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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 793 records · Page 44
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1947

Lateral Stability Characteristics of a 1/8.33-Scale Powered Model of the Republic XF-12 Airplane

The XF-12 airplane is a high-performance photo-reconnaissance aircraft designed for the Army Air Forces by the Republic Aviation Corporation. An investigation of a 1/8.33 - scale powered model was made in the Langley l9-foot pressure tunnel to obtain information relative to the aerodynamic design of the airplane. The model was tested with and without the original vertical tail. and with two revised tails. For the revised tail no. 1, the span of the original vertical .tail was increased about 15 percent and the portion of the vertical tail between the stabilizer and fuselage behind the rudder hinge line was allowed to deflect simultaneously with the main rudder. Revision no. 2 incorporated the increased span, but the lower rudder was locked in the neutral position. For all the tail arrangements investigated it was indicated that the airplane will possess positive effective dihedral and will be directionally stable regardless of flap or power condition. The rudder effectiveness is greater for the revised tails than for the original tail, but this is offset by the increase in directional stability caused by the revised tail. All the rudder arrangements appear inadequate in trimming out the resultant yawing moments at zero yaw in a take - off condition with the left-hand outboard propeller windmilling and the remaining engines developing take-off power.

Pepper, Edward↗
DOE OSTI2025

Challenges and approaches to interpretive modeling of boundary plasma and neutral transport in a closed, pumped divertor

An experimental discharge from the DIII-D tokamak is modeled using the SOLPS-ITER code suite and compared against measurements in the pumped and relatively closed upper divertor. Uncertainties of boundary plasma simulations are identified by attempting to match code inputs to experimental conditions, including iteratively solving transport coefficients to match upstream experimental profiles using varying quantities of core particle flux, different pumping models, and various assumptions of ion thermal transport. Simulated boundary conditions for particle injection at the core interface are shown to be relevant to the plasma solution at the divertor targets, even if upstream transport is modified so that plasma profiles are comparatively similar, although seperatrix density is not held constant. When upstream plasma profiles are matched to experimental measurements by varying diffusive transport coefficients, using either poloidally symmetric or ballooning structure, the model finds a majority of injected energy being transported radially off the computational domain, in conflict with experimental radiated power measurements and heat flux measurements at the divertor target. Imposing a maximum thermal diffusivity or radially shifting the experimental separatrix location of the fitted profiles to increase power conducted to the targets by increasing the upstream electron temperature does not significantly modify this result. Including a thermalizing plenum volume in the simulation domain is shown to maintain the experimental volumetric pumping rate without knowing the neutral energy distribution incident on the pump duct a priori. By modifying transport parameters to match different assumptions for ion temperature, downstream neutral pressure changes by more than a factor of two, suggesting that attention to ion thermal transport may be a critical parameter for simulations to accurately resolve recycling and neutral transport, particularly in a closed divertor geometry. In addition to quantifying various modeling uncertainties, this work motivates both further experimental study and modeling improvements to improve predictive capabilities.

divertor↗
DOE OSTI2024

Specific iron binding to natural sphingomyelin membrane induced by non-specific co-solutes

Sphingomyelin (SPM), a crucial phospholipid in the myelin sheath, plays a vital role in insulating nerve fibers. We hypothesize that iron ions selectively bind to the phosphatidylcholine (PC) template within the SPM membrane under near-physiological conditions, resulting in disruptions to membrane organization. These interactions could potentially contribute to the degradation of the myelin sheath, thereby playing a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. We utilized synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopy and diffraction techniques to study the interaction of iron ions with a bovine spinal-cord SPM monolayer (ML) at the liquid-vapor interface under physiological conditions. The SPM ML serves as a model system, representing localized patches of lipids within a more complex membrane structure. The experiments assessed iron binding to the SPM membrane both in the presence of salts and with additional evaluation of the effects of various ion species on membrane behavior. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction was employed to analyze the impact of iron binding on the structural integrity of the SPM membrane. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that iron ions in dilute solution selectively bind to the PC template of the SPM membrane exclusively at near-physiological salt concentrations (e.g., NaCl, KCl, KI, or CaCl 2 ) and are pH-dependent. In-significant binding was detected in the absence of these salts or at near-neutral pH with salts. The surface adsorption of iron ions is correlated with salt concentration, reaching saturation at physiological levels. In contrast, multivalent ions such as La 3+ and Ca 2+ do not bind to SPM under similar conditions. Notably, iron binding to the SPM membrane disrupts its in-plane organization, suggesting that these interactions may compromise membrane integrity and contribute to myelin sheath damage associated with neurological disorders.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2005

Interstellar PAH Analogs in the Laboratory: Comparison with Astronomical Data

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are an important and ubiquitous component of carbon-bearing materials in space. PAHs are the best-known candidates to account for the IR emission bands (UIR bands) and PAH spectral features are now being used as new probes of the ISM. PAHs are also thought to be among the carriers of the diffuse interstellar absorption bands (DIBs). In the model dealing with the interstellar spectral features, PAHs are present as a mixture of radicals, ions and neutral species. PAH ionization states reflect the ionization balance of the medium while PAH size, composition, and structure reflect the energetic and chemical history of the medium. A major challenge for laboratory astrophysics is to reproduce (in a realistic way) the physical conditions that exist in the emission and/or absorption interstellar zones. An extensive laboratory program has been developed at NASA Ames to assess the physical and chemical properties of PAHs in such environments and to describe how they influence the radiation and energy balance in space and the interstellar chemistry. In particular, laboratory experiments provide measurements of the spectral characteristics of interstellar PAH analogs from the ultraviolet and visible range to the infrared range for comparison with astronomical data. This paper will focus on the recent progress made in the laboratory to measure the direct absorption spectra of neutral and ionized PAHs in the near-UV and visible range. Intrinsic band profiles and band positions of cold gas-phase PAHs can now be measured with high-sensitivity spectroscopy and directly compared to the astronomical data. Preliminary conclusions from the comparison of the laboratory data with astronomical observations will also be presented.

Salama, Farid↗
DOE OSTI2023

Spectroscopic features of dissolved iodine in pristine and gamma-irradiated nitric acid solutions

While iodine speciation is important for a wide range of nuclear activities, understanding the mechanisms of the transformations of iodine between chemical forms and the sensitivity of these transitions to solution conditions and exposure to radiation remains an active area of research. This work curates spectroscopic data from several experimental techniques and establishes their sensitivity and limitations in detecting changes in iodine speciation in both neutral and acidic regimes. The techniques include Raman spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 127 I NMR spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Analysis of these data indicates that these commonly accessible spectroscopies often have dynamic ranges of measurable concentrations that do not always overlap between all techniques. The experimental techniques are disparately sensitive to iodide (I - ), molecular iodine (I 2 ), iodate (IO 3 - ), and periodate (IO 4 - ) species. Raman, FTIR, and NMR spectra were subsequentially analyzed using two-dimensional correlation analyses to generate high-resolution autocorrelation spectra. Here, the use of these spectroscopies is then extended to tracking acidification-induced and gamma irradiation-induced transformations of dissolved sodium iodate in deionized water and concentrated nitric acid. Both dissolution into nitric acid and irradiation with a gamma source are demonstrated to perturb the iodine speciation promoting their assembly into molecular iodine (I 2 ) and/or triiodide (I 3 - ). While I 2 and I 3 - species are undetectable with FTIR spectroscopy and 127 I NMR spectroscopy, the species can be detected with UV-Vis spectroscopy, and in some instances, I 3 - can be detected with Raman spectroscopy in the low wavenumber region. Ultimately, the results of this work provide a path to designing optimal combinations of techniques to detect forms of iodine across a wide range of concentrations and conditions.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2024

Simulations of tokamak edge plasma turbulent fluctuations based on a minimal 3D model

In this study, a new simulation model for tokamak boundary plasma, SOLT3D, is implemented in the BOUT++ framework. The simulation model includes a set of dynamic equations describing collisional boundary plasma and neutral gas in the tokamak scrape-off layer and divertor region. The model is verified against standard linear plasma instabilities and available nonlinear results. For L-mode like conditions, SOLT3D reproduces characteristics of boundary plasma turbulent fluctuations that are similar to published experimental data, in terms of the amplitude and spatial dependence of the fluctuations. It also reproduces realistic plasma fluxes on material surfaces and expected Bohm-like effective radial transport. Plasma fluctuations inferred from the simulations imply inevitably a significant level of intrinsic 'noise' for axisymmetric tokamak plasma transport modeling, introducing errors on the order of unity. In particular, the toroidally averaged atomic rates below 5–10 eV are strongly modified by turbulent plasma fluctuations, which should significantly affect the standard axisymmetric modeling of the tokamak edge plasma and divertor.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nonlinear burn control in ITER using adaptive allocation of actuators with uncertain dynamics

Abstract ITER will be the first tokamak to sustain a fusion-producing, or burning, plasma. If the plasma temperature were to inadvertently rise in this burning regime, the positive correlation between temperature and the fusion reaction rate would establish a destabilizing positive feedback loop. Careful regulation of the plasma’s temperature and density, or burn control, is required to prevent these potentially reactor-damaging thermal excursions, neutralize disturbances and improve performance. In this work, a Lyapunov-based burn controller is designed using a full zero-dimensional nonlinear model. An adaptive estimator manages destabilizing uncertainties in the plasma confinement properties and the particle recycling conditions (caused by plasma–wall interactions). The controller regulates the plasma density with requests for deuterium and tritium particle injections. In ITER-like plasmas, the fusion-born alpha particles will primarily heat the plasma electrons, resulting in different electron and ion temperatures in the core. By considering separate response models for the electron and ion energies, the proposed controller can independently regulate the electron and ion temperatures by requesting that different amounts of auxiliary power be delivered to the electrons and ions. These two commands for a specific control effort (electron and ion heating) are sent to an actuator allocation module that optimally maps them to the heating actuators available to ITER: an electron cyclotron heating system (20 MW), an ion cyclotron heating system (20 MW), and two neutral beam injectors (16.5 MW each). Two different actuator allocators are presented in this work. The first actuator allocator finds the optimal mapping by solving a convex quadratic program that includes actuator saturation and rate limits. It is nonadaptive and assumes that the mapping between the commanded control efforts and the allocated actuators (i.e. the effector model) contains no uncertainties. The second actuator allocation module has an adaptive estimator to handle uncertainties in the effector model. This uncertainty includes actuator efficiencies, the fractions of neutral beam heating that are deposited into the plasma electrons and ions, and the tritium concentration of the fueling pellets. Furthermore, the adaptive allocator considers actuator dynamics (actuation lag) that contain uncertainty. This adaptive allocation algorithm is more computationally efficient than the aforementioned nonadaptive allocator because it is computed using dynamic update laws so that finding the solution to a static optimization problem is not required at every time step. A simulation study assesses the performance of the proposed adaptive burn controller augmented with each of the actuator allocation modules.

Physics↗
NASA NTRS1972

Oxygen and hydrogen ion densities above Millstone Hill.

Measurements of the vertical flux of oxygen ions, when combined with simultaneous measurements of electron density and of electron and ion temperatures, present a unique opportunity to examine conditions in the topside ionosphere. The measured fluxes and densities may be used directly to evaluate terms in the O+ continuity equation without requiring any assumptions to be made about neutral winds, electric fields, or the ambipolar diffusion coefficient. From observations at Millstone Hill we have, in this way, derived the rate of loss of O+ in the charge-exchange reaction with hydrogen, the rate of photoionization of atomic oxygen, and the rate of loss of O+ in reactions with N2 and O2. In combination with laboratory and theoretical results, these rates can be interpreted to yield number densities of the corresponding neutral species. When the measured fluxes are examined for consistency with measured density gradients and temperature profiles, we find clear evidence of wind-induced or electrodynamic vertical drifts larger than 60 m/sec.

Schunk, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The CIV processes in the CRIT experiments

A qualitative analysis is conducted to reconcile the experimental data from critical ionization velocity (CIV) studies with CIV theories. The experimental data are reviewed demonstrating that: (1) the wave frequency is variable and low; (2) the wave polarization is almost isotropic; (3) electron energization is not easily reconciled with the observed wave spectrum; and (4) ambient electron density plays a role in determining CIV triggering conditions. Analytical treatment is given to the dispersion relation of the lower hybrid wave (LWH) instability driven by the streaming of an ion beam generated by the interaction of the neutral cloud with the ambient atmosphere. By incorporating the LWH instabilities of strong turbulence and finite-size effects into theoretical CIV relationships, the observations can be interpreted. The issues raised by the experimental data are understood within the context of a hypothesis of backward propagating nonlinearly collapsing wavepackets.

Papadopoulos, K.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Large-scale characteristics of interstellar dust from COBE DIRBE observations

Observations from the COBE Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment of the 140 and 240 micrometer emissions from the Galatic plane region (absolute value of b less than 10 deg) are combined with radio surveys that trace the molecular (H2), neutral atomic (H I), and extended low-density (n(sub e) approximately 10 to 100/cm(exp 3)) ionized (H II) gas phases of the interstellar medium to derive physical conditions such as the dust temperature, dust-to-gas mass ratio, and far-infrared emissivity (1) averaged over these gas phases along each line of sight and (2) within each of these three gas phases. This analysis shows large-scale longitudinal and latitudinal gradients in the dust temperature and a decrease in dust temperature with increasing Galactocentric distance. The derived dust temperatures are significantly different from those derived in similar analyses using the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) 60 and 100 micrometer data, suggesting that small (5 A approximately less than radius approximately less than 200 A) transiently heated dust particles contribute significantly o the Galactic 60 micrometer emission. It is found that 60% to 75% of the far-infrared luminosity arises from cold (approximately 17 to 22 K) dust associated with diffuse H I clouds, 15% to 30% from cold (approximately 19 K) dust associated with molecular gas, and less than 10% from warm (approximately 29 K) dust in extended low-density H II regions, consistent with the results of the IRAS analyses of the Galactic 60 and 100 micrometer emission. Within 2 deg of longitude of the Galactic center, the derived gas-to-dust mass ratio along the line of sight, G(sub d), reverses its general trend of decreasing G(sub d) toward the inner Galaxy and increases by a factor of approximately 2 to 3 toward the Galactic center. One possible explanation for this result is that the ratio of H2 column density to (12)CO intensity is lower in the Galactic center region than in the Galactic disk.

Sodroski, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Database of theoretical thermosphere/ionosphere predictions

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) thermosphere-ionosphere general circulation model has performed a series of self-consistent calculations of the thermosphere/ionosphere structure for a variety of geophysical conditions. The model simulates March, June, and December periods for solar cycle minimum and maximum for three levels of geomagnetic activity representing quiet, moderate, and disturbed conditions. The calculations include predictions of N2, O2, O, N(sup 4)S, N(sup 2)D, NO, N2(+), O2(+), O(+), NO(+), and N(+), along with the ion, electron, and neutral temperatures and three components of the neutral winds. The model simulations are available from the authors or through the Coupling, Energetic, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions database at NCAR.

Fesen, C. G.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Molecular Spectroscopy in Astrophysics: The Case of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The role of molecular spectroscopy in astrophysics and astrochemistry is discussed in the context of the study of large, complex, carbon-bearing molecules, namely, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons or PAHs. These molecular species are now thought to be widespread in the interstellar medium in their neutral and ionized forms. Identifying the carriers responsible for unidentified interstellar spectral bands will allow to derive important information on cosmic elemental abundances as well as information on the physical conditions (density, temperature) reigning in specific interstellar environments. These, in turn, are key elements for a correct understanding of the energetic mechanisms that govern the origin and the evolution of the interstellar medium. A multidisciplinary approach - combining astronomical observations with laboratory simulations and theoretical modeling - is required to address these complex issues. Laboratory spectra of several PAHs, isolated at low temperature in inert gas matrices or seeded in a supersonic jet expansion, are discussed here and compared to the astronomical spectra of reddened, early type, stars. The electronic spectroscopy of PAHs in the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared domains is reviewed and an assessment of the potential contribution of PAHs to the interstellar extinction in the ultraviolet and in the visible is discussed.

Salama, Farid↗
NASA NTRS2001

Radar Sounding of Mars: A Focus on MARSIS

Radar has the unique capability of looking under the dry and cold surfaces of Mars. The depth of penetration of radio waves depends on a number of surface and subsurface parameters such as surface topography, subsurface geological structure, and surface and subsurface electromagnetic properties. Among these parameters, the surface topography is known best largely due to valuable data provided by Mars Global Surveyor's MOLA (Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter) instrument. However, little information is available on the electromagnetic properties and subsurface characteristics of Mars. In addition to dispersion, the ionosphere will also attenuate the radio wave. The level of attenuation depends on the ionosphere's electron density and its profile shape and the electron-neutral collision frequency. Fortunately, information from past missions can provide some information on the expected level of attenuation. A figure shows expected total radio wave attenuation under three different ionospheric conditions. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Safaeinili, A.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Plastid position in Arabidopsis columella cells is similar in microgravity and on a random-positioning machine

In order to study gravity effects on plant structure and function, it may become necessary to remove the g-stimulus. On Earth, various instruments such as clinostats have been used by biologists in an attempt to neutralize the effects of gravity. In this study, the position of amyloplasts was assayed in columella cells in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. seedlings grown in the following conditions: on Earth, on a two-dimensional clinostat at 1 rpm, on a three-dimensional clinostat (also called a random-positioning machine, or an RPM), and in space (true microgravity). In addition, the effects of these gravity treatments on columella cell area and plastid area also were measured. In terms of the parameters measured, only amyloplast position was affected by the gravity treatments. Plastid position was not significantly different between spaceflight and RPM conditions but was significantly different between spaceflight and the classical two-dimensional clinostat treatments. Flanking columella cells showed a greater susceptibility to changes in gravity compared to the central columella cells. In addition, columella cells of seedlings that were grown on the RPM did not exhibit deleterious effects in terms of their ultrastructure as has been reported previously for seedlings grown on a two-dimensional clinostat. This study supports the hypothesis that the RPM provides a useful simulation of weightlessness.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS2014

Delivery of Probiotics in the Space Food System

The addition of probiotic bacteria to the space food system is expected to confer immunostimulatory benefits on crewmembers during spaceflight, counteracting the immune dysregulation that has been documented in spaceflight [1]. Specifically, the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus has been shown to promote health benefits including antagonism towards and inhibition of virulence related gene expression in pathogens, mucosal stimulation of immune cells, and a reduction in the occurrence and duration of cold and flu-like symptoms [2-5]. The optimum delivery system for probiotics has not been determined for spaceflight, where the food system is shelf stable and the lack of refrigeration prevents the use of traditional dairy delivery methods. This work proposes to determine whether L. acidophilus is more viable, and therefore more likely to confer immune benefit, when delivered in a capsule form or when delivered in nonfat dry milk powder with a resuscitation opportunity upon rehydration, following 0, 4, and 8 months of storage at -80degC, 4degC, and 22degC, and both prior to and after challenge with simulated gastric and intestinal juices. We hypothesize that the low moisture neutral dairy matrix provided by the nonfat dry milk, and the rehydration step prior to consumption, will extend probiotic viability and stress tolerance compared to a capsule during potential storage conditions in spaceflight and in simulated digestion conditions.

Castro, S. L.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Delivery of Probiotics in the Space Food System

The addition of probiotic bacteria to the space food system is expected to confer immunostimulatory benefits on crewmembers during spaceflight, counteracting the immune dysregulation that has been documented in spaceflight. Specifically, the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus has been shown to promote health benefits including antagonism towards and inhibition of virulence related gene expression in pathogens, mucosal stimulation of immune cells, and a reduction in the occurrence and duration of cold and flu‐like symptoms. The optimum delivery system for probiotics has not been determined for spaceflight, where the food system is shelf stable and the lack of refrigeration prevents the use of traditional dairy delivery methods. This work proposes to determine whether L. acidophilus is more viable, and therefore more likely to confer immune benefit, when delivered in a capsule form or when delivered in nonfat dry milk powder with a resuscitation opportunity upon rehydration, following 0, 4, and 8 months of storage at ‐80degC, 4degC, and 22degC, and both prior to and after challenge with simulated gastric and intestinal juices. We hypothesize that the low moisture neutral dairy matrix provided by the nonfat dry milk, and the rehydration step prior to consumption, will extend probiotic viability and stress tolerance compared to a capsule during potential storage conditions in spaceflight and in simulated digestion conditions.

Castro, S. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Large shield volcanos on Venus: The effect of neutral buoyancy zone development on evolution and altitude distribution

The Magellan mission to Venus has emphasized the importance of volcanism in shaping the surface of the planet. Volcanic plains make up 80 percent of the terrain and hundreds of regions of localized eruptions have been identified. Large volcanos, defined as edifices with diameters greater than 100 km, are the sites of some of the most voluminous eruptions. Head et al. have identified 158 of these structures. Their spatial distribution is neither random nor arranged in linear chains as on the Earth; large volcanos on Venus are concentrated in two large, near-equatorial clusters that are also the site of many other forms of volcanic activity. The set of conditions that must be met on Venus that controls the change from widespread, distributed volcanism to focused, shield-building volcanism is not well understood. Future studies of transitional features will help to address this problem. It is likely, however, that the formation and evolution of a neutral buoyancy zone (NBZ) plays an important role in both determining the style of the volcanism and the development of the volcanic feature once it has begun to erupt. Head and Wilson have suggested that the high surface pressure on Venus may inhibit volatile exsolution, which may influence the density distribution of the upper crust and hence control the nature and location of a NBZ. The extreme variations in pressure with elevation may result in significantly different characteristics of such a NBZ at different locations on the planet. In order to test these ideas regarding the importance of NBZ development in the evolution of a large shield and to determine the style of volcanism, three large volcanos that occur at different basal elevations were examined and the distribution of large volcanos as a function of altitude was determined.

Keddie, S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Tables of thermospheric temperature, density and composition derived from satellite and ground based measurements. Volume 1: Ap=4

The tables contain the neutral temperature, neutral densities for N2, O2, O, Ar, He and H, mean molecular weight, and total mass density as predicted by the Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter empirical thermosphere model for selected altitudes, latitudes, local times, days and other geophysical conditions. The model is based on a least squares fit to density data from mass spectrometers on five satellites and temperature data from four incoherent scatter stations, providing coverage for most of solar sunspot cycle 20. Included in the model data base are longitudinally average N3, He, and O densities from the OGO-6 mass spectrometer longitudinally average N2, He, O and Ar densities from the AEROS-A (NATE) mass spectrometer the N2, He, O, and Ar densities from the San Marco 3 mass spectrometer the N2 densities from the AE-B mass spectrometer and the N2, He, O, and Ar densities from the AE-C (OSS, NACE, NATE) mass spectrometers. The O2 and H densities are inferred using ion mass spectrometer data from AE-C (BIMS). Neutral exospheric temperature data are included from Arecibo, St. Santin, Millstone Hill and Jicamarca.

Hedin, A. E.↗