Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “scale coupling”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 685 records · Page 38
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

CALIGOLA: A New Spaceborne Lidar Mission

Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) and NASA are partnering on an exciting new spaceborne lidar mission known as CALIGOLA (i.e., the Cloud and Aerosol Lidar for Global Scale observations of the Ocean-Land-Atmosphere) that seeks to significantly advance our understanding of Earth’s coupled ocean-land-atmosphere systems. By flying an innovative multi-wavelength, polarization-sensitive Raman lidar that will simultaneously acquire elastic backscatter and fluorescence measurements, CALIGOLA will provide new insights into the processes that influence climate, weather, and air quality by vertically profiling microphysical and optical properties of clouds and aerosols. The mission will also probe phytoplankton biomass and zooplankton dynamics and provide observations of surface vegetation, ice, and snow. The mission is planned for launch early next decade and baselined to fly in an orbit that is compatible with NASA’s AOS-Sky mission. This formation flying configuration will enable synergistic retrievals between observations from CALIGOLA and the polarimeter and radar measurements planned for AOS-Sky and thus greatly enhance our ability to explore and characterize the intricate processes that govern the interactions between different components of the Earth system. The presentation will highlight CALIGOLA’s significant science objectives and describe the pioneering instrument that will enable us to achieve these objectives.

Chip Trepte↗
NASA NTRS1998

Martian Meteorology: Determination of Large Scale Weather Patterns from Surface Measurements

We employed numerical modelling of the martian atmosphere, and our expertise in understanding martian atmospheric processes, to better understand the coupling between lower and upper atmosphere processes. One practical application of this work has been our involvement with the ongoing atmospheric aerobraking which the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft is currently undergoing at Mars. Dr. Murphy is currently a member of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Aerobraking Atmospheric Advisory Group (AAG). He was asked to participate in this activity based upon his knowledge of martian atmospheric dynamical processes. Aerobraking is a process whereby a spacecraft, in an elliptical orbit, passes through the upper layers of the atmosphere (in this instance Mars). This passage through the atmosphere 'drags' upon the spacecraft, gradually reducing its orbital velocity. This has the effect, over time, of converting the elliptical orbit to a circular orbit, which is the desired mapping orbit for MGS. Carrying out aerobraking eliminates the need for carrying large amounts of fuel on the spacecraft to execute an engine burn to achieve the desired orbit. Eliminating the mass of the fuel reduces the cost of launch. Damage to one of MGS's solar panels shortly after launch has resulted in a less aggressive extended in time aerobraking phase which will not end until March, 1999. Phase 1 extended from Sept. 1997 through March 1998. During this time period, Dr. Murphy participated almost daily in the AAG meetings, and beginning in December 1997 lead the meeting several times per week. The leader of each of the daily AAG meetings took the results of that meeting current state of the atmosphere, identification of any time trends or spatial patterns in upper atmosphere densities, etc.) forward to the Aerobraking Planning Group (APG) meeting, at which time the decision was made to not chance MGS orbit, to lower the orbit to reach higher densities (greater 'drag'), or raise the orbit to avoid experiencing excessive, possibly damaging densities.

Murphy, James R.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Martian Meteorology: Determination of Large Scale Weather Patterns from Surface Measurements

We employed numerical modelling of the martian atmosphere, and our expertise in understanding martian atmospheric processes, to better understand the coupling between lower and upper atmosphere processes. One practical application of this work has been our involvement with the ongoing atmospheric aerobraking which the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft is currently undergoing at Mars. Dr. Murphy is currently a member of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Aerobraking Atmospheric Advisory Group (AAG). He was asked to participate in this activity based upon his knowledge of martian atmospheric dynamical processes. Aerobraking is a process whereby a spacecraft, in an elliptical orbit, passes through the upper layers of the atmosphere (in this instance Mars). This passage through the atmosphere 'drags'upon the spacecraft, gradually reducing its orbital velocity. This has the effect, over time, of converting the elliptical orbit to a circular orbit, which is the desired mapping orbit for MGS. Carrying out aerobraking eliminates the need for carrying large amounts of fuel on the spacecraft to execute an engine burn to achieve the desired orbit. Eliminating the mass of the fuel reduces the cost of launch. Damage to one of MGS's solar panels shortly after launch has resulted in a less aggressive extended in time aerobraking phase which will not end until March, 1999. Phase I extended from Sept. 1997 through March 1998. During this time period, Dr. Murphy participated almost daily in the AAG meetings, and beginning in December 1997 lead the meeting several times per week. The leader of each of the daily AAG meetings took the results of that meeting (current state of the atmosphere, identification of any time trends or spatial patterns in upper atmosphere densities, etc.) forward to the Aerobraking Planning Group (APG) meeting, at which time the decision was made to not change MGS orbit, to lower the orbit to reach higher densities (greater 'drag'), or raise the orbit to avoid experiencing excessive, possibly damaging densities.

Murphy, James R.↗
NASA NTRS2014

A Revolutionary Aeronomy Concept to Explore the Coupling of the Solar-Terrestrial System

The Geospace Dynamics Observatory (GDO) mission observes the near-Earth region in space called Geospace with unprecedented resolution, scale and sensitivity. At a distance of 60 Earth Radii (Re) in a near-polar circular orbit and at approximately 27-day period, GDO images the earth's full disk with: (1) a three-channel far ultraviolet imager, (2) an extreme ultraviolet imager of the plasmasphere, and (3) a spectrometer in the near to far ultraviolet range that probes any portion of the disk and simultaneously observes the limb.

Spann, James↗
NASA NTRS2013

The Effect of Scale Dependent Discretization on the Progressive Failure of Composite Materials Using Multiscale Analyses

A multiscale modeling methodology, which incorporates a statistical distribution of fiber strengths into coupled micromechanics/ finite element analyses, is applied to unidirectional polymer matrix composites (PMCs) to analyze the effect of mesh discretization both at the micro- and macroscales on the predicted ultimate tensile (UTS) strength and failure behavior. The NASA code FEAMAC and the ABAQUS finite element solver were used to analyze the progressive failure of a PMC tensile specimen that initiates at the repeating unit cell (RUC) level. Three different finite element mesh densities were employed and each coupled with an appropriate RUC. Multiple simulations were performed in order to assess the effect of a statistical distribution of fiber strengths on the bulk composite failure and predicted strength. The coupled effects of both the micro- and macroscale discretizations were found to have a noticeable effect on the predicted UTS and computational efficiency of the simulations.

Ricks, Trenton M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Numerical simulations of magnetospheric plasmas - Review and quadrennial report to the IUGG

This article provides a broad survey of U.S. progress during the quadrennium 1983-1986 in the category 'numerical simulations of magnetospheric plasmas'. There has been a substantial increase of activity in this area during this period. Simulations have been instrumental in providing valuable insights into large scale dynamic phenomena, nonlinear effects, and complex kinetic phenomena in a wide variety of subject areas, including shocks and double layers, ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling phenomena, and important microphysical processes such as broadband electrostatic noise. The methodology of computer simulation has also been advanced during this quadrennium. Vlasov algorithms have been improved; hybrid codes in 2 and 3D have been developed and applied to magnetospheric problems; and complex problems have been subjected with increasing frequency to a multipronged attack in which several types of simulation models, each designed to accurately model phenomena within a particular range of temporal or spatial scales, are employed synergistically.

Palmadesso, Peter J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

New space technology advances knowledge of the remote polar regions

The application of ERTS-1 imagery is rapidly increasing man's knowledge of polar regions. Products compiled from this imagery at scales of 1:250,000, 1:500,000 and 1:1,000,000 are already providing valuable information to earth scientists working in Antarctica. Significant finds detected by these bench mark products were glaciological changes, advancement in ice fronts, discovery of new geographic features, and the repositioning of nunataks, islands, and ice tongues. Tests conducted in Antarctica have proven the feasibility of tracking Navy navigation satellites to establish ground control for positioning ERTS-1 imagery in remote areas. ERTS imagery coupled with satellite geodesy shows great promise and may prove to be the most practical and cost effective way to meet the small-scale cartographic requirements of the polar science community.

Macdonald, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Diagnosing the Nature of Land-Atmosphere Coupling During the 2006-7 Dry/Wet Extremes in the U.S. Southern Great Plains

Land-atmosphere interactions play a critical role in determining the diurnal evolution of both planetary boundary layer (PBL) and land surface temperature and moisture states. The degree of coupling between the land surface and PBL in numerical weather prediction and climate models remains largely unexplored and undiagnosed due to the complex interactions and feedbacks present across a range of scales. Further, uncoupled systems or experiments (e.g., the Project for Intercomparison of Land Parameterization Schemes, PILPS) may lead to inaccurate water and energy cycle process understanding by neglecting feedback processes such as PBL-top entrainment. In this study, a framework for diagnosing local land-atmosphere coupling (LoCo) is presented using a coupled mesoscale model with a suite of PBL and land surface model (LSM) options along with observations during the summers of200617 in the U.S. Southern Great Plains. Specifically, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model has been coupled to NASA's Land Information System (LIS), which provides a flexible and high-resolution representation and initialization of land surface physics and states. A range of diagnostics exploring the links and feedbacks between soil moisture and precipitation are examined for the dry/wet extremes of this region, along with the sensitivity of PBL-LSM coupling to perturbations in soil moisture. As such, this methodology provides a potential pathway to study factors controlling local land-atmosphere coupling (LoCo) using the LIS-WRF system, which is serving as a testbed for LoCo experiments to evaluate coupling diagnostics within the community.

Santanello, Joseph A.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Diagnosing the Nature of Land-Atmosphere Coupling During the 2006-7 Dry/Wet Extremes in the U.S. Southern Great Plains

Land-atmosphere interactions play a critical role in determining the. diurnal evolution of both planetary boundary layer (PBL) and land surface temperature and moisture states. The degree of coupling between the land surface and PBL in numerical weather prediction and climate models remains largely unexplored and undiagnosed due to the complex interactions and feedbacks present across a range of scales. Further, uncoupled systems or experiments (e.g., the Project for Intercomparison of Land Parameterization Schemes, PILPS) may lead to inaccurate water and energy cycle process understanding by neglecting feedback processes such as PBL-top entrainment. In this study, a framework for diagnosing local land-atmosphere coupling (LoCo) is presented using a coupled mesoscale model with a suite of PBL and land surface model (LSM) options along with observations during the summers of 200617 in the U.S. Southern Great Plains. Specifically, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model has been coupled to NASA's Land Information System (LIS), which provides a flexible and high-resolution representation and initialization of land surface physics and states. A range of diagnostics exploring the links and feedbacks between soil moisture and precipitation are examined for the dry/wet extremes of this region, along with the sensitivity of PBL-LSM coupling to perturbations in soil moisture. As such, this methodology provides a potential pathway to study factors controlling local land-atmosphere coupling (LoCo) using the LIS-WRF system, which is serving as a testbed for LoCo experiments to evaluate coupling diagnostics within the community.

Santanello, Joseph A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Toward a theory of interstellar turbulence. 1: Weak Alfvenic turbulence

We study weak Alfvenic turbulence of an incompressible, magnetized fluid in some detail, with a view to developing a firm theoretical basis for the dynamics of small-scale turbulence in the interstellar medium. We prove that resonant 3-wave interactions are absent. We also show that the Iroshnikov-Kraichnan theory of incompressible, magnetohydrodynamic turbulence -- which is widely accepted -- describes weak 3-wave turbulence; consequently, it is incorrect. Physical arguments, as well as detailed calculations of the coupling coefficients are used to demonstrate that these interactions are empty. We then examine resonant 4-wave interactions, and show that the resonance relations forbid energy transport to small spatial scales along the direction of the mean magnetic field, for both the shear Alfven wave and the pseudo Alfven wave. The three-dimensional inertial-range energy spectrum of 4-wave shear Alfven turbulence guessed from physical arguments reads E(k(sub z), k(sub perpendicular)) approximately V(sub A)v(sub L)L(exp -1/3)k(sub perpendicular)(exp -10/3), where V(sub A) is the Alfven speed, and v(sub L) is the velocity difference across the outer scale L. Given this spectrum, the velocity difference across lambda(sub perpendicular) approximately k(sub perpendicular exp -1) is v(sub lambda (sub perpendicular)) is approximately v(sub L)(lambda(sub perpendicular)/L)(exp 2/3). We derive a kinetic equation, and prove that this energy spectrum is a stationary solution and that it implies a positive flux of energy in k-space, along directions perpendicular to the mean magnetic field. Using this energy spectrum, we deduce that 4-wave interactions strengthen as the energy cascades to small, perpendicular spatial scales; beyond an upper bound in perpendicular wavenumber, k(sub perpendicular)L is approximately (V(sub A)/v(sub L))(exp 3/2), weak turbulence theory ceases to be valid. Energy excitation amplitudes must be very small for the 4-wave inertial-range to be substantial. When the excitation is strong, the width of the 4-wave inertial-range shrinks to zero. This seems likely to be the case in the interstellar medium.

Sridhar, S.↗
NASA NTRS2012

In Situ Detection of Strong Langmuir Turbulence Processes in Solar Type III Radio Bursts

The high time resolution observations obtained by the WAVES experiment of the STEREO spacecraft in solar type III radio bursts show that Langmuir waves often occur as intense localized wave packets. These wave packets are characterized by short durations of only a few ms and peak intensities, which well exceed the supersonic modulational instability (MI) thresholds. These timescales and peak intensities satisfy the criterion of the solitons collapsed to spatial scales of a few hundred Debye lengths. The spectra of these wave packets consist of primary spectral peaks corresponding to beam-resonant Langmuir waves, two or more sidebands corresponding to down-shifted and up-shifted daughter Langmuir waves, and low frequency enhancements below a few hundred Hz corresponding to daughter ion sound waves. The frequencies and wave numbers of these spectral components satisfy the resonance conditions of the modulational instability (MI). Moreover, the tricoherences, computed using trispectral analysis techniques show that these spectral components are coupled to each other with a high degree of coherency as expected of the MI type of four wave interactions. The high intensities, short scale lengths, sideband spectral structures and low frequency spectral enhancements and, high levels of tricoherences amongst the spectral components of these wave packets provide unambiguous evidence for the supersonic MI and related strong turbulence processes in type III radio bursts. The implication of these observations include: (1) the MI and related strong turbulence processes often occur in type III source regions, (2) the strong turbulence processes probably play very important roles in beam stabilization as well as conversion of Langmuir waves into escaping radiation at the fundamental and second harmonic of the electron plasma frequency, fpe, and (3) the Langmuir collapse probably follows the route of MI in type III radio bursts.

Langmuir↗
NASA NTRS1983

An ISEE 3 high time resolution study of interplanetary parameter correlations with magnetospheric activity

The coupling between the solar wind and the geomagnetic disturbances was examined using data from the ISEE-3 spacecraft at an earth-sun libration point and ground-based data. One minute data were used to avoid aliasing in determining the internal magnetospheric response to solar wind conditions. Attention was given to the cross-correlations between the geomagnetic index (AE), the total energy dissipation rate (UT), and the solar wind parameters, as well as the spatial and temporal scales on which the magnetosphere reacts to the solar wind conditions. It was considered necessary to characterize the physics of the solar wind-magnetosphere coupling in order to define the requirements for a spacecraft like the ISEE-3 that could be used as a real time monitoring system for predicting storms and substorms. The correlations among all but one parameter were lower during disturbance intervals; UT was highly correlated with all parameters during the disturbed times. An intrinsic 25-40 min delay was detected between interplanetary activity and magnetospheric response in quite times, diminishing to no more than 15 min during disturbed times.

Baker, D. N.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Numerical analysis of confined recirculating gas-solid turbulent flows

Particle dispersion in confined recirculating turbulent flows has been investigated numerically. The present computational scheme utilizes Eulerian forms of the governing equations and allows two-way coupling between gas and solid phases. A recently developed two-phase closure model based on the multiple-scale turbulence model was used for the estimation of turbulent viscosities and diffusivities. For the particle size and loading considered in this study, the effect of particulate phase on the conveying gas is small, the nonequilibrium between the two phases is significant. Effects of recirculation, expanded chamber size and secondary annular jet momentum on the particle mixing rate are also investigated. In general, the present numerical results are in reasonably good agreement with the available experimental data.

Chen, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Nonlinear evolution of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the high-latitude ionosphere

The first numerical simulations of the nonlinear evolution of the electrostatic Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) instability with ionospheric Perderson conductivity coupling are presented. It is found that the K-H instability develops in a distinctly different manner in the nonlinear regime with Pedersen coupling than without it. Pedersen coupling effects, in conjunction with a neutral wind and density gradient, are shown to result in an increased time scale for K-H instability wave growth, to inhibit K-H vortex formation, to lead to nonlinear structures which can be described as 'breaking waves', and to generate, in the nonlinear regime, small-scale turbulence by means of secondary instabilities growing on primary waves. The spatial power spectra of the electrostatic potential and density fluctuations are computed, and differences with and without Pedersen effects are reported.

Keskinen, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Chemical abundance of comets

Observations of NH2, (OI) and molecular ion spectra in comets represent virtually all of the volatile fraction of a comet nucleus. Their study leads to the N2, NH3, H2O, CO2, CO content of the nucleus, and thus to important constraints on models of comet formation and chemical processing in the primitive solar nebula. The observations of Comet Halley provide the opportunity for the first comprehensive determination of the abundances in a comet nucleus. The carbon isotope abundance ratio 12 C/13 C = 65 plus or minus 8 has been determined for Comet Halley from resolved rotational line structure in the CN B-X (0,0) band. The ratio is approximately 30 pct lower than the solar system value, 89, indicating either an enhancement of 13CN or a depletion of 12CN in the comet. Scenarios consistent with the observed carbon isotope ratio are: (1) formation of the comet at the periphery of the solar nebula in a fractionation-enriched 13CN region, or hidden from 12CN enrichment sources, and (2) capture of an interestellar comet. Long-slit charge coupled device (CCD) spectra obtained at the time of the spacecraft encounter of Comet Halley have also been analyzed. Scale lengths, production rates and column densities of CH, CN, C2 and NH2 were determined.

Wyckoff, Susan↗
NASA NTRS1991

Use of satellite data and modeling to assess the influence of stratospheric processes on the troposphere

Over the past forty years, numerous linear stability studies have been performed in order to explain the origin and structure of observed waves in the atmosphere. Of these studies, only a small fraction have considered the stability of time-dependent, zonally varying flow or the influence of radiative-photochemical feedbacks on the stability of zonally uniform flow. The stability of such flows is described, and these flows may yield important information concerning the origin, structure, and transient time scales of free waves in the atmosphere. During the period 1990 to 1991, a beta-plane model that couples radiative transfer, ozone advection, and ozone photochemistry with the quasigeostrophic dynamical circulation was developed in order to study the diabatic effects of Newtonian cooling and ozone-dynamics interaction on the linear stability of free planetary waves in the atmosphere. The stability of a basic state consisting of a westward-moving wave and a zonal mean jet was examined using a linearized, nondivergent barotropic model on sphere. The sensitivity of the stability of the flow to the strength and structure of the zonal jet was emphasized. The current research is focused on the following problems: (1) examination of the finite amplitude interactions among radiation, ozone, and dynamics; and (2) examination of the role of seasonal forcing in short-term climate variability. The plans for next year are presented.

Nathan, Terrence↗
NASA NTRS1994

Fiber Optic Switch For Broadband Emission Spectroscopy

Many high-temperature processes comprise large-scale phenomena. Studying spatial and temporal correlations of physical processes between several locations within characteristic scales provides desired information on macroscopic physical processes. Achieved with emission spectroscopy by use of multiple optical fibers. Simultaneous coupling of light from these fibers into single available spectrometer and/or monochromator not accomplished without added expense of two-dimensional array and increased complexity of calibration. Quasi-simultaneous coupling, while maintaining optimum alignment and maximum throughput of broadband emission, achieved by use of fiber optic multiscanner. Instrument used successfully in study of frozen-flow losses internal to flow of plasma inside nozzle of arc jet. Instrument includes two hollow disks of different sizes and stepping motor.

De Groot, Wim↗
NASA NTRS2005

Modeling of Isotope Fractionation in Stratospheric CO2, N2O, CH4, and O3: Investigations of Stratospheric Chemistry and Transport, Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange, and Their Influence on Global Isotope Budgets

Until recently, the stable isotopic composition of chemically and datively important stratospheric species, such as ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4), was largely unexplored, despite indications from the few measurements available and theoretical studies that global-scale isotopic variations will provide a unique tool for quantifying rates of global-scale mass transport into, within, and out of the stratosphere and for understanding the mechanisms of chemical reactions involved in ozone production. The number and geographical extent of observations are beginning to increase rapidly, however, as access to the stratosphere, both directly and by remote-sensing, has increased over the last 10 years and as new analytical techniques have been developed that make global-scale isotope measurements by whole-air sampling more feasible. The objective of this study, begun in April 1999, is to incorporate into the Livermore 2D model the likely photochemical fractionation processes that determine the isotopic compositions of stratospheric CO2, N2O, CH4, and O3, and to use the model results and new observations from NASA field campaigns in 1996 and 1997 to investigate stratospheric chemistry and mass transport. Additionally, since isotopic signatures from the stratosphere are transferred to the troposphere by downward transport at middle and high latitudes, the isotopic compositions may also serve as sensitive tracers of stratosphere-totroposphere transport. Comparisons of model results with stratospheric and upper tropospheric observations from these campaigns, as well as with ground-based observations from new NOAA and NSF-sponsored studies, will help determine whether the magnitudes of the stratospheric fractionation processes are large enough to use as global-scale tracers of transport into the troposphere and, if so, will be used to help constrain the degree of coupling between the troposphere and the stratosphere.

Boering, Kristie A.↗