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At least 721 records · Page 40

X ray microscope/telescope test and alignment

The tasks performed by the Center for Applied Optics (CAO) in support of the Normal Incidence Multilayer X-Ray Optics Program are detailed. The Multi-Spectral Solar Telescope Array (MSSTA) was launched on a Terrier-boosted Black Brant sounding rocket from White Sands Missile Range on 13 May 1991. High resolution images of the sun in the soft x ray to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) regime were obtained with normal-incidence Cassegrain, Ritchey-Chretien, and Herschelian telescopes mounted in the sounding rocket. MSSTA represents the first use of multilayer optics to study a very broad range of x ray and EUV solar emissions. Energy-selective properties of multilayer-coated optics allow distinct groups of emission lines to be isolated in the solar corona and transition region. Features of the near and far coronal structures including magnetic loops of plasmas, coronal plumes, coronal holes, faint structures, and cool prominences are visible in these images. MSSTA successfully obtained unprecedented information regarding the structure and dynamics of the solar atmosphere in the temperature range of 10(exp 4)-10(exp 7) K. The performance of the MSSTA has demonstrated a unique combination of ultra-high spatial resolution and spectral differentiation by use of multilayer optics.

Walker, Arthur B. C.↗

Active Thermal Isolation For Hot-Film Anemometers

Local heating compensates for conduction of heat from sensors into modules. Two hot-film sensors stacked on wind-tunnel model. Outer sensor detects changes in boundary-layer flow. Inner sensor provides active thermal isolation between outer sensor and model. Thermal boundary condition controlled at response time of detection hot-film sensor, significantly less than response time of internally heated model. Requires less power to maintain outer hot-film sensor at given temperature, enabling system to respond over greater dynamic range before power limits of instrument reached. Stacked sensors bonded to surface of most wind-tunnel models, even to curved surfaces, and removed after completion of experiments.

Martinson, Scott D.↗

Theoretical study of thermodynamic properties and reaction rates of importance in the high-speed research program

One of the primary goals of NASA's high-speed research program is to determine the feasibility of designing an environmentally safe commercial supersonic transport airplane. The largest environmental concern is focused on the amount of ozone destroying nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) that would be injected into the lower stratosphere during the cruise portion of the flight. The limitations placed on NO(x) emission require more than an order of magnitude reduction over current engine designs. To develop strategies to meet this goal requires first gaining a fundamental understanding of the combustion chemistry. To accurately model the combustor requires a computational fluid dynamics approach that includes both turbulence and chemistry. Since many of the important chemical processes in this regime involve highly reactive radicals, an experimental determination of the required thermodynamic data and rate constants is often very difficult. Unlike experimental approaches, theoretical methods are as applicable to highly reactive species as stable ones. Also our approximation of treating the dynamics classically becomes more accurate with increasing temperature. In this article we review recent progress in generating thermodynamic properties and rate constants that are required to understand NO(x) formation in the combustion process. We also describe our one-dimensional modeling efforts to validate an NH3 combustion reaction mechanism. We have been working in collaboration with researchers at LeRC, to ensure that our theoretical work is focused on the most important thermodynamic quantities and rate constants required in the chemical data base.

Langhoff, Stephen↗

Energization and transport of ions of ionospheric origin in the terrestrial magnetosphere

This serves as a final report entitled Energization and Transport of Ions of Ionospheric Origin in the Terrestrial Magnetosphere. The work has been predominantly focused on ion outflows identified in two data sets: (1) Prognoz 7; and (2) Dynamics Explorer. The study analyzed ion densities, temperatures, and flow velocities in the magnetotail. The work performed under this contract consisted of developing a program to load the raw data, compute the background subtraction of a strong sun pulse, and use the net counts to calculate the low order moments of the distribution function. The study confirms the results of ISEE that the the cusp is a major source of plasmasheet plasma and goes beyond this to discuss the use of ion velocities as a way to examine the motions of the magnetotail.

Waite, J. H., Jr.↗

Data assimilation and model evaluation experiment datasets

The Institute for Naval Oceanography, in cooperation with Naval Research Laboratories and universities, executed the Data Assimilation and Model Evaluation Experiment (DAMEE) for the Gulf Stream region during fiscal years 1991-1993. Enormous effort has gone into the preparation of several high-quality and consistent datasets for model initialization and verification. This paper describes the preparation process, the temporal and spatial scopes, the contents, the structure, etc., of these datasets. The goal of DAMEE and the need of data for the four phases of experiment are briefly stated. The preparation of DAMEE datasets consisted of a series of processes: (1) collection of observational data; (2) analysis and interpretation; (3) interpolation using the Optimum Thermal Interpolation System package; (4) quality control and re-analysis; and (5) data archiving and software documentation. The data products from these processes included a time series of 3D fields of temperature and salinity, 2D fields of surface dynamic height and mixed-layer depth, analysis of the Gulf Stream and rings system, and bathythermograph profiles. To date, these are the most detailed and high-quality data for mesoscale ocean modeling, data assimilation, and forecasting research. Feedback from ocean modeling groups who tested this data was incorporated into its refinement. Suggestions for DAMEE data usages include (1) ocean modeling and data assimilation studies, (2) diagnosis and theoretical studies, and (3) comparisons with locally detailed observations.

Lai, Chung-Cheng A.↗

Tectonic plates, D (double prime) thermal structure, and the nature of mantle plumes

It is proposed that subducting tectonic plates can affect the nature of thermal mantle plumes by determining the temperature drop across a plume source layer. The temperature drop affects source layer stability and the morphology of plumes emitted from it. Numerical models are presented to demonstrate how introduction of platelike behavior in a convecting temperature dependent medium, driven by a combination of internal and basal heating, can increase the temperature drop across the lower boundary layer. The temperature drop increases dramatically following introduction of platelike behavior due to formation of a cold temperature inversion above the lower boundary layer. This thermal inversion, induced by deposition of upper boundary layer material to the system base, decays in time, but the temperature drop across the lower boundary layer always remains considerably higher than in models lacking platelike behavior. On the basis of model-inferred boundary layer temperature drops and previous studies of plume dynamics, we argue that generally accepted notions as to the nature of mantle plumes on Earth may hinge on the presence of plates. The implication for Mars and Venus, planets apparently lacking plate tectonics, is that mantle plumes of these planets may differ morphologically from those of Earth. A corollary model-based argument is that as a result of slab-induced thermal inversions above the core mantle boundary the lower most mantle may be subadiabatic, on average (in space and time), if major plate reorganization timescales are less than those acquired to diffuse newly deposited slab material.

Lenardic, A.↗

Nd:YAG Laser-Based Dual-Line Detection Rayleigh Scattering and Current Efforts on UV, Filtered Rayleigh Scattering

Ongoing research in Rayleigh scattering diagnostics for variable density low speed flow applications and for supersonic flow measurements are described. During the past several years, the focus has been on the development and use of a Nd:YAG-based Rayleigh scattering system with improved signal-to-noise characteristics and with applicability to complex, confined flows. This activity serves other research projects in the Aerodynamics Laboratory which require the non-contact, accurate, time-frozen measurement of gas density, pressure, and temperature (each separately), in a fairly wide dynamic range of each parameter. Recently, with the acquisition of a new seed-injected Nd:YAG laser, effort also has been directed to the development of a high-speed velocity probe based on a spectrally resolved Rayleigh scattering technique.

Otugen, M. Volkan↗

Radiation Heat Transfer Modeling Improved for Phase-Change, Thermal Energy Storage Systems

Spacecraft solar dynamic power systems typically use high-temperature phase-change materials to efficiently store thermal energy for heat engine operation in orbital eclipse periods. Lithium fluoride salts are particularly well suited for this application because of their high heat of fusion, long-term stability, and appropriate melting point. Considerable attention has been focused on the development of thermal energy storage (TES) canisters that employ either pure lithium fluoride (LiF), with a melting point of 1121 K, or eutectic composition lithium-fluoride/calcium-difluoride (LiF-20CaF2), with a 1040 K melting point, as the phase-change material. Primary goals of TES canister development include maximizing the phase-change material melt fraction, minimizing the canister mass per unit of energy storage, and maximizing the phase-change material thermal charge/discharge rates within the limits posed by the container structure.

Kerslake, Thomas W.↗

In-Vacuum Photogrammetry of a 10-Meter Solar Sail

In July 2004, a 10-meter solar sail structure developed by L Garde, Inc. was tested in vacuum at the NASA Glenn 30-meter Plum Brook Space Power Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. The three main objections of the test were to demonstrate unattended deployment from a stowed configuration, to measure the deployed shape of the sail at both ambient and cryogenic room temperatures, and to measure the deployed structural dynamic characteristics (vibration modes). This paper summarizes the work conducted to fulfill the second test objective. The deployed shape was measured photogrammetrically in vacuum conditions with four 2-megapixel digital video cameras contained in custom made pressurized canisters. The canisters included high-intensity LED ring lights to illuminate a grid of retroreflective targets distributed on the solar sail. The test results closely matched pre-test photogrammetry numerical simulations and compare well with ABAQUS finite-element model predictions.

Meyer, Chris G.↗

High performance structural laminate composite material for use to 1000.degree. F. and above, apparatus for and method of manufacturing same, and articles made with same

A novel materials technology has been developed and demonstrated for providing a high modulus composite material for use to 1000.degree. F. and above. This material can be produced at 5-20% of the cost of refractory materials, and has higher structural properties. This technology successfully resolves the problem of thermal shock or ply lift, which limits traditional high temperature laminates (such as graphite/polyimide and graphite/phenolic) to temperatures of 550-650.degree. F. in thicker (0.25 and above) laminates. The technology disclosed herein is an enabling technology for the nose for the External Tank (ET) of the Space Shuttle, and has been shown to be capable of withstanding the severe environments encountered by the nose cone through wind tunnel testing, high temperature subcomponent testing, and full scale structural, dynamic, acoustic, and damage tolerance testing.

Seal, Ellis C.↗

Iron Catalyst Chemistry in High Pressure Carbon Monoxide Nanotube Reactor

The high-pressure carbon monoxide (HiPco) technique for producing single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) is analyzed using a chemical reaction model coupled with properties calculated along streamlines. Streamline properties for mixing jets are calculated by the FLUENT code using the k-e turbulent model for pure carbon monixide. The HiPco process introduces cold iron pentacarbonyl diluted in CO, or alternatively nitrogen, at high pressure, ca. 30 atmospheres into a conical mixing zone. Hot CO is also introduced via three jets at angles with respect to the axis of the reactor. Hot CO decomposes the Fe(CO)5 to release atomic Fe. Cluster reaction rates are from Krestinin, et aI., based on shock tube measurements. Another model is from classical cluster theory given by Girshick's team. The calculations are performed on streamlines that assume that a cold mixture of Fe(CO)5 in CO is introduced along the reactor axis. Then iron forms clusters that catalyze the formation of SWNTs from the Boudouard reaction on Fe-containing clusters by reaction with CO. To simulate the chemical process along streamlines that were calculated by the fluid dynamics code FLUENT, a time history of temperature and dilution are determined along streamlines. Alternative catalyst injection schemes are also evaluated.

Scott, Carl D.↗

Wireless Seismometer for Venus

Measuring the seismic activity of Venus is critical to understanding its composition and interior dynamics. Because Venus has an average surface temperature of 462 C and the challenge of providing cooling to multiple seismometers, a high temperature, wireless sensor using a wide bandgap semiconductor is an attractive option. This paper presents progress towards a seismometer sensor with wireless capabilities for Venus applications. A variation in inductance of a coil caused by a 1 cm movement of a ferrite probe held in the coil and attached to a balanced leaf-spring seismometer causes a variation of 80 MHz in the transmitted signal from the oscillator sensor system at 420 C, which correlates to a 10 kHz mm sensitivity when the ferrite probe is located at the optimum location in the coil.

seismometer↗

Linking Climate to Incidence of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (L. major) in Pre-Saharan North Africa

Shifts in surface climate may have changed the dynamic of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in the pre-Saharan zones of North Africa. Caused by Leishmania major, this form multiplies in the body of rodents serving as reservoirs of the disease. The parasite is then transmitted to human hosts by the bite of a Phlebotomine sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) that was previously fed by biting an infected reservoir. We examine the seasonal and interannual dynamics of the incidence of this ZCL as a function of surface climate indicators in two regions covering a large area of the semi-arid Pre-Saharan North Africa. Results suggest that in this area, changes in climate may have initiated a trophic cascade that resulted in an increase in ZCL incidence. We find the correlation between the rainy season precipitation and the same year Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to be strong for both regions while the number of cases of ZCL incidence lags the precipitation and NDVI by 2 years. The zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis seasonal dynamic appears to be controlled by minimum temperatures and presents a 2-month lag between the reported infection date and the presumed date when the infection actually occurred. The decadal increase in the number of ZCL occurrence in the region suggests that changes in climate increased minimum temperatures sufficiently and created conditions suitable for endemicity that did not previously exist. We also find that temperatures above a critical range suppress ZCL incidence by limiting the vector's reproductive activity.

NDIV↗

Mitigation of Silver Ion Loss from Solution by Polymer Coating of Metal Surfaces

Spacecraft potable water systems require a biocidal agent that effectively provides both immediate and residual disinfection over long periods of time. Ionic silver (Ag+) is a leading candidate for this application, but suffers from rapid concentration loss due interactions with the metal storage containers and tubing. In order to maintain biocidal efficacy in systems with long periods of dormancy and to reduce the required rate of Ag+ injection, it is necessary to develop alternative materials and coatings for certified metal alloys that significantly reduce the Ag+ loss. In this work, we investigate the performance of two unusual polymers, Teflon AF 2400 and parylene-AF4, as barrier coatings under immersion in 400 ppb Ag+. We show that 25 m-thick parylene-AF4 is a promising coating with Ag+ losses similar to PTFE. Key challenges with this material include maintenance of adhesion under long-term immersion and control of deposition during the internal coating of high-aspect ratio tubing. Solutions to these problems may including surface structuring of substrates for mechanical anchoring or an alternative parylene-C chemistry (with more stable adhesion), and dynamic spatio-temporal control of substrate temperature, respectively.

water↗

Ultrafast Melting at Metal-Semiconductor Interfaces: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Quantifying the thermodynamics of interfacial melting is important for several applications such as laser machining and designing radiation hardened electronic devices. Due to the short time and length scales that are involved in the process, molecular simulations provide an ideal path for understating the interfacial melting phenomena. In this work we investigate tungsten (W) – silicon carbide (SiC) interfaces which are relevant in modern high-power electronic devices. Classical molecular dynamics simulations along with the two-temperature model (TTM) were used to study the radiation induced melting of the interface while a neural network-based machine learning framework was used to track the transient re-crystallization process. The damage endured by the semiconductor at the interface following the radiation event is discussed in detail while the re-crystallization of the metal is described in terms of the classical nucleation theory.

Ashwin Ravichandran↗

Dual and Multi-Spectral Band SLS Infrared Camera Systems

Based on the recent success of our strained-layer superlattice (SLS)-based infrared (IR) camera that performed Earth imaging from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2019 we have built, what we consider, to be the next generation multi-band SLS imaging system. The Compact Thermal Imager (CTI) was installed on the Robotic Refueling Mission 3 (RRM3) and attached to the exterior of the ISS. From this location we were able to capture 15 million images of a multitude of fires around the globe in 2019. This unexpected trove of data initiated quite a bit of scientific interest to further utilize this imaging capability but would include features to more precisely monitor terrestrial fires and other surface phenomena. To this end, we developed a technique to install specific bandpass filters directly onto the SLS detector hybrid assembly. Utilizing this technique we have built a CTI-2 camera system with two filters, 4 and 11µm, and have made a second detector assembly with six filter bands from 4-12µm. This second system will also be used to supplement Landsat remote imaging monitoring approximate land surface temperatures, monitor evapotranspiration, sea ice and glacier dynamics. The CTI-2 camera is based on a 1,024x1,024 (1kx1k) format SLS detector hybridized to a FLIR ISC0404 readout integrated circuit (ROIC). The six band SLS focal plane array is based on the 640x512 FLIR ISC 9803 ROIC. This camera system is based on the Landsat 8 and 9 Thermal IR Sensors (TIRS) instrument and one of its purposes is to perform ground truthing for the Landsat 8/9 data at higher spectral resolution. Both Landsat TIRS instruments are dual band thermal IR sensors centered on 11 and 12µm (each with about a 1µm bandpass). Both of our SLS systems utilize a Ricor K548 cryocooler. To streamline costs and development time we used commercial optics and both commercial and custom NASA electronic components. A primary feature of these camera systems is the incorporation of specific filters to collect fire data at ~3.9µm and thermal data at ~11µm. The CTI-2 instrument is designed for 37 m /pixel spatial resolution from 410km orbit (ISS orbit). In this paper, we will present the design and performance of the focal plane, optics, electronics and mechanical structure of the dual‑band CTI-2 and the focal plane performance of the six‑band focal plane.

Murzy Jhabvala↗

Time and temperature dependent modulus of pyrrone and polyimide moldings

A method is presented by which the modulus obtained from a stress relaxation test can be used to estimate the modulus which would be obtained from a sonic vibration test. The method was applied to stress relaxation, sonic vibration, and high speed stress-strain data which was obtained on a flexible epoxy. The modulus as measured by the three test methods was identical for identical test times, and a change of test temperature was equivalent to a shift in the logarithmic time scale. An estimate was then made of the dynamic modulus of moldings of two Pyrrones and two polyimides, using stress relaxation data and the method of analysis which was developed for the epoxy. Over the common temperature range (350 to 500 K) in which data from both types of tests were available, the estimated dynamic modulus value differed by only a few percent from the measured value. As a result, it is concluded that, over the 500 to 700 K temperature range, the estimated dynamic modulus values are accurate.

Lander, L. L.↗

Analysis of Fluctuating Static Pressure Measurements in a Large High Reynolds Number Transonic Cryogenic Wind Tunnel

Dynamic measurements of fluctuating static pressure levels were made using flush mounted high frequency response pressure transducers at eleven locations in the circuit of the National Transonic Facility (NTF) over the complete operating range of this wind tunnel. Measurements were made at test section Mach numbers from 0.2 to 1.2, at pressure from 1 to 8.6 atmospheres and at temperatures from ambient to -250 F, resulting in dynamic flow disturbance measurements at the highest Reynolds numbers available in a transonic ground test facility. Tests were also made independently at variable Mach number, variable Reynolds number, and variable drivepower, each time keeping the other two variables constant thus allowing for the first time, a distinct separation of these three important variables. A description of the NTF emphasizing its flow quality features, details on the calibration of the instrumentation, results of measurements with the test section slots covered, downstream choke, effects of liquid nitrogen injection and gaseous nitrogen venting, comparisons between air and nitrogen, isolation of the effects of Mach number, Reynolds number, and fan drive power, and identification of the sources of significant flow disturbances is included. The results indicate that primary sources of flow disturbance in the NTF may be edge-tones generated by test section sidewall re-entry flaps and the venting of nitrogen gas from the return leg of the tunnel circuit between turns 3 and 4 in the cryogenic mode of operation. The tests to isolate the effects of Mach number, Reynolds number, and drive power indicate that Mach number effects predominate. A comparison with other transonic wind tunnels shows that the NTF has low levels of test section fluctuating static pressure especially in the high subsonic Mach number range from 0.7 to 0.9.

Igoe, William B.↗