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At least 739 records · Page 41

Sound propagation through a real jet flow field with scattering due to interaction with turbulence

The sound propagation through a nonuniform turbulent jet flow field is studied by means of a system of linearized equations governing the acoustic variables. These equations depend on the fluctuating flow-field variables which are prescribed by experimental results. It is shown that the redistribution of the acoustic energy in the far field depends on space-time correlation of the turbulent velocities and on the mean flow variables and their gradients.

Maestrello, L.↗

Radar characteristics of cloud fields

Relations of several statistical parameters of the radio echo field to the types of cloud systems and weather phenomena in the cloud field are studied. Combinations of the statistical characteristics of radio echo are found which in certain cases permit the unique classification of cloud field according to the types of phenomena. The space-time variability of the radar characteristic was examined in connection with the transformation of the cloud field, and the question of the variation of the statistical characteristics of the echoes from cloud field was examined in connection with changes in the dimensions of the quantization cell.

Divinskaya, B. S.↗

Response of space shuttle insulation panels to acoustic noise pressure

The response of reusable space shuttle insulation panels to random acoustic pressure fields are studied. The basic analytical approach in formulating the governing equations of motion uses a Rayleigh-Ritz technique. The input pressure field is modeled as a stationary Gaussian random process for which the cross-spectral density function is known empirically from experimental measurements. The response calculations are performed in both frequency and time domain.

Vaicaitis, R.↗

Mathematical formulation for the propagation of sound through a turbulent jet

The sound propagation through a nonuniform turbulent jet flow field is studied by means of a system of linearized equations governing the acoustic variables. These equations depend on the fluctuating flow-field variables which can be prescribed by experimental results. It is shown that the correlations of the acoustic variables depend throughout the flow field on the space-time correlation of the turbulent velocities and on the mean flow variables and their gradients.

Gunzburger, M.↗

Gravitational scattering of electromagnetic radiation

The scattering of electromagnetic radiation by linearized gravitational fields is studied to second order in a perturbation expansion. The incoming electromagnetic radiation can be of arbitrary multipole structure, and the gravitational fields are also taken to be advanced fields of arbitrary multipole structure. All electromagnetic multipole radiation is found to be scattered by gravitational monopole and time-varying dipole fields. No case has been found, however, in which any electromagnetic multipole radiation is scattered by gravitational fields of quadrupole or higher-order multipole structure. This lack of scattering is established for infinite classes of special cases, and is conjectured to hold in general. The results of the scattering analysis are applied to the case of electromagnetic radiation scattered by a moving mass. It is shown how the mass and velocity may be determined by a knowledge of the incident and scattered radiation.

Brooker, J. T.↗

Properties of Supergranulation During the Solar Minima of Cycles 22/23 and 23/24

The solar minimum at the transition from cycle 23 to 24 was notable for its low level of activity and its extended duration. Among the various fields of study, the evolution of the solar convection zone may provide insight into the causes and consequences of this recent minimum. This study continues previous investigations of the characteristics of solar supergranulation, a convection component strongly linked to the structure of the magnetic field, namely the time-evolution of the global mean of supergranule cell size, determined from spectral analysis of MDI Dopplergrams from the two previous solar minima. Analyses of the global mean of supergranule sizes show a quasi-oscillatory nature to the evolution of this particular supergranule characteristic. Performing similar analyses on realistic, synthetic Doppler images show similar time-dependent characteristics. We conclude that the observed fluctuations are not observational artifacts, and that an underlying trend exists within the evolution of the supergranulation network.

Williams, Peter E.↗

A study of methods which predict supersonic flow fields from body geometry, distance, and Mach number

A study of seven methods for predicting flow-field pressure signatures from the parameters Mach number, body geometry, and field-path distance has been made. The methods included the method of characteristics, which served as a standard of comparison; a shock-capturing method; three Whitham theory methods; a modified characteristics method; and a bicharacteristics method. Results from each method were also compared with recently obtained wind-tunnel data for a cone-cylinder model at Mach numbers of 2.96 and 4.63 with ratios of radial distance to cone length of 2 and 5. The comparisons at a Mach number of 2.96 showed that signatures from all the methods correlated well with wind-tunnel data and with the signatures predicted by the method of characteristics. At a Mach number of 4.63, however, the agreement between the signatures obtained in the wind tunnel and those predicted by theory varied from good to poor, as did the agreement between the signatures obtained by the method of characteristics and the other six methods. It should be noted that these results and comparisons indicate pressure prediction capabilities only for the near-field flow about bodies of revolution.

Mack, R. J.↗

Magnetic effect on dancing bees

Bee sensitivity to the earth's magnetic field is studied. Data cover sensitivity range and the use of magnetoreception for orientation purposes. Experimental results indicate bee orientation is aided by gravity fields when the magnetic field is compensated.

Lindauer, M.↗

Static second-order polarizabilities of aminobenzophenones and nitrobenzophenones

Static-field theoretical studies on molecular second-order polarizabilities (beta) of benzophenone derivatives were performed. Calculations were based on the use of shaped electric fields and semiempirical Hamiltonians. Either an electron-donating (amine) or an electron-withdrawing (nitro) substituent was incorporated into a phenyl ring of benzophenone; the phenyl rings of benzophenone were oriented either coplanar or perpendicular to the carbonyl. The change in charge transfer with respect to the electrophilic character of the carbonyl group was monitored to determine its effect on the molecular second-order polarizability. Calculations were performed for all constitutional isomers of the two benzophenone derivatives.

Moore, Craig E.↗

Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment-2 (STDCE-2

The surface tension driven convection experiment-2 (STDCE-2) was conducted onboard the U.S. Microgravity Laboratory (USML)-2 Spacelab which was launched on October 20, 1995. The main objectives of the experiment was to study oscillatory thermocapillary flows in microgravity. Thermocapillary flows were generated in cylindrical test chambers filled with 2 centistokes silicone oil. Six modules were used to study three different chamber diameters and two different heating modes. Tests with both flat and curved free surfaces were conducted. The flow field was studied by flow visualization and an infrared imaging system recorded the oil free-surface temperature. An optical (Ronchi) system was used to measure the oil free-surface deformation and motions. A total of 55 tests were conducted and oscillations were found in most of them. The data are being analyzed.

Ostrach, Simon↗

Bio-Nanotechnology: Challenges for Trainees in a Multidisciplinary Research Program

The recent developments in the field of nanotechnology have provided scientists with a new set of nanoscale materials, tools and devices in which to investigate the biological science thus creating the mulitdisciplinary field of bio-nanotechnology. Bio-nanotechnology merges the biological sciences with other scientific disciplines ranging from chemistry to engineering. Todays students must have a working knowledge of a variety of scientific disciplines in order to be successful in this new field of study. This talk will provide insight into the issue of multidisciplinary education from the perspective of a graduate student working in the field of bio-nanotechnology. From the classes we take to the research we perform, how does the modern graduate student attain the training required to succeed in this field?

Koehne, Jessica Erin↗

Vegetation and soils field research data base: Experiment summaries

Understanding of the relationships between the optical, spectral characteristics and important biological-physical parameters of earth-surface features can best be obtained by carefully controlled studies over fields and plots where complete data describing the condition of targets are attainable and where frequent, timely spectral measurement can be obtained. Development of a vegetation and soils field research data base was initiated in 1972 at Purdue University's Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing and expanded in the fall of 1974 by NASA as part of LACIE. Since then, over 250,000 truck-mounted and helicopter-borne spectrometer/multiband radiometer observations have been obtained of more than 50 soil series and 20 species of crops, grasses, and trees. These data are supplemented by an extensive set of biophysical and meteorological data acquired during each mission. The field research data form one of the most complete and best-documented data sets acquired for agricultural remote sensing research. Thus, they are well-suited to serve as a data base for research to: (1) quantiatively determine the relationships of spectral and biophysical characteristics of vegetation, (2) define future sensor systems, and (3) develop advanced data analysis techniques.

Biehl, L. L.↗

Advances in Fluorescence Sensing Systems for the Remote Assessment of Nitrogen Supply in Field Corn

The studies described herein were conducted to better define changes in fluorescence properties of leaves from field grown corn (Zea mays L.) as they relate to varying levels of nitrogen (N) fertilization. This research was directed toward: 1) providing a remote non-destructive sensing technique to aid in the determination of optimal rates of N fertilization in corn crops and, 2) defining parameters for further development of fluorescence instrumentation to be operated remotely at field canopy levels. Fluorescence imaging bands centered in the blue (450 nm), green (525 nm), red (680 nm), and far-red (740 nm) and ratios of these bands were compared with the following plant parameters: rates of photosynthesis, N:C ratio, pigment concentrations, and grain yields. Both the fluorescence and physiological measures exhibited similar curvilinear responses to N fertilization level while significant linear correlations were obtained among fluorescence bands and band ratios to certain physiological measures of plant productivity. The red / blue, red / green, far-red / blue, far-red /green fluorescence ratios are well suited for remote observation and provided high correlations to grain yield, LAI, N:C, and chlorophyll contents. The results from this investigation indicate that fluorescence technology could aid in the determination of N fertilization requirements for corn. This discussion will also address design concepts and preliminary field trials of a mobile field-based Laser Induced Fluorescence Imaging System (LIFIS) capable of simultaneously acquiring images of four fluorescence emission bands from areas of plant canopies equaling 1 sq m and greater without interference of ambient solar radiation.

Corp, L. A.↗

Studies of the Martian Magnetic Field

This report covers two awards: the first NAGW-2573 was awarded to enable participation in the Mars 94 mission that slipped to become the Mars 96 mission. Upon the unfortunate failure of Mars 96 to achieve its intended trajectory, the second grant was awarded to closeout the Mars 96 activities. Our initial efforts concentrated on assisting our colleagues: W. Riedler, K. Schwingenschuh, K. Gringanz, M. Verigin and Ye. Yeroshenko with advice on the development of the magnetic field portion of the investigation and to help them with test activities. We also worked with them to properly analyze the Phobos magnetic field and plasma data in order to optimize the return from the Mars 94/96 mission. This activity resulted in 18 papers on Mars scientific topics, and two on the instrumentation. One of these latter two papers was the last of the papers written, and speaks to the value of the closeout award. These 20 papers are listed in the attached bibliography. Because we had previously studied Venus and Titan and since it was becoming evident that the magnetic field was very weak, we compared the various properties of the Martian interaction with those of the analogous interactions at Venus and Titan while other papers simply analyzed the properties of the interaction as Phobos 2 observed them. One very interesting observation was the identification of ions picked up in the solar wind, originating in Mars neutral atmosphere. These had been predicted by our earlier observation of cyclotron waves at the proton gyrofrequency in the region upstream from Mars in the solar wind. Of course, the key question we addressed was that of the intrinsic or induced nature of the Martian magnetic field. We found little evidence for the former and much for the latter point of view. We also discussed the instrumentation planned for the Mars balloon and the instrumentation on the orbiter. In all these studies were very rewarding despite the short span of the Phobos data. Although they did not affect the eventual analysis of the Mars 96 data, these studies did pave the way for the Mars Global Surveyor and have been fully confirmed by the measurements at much closer distances than Phobos 2 ever reached. No patents or inventions resulted from the work.

Russell, C. T.↗

L-band radar sensing of soil moisture

The performance of an L-band, 25 cm wavelength imaging synthetic aperture radar was assessed for soil moisture determination, and the temporal variability of radar returns from a number of agricultural fields was studied. A series of three overflights was accomplished over an agricultural test site in Kern County, California. Soil moisture samples were collected from bare fields at nine sites at depths of 0-2, 2-5, 5-15, and 15-30 cm. These gravimetric measurements were converted to percent of field capacity for correlation to the radar return signal. The initial signal film was optically correlated and scanned to produce image data numbers. These numbers were then converted to relative return power by linear interpolation of the noise power wedge which was introduced in 5 dB steps into the original signal film before and after each data run. Results of correlations between the relative return power and percent of field capacity (FC) demonstrate that the relative return power from this imaging radar system is responsive to the amount of soil moisture in bare fields. The signal returned from dry (15% FC) and wet (130% FC) fields where furrowing is parallel to the radar beam differs by about 10 dB.

Chang, A. T. C.↗

Predicting Two-Dimensional, Unsteady Turbulent Combustion

MIMOC calculates flow field and flame propagation in turbulent combustion tunnel. Program employs algorithm for turbulent combustion modeling described by Ghoniem, Chorin, and Oppenheim. Program used to study flow field in model combustor, formed by rearward-facing step in channel, in terms of vorticity field, velocity field, turbulent shear stresses, flame contours, and concentration field.

Marek, C. J.↗