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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 685 records · Page 38
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Evaluations of Silicon Carbide Temperature Monitors

The effect of irradiation on materials properties is an important field of study for materials usage in both fission and fusion systems for energy production. Neutron flux and energy spectrums are well understood; however, the irradiation temperature can be more difficult to determine. Since the early 1960s, Silicon Carbide (SiC) has been used as a passive post-irradiation temperature monitor because the irradiation defects anneal out above the irradiation temperature. Irradiation temperature is determined by measuring a property change after isochronal annealing or during a continuously monitored annealing process. There are many properties that may be measured including electrical resistivity, bulk density, dimensions, thermal diffusivity, or lattice spacing. Electrical resistivity is accepted as a robust measurement technique; however, such method is time-consuming since the steps involved must be performed in a serial manner. The use of thermal expansion from continuous dilatometry is an automated process requiring minimal setup time. As part of a Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) project, low dose silicon carbide monitors were irradiated in the BR2 material test reactor at SCK, Belgium, and were then evaluated at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL) to determine their peak temperature achieved during irradiation. The technical significance of this work was that the monitors were irradiated to a dose that was significantly less than recommended in published literature. This paper will discuss the evaluation processes available at HTTL and the performance of the low dose silicon carbide temperature monitors.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1977

Spectroscopic determination of electrical conductivity in an MHD duct from absolute intensity measurements

Measurements of the electrical conductivity in the NASA Lewis cesium seeded, H2-O2 MHD duct made by applying a voltage across the channel from one end electrode to the other, measuring the current, and using the inner electrodes as probes to monitor the voltage distribution along the channel were found to be in good agreement with theory except at low combustion pressures and/or high ratios of seed/oxygen mass flows. To corroborate these measurements and to analyze the possibility of nonuniform seed injection as a cause of the above deviations, a spectroscopic investigation of the plasma conductivity was undertaken. Radial profiles of emission coefficient were obtained from measured transverse profiles of the absolute integrated intensity by Abel inversion. Radial profiles of electrical conductivity were then obtained under two different assumptions. In the first the Cs seed fraction is assumed uniform and equal to the measured flow rate at the time when the temperature and conductivity were obtained. In the second method the local temperature and pressure are taken to be those given by a one-dimensional channel calculation including heat transfer and friction. The results of the two methods are compared to the previously measured conductivity.

Wang, S. Y.↗
NASA NTRS2007

On the Magnitude of the Electric Field Near Thunderstorm-Associated Clouds

Electric field measurements made in and near clouds during two airborne field mill programs are presented. Aircraft equipped with multiple electric field mills and cloud physics sensors were flown near active convection and into thunderstorm anvil and debris clouds. The magnitude of the electric field was measured as a function of position with respect to the cloud edge in order to provide an observational basis for modifications to the lightning launch commit criteria (LLCC) used by the U.S. space program. These LLCC are used to reduce the risk that an ascending launch vehicle will trigger a lightning strike that could cause the loss of the mission or vehicle. The results suggest that even with fields of tens of kV/m inside electrically active convective clouds, the fields external to these clouds decay to less than 3 kV/m within fifteen kilometers of cloud edge. Fields exceeding 3 kV/m were not found external to anvil and debris clouds.

Merceret, Francis J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Probe Station Antenna Range

This summer I was given the task of programming a Probe Station to collect near field antenna patterns and convert them to far field patterns. The purpose of this project is to provide NASA with another means of antenna characterizing. Currently, NASA Glenn can measure near field and far field patterns of many different types of antennas. The antennas targeted for this lab are small patch antennas at high frequencies that require probe biasing. The Probe Station contains two probes for RF signals and another two for DC Biasing. The way this lab works is as follows: A patch antenna is placed on the probe station and biased properly for testing. This antenna is known as the Antenna Under Test (AUT). The AUT is supplied with an RF signal from a probe that is connected to a network analyzer. Above the AUT hangs a probe for measuring the electric field emitted by the AUT. The probe is controlled by four axis. The axis of movements for this probe are back and forth, left and right, up and down, and rotation. The network analyzer and axis controllers are tied into a computer for reading commands and recording data. The probe scans a rectangular pattern above the AUT to measure the electric field emitted by the AUT. This data is then recorded and analyzed back at the computer.

Zaman, Afroz↗
NASA NTRS1990

A case study of the Thunderstorm Research International Project storm of July 11, 1978. I - Analysis of the data base

The data obtained at the time of the Thunderstorm Research International Project storm at the Kennedy Space Center on July 11, 1978 are analyzed in a model-independent manner. The data base included data from three Doppler radars, a lightning detection and ranging system and a network of 25 electric field mills, and rain gages. Electric field measurements were used to analyze the charge moments transferred by lightning flashes, and the data were fitted to Weibull distributions; these were used to estimate statistical parameters of the lightning for both intracloud and cloud-to-ground flashes and to estimate the fraction of the flashes which were below the observation threshold. The displacement and the conduction current densities were calculated from electric field measurements between flashes. These values were used to derive the magnitudes and the locations of dipole and monopole generators by least squares fitting the measured Maxwell current densities to the displacement-dominated equations.

Nisbet, John S.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Ion Outflow and Convection in the Polar Cap and Cleft as Measured by Tide, EFI, MFE and Timas

This study examines high-latitude ion outflows and velocities perpendicular to the magnetic field derived from moments of ion distributions measured by the TIDE (Thermal Ion Dynamics Experiment) instrument on the Polar satellite. Hydrogen and oxygen ions are shown to be E X B drifting in the polar cap and cleft regions with a speed of about 5-20 km/s at apogee (approximately 9 Re) and a speed of 1-2 km/s at perigee (approximately 1. 8 Re). E X B drifts are calculated from electric fields measured by EFI (Electric Field Instrument) and magnetic fields measured by MFE (Magnetic Field Experiment) both of which are also on Polar. How convection at Polar's perigee relates to potential patterns of the ionosphere will be discussed. In the cusp/cleft the distribution of hydrogen extends over a large enough range of energy to be measured by both TIDE and the Toroidal Imaging Mass-Angle Spectrograph (TIMAS). Such comparisons will be also be presented.

Elliott, H. A.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Magnetic structure and magnetoelectric properties of the spin-flop phase in LiFePO 4

We investigate the magnetic structure and magnetoelectric(ME) effect in the high-field phase of the antiferromagnet LiFePO 4 above the critical field of 31 T. A neutron diffraction study in pulsed magnetic fields reveals the propagation vector to be q = 0 for the high-field magnetic structure. Pulsed-field electric polarization measurements show that, at the critical field, the low-field off-diagonal ME coupling α ab is partially suppressed, and the diagonal element α bb emerges. These results are consistent with a spin-flop transition where the spin direction changes from primarily being along the easy b axis below the transition to being along a above. The persistence of off-diagonal ME tensor elements above the critical field suggests a lowering of the magnetic point-group symmetry and hence a more complex magnetic structure in the high-field phase. In addition, neutron diffraction measurements in low magnetic fields show no observable field-induced spin canting, which indicates a negligible Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. The observed spin-flop field supports the Hamiltonian recently deduced from inelastic neutron studies and indicates that the system is less frustrated and with a larger single-ion anisotropy than originally thought. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of combining pulsed-field neutron diffraction and electric polarization measurements to elucidate the magnetic structures and symmetries at the highest attainable field strengths.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Localized 𝑓-electron magnetism in the semimetal Ce 3 ⁢ Bi 4 ⁢ Au 3

Ce 3 ⁢Bi 4 ⁢ Au 3 crystallizes in the same noncentrosymmetric cubic structure as the prototypical Kondo insulator Ce 3 ⁢ Bi 4 ⁢Pt 3 . Here we report the physical properties of Ce 3 ⁢Bi 4 ⁢ Au 3 single crystals using magnetization, thermodynamic, and electrical-transport measurements. Magnetic-susceptibility and heat-capacity data reveal antiferromagnetic order below 𝑇 𝑁 =3.2K. The magnetic entropy 𝑆 mag reaches 𝑅⁢ ln⁡ 2 slightly above 𝑇 𝑁 , which suggests localized 4⁢𝑓 moments in a doublet ground state. Multiple field-induced magnetic transitions are observed at temperatures below 𝑇 𝑁 , which indicate a complex spin structure with competing interactions. Ce 3 ⁢Bi 4 ⁢ Au 3 shows semimetallic behavior in electrical resistivity in contrast to the majority of reported cerium-based 343 compounds which are semiconducting. Electrical-resistivity measurements under hydrostatic pressure reveal a slight enhancement of 𝑇 𝑁 under pressures up to 2.3 GPa, which supports a scenario wherein Ce 3 ⁢Bi 4 ⁢Au 3 belongs to the far left of the Doniach phase diagram dominated by Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interactions. Using realistic many-body simulations, we confirm the semimetallic electronic structure of Ce 3 ⁢Bi 4 ⁢ Au 3 and quantitatively reproduce its local moment behavior in the paramagnetic state.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Electronic and optical properties of Zn-doped β-Ga 2 O 3 Czochralski single crystals

β-Ga 2 O 3 has several soluble deep acceptors that impart insulating behavior. In this study, we investigate Zn doping (0.25at.%) in bulk Czochralski and vertical gradient freeze β-Ga 2 O 3 . Representative crystals were assessed for orientation (electron backscatter diffraction and Raman spectroscopy), purity (glow discharge mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry), optical properties (ultraviolet to near infrared absorption), and electrical properties (resistivity and current–voltage). Purity measurements indicate that Zn evaporation is insufficient to inhibit doping of Zn into β-Ga 2 O 3 . Hybrid functional calculations show Zn substitutes nearly equally on tetrahedral and octahedral sites, with less than ~0.1eV preference for the octahedral (Ga II ) site. Furthermore, calculations show that Zn Ga acts as a deep acceptor with trapping levels ~1.3 and ~0.9eV above the valence band for one and two holes, respectively. The solubility and electronic behavior of Zn dopants are consistent with measured concentrations >1×10 18 atoms/cm 3 and electrical measurements that show resistivity 10 11 –10 13 Ωcm, with no p-type conduction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

An assessment of controlled source EM for monitoring subsurface CO 2 injection at the wyoming carbonSAFE geologic carbon storage site

Here we evaluate if electromagnetic (EM) geophysical methods for monitoring geologic carbon storage (GCS) efforts at the Wyoming CarbonSAFE project adjacent to the Dry Fork Station power plant near Gillette, Wyoming. This first involved acquiring both electric and magnetic fields at eleven different locations ranging in distance from immediately adjacent to 4 km from the plant. Passive EM measurements were made to provide spectral EM noise measurements generated by electricity production at the plant and to determine if useful magnetotelluric (MT) data can be successfully collected in the region. The processed data indicate that useful MT data can be collected as long as the site is located more than 2km away from the power plant as well as active roads and rail lines. Controlled source EM data were collected using three different source configurations, two of which connected to steel casings used to complete the injection wells. Comparing the EM noise measurements to the CSEM data show measurable electric and magnetic field signals at all sites. Next a series of three-dimensional (3D) numerical models were built that simulate resistivity changes caused by the proposed CO2 injection at depths ranging from 2.4 to 3.0km. These models were used to simulate various EM measurement configurations. The modeling shows that casing-source CSEM monitoring can provide sensitivity to the injected CO 2 if source electrodes are connected to the bottom of one or both of the injection wells.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1973

Neutral winds above 200 km at high latitudes.

Electrically neutral, luminous clouds are a by-product of chemical releases conducted to create barium ion clouds for the measurement of electric fields. Wind measurements provided by the motions of these clouds are particularly valuable in that the motions can be directly compared with convective ion drift motions to test the importance of ion drag forces. Motion from multiple releases between 200 and 300 km from 15 rockets launched from four high-latitude locations is analyzed in this paper. The observations in the evening and midnight hours at magnetic latitudes above 65 deg strongly suggest that in these regions ion drag is the dominant force in driving neutral winds between 200 and 300 km. In the morning sector, it is evident that neutral wind observations cannot be directly interpreted in terms of ion drag; other factors must be considered.

Meriwether, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Electric Motor Noise for Small Quadcopters: Part I - Acoustic Measurements

There is increased interest in using electric motors to drive propulsors across a range of small air vehicle classes. Applications include both vertical lift and conventional takeoff and landing systems for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Mission profiles call for integrating these systems into urban airspaces exposing populated areas to new noise sources. In addition to the propulsor noise from rotors and propellers, electric motors are expected to contribute to the overall sound levels and possibly human annoyance. This work presents acoustic measurements of electric motors used for small quadcopters to characterize the sound and identify sources with and without a propeller. Free field microphone measurements were used to determine directivity and a phased microphone array was used to identify sound sources. A companion paper (Part II – Source Characteristics and Prediction) compares the far field results with current probe measurements of the signal driving the motor, the structural response of the motor case, and describes prediction methods of electric motor noise.

Aircraft Noise↗
NASA NTRS2018

Electric Motor Noise from Small Quadcopters: Part 1 - Acoustic Measurements

There is increased interest in using electric motors to drive propulsors across a range of small air vehicle classes. Applications include both vertical lift and conventional takeoff and landing systems for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Mission profiles call for integrating these systems into urban airspaces exposing populated areas to new noise sources. In addition to the propulsor noise from rotors and propellers, electric motors are expected to contribute to the overall sound levels and possibly human annoyance. This work presents acoustic measurements of electric motors used for small quadcopters to characterize the sound and identify sources with and without a propeller. Free field microphone measurements were used to determine directivity and a phased microphone array was used to identify sound sources. A companion paper (Part II - Source Characteristics and Prediction) compares the far field results with current probe measurements of the signal driving the motor, the structural response of the motor case, and describes prediction methods of electric motor noise.

Electric Propulsion↗
NASA NTRS1976

High-latitude troughs and the polar cap boundary

OGO 6 observations of troughs in the thermal plasma densities in the topside ionosphere are discussed. Ion mass spectrometer measurements were correlated with energetic electron detector and electric field measurements. It is shown that the variation of ion composition at high latitudes is complex and frequently characterized by mid-latitude and high-latitude density depression. Prominent high-latitude troughs in the atomic ion (H, He, O) distributions were seen to lie frequently near the polar cap boundary. This indicates that these troughs are unrelated to the plasmapause which is found on closed magnetic field lines away from the trapping boundary. The production of the high-latitude troughs is shown to be related to enhancements in the soft electron flux and/or to the convection electric field.

Grebowsky, J. M.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Magneto-optical measurement of magnetic field and electrical current on a short pulse high energy pulsed power accelerator

We describe a direct magneto-optical approach to measuring the magnetic field driven by a narrow pulse width (<10 ns), 20 kA electrical current flow in the transmission line of a high energy pulsed power accelerator. The magnetic field and electrical current are among the most important operating parameters in a pulsed power accelerator and are critical to understanding the properties of the radiation output. However, accurately measuring these fields and electrical currents using conventional pulsed power diagnostics is difficult due to the strength of ionizing radiation and electromagnetic interference. Our approach uses a fiber coupled laser beam with a rare earth element sensing crystal sensor that is highly resistant to electromagnetic interference and does not require external calibration. Here, we focus on device theory, operating parameters, results from an experiment on a high energy pulsed power accelerator, and comparison to a conventional electrical current shunt sensor.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1993

Noncontact Measurement Of Sizes And Eccentricities Of Holes

Semiautomatic eddy-current-probe apparatus makes noncontact measurements of nominally round holes in electrically conductive specimens and processes measurement data into diameters and eccentricities of holes. Includes x-y translation platform, which holds specimen and moves it horizontally. Probe mounted on probe scanner, positioning probe along vertical (z) direction and rotates probe about vertical axis at preset low speed. Eddy-current sensing coil mounted in side of probe near tip. As probe rotates, impedance analyzer measures electrical impedance (Z) of coil as function of instantaneous rotation angle. Translation and rotation mechanisms and impedance analyzer controlled by computer, which also processes impedance-measurement data.

Chern, Engmin J.↗