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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 721 records · Page 40

The TechSat 21 Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment

Software has been developed to perform a number of functions essential to autonomous operation in the Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment (ASE), which is scheduled to be demonstrated aboard a constellation of three spacecraft, denoted TechSat 21, to be launched by the Air Force into orbit around the Earth in January 2006. A prior version of this software was reported in Software for an Autonomous Constellation of Satellites (NPO-30355), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 26, No. 11 (November 2002), page 44. The software includes the following components: Algorithms to analyze image data, generate scientific data products, and detect conditions, features, and events of potential scientific interest; A program that uses component-based computational models of hardware to analyze anomalous situations and to generate novel command sequences, including (when possible) commands to repair components diagnosed as faulty; A robust-execution-management component that uses the Spacecraft Command Language (SCL) software to enable event-driven processing and low-level autonomy; and The Continuous Activity Scheduling, Planning, Execution, and Replanning (CASPER) program for replanning activities, including downlink sessions, on the basis of scientific observations performed during previous orbit cycles.

Sherwood, Robert↗

A materials-informatics based study of solid electrolytes and protective coatings for Li batteries

All-solid-state batteries with Li metal anode can address the safety issues surrounding traditional Li-ion batteries as well as the demand for higher energy densities. However, the development of solid electrolytes and protective coatings simultaneously possessing high ionic conductivity and wide electrochemical stability has proven to be a challenge. Here, we present a data-driven approach to explore the Li compound space for promising solid electrolytes and coatings. This is accomplished through the generation of a large database of battery-related materials properties of Li compounds by computing Li+ migration barriers using bond-valence-based pair potentials, and stability windows using density functional theory energies. Using this database, we implement machine learning models that can accurately predict migration barriers and electrochemical stability windows for any new Li compound. Through feature engineering, we ensure that our models are both accurate and interpretable. We perform feature importance analysis on our models to highlight materials properties that can be tuned for future design of coatings/electrolytes. Our database and informatics approach provide a valuable tool for the rapid discovery of new solid-state battery chemistries.

Solid state batteries↗

Application of solar max ACRIM data to analyze solar-driven climatic variability on Earth

Terrestrial climatic effects associated with solar variability have been proposed for at least a century, but could not be assessed quantitatively owing to observational uncertainities in solar flux variations. Measurements from 1980 to 1984 by the Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor (ACRIM), capable of resolving fluctuations above the sensible atmosphere less than 0.1% of the solar constant, permit direct albeit preliminary assessments of solar forcing effects on global temperatures during this period. The global temperature response to ACRIM-measured fluctuations was computed from 1980 to 1985 using the NYU transient climate model including thermal inertia effects of the world ocean; and compared the results with observations of recent temperature trends. Monthly mean ACRIM-driven global surface temperature fluctuations computed with the climate model are an order of magnitude smaller, of order 0.01 C. In constrast, global mean surface temperature observations indicate an approx. 0.1 C increase during this period. Solar variability is therefore likely to have been a minor factor in global climate change during this period compared with variations in atmospheric albedo, greenhouse gases and internal self-inducedoscillations. It was not possible to extend the applicability of the measured flux variations to longer periods since a possible correlation of luminosity with solar annual activity is not supported by statistical analysis. The continuous monitoring of solar flux by satellite-based instruments over timescales of 20 years or more comparable to timescales for thermal relaxation of the oceans and of the solar cycle itself is needed to resolve the question of long-term solar variation effects on climate.

Hoffert, M. I.↗

Shock wave oscillation driven by turbulent boundary layer fluctuations

Pressure fluctuations due to the interaction of a shock wave with a turbulent boundary layer were investigated. A simple model is proposed in which the shock wave is convected from its mean position by velocity fluctuations in the turbulent boundary layer. Displacement of the shock is assumed limited by a linear restoring mechanism. Predictions of peak root mean square pressure fluctuation and spectral density are in excellent agreement with available experimental data.

Plotkin, K. J.↗

Enhancements to Linear Stability-Based, CFD-integrated Transition Prediction for High-Speed Flows

Combining linear stability calculations with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations has great potential for the automated modeling of high-speed flows, especially when adequate information about the configuration and the disturbance environment is available. However, a significant impediment to the applicability of this technique is the lack of an efficient method to calculate the crucial amplification ratio corresponding to the onset of transition in hypersonic flows. This ratio, also known as the "transition N-factor," is dependent upon the freestream disturbance environment as well as the surface properties of the test article. In response to the need for an engineering solution to predict the transition N-factor within conventional hypersonic wind tunnels, this paper presents a data-driven correlation that expands the existing correlations from straight circular cones with a narrow range of half angles to a broader array of axisymmetric configurations. Furthermore, when tested against a chosen dataset that was not used in its calibration, the suggested correlation shows good predictive accuracy with an RMS error of only 6.9%. Although similar accuracy may also be achieved via existing correlations based on similar datasets, predictions based on the proposed correlation have the advantage of not requiring an extensive amount of configuration-specific data. Practical applications often have access to the input parameters needed for this correlation, such as the freestream disturbance intensity, Mach number, and body-based slenderness Reynolds number. Additionally, this correlation outperforms the traditional assumption of a constant N-factor, particularly for configurations with blunted nose geometries. The development of this correlation is grounded in an extensive dataset encompassing conical models with body half-angles varying between 5 degrees and 16 degrees, Mach numbers ranging from 5 to 14, and nosetip-based Reynolds numbers approaching the transition reversal limit for blunt-nosed cones.

CFD↗

Enhancements to Linear Stability-Based, CFD-integrated Transition Prediction for High-Speed Flows

Combining linear stability calculations with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations has great potential for the automated modeling of high-speed flows, especially when adequate information about the configuration and the disturbance environment is available. However, a significant impediment to the applicability of this technique is the lack of an efficient method to calculate the crucial amplification ratio corresponding to the onset of transition in hypersonic flows. This ratio, also known as the "transition N-factor," is dependent upon the freestream disturbance environment as well as the surface properties of the test article. In response to the need for an engineering solution to predict the transition N-factor within conventional hypersonic wind tunnels, this paper presents a data-driven correlation that expands the existing correlations from straight circular cones with a narrow range of half angles to a broader array of axisymmetric configurations. Furthermore, when tested against a chosen dataset that was not used in its calibration, the suggested correlation shows good predictive accuracy with an RMS error of only 6.9%. Although similar accuracy may also be achieved via existing correlations based on similar datasets, predictions based on the proposed correlation have the advantage of not requiring an extensive amount of configuration-specific data. Practical applications often have access to the input parameters needed for this correlation, such as the freestream disturbance intensity, Mach number, and body-based slenderness Reynolds number. Additionally, this correlation outperforms the traditional assumption of a constant N-factor, particularly for configurations with blunted nose geometries. The development of this correlation is grounded in an extensive dataset encompassing conical models with body half-angles varying between 5 degrees and 16 degrees, Mach numbers ranging from 5 to 14, and nosetip-based Reynolds numbers approaching the transition reversal limit for blunt-nosed cones.

CFD↗

Cratering flow fields - Implications for the excavation and transient expansion stages of crater formation

Theoretical depths, volumes of excavation, hinge radii, ejection angles and transient structural rim uplifts are calculated, for comparison with experimental and field data from impact and explosion craters, by means of a Maxwell Z-model cratering flow field originating at non-zero depths-of-burst. It is found that the formation of a hinge, about which the coherent ejecta flap rotates at the rim of the transient crater, divides material in the flow field into ejected and downward and outward-driven portions. Ejected material originates from an excavation cavity whose geometry is distinct from that of the transient crater. The shallow depths of excavation both observed in impact and explosion craters and predicted by the Z-model flow fields imply that thickness estimates of such lunar geologic units as the maria basalts, which are determined by assuming that excavation depths are similar to (1) final or (2) transient crater depths, must be reduced by factors of two to three respectively. It is concluded that lunar basin excavation cavities exhibit proportional growth, and have maximum depths of excavation near 0.1 the diameter of the basin transient crater.

Croft, S. K.↗

Propeller aircraft interior noise model

An analytical model was developed to predict the interior noise of propeller-driven aircraft. The fuselage model is that of a cylinder with a structurally-integral floor. The cabin sidewall is stiffened by stringers and ring frames, and the floor by longitudinal beams. The cabin interior is covered with a sidewall treatments consisting of layers of porous material and an impervious trim septum. Representation of the propeller pressure field is utilized as input data in the form of the propeller noise signature at a series of locations on a grid over the fuselage structure. Results obtained from the analytical model are compared with test data measured by NASA in a scale model cylindrical fuselage excited by a model propeller.

Pope, L. D.↗

Frequency domain model for analysis of paralleled, series-output-connected Mapham inverters

The Mapham resonant inverter is characterized as a two-port network driven by a selected periodic voltage. The two-port model is then used to model a pair of Mapham inverters connected in series and employing phasor voltage regulation. It is shown that the model is useful for predicting power output in paralleled inverter units, and for predicting harmonic current output of inverter pairs, using standard power flow techniques. Some examples are compared to data obtained from testing hardware inverters.

Brush, Andrew S.↗

Core expansion in young star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud

The core radii of 18 rich star clusters in the LMC with ages from 10 Myr to 1 Gyr. Data for an additional 17 clusters with ages from 1 Myr to 10 Gyr are available in the literature. The combined sample shows that the core radii increase from about 0 to about 5 pc between about 1 Myr and 1 Gyr, and then begin to decrease again. The expansion of the cores is probably driven by mass loss from evolving stars. Models of cluster evolution show that the rate of increase in core radius is sensitive to the slope of the initial mass function. The observed core radius-age relation for the LMC clusters favors an intial mass function with slope slightly flatter than the Salpeter value.

Elson, Rebecca A. W.↗

Research activity at the shock tube facility at NASA Ames

The real gas phenomena dominate the relaxation process occurring in the flow around hypersonic vehicles. The air flow around these vehicles undergoes vibrational excitation, chemical dissociation, and ionization. These chemical and kinetic phenomena absorb energy, change compressibility, cause temperature to fall, and density to rise. In high-altitude, low density environments, the characteristic thicknesses of the shock layers can be smaller than the relaxation distances required for the gas to attain chemical and thermodynamic equilibrium. To determine the effects of chemical nonequilibrium over a realistic hypersonic vehicle, it would be desirable to conduct an experiment in which all aspects of fluid flow are simulated. Such an experiment is extremely difficult to setup. The only practical alternative is to develop a theoretical model of the phenomena and to compute the flow around the vehicle including the chemical nonequilibrium, and compare the results with the experiments conducted in the facilities under conditions where only a portion of the flow phenomena is simulated. Three types of experimental data are needed to assist the aerospace community in this model development process: (1) data which will enhance our phenomenological understanding of the relaxation process, (2) data on rate reactions for the relevant reactions, and (3) data on bulk properties, such as spectral radiation emitted by the gas, for a given set of aerodynamic conditions. NASA Ames is in a process of collecting such data by simulating the required aerothermochemical conditions in an electric arc driven shock tube.

Sharma, Surendra P.↗

A Real-Time Method for Estimating Viscous Forebody Drag Coefficients

This paper develops a real-time method based on the law of the wake for estimating forebody skin-friction coefficients. The incompressible law-of-the-wake equations are numerically integrated across the boundary layer depth to develop an engineering model that relates longitudinally averaged skin-friction coefficients to local boundary layer thickness. Solutions applicable to smooth surfaces with pressure gradients and rough surfaces with negligible pressure gradients are presented. Model accuracy is evaluated by comparing model predictions with previously measured flight data. This integral law procedure is beneficial in that skin-friction coefficients can be indirectly evaluated in real-time using a single boundary layer height measurement. In this concept a reference pitot probe is inserted into the flow, well above the anticipated maximum thickness of the local boundary layer. Another probe is servomechanism-driven and floats within the boundary layer. A controller regulates the position of the floating probe. The measured servomechanism position of this second probe provides an indirect measurement of both local and longitudinally averaged skin friction. Simulation results showing the performance of the control law for a noisy boundary layer are then presented.

Whitmore, Stephen A.↗

Robotic and Crewed Mars Missions Increasing the Demand for Planetary Protection Technology Needs

Planetary protection (PP) policy seeks to avoid harmful contamination by limiting biological and relevant organic contamination from spacecraft as well as preventing adverse changes to Earth’s biosphere when extraterrestial samples are brought back to Earth. The PP policy at NASA was updated in 2021 (NPR 8715.24) and 2022 (NASA-STD-8719.27) to enable missions by expanding the decades old prescriptive requirements to allow for an option of adopting performance-based requirements that are objectivesdriven, risk-informed and case-assured. In parallel, the final PP knowledge gap workshop was completed representing the international consensus on the key areas to be considered in developing crew PP policy. These knowledge gaps focused on key technology development areas in 1) microbial and human health monitoring, 2) technical and operations needed for contamination control and 3) natural transport of contamination on Mars. As robotic missions start to implement performance-based approaches and research and technology efforts commence to inform crew policy the demand for data quality driven verification and validation in relevant space environments. Examples of the types of testing that is envisioned includes test as you fly validation and verification of decontamination systems in a relevant on-orbit and Mars environment, developing lethality curves of terrestrial organisms to further our understanding of the biocidal impacts of Mars and the space environment, and particle transport model validation and verification. Thus, the PP discipline has identified the need for groundbased space environments to perform preliminary testing as validation and verification of flight systems and to advance the technology readiness level prior to further testing on-orbit or lunar environments to prepare for Mars.

J. Nick Benardini↗

Robotic and Crewed Mars Missions Increasing the Demand for Planetary Protection Technology Needs

Planetary protection (PP) policy seeks to avoid harmful contamination by limiting biological and relevant organic contamination from spacecraft as well as preventing adverse changes to Earth’s biosphere when extraterrestrial samples are brought back to Earth. The PP policy at NASA was updated in 2021 (NPR 8715.24) and 2022 (NASA-STD-8719.27) to enable missions by expanding the decades old prescriptive requirements to allow for an option of adopting performance-based requirements that are objectives-driven, risk-informed and case-assured. In parallel, the final PP knowledge gap workshop was completed representing the international consensus on the key areas to be considered in developing crew PP policy. These knowledge gaps focused on key technology development areas in 1) microbial and human health monitoring, 2) technical and operations needed for contamination control and 3) natural transport of contamination on Mars. As robotic missions start to implement performance-based approaches and research and technology efforts commence to inform crew policy the demand for data quality driven verification and validation in relevant space environments. Examples of the types of testing that is envisioned includes test as you fly validation and verification of decontamination systems in a relevant on-orbit and Mars environment, developing lethality curves of terrestrial organisms to further our understanding of the biocidal impacts of Mars and the space environment, and particle transport model validation and verification. Thus, the PP discipline has identified the need for ground-based space environments to perform preliminary testing as validation and verification of flight systems and to advance the technology readiness level prior to further testing on-orbit or lunar environments to prepare for Mars.

J Nick Benardini↗

An equipotential model for auroral arcs

Shaped charge barium release data and high-speed auroral image data show the likely existence of anomalously large (about 1 V/m referred to the 100-km level) electric fields at distances the order of one earth radius above the earth. A model of the electrostatic field above an auroral arc is proposed in which the magnetic field lines are not all equipotentials. Use is made of recent theoretical work on oblique current-driven electrostatic shocks to demonstrate the plausibility of nonequipotential field lines. The model is addressed to the structure of inverted-V electron spectra, current continuity between magnetosphere and ionosphere, and the results of recent shaped charge barium experiments. The model is used to identify specific gaps in our understanding of auroral phenomena.

Swift, D. W.↗

Low-speed wind-tunnel investigation of a large-scale VTOL lift-fan transport model

An investigation was conducted in the NASA-Ames 40 by 80 Foot Wind Tunnel to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of a large scale, VTOL, lift fan, jet transport model. The model had two lift fans at the forward portion of the fuselage, a lift fan at each wing tip, and two lift/cruise fans at the aft portion of the fuselage. All fans were driven by tip turbines using T-58 gas generators. Results were obtained for several lift fan, exit vane deflections and lift/cruise fan thrust deflections are zero sideslip. Three component longitudinal data are presented at several fan tip speed ratios. A limited amount of six component data were obtained with asymmetric vane settings. All of the data were obtained without a horizontal tail. Downwash angles at a typical tail location are also presented.

Aoyagi, K.↗

Hover test results of a small-scale twin-tilt nacelle model

Characteristics in hover of an 11/36%-scale, powered, twin-tilt nacelle model were measured in the NASA Ames Research Center's 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel. The model was powered by two high-pressure air-driven turbofan propulsion simulators. The position of the sting-mounted model was fixed and a movable ground plane was used to vary ground height and orientation. Hover characteristics were investigated in and out of ground effect for roll angles of -2 deg to +14 deg and pitch angles of -15 deg to +10 deg. Results for the basic configurations are compared with data from hover tests of the full-scale tilt nacelle model. Two methods were investigated to increase vertical vane effectiveness: (1) extending the maximum vane deflection from 20 deg to 70 deg, and (2) adding a third vertical vane. The goal was to increase the roll-control capability to significantly reduce or balance the strong, unfavorable rolling moment created by the loss of one engine. Results indicate that the three-vertical-vane configuration is more effective than two vertical vanes and that extended vane deflections significantly reduce the engine-out roll in hover.

Schmidt, S. B.↗

Frequency domain model for analysis of paralleled, series-output-connected Mapham inverters

The Mapham resonant inverter is characterized as a two-port network driven by a selected periodic voltage. The two-port model is then used to model a pair of Mapham inverters connected in series and employing phasor voltage regulation. It is shown that the model is useful for predicting power output in paralleled inverter units, and for predicting harmonic current output of inverter pairs, using standard power flow techniques. Some sample results are compared to data obtained from testing hardware inverters.

Brush, Andrew S.↗