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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 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Measurements of the methane relaxation times for application to the infrared emission models of the upper atmospheres of outer planets and Titan

The 7.8 micrometer emission from the nu(sub 4) band of methane (CH4) is a regularly observed feature in the stratosphere of all the giant planets and Titan. On Jupiter, enhancements in this emission are associated with the infrared hot spots in the auroral zone. Attempts to model this phenomenon in particular, and to understand the role of methane in general, have been hampered in part by a lack of adequate laboratory measurements of the collisional relaxation times for the nu(sub 3) and nu(sub 4) levels over the appropriate temperature range. To provide this needed data, a series of laboratory experiments were initiated. In the experimental arrangement the nu(sub3) band of methane is pumped at 3.3 micrometers using a pulsed infrared source (Nd:YAG/dye laser system equipped with a wave-length extender). The radiative lifetime of the nu(sub 3) level (approximately 37 ms) is much shorter than the nu(sub 4) lifetime (approximately 390 ms); however, a rapid V-V energy transfer rate ensures that the nu(sub 4) level is substantially populated. The photoacoustic technique is used to acquire relaxation rate information. The experiments are performed using a low-temperature, low-pressure cell. Experimental apparatus and technique are described. In addition some of the experimental difficulties associated with making these measurements are discussed and some preliminary results are presented.

Halthore, Rangasayi N.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The formation and structure of circumstellar and interstellar dust

The intriguing abundance of long linear carbon chain molecules in some dark clouds and in circumstellar shells is still not well understood. Recent laboratory studies which have probed this problem indicate that when carbon vapor nucleates to form particles, linear chains and hollow cage molecules (fullerenes) also form at more-or-less the same time. The results have consequences for the formation, structures and spectroscopic properties of the molecular and dust components ejected from cool carbon-rich stars. A most interesting result of the experimental observations relates to the probability that a third character in addition to the chains and grains, the C(sub 60) molecule probably in the form of the ion C(sub 60)(sup +) in the less shielded regions, is present and perhaps responsible for some of the ubiquitously observed interstellar spectroscopic features such as the Diffuse Interstellar Features, the 2170A UV Absorption or perhaps some of the Unidentified Infrared Bands. Further study of small carbon particles which form in the gas phase has resulted in the discovery that they have quasi-icosahedral spiral shell structures. The role that such species may play in the interstellar medium as well as that played by C(sub 60) (or C sub 60 sup +) should soon be accessible to verification by a combination of laboratory experiment and astronomical spectroscopy.

Kroto, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Influence of convection on microstructure

The mechanism responsible for the difference in microstructure caused by solidifying the MnBi-Bi eutectic in space is sought. The objectives for the three year period are as follows: (1) completion of the following theoretical analyses - determination of the influence of the Soret effect on the average solid composition versus distance of off-eutectic mixtures directionally solidified in the absence of convection, determination of the influence of convection on the microstructure of off-eutectic mixtures using a linear velocity profile in the adjacent melt, determination of the influence of volumetric changes during solidification on microconvection near the freezing interface and on microstructure, and determination of the influence of convection on microstructure when the MnBi fibers project out in front of the bismuth matrix; (2) search for patterns in the effect of microgravity on different eutectics (for example, eutectic composition, eutectic temperature, usual microstructure, densities of pure constituents, and density changes upon solidification); and (3) determination of the Soret coefficient and the diffusion coefficient for Mn-Bi melts near the eutectic composition, both through laboratory experiements to be performed here and from data from Shuttle experiments.

Wilcox, William R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Laboratory studies of wave-current interaction - Kinematics of the strong interaction

Controlled laboratory experiments have been conducted to study the kinematics of wave-current interactions. The results confirm the conservation of waves under the steady state condition. The data also show that the kinematic effect of the current on waves can be treated as a simple Doppler shift. After the Doppler correction, the kinematics of the waves (either breaking or nonbreaking) follow the linear theory very well.

Lai, Ronald J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Laboratory chemistry and stratospheric clouds

Results are presented from laboratory experiments on the chemistry of ice particles to study the role of HCl and ClONO2 from CFCs in stratospheric ozone depletion over Antarctica. It is found that gaseous HCl is scavenged with high efficiency by the ice and the gas phase chlorine nitrate may react with the HCL-containing ice to produce Cl2. Also, consideration is given ot the behavior of solid nitric acid trihydrate and sulfuric acid aerosols.

Molina, Mario J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Processes affecting the composition and structure of silicate grains in cometary nuclei

Characteristics which might be observed in silicate grains from a cometary nucleus are examined on the basis of theoretical studies of the life cycle of refractory grains and laboratory experiments using simple analogs to the complex natural system. The life-cycle of a typical silicate grain is reviewed from condensation in a circumstellar outflow to incorporation into a cometary parent body. The possibility for grain metamorphism in the cometary environment is discussed and results are presented from experiments on the properties of interstellar grains. Also, consideration is given to the information about presolar refractory grains that might be gained from studying samples returned from a cometary nucleus.

Nuth, Joseph A., III↗
NASA NTRS1990

Atmospheric dynamics of the outer planets

Despite major differences in the solar and internal energy inputs, the atmospheres of the four Jovian planets all exhibit latitudinal banding and high-speed jet streams. Neptune and Saturn are the windiest planets, Jupiter is the most active, and Uranus is a tipped-over version of the others. Large oval storm systems exhibit complicated time-dependent behavior that can be simulated in numerical models and laboratory experiments. The largest storm system, the Great Red Spot of Jupiter, has survived for more than 300 years in a chaotic shear zone where smaller structures appear and dissipate every few days. Future space missions will add to the understanding of small-scale processes, chemical composition, and vertical structure. Theoretical hypotheses about the interiors provide input for fluid dynamical models that reproduce many observed features of the winds, temperatures, and cloud patterns. In one set of models the winds are confined to the thin layer where clouds form. In other models, the winds extend deep into the planetary fluid interiors. Hypotheses will be tested further as observations and theories become more exact and detailed comparisons are made.

Ingersoll, Andrew P.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Finite element computations and experimental studies of flow past an array of plates

Finite element computations and laboratory experiments were carried out to study the mutual wake interaction behind two plates placed side by side. The computations are based on the vorticity-stream function formation of the two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The flow visualization studies indicate independent vortex sheddings at large gap sizes and metastable biased flow at smaller gap sizes. The computational results exhibit a similar behavior.

Higuchi, H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Signatures of aging silicate dust

A self-consistent explanation for the width, strength, and position of spectral features which may be diagnostic of the structure and composition of circumstellar and interstellar silicate grains is presented based on a long series of laboratory experiments using simple oxide analogs. The ratio of the integrated absorption strength of the grains near 10 mu to that near 20 mu is shown to decrease monotonically with increased processing. This ratio may be diagnostic of the relative age of the silicate. The oxidation state of iron in the grains is directly related to both the near-IR grain opacity and enhanced absorption in the UV. The oxidation state of both iron and silicon is directly related to the rate of nucleation, growth, and processing in a circumstellar outflow, as well as to the processing history of the grain after it reaches the interstellar medium. Other diagnostic indicators of the average silicon oxidation state, degree of structural polymerization, and dispersion in the average degree of structural polymerization are discussed.

Nuth, Joseph A., III↗
NASA NTRS1989

Application of super smooth optics to extra-solar planet detection

The observational constraints on direct detection of extrasolar planets around nearby stars are defined. The design of an instrument capable of meeting these goals requires the efficient reduction of diffracted and scattered light by about three orders of magnitude below the airy wings of the unapodized aperture. The diffraction reduction is achieved through the high-efficiency coronagraph, which uses Gaussian occulting masks in the first focus to concentrate better diffracted light in the pupil plane. Laboratory experiments confirm this high efficiency to the limits set by the experimental setup. Scattering due to midspatial scale figure error in the mirrors must also be reduced to a comparable level.

Terrile, Richard J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Consumption of atmospheric methane by tundra soils

The results of field and laboratory experiments on methane consumption by tundra soils are reported. For methane concentrations ranging from below to well above ambient, moist soils are found to consume methane rapidly; in nonwaterlogged soils, equilibration with atmospheric methane is fast relative to microbial oxidation. It is concluded that lowering of the water table in tundra as a resulting from a warmer, drier climate will decrease methane fluxes and could cause these areas to provide negative feedback for atmospheric methane.

Whalen, S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

SSME leak detection feasibility investigation by utilization of infrared sensor technology

This investigation examined the potential of using state-of-the-art technology of infrared (IR) thermal imaging systems combined with computer, digital image processing and expert systems for Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) propellant path peak detection as an early warning system of imminent engine failure. A low-cost, laboratory experiment was devised and an experimental approach was established. The system was installed, checked out, and data were successfully acquired demonstrating the proof-of-concept. The conclusion from this investigation is that both numerical and experimental results indicate that the leak detection by using infrared sensor technology proved to be feasible for a rocket engine health monitoring system.

Shohadaee, Ahmad A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Rapid in-plane maneuvering of the flexible orbiting SCOLE

The rapid two-dimensional slewing and vibrational control of the unsymmetrical flexible SCOLE (Spacecraft Control Laboratory Experiment) with multi-bounded controls has been considered. Pontryagin's Maximum Principle has been applied to the nonlinear equations of the system to derive the necessary conditions for the optimal control. The resulting two-point boundary-value problem is then solved by using the quasilinearization technique, and the near-minimum time is obtained by sequentially shortening the slewing time until the controls are near the bang-bang type. The trade-off between the minimum time and the minimum flexible amplitude requirements has been discussed. The numerical results show that the responses of the nonlinear system are significantly different from those of the linearized system for rapid slewing.

Bainum, Peter M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Four experimental demonstrations of active vibration control for flexible structures

Laboratory experiments designed to test prototype active-vibration-control systems under development for future flexible space structures are described, summarizing previously reported results. The control-synthesis technique employed for all four experiments was the maximum-entropy optimal-projection (MEOP) method (Bernstein and Hyland, 1988). Consideration is given to: (1) a pendulum experiment on large-amplitude LF dynamics; (2) a plate experiment on broadband vibration suppression in a two-dimensional structure; (3) a multiple-hexagon experiment combining the factors studied in (1) and (2) to simulate the complexity of a large space structure; and (4) the NASA Marshall ACES experiment on a lightweight deployable 45-foot beam. Extensive diagrams, drawings, graphs, and photographs are included. The results are shown to validate the MEOP design approach, demonstrating that good performance is achievable using relatively simple low-order decentralized controllers.

Phillips, Doug↗
NASA NTRS1990

Surrogate oracles, generalized dependency and simpler models

Software reliability models require the sequence of interfailure times from the debugging process as input. It was previously illustrated that using data from replicated debugging could greatly improve reliability predictions. However, inexpensive replication of the debugging process requires the existence of a cheap, fast error detector. Laboratory experiments can be designed around a gold version which is used as an oracle or around an n-version error detector. Unfortunately, software developers can not be expected to have an oracle or to bear the expense of n-versions. A generic technique is being investigated for approximating replicated data by using the partially debugged software as a difference detector. It is believed that the failure rate of each fault has significant dependence on the presence or absence of other faults. Thus, in order to discuss a failure rate for a known fault, the presence or absence of each of the other known faults needs to be specified. Also, in simpler models which use shorter input sequences without sacrificing accuracy are of interest. In fact, a possible gain in performance is conjectured. To investigate these propositions, NASA computers running LIC (RTI) versions are used to generate data. This data will be used to label the debugging graph associated with each version. These labeled graphs will be used to test the utility of a surrogate oracle, to analyze the dependent nature of fault failure rates and to explore the feasibility of reliability models which use the data of only the most recent failures.

Wilson, Larry↗
NASA NTRS1989

Influence of temperature on the infrared spectrum of the coronene molecule

Laboratory experiments were performed to study the temperature dependence of the absorption spectrum of the coronene molecule (C24H12), believed to be representative of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules present in the interstellar medium. The main results is that both line positions and total intensities are almost unchanged when varying the temperature so that the spectrum is mostly temperature independent in the explored range, supporting the modeling of the IR emission originally made by Leger and Puget where room temperature was used in the calculations. In the structure of the band shape, small temperature correlated changes are observed. Qualitative arguments are given to interpret them.

Bernard, Jean-Phillipe↗
NASA NTRS1990

Current collection by high voltage anodes in near ionospheric conditions

The authors experimentally identified three distinct regimes with large differences in current collection in the presence of neutrals and weak magnetic fields. In magnetic field/anode voltage space the three regions are separated by very sharp transition boundaries. The authors performed a series of laboratory experiments to study the dependence of the region boundaries on several parameters, such as the ambient neutral density, plasma density, magnetic field strength, applied anode voltage, voltage pulsewidth, chamber material, chamber size and anode radius. The three observed regimes are: classical magnetic field limited collection; stable medium current toroidal discharge; and large scale, high current space glow discharge. There is as much as several orders of magnitude of difference in the amount of collected current upon any boundary crossing, particularly if one enters the space glow regime. They measured some of the properties of the plasma generated by the breakdown that is present in regimes II and III in the vicinity of the anode including the sheath modified electrostatic potential, I-V characteristics at high voltage as well as the local plasma density.

Antoniades, John A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Laboratory investigation of visible shuttle glow mechanisms

Laboratory experiments designed to uncover mechanistic information about the spectral and spatial characteristics of shuttle glow were conducted. The luminescence was created when a pulse of O atoms traveling at orbital velocities was directed toward NO molecules previously adsorbed to aluminum, nickel, and Z306 Chemglaz (a common baffle black) coated surfaces held at various temperatures. Spectral and spatial measurements were made using a CCD imaging spectrometer. Corroborative spectral information was recorded in separate measurements using a scanning monochromator and gated photomultiplier arrangement. The e-folding distance at several temperatures was calculated from images of the surface glow using the photometrics image processing capability of the imaging spectrometer. The e-folding distance was not altered as a function of incoming O beam velocity. The results are presented and the observations provide direct evidence that the visible shuttle glow results from recombination of oxygen atoms and surface bound NO.

Leone, A.↗