. Efficiency curves for assumed solar spectral irradiance corresponding to air mass zero and air mass 1.5 are presented.

Buoncristiani, A. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A concept for a fuel efficient flight planning aid for general aviation

A core equation for estimation of fuel burn from path profile data was developed. This equation was used as a necessary ingredient in a dynamic program to define a fuel efficient flight path. The resultant algorithm is oriented toward use by general aviation. The pilot provides a description of the desired ground track, standard aircraft parameters, and weather at selected waypoints. The algorithm then derives the fuel efficient altitudes and velocities at the waypoints.

Collins, B. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Meteorological impact on aviation fuel efficiency

The connection between fuel consumption and weather data is discussed. Fuel efficient flights creating adequate near real time weather information are examined. The lack of highly resolved real time and near real time wind and temperature data at flight altitudes is investigated. The existing systems, which is based on twice a day balloon observations, supplemented by pilot reports or other occasional data, is not adequate for optimum flight planning. The impacts of upper winds and temperatures on fuel efficiency and flight planning are not widely appreciated and developing new weather products are considered.

Winer, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Energy Efficient Engine Exhaust Mixer Model Technology

An exhaust mixer test program was conducted to define the technology required for the Energy Efficient Engine Program. The model configurations of 1/10 scale were tested in two phases. A parametric study of mixer design options, the impact of residual low pressure turbine swirl, and integration of the mixer with the structural pylon of the nacelle were investigated. The improvement of the mixer itself was also studied. Nozzle performance characteristics were obtained along with exit profiles and oil smear photographs. The sensitivity of nozzle performance to tailpipe length, lobe number, mixer penetration, and mixer modifications like scalloping and cutbacks were established. Residual turbine swirl was found detrimental to exhaust system performance and the low pressure turbine system for Energy Efficient Engine was designed so that no swirl would enter the mixer. The impact of mixer/plug gap was also established, along with importance of scalloping, cutbacks, hoods, and plug angles on high penetration mixers.

Kozlowski, H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The efficiency coefficient of the rat heart and muscular system after physical training and hypokinesia

The efficiency of an isolated heart did not change after prolonged physical training of rats for an extreme load. The increase in oxygen consumption by the entire organism in 'uphill' running as compared to the resting level in the trained rats was 14% lower than in the control animals. Prolonged hypokinesia of the rats did not elicit a change in the efficiency of the isolated heart.

Alyukhin, Y. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Efficiency of silicon solar cells containing chromium

Efficiency of silicon solar cells containing about one quadrillon atoms cu cm of chromium is improved about 26% by thermal annealing of the silicon wafer at a temperature of 200 C to form chromium precipitates having a diameter of less than 1 Angstrom. Further improvement in efficiency is achieved by scribing laser lines onto the back surface of the wafer at a spacing of at least 0.5 mm and at a depth of less than 13 micrometers to preferentially precipitate chromium near the back surface and away from the junction region of the device. This provides an economical way to improve the deleterious effects of chromium, one of the impurities present in metallurgical grade silicon mateial.

Salama, A. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

High efficiency thin-film GaAs solar cells

The paper demonstrates the feasibility of producing high-efficiency GaAs solar cells with high power-to-weight ratios by organic metallic chemical vapor deposition (OM-CVD) growth of thin epi-layers on suitable substrates. An AM1 conversion efficiency of 18% (14% AM0), or 17% (13% AM0) with a 5% grid coverage is achieved for a single-crystal GaAs n(+)/p cell grown by OM-CVD on a Ge wafer. Thin GaAs epi-layers OM-CVD grown can be fabricated with good crystallographic quality using a Si-substrate on which a thin Ge epi-interlayer is first deposited by CVD from GeH4 and processed for improved surface morphology

Zwerdling, S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Very high X-ray efficiency from a blazed grating

The efficiency of X-ray diffraction from reflection gratings has been investigated experimentally using a gold-coated plane grating of 25 x 120 mm with a nominal blaze angle of 21 deg in a conical diffraction mount. Results show that conical diffraction is capable of producing very high dispersion efficiencies. The peak of first order at 13.3 A is 40%; at 44 A, the peak is 34%. The most immediate application of this result is to X-ray astronomy where sources are weak.

Cash, W.↗