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At least 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

Characterization of Mesoscale Convective Systems by Means of Composite Radar Reflectivity Data

A mesoscale convective system (MCS) is broadly defined as a cloud and precipitation system of mesoscale dimensions (often too large for most aircraft to circumnavigate) with deep-convective activity concentrated in at least part of the MCS, or present during part of its evolution. A large areal fraction of MCSs is stratiform in nature, yet estimates from MCSs over the Great Plains, the Southeast, and tropical waters indicate that at least half of the precipitation is of convective origin. The presence of localized convection is important, because within convective towers cloud particles and hydrometeors are carried upward towards the cloud top. Ice crystals then move over more stratiform regions, either laterally, or through in situ settling over decaying and spreading convection. These ice crystals then grow to precipitation-size particles in mid- to upper tropospheric mesoscale updrafts. The convective portion of a MCS is often a more or less continuous line of thunderstorms, and may be either short-lived or long-lived. Geerts (1997) presents a preliminary climatology of MCSs in the southeastern USA, using just one year of composite digital radar reflectivity data. In this study MCSs are identified and characterized by means of visual inspection of animated images. A total of 398 MCSs were identified. In the warm season MCSs were found to be about twice as frequent as in the cold season. The average lifetime and maximum length of MCSs are 9 hours, and 350 km, respectively, but some MCSs are much larger and more persistent. In the summer months small and short-lived MCSs are relatively more common, whereas in winter larger and longer-lived systems occur more frequently. MCSs occur more commonly in the afternoon, in phase with thunderstorm activity, but the amplitude of the diurnal cycle is small compared to that of observed thunderstorms. It is estimated that in the Southeast more than half of all precipitation and severe weather results from MCSs.

Geerts, Bart↗
NASA NTRS1979

Plume Characterization of a One-Millipound Solid Teflon Pulsed Plasma Thruster, Phase 2

Measurements of the pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) plume upstream mass flux were made in the Molecular Sink (MOLSINK) vacuum facility in order to minimize the plume-tank wall reflected mass flux. Using specially designed collimators on 4 rows of Quartz Crystal Microbalanced (QCMs) mounted on a support extending radially away from the plume axis, measurements were made of the mass flux originating in a thin slice of the PPT primary plume at an arbitrary dip angle with respect to the thruster axis. The measured and analytically corrected mass flux from particles reflected from the MOLSINK walls was substracted from the collimated QCM measurements to improve their accuracy. These data were then analytically summed over dip angle to estimate the total plume backflow upstream of the thruster nozzle. The results indicate that the PPT backflow is of order 10 to the minus 10th power g/square cm/pulse in the region from 38 to 86 cm from the PPT axis in the nozzle exit plane. This flux drops with the square of the radial distance from the PPT axis and is comparable to the backflow of an 8 cm ion thruster, which has performance characteristics similar to those of the PPT.

Rudolph, L. K.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Characterization of nanocrystallites in porous p-type 6H-SiC

We report the formation of porous p-type 6H-SiC. The existence of uniformly dispersed pores was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, with interpore spacings in the range of 1-10 nm. The porous film as a whole is a single crystal. Luminescence peaks above the normal band gap of 6H-SiC have been observed in the porous layer, but were not distinguished in the bulk SiC substrate. Quantum confinement is discussed as a possible mechanism for the luminescence effects.

Shor, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Characterization of two germania gels of different coordination

Two germania gels were synthesized by hydrolytic condensation of germanium ethoxide and by dissolution of germanium dioxide powder in ammonium hydroxide solution. The two gels were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, surface area and weight loss data, and infrared spectroscopy. The results indicate that, in gels, germanium is capable of tetragonal as well as hexagonal coordination, resulting in different crystallization behaviors.

Mukherjee, Shyama P.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Carbonate Globules from Spitsbergen, Norway: Terrestrial Analogs of the Carbonates in Martian Meteorite ALH84001?

Pleistocene volcanic centers in NW Spitsbergen, Norway host one of the world's richest occurrences of mantle xenoliths. The xenoliths comprise varieties of spinel lherzolites and pyroxenites. Some of these xenoliths (and their host basalts) contain 10-100 micrometer globules of ankedtic-magnesitic carbonates (AMC). In composition, mineralogy and petrology the AMC globules from Spitsbergen are strikingly similar to the carbonate globules in ALH84001. The AMC globules occur within interstitial quenched glass and as fracture fillings, although we have not seen replacement fabrics analogous to carbonate rosettes replacing glass in ALH84001. Siderite/ankerite forms the core of these concentrically zoned globules while rims are predominantly magnesite. Clay minerals can occasionally be found within and around the globules. Aside from the clay minerals, the principal mineralogical difference between the AMCs and the ALH84001 carbonate rosettes is the presence of concentrated zones of nanophase magnetite in the rosettes, notably absent in the AMCs. However, carbonate globules containing nanophase magnetite have been produced inorganically by hydrothermal precipitation of carbonates and subsequent heating. We heated Spitsbergen AMC at 585 C in a reducing atmosphere to determine whether magnetite could be produced. Optical micrographs of the heated Spitsbergen AMC show dark concentric zones within the AMC. High resolution SEM images of those areas reveal 150-200 nm euhedral crystals that exhibit various morphologies including octahedra and elongated prisms. EDS analyses of areas where the crystals occur contain Fe, O, and minor Si, and P. However, the probe integrates over volumes of material, which also include the surrounding matrix. We have begun TEM observations of both the heated and unheated Spitsbergen AMC to characterize the microstructures of the carbonates, establish the presence/absence of magnetite and determine the relationship of the clay minerals to the carbonates and host rock.

De, Subarnarek↗
NASA NTRS2002

Rationally designed fluorescently labeled sulfate-binding protein mutants: evaluation in the development of a sensing system for sulfate

Periplasmic binding proteins from E. coli undergo large conformational changes upon binding their respective ligands. By attaching a fluorescent probe at rationally selected unique sites on the protein, these conformational changes in the protein can be monitored by measuring the changes in fluorescence intensity of the probe which allow the development of reagentless sensing systems for their corresponding ligands. In this work, we evaluated several sites on bacterial periplasmic sulfate-binding protein (SBP) for attachment of a fluorescent probe and rationally designed a reagentless sensing system for sulfate. Eight different mutants of SBP were prepared by employing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to introduce a unique cysteine residue at a specific location on the protein. The sites Gly55, Ser90, Ser129, Ala140, Leu145, Ser171, Val181, and Gly186 were chosen for mutagenesis by studying the three-dimensional X-ray crystal structure of SBP. An environment-sensitive fluorescent probe (MDCC) was then attached site-specifically to the protein through the sulfhydryl group of the unique cysteine residue introduced. Each fluorescent probe-conjugated SBP mutant was characterized in terms of its fluorescence properties and Ser171 was determined to be the best site for the attachment of the fluorescent probe that would allow for the development of a reagentless sensing system for sulfate. Three different environment-sensitive fluorescent probes (1,5-IAEDANS, MDCC, and acylodan) were studied with the SBP171 mutant protein. A calibration curve for sulfate was constructed using the labeled protein and relating the change in the fluorescence intensity with the amount of sulfate present in the sample. The detection limit for sulfate was found to be in the submicromolar range using this system. The selectivity of the sensing system was demonstrated by evaluating its response to other anions. A fast and selective sensing system with detection limits for sulfate in the submicromolar range was developed. Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 78: 517-526, 2002.

Evaluation Studies↗
NASA NTRS1994

Observations of Laminar Surface Shear Stress Patterns on the Sidewall of a Rectangular, Mach 3 Quiet Tunnel Using Liquid Crystal Coatings

A shear-stress--sensitive liquid crystal coating (LCC) was used to visualize the surface shear stress distribution on the flat sidewall of the MSU quiet supersonic tunnel as a function of flow stagnation pressure. Under conditions of quiet operation, the LCC color-change response indicated the existence of a nonuniform surface shear stress distribution. This shear pattern was characterized by an elongated, down st ream-point ing triangular region of relatively low shear, with its apex on and its axis coincident with, the sidewall centerline. This low-shear zone was bounded symmetrically by two regions of relatively higher shear; these high-shear zones originated within the concave-curvature portion of the nozzle, in the corners between the flat sidewall and the contoured upper and lower nozzle surfaces. A 3-D Navier-Stokes code was used to compute the pressure and surface shear distributions on the sidewall. Flow-expansion-induced transverse pressure gradients on the nozzle sidewall generated symmetric inflows from the corners towards the sidewall centerline; these inflows caused a thickening of the sidewall boundary layer along the centerline, resulting in lower shear stresses consistent with the liquid crystal results. Peripherally nonuniform laminar boundary layer development, and the associated stability of such complex 3-D flows, must be considered in quiet-tunnel applications using rectangular nozzles. A color video will be shown.

Reda, D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Nucleation and growth of plagioclase and the development of textures in a high-alumina basaltic melt

Detailed experiments on the nucleation and growth of plagioclase from an igneous melt are carried out to characterize the magma prior to cooling. It is shown that the nature of the melt directly preceding cooling has a strong effect on texture development, regardless of the origin of the melt. The number, size, and shape of the crystals present in a melt upon extrusion can have a drastic effect on the final textures present in the resulting rocks. Conditions necessary for the formation of poikilitic, intersertal, and porphyritic textures in basaltic rocks are defined.

Nabelek, P. I.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Gas atomization of cobalt ferrite-phosphate melts

XRD, Moessbauer spectroscopy, and EDXS have been used to characterize a rapidly-solidified (Co,Fe)3O4 spinel generated in a cobalt-iron-phosphate glass matrix by gas atomization of melts. Of the two compositions tested, that containing 20 mol pct P2O5 exhibited randomly-oriented ferrite crystallization whose growth appears to have been diffusion-controlled. Unlike the ferrite, in which the iron has both tetrahedral and octahedral coordination, the iron in the glassy matrix was primarily of distorted-octahedral coordination. Calculations indicate that the cooling rates obtained with oxide melts vary strongly with droplet size, but less strongly with melt temperature.

De Guire, Mark R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Analysis and interpretation of Wide Field Planetary Camera outgas data collected in the temperature range from -20 C to -100 C

The data from the Wide Field Planetary Camera (WFPC) are analyzed to determine the absolute source-emission parameters and contaminant reemission parameters of outgassing mass accumulation. The data correspond to the mass accumulated on a -100 C quartz crystal microbalance and then desorbed at -50 C as a function of time. The parameters investigated include contaminant mass, first-order rate constants, and characteristic energies. The data are modeled in terms of a minimum number of species characterized by source-rate and reemission-rate parameters. The modeling technique is found to produce adequate fits, and the contaminants that accumulate at -100 C and desorb at -50 C do not accumulate at -50 C. The data analysis is found to be an adequate technique for assessing outgassing parameters for the prediction of WFPC internal contamination.

Barengoltz, Jack B.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Materials processing in space tasks. WBS task 5.4: Generic tasks

This task encompassed a wide range of activities related to materials processing in space. For example, all aspects of the space station's flight and ground based systems design were assessed for the Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology (OACT) Space Processing Division Office. Activities for that organization also included the consolidation of space processing payload requirements for the space station and the development of an OACT payload operations plan. Similar duties were performed for the MSFC Payload Project Office. The SPACECOM database was used to conduct preliminary design studies for microgravity payload carriers and to conduct assessments of materials processing technology. Concepts for the Advanced Protein Crystal Growth Facility (APCGF) were developed. Materials processing vent products were analyzed and a furnace facility filter concept was developed using those studies. A preliminary design for a space station aluminum payload rack was developed. Analysis was conducted to characterize the acceleration environment onboard the space shuttle. Equipment for two fluid experiment apparatus was designed and manufactured for the Space Science Laboratory. The Fluids and Materials Experiments (FAME) data base was expanded. Also, Mir payload integration, technology transfer, and spacelab-to-space station transition studies were conducted.

Crull, Robert↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Optical Performance of Reflectivity Control Devices for Solar Sail Applications

Reflectivity control devices (RCDs) based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals were fabricated for Solar Cruiser, a SmallSat NASA Pathfinder Mission consisting of a 1653 square meter solar sail that would establish an artificial orbit sunward of the L1 Lagrange point for heliophysics observations. Here we describe the optical characterization of these birefringent electro-optic devices including thin film measurements and analysis, hyperspectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurements, and radiometric analysis. These measurements demonstrate the promise of RCDs for roll control and momentum management of solar sails.

Radiometry↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Optical Performance of Reflectivity Control Devices (RCDs) for Solar Sail Applications

Reflectivity control devices (RCDs) based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals were fabricated for Solar Cruiser, a SmallSat NASA Pathfinder Mission consisting of a 1653 square meter solar sail that would establish an artificial orbit sunward of the L1 Lagrange point for heliophysics observations. Here we describe the optical characterization of these birefringent electro-optic devices including thin film measurements and analysis, hyperspectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurements, and radiometric analysis. These measurements demonstrate the promise of RCDs for roll control and momentum management of solar sails.

Solar Sails↗
NASA NTRS1976

Single crystal and polycrystalline GaAs solar cells using AMOS technology

A description is given of current technology for fabricating single AMOS (antireflection-coated metal oxide semiconductor) solar cells, with attention given to thermal, plasma, and anodic oxidation, native oxide stripping, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results. Some preliminary results are presented on the chemistry and electrical characterization of such cells, and the characteristics of cells fabricated on sliced polycrystalline GaAs wafers are examined. Consideration is also given to the recrystallization of evaporated Ge films for use as low-cost substrates for polycrystalline GaAs solar cells.

Stirn, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Electrical, structural and chemical characterization of Si sheet material

Web Dendritic Si ribbons are deformed under a well-defined four point bending stress. Since the mechanical properties of Si are known to depend on the 0 content of the material, 0 measurements using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy were done to determine a proper control sample of non-defected single crystal Si. Four point bending revealed a unique two step bending behavior for the Web Si ribbons. An initial theory for this behavior involves the interaction of the dislocations generated by the deformation with the central twin planes of the ribbons. Measurements showed a uniformly high 0 content for the Web Si ribbons, approximately 10 to the 18th power atoms/cu.cm. The Web samples had a much broader absorption peak at 9 microns than is usually seen for well-annealed single crystal Si. This broadening is thought to be related to stress in the Web Si ribbons. Two samples containing a known amount of residual stress support this hypothesis. Also, a shoulder on the infrared absorption peak associated with interstitial 0 in Si appears in the transmission vs. wavenumber plots for some of the Web samples. This shoulder has been associated with 0-vacancy complexes or with 0 at dislocations. The O content and configuration do not seem to correlate with the growth configuration of the Web Si ribbon.

Ast, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Time-dependent polar distribution of outgassing from a spacecraft

A technique has been developed to obtain a characterization of the self-generated environment of a spacecraft and its variation with time, angular position, and distance. The density, pressure, outgassing flux, total weight loss, and other important parameters were obtained from data provided by two mass measuring crystal microbalances, mounted back to back, at distance of 1 m from the spacecraft equivalent surface. A major outgassing source existed at an angular position of 300 deg to 340 deg, near the rocket motor, while the weakest source was at the antennas. The strongest source appeared to be caused by a material diffusion process which produced a directional density at 1 m distance of about 1.6 x 10 to the 11th power molecules/cu cm after 1 hr in vacuum and decayed to 1.6 x 10 to the 9th power molecules/cu cm after 200 hr. The total average outgassing flux at the same distance and during the same time span changed from 1.2 x 10 to the minus 7th power to 1.4 x to the minus 10th power g/sq cm/s. These values are three times as large at the spacecraft surface. Total weight loss was 537 g after 10 hr and about 833 g after 200 hr. Self-contamination of the spacecraft was equivalent to that in orbit at about 300-km altitude.

Scialdone, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Molecular fluxes from a spacecraft measured with quartz microbalances

A technique has been developed to obtain a characterization of the self-generated environment of a spacecraft and its variation with time, angular position, and distance. The density, pressure, outgassing flux, total weight loss, and other important parameters were obtained from data provided by two mass measuring crystal microbalances, mounted back to back, at a distance of 1 m from the spacecraft equivalent surface. The strongest source appeared to be caused by a material diffusion process which produced a directional density at 1 m distance of about 160 billion molecules per cu cm after 1 h in vacuum and decayed to 1.6 billion molecules per cu cm after 200 h. Self-contamination of the spacecraft was equivalent to that which occurs in a 300-km altitude orbit.

Scialdone, J. J.↗