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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 757 records · Page 42
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2017

Cost-Driven Design of a Large Scale X-Plane

A conceptual design process focused on the development of a low-cost, large scale X-plane was developed as part of an internal research and development effort. One of the concepts considered for this process was the double-bubble configuration recently developed as an advanced single-aisle class commercial transport similar in size to a Boeing 737-800 or Airbus A320. The study objective was to reduce the contractor cost from contract award to first test flight to less than $100 million, and having the first flight within three years of contract award. Methods and strategies for reduced cost are discussed.

Welstead, Jason R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Shock-wave structure in a partially ionized gas

The structure of a steady plane shock in a partially ionized gas has been investigated using the Boltzmann equation with a kinetic model as the governing equation and the discrete ordinate method as a tool. The effects of the electric field induced by the charge separation on the shock structure have also been studied. Although the three species of an ionized gas travel with approximately the same macroscopic velocity, the individual distribution functions are found to be very different. In a strong shock the atom distribution function may have double peaks, while the ion distribution function has only one peak. Electrons are heated up much earlier than ions and atoms in a partially ionized gas. Because the interactions of electrons with atoms and with ions are different, the ion temperature can be different from the atom temperature.

Lu, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Bolted Double-Lap Composite Joints Under Mechanical and Thermal Loading

This study concerns the determination of the contact stresses and contact region around bolt holes and the bolt load distribution in single- and double-lap joints of composite laminates with arbitrarily located bolts under general mechanical loading conditions and uniform temperature change. The unknown contact stress distribution and contact region between the bolt and laminates and the interaction among the bolts require the bolt load distribution, as well as the contact stresses, to be as part of the solution. The present method is based on the complex potential theory and the variational formulation in order to account for bolt stiffness, bolt-hole clearance, and finite geometry of the composite laminates.

Kradinov, V.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Voltage tunable differential heterodyne spectroscopy in the far-infrared with Josephson junctions

The basic methods of differential heterodyne spectroscopy with Josephson junctions are described. A technique is outlined for bridging the gap between a local oscillator frequency and a signal frequency through the use of a voltage-tunable internal oscillation frequency in a Josephson junction structure. It is shown that an intermediate frequency can be converted to a conveniently low frequency by double frequency conversion carried out directly in a Josephson junction. The expected conversion efficiency is estimated qualitatively. Experiments are discussed in which the differential heterodyne frequency-conversion technique was demonstrated at a wavelength of 0.4 mm and a voltage-tunable oscillation in a double Josephson junction structure was observed, with oscillation line widths as narrow as 0.5 Hz, for a resistance of 3.3 nanohms and an estimated inductance of the order of 1 nH.

Ulrich, B. T.↗
NASA NTRS1986

An electromagnetic/electrostatic dual cathode system for electron beam instruments

A method of providing cathode redundancy which consists of two fixed cathodes and uses electromagnetic and/or electrostatic fields to direct the electron beam to the electron optical axis is presented, with application to the cathode system of the Scanning Electron Microscope and Particle Analyzer proposed for NASA's Mariner Mark II Comet Rendezvous/Asteroid Flyby projected for the 1990s. The symmetric double deflection system chosen has the optical property that the image of the effective electron source is formed above the magnet assembly near the apparent position of the effective source, and it makes the transverse positions of the electron sources independent of the electron beam energy. Good performance of the system is found, with the sample imaging resolution being the same as for the single-axis cathode.

Bradley, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Two-dimensional Euler computations on a triangular mesh using an upwind, finite-volume scheme

A numerical procedure was developed for the finite-volume solution of the Euler equations on unstructured triangular meshes based on a flux-difference split upwind method. Techniques for implementing Roe's (1985) approximate Reimann solver together with the preprocessing MUSCL differencing on unstructured grids are presented. Applications and comparisons with structured grid problems are carried out for a supersonic shock reflection problem, the supersonic flow over a blunt body, the transonic flow over NACA 0012 and RAE 2822 airfoils, and the flow about a double element Karman-Trefftz airfoil.

Whitaker, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Computational studies of metal-metal and metal-ligand interactions

The geometric structure of Cr(CO)6 is optimized at the modified coupled-pair functional (MCPF), single and double excitation coupled-cluster (CCSD) and CCSD(T) levels of theory (including a perturbational estimate for connected triple excitations), and the force constants for the totally symmetric representation are determined. The geometry of Cr(CO)5 is partially optimized at the MCPF, CCSD and CCSD(T) levels of theory. Comparison with experimental data shows that the CCSD(T) method gives the best results for the structures and force constants, and that remaining errors are probably due to deficiencies in the one-particle basis sets used for CO. A detailed comparison of the properties of free CO is therefore given, at both the MCPF and CCSD/CCSD(T) levels of treatment, using a variety of basis sets. With very large one-particle basis sets, the SSCD(T) method gives excellent results for the bond distance, dipole moment and harmonic frequency of free CO. The total binding energies of Cr(CO)6 and Cr(CO)5 are also determined at the MCPF, CCSD and CCSD(T) levels of theory. The CCSD(T) method gives a much larger total binding energy than either the MCPF or CCSD methods. An analysis of the basis set superposition error (BSSE) at the MCPF level of treatment points out limitations in the one-particle basis used here and in a previous study. Calculations using larger basis sets reduced the BSSE, but the total binding energy of Cr(CO)6 is still significantly smaller than the experimental value, although the first CO bond dissociation energy of Cr(CO)6 is well described. An investigation of 3s3p correlation reveals only a small effect. The remaining discrepancy between the experimental and theoretical total binding energy of Cr(CO)6 is probably due to limitations in the one-particle basis, rather than limitations in the correlation treatment. In particular an additional d function and an f function on each C and O are needed to obtain quantitative results. This is underscored by the fact that even using a very large primitive se (1042 primitive functions contracted to 300 basis functions), the superposition error for the total binding energy of Cr(CO)6 is 22 kcal/mol at the MCPF level of treatment.

Barnes, Leslie A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The structure and energetics of Cr(CO)6 and Cr(CO)5

The geometric structure of Cr(CO)6 is optimized at the modified coupled pair functional (MCPF), single and double excitation coupled-cluster (CCSD) and CCSD(T) levels of theory (including a perturbational estimate for connected triple excitations), and the force constants for the totally symmetric representation are determined. The geometry of Cr(CO)5 is partially optimized at the MCPF, CCSD, and CCSD(T) levels of theory. Comparison with experimental data shows that the CCSD(T) method gives the best results for the structures and force constants, and that remaining errors are probably due to deficiencies in the one-particle basis sets used for CO. The total binding energies of Cr(CO)6 and Cr(CO)5 are also determined at the MCPF, CCSD, and CCSD(T) levels of theory. The CCSD(T) method gives a much larger total binding energy than either the MCPF or CCSD methods. An analysis of the basis set superposition error (BSSE) at the MCPF level of treatment points out limitations in the one-particle basis used. Calculations using larger basis sets reduce the BSSE, but the total binding energy of Cr(CO)6 is still significantly smaller than the experimental value, although the first CO bond dissociation energy of Cr(CO)6 is well described. An investigation of 3s3p correlation reveals only a small effect. In the largest basis set, the total CO binding energy of Cr(CO)6 is estimated to be 140 kcal/mol at the CCSD(T) level of theory, or about 86 percent of the experimental value. The remaining discrepancy between the experimental and theoretical value is probably due to limitations in the one-particle basis, rather than limitations in the correlation treatment. In particular an additional d function and an f function on each C and O are needed to obtain quantitative results. This is underscored by the fact that even using a very large primitive set (1042 primitive functions contracted to 300 basis functions), the superposition error for the total binding energy of Cr(CO)6 is 22 kcal/mol at the MCPF level of treatment.

Barnes, Leslie A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

A Compact, Tunable Near-UV Source for Quantitative Microgravity Combustion Diagnostics

There is a need for improved optical diagnostic methods for use in microgravity combustion research. Spectroscopic methods with fast time response that can provide absolute concentrations and concentration profiles of important chemical species in flames are needed to facilitate the understanding of combustion kinetics in microgravity. Although a variety of sophisticated laser-based diagnostics (such as planar laser induced fluorescence, degenerate four wave mixing and coherent Raman methods) have been applied to the study of combustion in laboratory flames, the instrumentation associated with these methods is not well suited to microgravity drop tower or space station platforms. Important attributes of diagnostic systems for such applications include compact size, low power consumption, ruggedness, and reliability. We describe a diode laser-based near-UV source designed with the constraints of microgravity research in mind. Coherent light near 420 nm is generated by frequency doubling in a nonlinear crystal. This light source is single mode with a very narrow bandwidth suitable for gas phase diagnostics, can be tuned over several 1/cm and can be wavelength modulated at up to MHz frequencies. We demonstrate the usefulness of this source for combustion diagnostics by measuring CH radical concentration profiles in an atmospheric pressure laboratory flame. The radical concentrations are measured using wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) to obtain the line-of-sight integrated absorption for different paths through the flame. Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements are also demonstrated with this instrument, showing the feasibility of simultaneous WMS absorption and LIF measurements with the same light source. LIF detection perpendicular to the laser beam can be used to map relative species densities along the line-of-sight while the integrated absorption available through WMS provides a mathematical constraint on the extraction of quantitative information from the LIF data. Combining absorption with LIF - especially if the measurements are made simultaneously with the same excitation beam - may allow elimination of geometrical factors and effects of intensity fluctuations (common difficulties with the analysis of LIF data) from the analysis.

Peterson, K. A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Stability analysis of surface tension effects on a double-diffusive layer

The linear stability characteristics of a fluid layer with simultaneous temperature and concentration gradients in a reduced gravity field are examined. The surface tension of the fluid is assumed to be a linear function of temperature and concentration. It is concluded that a small amount of gravity may damp out oscillatory instability or may alter its dynamics so that instability appears as steady convection. The onset of salt-finger instability may be in the overstable mode due to the surface tension method. The Lewis and Prandtl numbers of the material have a strong influence on the stability boundaries and onset characteristics of the system.

Chen, C. F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Gigahertz analog modulation and differential delay of GaAlAs lasers - Temperature and current behavior

Gigahertz analog modulation characteristics of broad-area commercially available GaAlAs lasers have been investigated as a function of temperature and current in the vicinity of the upper frequency limit, where the resonance phenomena occur. The optimum temperature for small-signal amplitude modulation was found to be around -15 C for our particular broad-stripe geometry double-heterostructure laser. The Q was found to increase by a factor of 2 and the bandwidth by about 2%; the external quantum efficiency was maximized in this range. The optimum dc current bias was about 2% above the threshold current. Differential delays have also been measured down to a few picosecond accuracy by a unique phase-angle measurement method using a vector voltmeter. Some of the temperature effects observed may be related to mode changes and multimode and superradiance behavior.

Eng, S. T.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Acridine orange staining reaction as an index of physiological activity in Escherichia coli

The assumption that the acridine orange (AO) color reaction may be used as an index of physiological activity was investigated in laboratory grown Escherichia coli. Spectrofluorometric observations of purified nucleic acids, ribosomes and the microscopic color of bacteriophage-infected cells stained with AO confirmed the theory that single-stranded nucleic acids emit orange to red fluorescence while those that are double-stranded fluoresce green in vivo. Bacteria growing actively in a rich medium could be distinguished from cells in stationary phase by the AO reaction. Cells from log phase appeared red, whereas those in stationary phase were green. However, this differentiation was not seen when the bacteria were grown in a minimal medium or when a variation of the staining method was used. Also, shifting bacteria in stationary phase to starvation conditions rapidly changed their AO staining reaction. Boiling and exposure to lethal concentrations of azide and formalin resulted in stationary-phase cells that appeared red after staining but bacteria killed with chlorine remained green. These findings indicate that the AO staining reaction may be suggestive of physiological activity under defined conditions. However, variables in staining and fixation procedures as well as uncertainties associated with mixed bacterial populations in environmental samples may produce results that are not consistent with the classical interpretation of this reaction. The importance of validating the putative physiological implications of this staining reaction is stressed.

NASA Discipline Number 04-10↗
NASA NTRS1994

A spaceflight study of synaptic plasticity in adult rat vestibular maculas

Behavioral signs of vestibular perturbation in altered gravity have not been well correlated with structural modifications in neurovestibular centers. This ultrastructural research investigated synaptic plasticity in hair cells of adult rat utricular maculas exposed to microgravity for nine days on a space shuttle. The hypothesis was that synaptic plasticity would be more evident in type II hair cells because they are part of a distributed modifying macular circuitry. All rats were shared with other investigators and were subjected to treatments unrelated to this experiment. Maculas were obtained from flight and control rats after shuttle return (R + 0) and nine days post-flight (R + 9). R + 9 rats had chromodacryorrhea, a sign of acute stress. Tissues were prepared for ultrastructural study by conventional methods. Ribbon synapses were counted in fifty serial sections from medial utricular macular regions of three rats of each flight and control group. Counts in fifty additional consecutive sections from one sample in each group established method reliability. All synapses were photographed and located to specific cells on mosaics of entire sections. Pooled data were analyzed statistically. Flown rats showed abnormal posture and movement at R + 0. They had statistically significant increases in total ribbon synapses and in sphere-like ribbons in both kinds of hair cells; in type II cells, pairs of synapses nearly doubled and clusters of 3 to 6 synapses increased twelve-fold. At R + 9, behavioral signs were normal. However, synapse counts remained high in both kinds of hair cells of flight maculas and were elevated in control type II cells. Only counts in type I cells showed statistically significant differences at R + 9. High synaptic counts at R + 9 may have resulted from stress due to experimental treatments. The results nevertheless demonstrate that adult maculas retain the potential for synaptic plasticity. Type II cells exhibited more synaptic plasticity, but space flight induced synaptic plasticity in type I cells.

Weightlessness↗
NASA NTRS2002

Influence of Turbulence on the Restraint of Liquid Jets by Surface Tension in Microgravity Investigated

Microgravity poses many challenges to the designer of spacecraft tanks. Chief among these are the lack of phase separation and the need to supply vapor-free liquid or liquidfree vapor to the spacecraft processes that require fluid. One of the principal problems of phase separation is the creation of liquid jets. A jet can be created by liquid filling, settling of the fluid to one end of the tank, or even closing a valve to stop the liquid flow. Anyone who has seen a fountain knows that jets occur in normal gravity also. However, in normal gravity, the gravity controls and restricts the jet flow. In microgravity, with gravity largely absent, surface tension forces must contain jets. To model this phenomenon, a numerical method that tracks the fluid motion and the surface tension forces is required. Jacqmin has developed a phase model that converts the discrete surface tension force into a barrier function that peaks at the free surface and decays rapidly away. Previous attempts at this formulation were criticized for smearing the interface. This can be overcome by sharpening the phase function, double gridding the fluid function, and using a higher order solution for the fluid function. The solution of this equation can be rewritten as two coupled Poisson equations that also include the velocity. After the code was implemented in axisymmetric form and verified by several test cases at the NASA Glenn Research Center, the drop tower runs of Aydelott were modeled. Work last year with a laminar model was found to overpredict Aydelott's results, except at the lowest Reynolds number conditions of 400. This year, a simple turbulence model was implemented by adding a turbulent viscosity based on the mixing-length hypothesis and empirical measurements of previous works. Predictions made after this change was implemented have been much closer to experimentally observed flow patterns and geyser heights. Two model runs is shown. The first, without any turbulence correction, breaks through the free surface and strikes the far end of the tank. In the second, the turbulence spreads the jet momentum over more of the free surface, enabling the surface tension forces to turn the jet back into the bulk liquid. The model geyser height with the second model is 1.1 cm. This is quite close to the 1.5-cm geyser height measured by Aydelott.

Chato, David J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Contact Angle Influence on Geysering Jets in Microgravity Investigated

Microgravity poses many challenges to the designer of spacecraft tanks. Chief among these are the lack of phase separation and the need to supply vapor-free liquid or liquid-free vapor to the spacecraft processes that require fluid. One of the principal problems of phase separation is the creation of liquid jets. A jet can be created by liquid filling, settling of the fluid to one end of the tank, or even closing a valve to stop the liquid flow. Anyone who has seen a fountain knows that jets occur in normal gravity also. However, in normal gravity, the gravity controls and restricts the jet flow. In microgravity, with gravity largely absent, surface tension forces must be used to contain jets. To model this phenomenon, a numerical method that tracks the fluid motion and the surface tension forces is required. Jacqmin has developed a phase model that converts the discrete surface tension force into a barrier function that peaks at the free surface and decays rapidly away. Previous attempts at this formulation were criticized for smearing the interface. This can be overcome by sharpening the phase function, double gridding the fluid function, and using a higher-order solution for the fluid function. The solution of this equation can be rewritten as two coupled Poisson equations that also include the velocity.

Chato, David J.↗
NASA NTRS2019

On alighting daintily at Jupiter: innovative methods for efficiently achieving Jovian orbit

Spacecraft bound for Jupiter orbit typically spend the majority of their ΔV in the capture process. The Galilean satellites provide myriad flyby opportunities to assist in the capture process. In addition, the relatively low solar range (compared to the other outer planets) and absence of significant rings add to the option space. Starting with typical single-flyby and Jupiter Orbit Insertion (JOI) maneuver sequences, we will walk through a range of capture options, including longer post-capture tours, double flybys (and their constraints), combined with solar-electric propulsion (SEP) usage, and finally the potential benefits of retrograde, “cloudtops” orbit insertion. In combination with a ΔV-EGA interplanetary trajectory, the cloudtops arrival saves over 500 m/s in the capture sequence.

Siddique, Fazie E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Integration-free interval doubling for Riccati equation solutions

Various algorithms are given for the case of constant coefficients. The algorithms are based on two ideas: first, relate the Re solution with general initial conditions to anchored RE solutions; and second, when the coefficients are constant the anchored solutions have a basic shift-invariance property. These ideas are used to construct an integration free superlinearly convergent iterative solution to the algebraic RE. The algorithm, arranged in square-root form, is thought to be numerically stable and competitive with other methods of solving the algebraic RE.

Bierman, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Effective core potentials for the cadmium and mercury atoms

Ab initio effective core potentials have been obtained for the cadmium and mercury atoms by the methods of Kahn et al. (1976). Both two and twelve valence electron representations of Cd and Hg were tested for various atom state-configurations by comparison with all-electron calculations. The generated potentials were used to obtain the equilibrium bond distances and molecular binding energies for the dichloride and dimethyl compounds of both atoms from single and optimum-double configuration self-consistent field calculations.

Basch, H.↗