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At least 91 records · Page 5

Determination of Ballistic Limit for IM7/8552 Using LS-DYNA MAT 261

The goal of the NASA ACC High Energy Dynamic Impact Project is to determine the state of the art of dynamic fracture simulations for high velocity impact for composite fuselage shielding applications. Using a building block approach, several computational models considered under NASA ACC are being validated against test data, starting at unconfigured panels and progressing to configured panels under combined out-of-plane and in-plane loading due to ballistic impact. The computational models being evaluated in this project include MAT 162, MAT 213, MAT 261, SPG, and Peridynamics. In this paper, the simulation results using LS-Dyna Material MAT 261 are presented. In particular, a series of blind predictions for unconfigured panels were performed to determine the ballistic limit or V50 velocity. MAT 261 employs failure approach that is generally physically-based using fracture toughness criteria. The overall material model relies on typical ply-level stiffness properties, similar to MAT 162 and other composite continuum damage material models. The fracture toughness values are based on standard tests, and thus are not subject to extensive calibration. This approach is more efficient than performing extensive optimization studies for calibration of parameters. Also, this approach of relying on physical properties reduces the uncertainty of results, as questions concerning the quality and extent of the calibration studies is no longer relevant. However, it was found that carefully controlled coupon-level tests are needed to accurately obtain the required fracture toughness values. Additionally, it should be noted that there is one significant parameter in MAT 261 that does appear to require calibration, and that is the overall failure strain. This is the strain at which the element is deleted, and is not the same as the strain at which damage begins to accumulate. This failure strain is termed EFS (Effective Failure Strain), and is the maximum effective stain for element failure. Simulations have shown that this value will significantly affect impact response and failure. The paper presents the effect of this element failure strain parameter, along with possible uncertainties in fracture toughness values. With an adjusted appropriate value for EFS, it is seen that simulation results compare well with impact test data for predicted penetration velocity.

Byar, Alan↗

Thermal design and on-orbit performance of the ECOSTRESS instrument

The ECOSystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) instrument, launched on June 29, 2018, has completed nine months of operation in space. ECOSTRESS is a multispectral thermal infrared imaging radiometer and its primary mission is to investigate and understand how climate change affects water and carbon usage on Earth. The thermal control subsystem consists of a combination of active and passive components to maintain instrument components within the allowable flight temperature limits. Its focal plane detector is cooled to 65K by a pair of mechanical cryocoolers and a third mechanical cryocooler cools an intermediate cold shield to 130K. The heat dissipation generated by cryocoolers and electronics, is removed through non-planar cold plates and tube-on plate heat exchanger, which are cooled by a circulating fluid -EF module. The heat collected by the JEM-EF fluid is exchanged with a fluid loop that circulates through radiators located on the exterior of the Space Station. This paper provides an overview of the thermal and cryogenic system design, thermal analysis results and reviews the on-orbit thermal performance.

Romero, M.↗

Ozone Production and Precursor Emission from Wildfires in Africa

Tropospheric ozone (O3) negatively impacts human health and is also a greenhouse gas. It is formed photochemically by reactions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), of which wildfires are an important source. This study presents data from research flights sampling wildfires in West and Central African savannah regions, both close to the fires and after the emissions had been transported several days over the tropical North Atlantic Ocean. Emission factors (EFs) in g kg-1 for NOx (as NO), six VOCs and formaldehyde were calculated from enhancement to mole fractions in data taken close to the fires. For NOx, the emission factor was calculated as 2.05±0.43 g kg-1 for Senegal and 1.20±0.28 g kg-1 for Uganda, both higher than the average value of 1.13±0.6 g kg-1 for previous studies of African savannah regions. For most VOCs (except acetylene), EFs in Uganda were lower by factors of 20-50% compared to Senegal, with almost all the values below those in the literature. O3 enhancement in the fire plumes was investigated by examining the ΔO3/ΔCO enhancement ratio, with values ranging from 0.07 - 0.14 close to the fires up to 0.25 for measurements taken over the Atlantic Ocean up to 200 hours downwind. In addition, measurements of O3 and its precursors were compared to the output of a global chemistry transport model (GEOS-CF) for the flights over the Atlantic Ocean. Normalised mean bias (NMB) comparison between the measured and modelled data was good outside of the fire plumes, with CO showing a model under-prediction of 4.6% and O3 a slight over-prediction of 0.7% (both within the standard deviation of the data). For NOx the agreement was poorer, with an under-prediction of 9.9% across all flights. Inside the fire plumes the agreement between modelled and measured values is worse, with the model being biased significantly lower for all three species. In total across all flights, there was an under-prediction of 29.4%, 16.5% and 37.5% for CO, O3 and NOx respectively. Finally, the measured ΔO3/ΔCO enhancement ratios were compared those in the model for the equivalent flight data, with the model showing a lower value of 0.17±0.03 compared to an observed value of 0.29±0.05. The results detailed here show that the O3 burden to the North Atlantic Ocean from African wildfires may be underestimated and that further study is required to better study the O3 precursor emissions and chemistry.

James D Lee↗

Thermal performance evaluation of Solar Energy Products Company (SEPCO) 'Soloron' collector tested outdoors

The test article, Model EF-212, Serial Nr. 002, is a single glazed collector with a nonselective absorber plate, using flowing air as the heat transfer medium. The absorber plate and box frame are aluminum and the insulation is one inch isocyanurate foam board with thermal conductivity of 0.11 (BTU/sq ft Hr0/ft.) The tests included the following. (1) time constant test, (2) collector efficiency test, (3) collector stagnation test, (4) incident angle modifier test, (5) load test, (6) weathering test, and (7) absorber plate optical properties test. The results of these tests are tabulated, graphed, or otherwise recorded.

Chiou, J., Sr.↗

Indoor thermal performance evaluation of the SEPCO air collector

The procedures used and the results obtained during the evaluation test program on the Solaron solar air collector, model EF-212, under simulated conditions for comparison with data collected in outdoor tests on the same collector are given. The test article was a single glazed collector with a nonsensitive absorber plate, aluminum box frame, and one inch isocyanurate foam insulation.

Source record↗

Radio emission from AM Herculis - The quiescent component and an outburst

The VLA has been used to search for radio emission from the AM Her-type binaries VV Pup, EF Eri, PG 1550 + 191, CW 1103 + 354, and AN UMa, at 4.9 GHz. A remarkable 10-min outburst was detected from AM Her at 4.9 GHz, which was about 20 times more intense than the quiescent emission and was essentially 100 percent circularly polarized. It is suggested that the quiescent emission of AM Her can be accounted for by 500-keV electrons trapped in the magnetosphere of the white dwarf, provided that the electron energy spectrum is quite hard and that the spectral hardness or number density of energetic electrons increases with radius, while the outburst is probably due to an electron-cyclotron maser operating near the surface of the red dwarf companion. The implied existence of a 1000-gauss localized magnetic field and a corona on the red dwarf has consequences for mass transfer, field line interactions, and variable activity.

Dulk, G. A.↗

Synchronization of magnetic stars in binary systems

Asynchronous rotation of magnetic stars in close binary systems drives substantial field-aligned electrical currents between the magnetic star and its companion. The resulting magnetohydrodynamic torque is able to account for the heretofore unexplained synchronous rotation of the strongly magnetic degenerate dwarf component in systems like AM Her, VV Pup, AN UMa, and EF Eri as well as the magnetic A type component in systems like HD 98088 and 41 Tauri. The electric fields produced by even a small asynchronism are large and may accelerate some electrons to high energies, producing radio emission. The total energy dissipation rate in systems with degenerate dwarf spin periods as short as 1 minute may reach 10 to the 33rd ergs/s. Total luminosities of this order may be a characteristic feature of such systems.

Lamb, F. K.↗

Comparison of the X-ray observations of the AM Herculis objects to theory

The X-ray observations of the original AM Her objects (AM Her, VV Pup, EF Eri, and AN UMa are reexamined. The work differs from that carried out previously in that the observed X-ray spectral properties are compared to theoretical models calculated using a dipolar accretion geometry rather than a spherically symmetric one, and the observed X-ray light curves are compared to theoretical light curves calculated assuming that the X-ray sources are cataclysmic variable-like binaries which contain a strongly magnetic white dwarf. The added constraints offered by the light curve properties restrict the possible kinds of X-ray emission scenarios in some cases. For instance, it is found that the X-ray observations of AM Her can be self-consistently explained by accretion powered radiative shock models. Further, the observations cannot be self-consistently explained by conduction dominated models as has been suggested by previous workers.

Imamura, J. N.↗

Orbital transfer vehicle 3000 LBF thrust chamber assembly hot fire test program

The Aerojet Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) Thrust Chamber Assembly (TCA) concept consists of a hydrogen cooled chamber, and annular injector, and an oxygen cooled centerbody. The hot fire testing of a heat sink version of the chamber with only the throat section using hydrogen cooling is documented. Hydraulic performance of the injector and cooled throat were verified by water flow testing prior to TCA assembly. The cooled throat was proof tested to 3000 psia to verify the integrity of the codeposited EF nickel-cobalt closeout. The first set of hot fire tests were conducted with a heat sink throat to obtain heat flux information. After demonstration of acceptable heat fluxes, the heat sink throat was replaced with the LH2 cooled throat section. Fourteen tests were conducted with a heat sink chamber and throat at chamber pressures of 85 to 359 psia. The injector face was modified at this time to add more face coolant flow. Ten tests were then conducted at chamber pressures of 197 to 620 psia. Actual heat fluxes at the higher chamber pressure range were 23 percent higher than the average of 10 Btu/in 2 predicted.

Schneider, Judy↗

Automation - Changes in cognitive demands and mental workload

The effect of partial automation on mental workloads in man/machine tasks is investigated experimentally. Subjective workload measures are obtained from six subjects after performance of a task battery comprising two manual (flight-path control, FC, and target acquisition, TA) tasks and one decisionmaking (engine failure, EF) task; the FC task was performed in both a fully manual (altitude and lateral control) mode and in a semiautomated mode (autmatic latitude control). The performance results and subjective evaluations are presented in graphs and characterized in detail. The automation is shown to improve objective performance and lower subjective workload significantly in the combined FC/TA task, but not in the FC task alone or in the FC/EF task.

Tsang, Pamela S.↗

Research and development of HgZnTe as an infrared material

Interfacial morphology and Fermi level pinning behavior at the interfaces of Al, Ag, and Pt with UHV-cleaved CdTe and ZnTe have been studied using X-ray and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopies. Results are compared to metal/HgCdTe interface formation, where the weak HgTe bond and consequent ease of Hg loss strongly influence semiconductor disruption and metal-semiconductor intermising. For Al/CdTe, the strong Al-Te reaction yields a significantly more extensive Al-Te reacted region than has been observed for HgCdTe. The Al/ZnTe interface is observed to be more abrupt than Al/CdTe. The final Fermi level pinning positions, Ef-Evbm for Al, Ag, and Pt on p-type CdTe and p-ZnTe have been determined. Efi is found to be roughly the same for both CdTe and ZnTe, with the value for ZnTe lying approximately 0.2 eV closer to the VBM for all three metals. From these results, one would expect Schottky barriers of about the same height for these metals on p-CdTe and p-ZnTe; and also that, in principle, metal interfaces with the two alloys HgCdTe and HgZnTe would have the same properties. Comparisons and implications for electrical behavior of metal contacts to the alloys are discussed.

Wahi, A. K.↗

Millisecond optical photometry of the DQ Herculis objects

The results of millisecond optical photometry of the DQ Herculis stars EX Hya, H2252-035, V1223 Sgr, and AE Aqr obtained at the Las Campanas Observatory and Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory during the years 1985, 1986, and 1987 are reported. The data for coherent and incoherent features are searched for. Coherent features (other than those previously known) were not detected for frequencies between 0.1 and 250 Hz at 4-sigma upper limits of 0.05-0.4 percent. Evidence is not found for 1-3 s, quasi-coherent features. Such features have been detected in the optical emission of the AM Her objects AN UMa, EF Eri, and E1405-451. Because of the similarities between AM Her and DQ Her objects, it was suggested that such quasi-coherent features might also be found in the DQ Her objects.

Imamura, James N.↗

Magnetism and superconductivity of some Tl-Cu oxides

Many copper oxide based Thallium compounds have now been discovered. In comparison to the Bi-compounds, the Tl-system shows a richer diversity; viz., High Temperature Superconductors (HTSC) can be obtained with either one or two Tl-0 layers (m = 1,2); also, the triple-digit phases are easier to synthesize. The value of d, oxygen stoichiometry, is critical to achieving superconductivity. The Tl system is robust to oxygen loss; Tl may be lost or incorporated by diffusion. A diffusion coefficient equal to 10 ms at 900 C was determined. Both ortho-rhombic and tetragonal structures are evidenced, but HTSC behavior is indifferent to the crystal symmetry. This system has the highest T(sub c) confirmed. T(sub c) generally increases with p, the number of CuO layers, but tends to saturate at p = 3. Zero resistance as high as 125K has been observed. Most of these HTSC's are hole type, but the Ce-doped specimens may be electronic. The magnetic aspects were studied; because in addition to defining the perfectly diamagnetic ground state as in the conventional superconductors, magnetism of the copper oxides show a surprising variety. This is true of both the normal and the superconducting states. Also, due to the large phonon contribution to the specific heat at the high T(sub c) accurate thermal measurement of important parameters such as the sp. heat jump, electronic density of states, D(Ef) and coherence length are uncertain, and thus, are estimated from the magnetic results. Results from the Tl-system CuO, LaBaCuO, 120 and the Bi-CuO compounds are discussed. The emphasis is on the role of magnetism in the TlCuO HTSC, but technological aspects are also pointed out.

Datta, Timir↗

Bowen fluorescence in AM Herculis stars

The study relates the observations of the Bowen fluorescence lines in AM Her and EF Eri, two AM Her systems. The implications of source variability and the checks performed in order to verify the accuracy of the data are reviewed. The line ratios for H I and He II are shown to deviate considerably from those expected; in this light, the H I and He II emission in AM Her is analyzed in detail. This approach makes it possible to put limits on line and continuum optical depths as well as temperatures. These limits along with the observed Bowen emission are used to construct a picture of the emission-line regions in the two sources, producing the values for the size, density, and temperature of a region. The derived value of the size is found to be significantly less than the size of the Roche lobe of the white dwarf, while the large range of densities is attributed to the exponential temperature dependence in the expression used for density.

Schachter, Jonathan↗

Magnetism and superconductivity of some Tl-Cu oxides

Many copper oxide based Thallium compounds are now known. In comparison to the Bi-compounds, the Tl-system shows a richer diversity; i.e., High Temperature Superconductors (HTSC) can be obtained with either one or two Tl-0 layers (m = 1,2); also, the triple-digit phases are easier to synthesize. The value of d, oxygen stoichiometry, is critical to achieving superconductivity. The Tl system is robust to oxygen loss; Tl may be lost or incorporated by diffusion. A diffusion coefficient equal to 10 ms at 900 C was determined. Both ortho-rhombic and tetragonal structures are found, but HTSC behavior is indifferent to the crystal symmetry. This system has the highest T(sub c) confirmed. T(sub c) generally increases with p, the number of CuO layers, but tends to saturate at p = 3. Zero resistance was observed at temperatures as great as 125 K. Most of these HTSC's are hole type, but the Ce-doped specimens may be electronic. The magnetic aspects were studied; because in addition to defining the perfectly diamagnetic ground state as in conventional superconductors, magnetism of the copper oxides show a surprising variety. This is true of both the normal and the superconducting states. Also, due to the large phonon contribution to the specific heat at the high T(sub c) jump, electronic density of states, D(Ef), and coherence length are uncertain, and thus, are estimated from the magnetic results. Results from the Tl-system CuO, LaBaCuO,120 and the Bi-CuO compounds are discussed. The emphasis is on the role of magnetism in the Tl-CuO HTSC, but technological aspects are also pointed out.

Datta, Timir↗

The accretion halo in AM Herculis systems

Previous phase-resolved spectropolarimetric observations of the AM Herculis systems V834 Centauri (E1405-451) and EF Eridani have shown broad, Zeeman-shifted absorption features during the bright phases. These features are thought to be nonphotospheric in origin, and to arise from a cool 'halo' of unshocked gas surrounding the accretion shock on the surface of the white dwarf primary. Preliminary models for the accretion halo region are presented and these models are used to perform a more detailed analysis of the relevant data for these two systems than has previously been done. To explain the observed halo Zeeman features, geometries which are consistent with the presence of linearly extended cyclotron emission regions are required. Such regions have previously been deduced from different considerations by other investigators. The estimated masses for the accretion halo are comparable to the mass of the cyclotron emission region.

Achilleos, N.↗

Compton scattering and the gamma-ray power-law spectrum in Markarian 421

The nearest BL Lac object, Mrk 421, has a gamma-ray spectrum which is approximately flat in EF-sub E from E less than about 50 MeV to E greater than about 1 TeV. Inverse Compton scattering can explain this smooth spectrum, despite the structure in the Klein-Nishina cross section, if the injected electron distribution function is proportional to gamma exp -2, where gamma is the electron Lorentz factor. When this is the case, the structure imprinted on the steady state electron distribution function by the structure in the Klein-Nishina cross section is almost exactly compensated in the radiated spectrum. Because particle acceleration in strong shocks injects particles with this distribution function, this shape injection function is in fact quite plausible. Other blazars may be explained by the same model if the cutoff below TeV energies observed in other objects is due to pair production on the cosmological IR background, as suggested by Stecker et al. (1992).

Zdziarski, Andrzej A.↗

Linking boundary-layer circulations and surface processes during FIFE89. Part 1: Observational analysis

Surface, aircraft, and satellite observations are analyzed for the 21-day 1989 intensive field campaign of the First ISLSCP Field Experiment (FIFE) to determine the effect of precipitation, vegetation, and soil moisture distributions on the thermal properties of the surface including the heat and moisture fluxes, and the corresponding response in the boundary-layer circulation. Mean and variance properties of the surface variables are first documented at various time and space scales. These calculations are designed to set the stage for Part 2, a modeling study that will focus on how time-space dependent rainfall distribution influences the intensity of the feedback between a vegetated surface and the atmospheric boundary layer. Further analysis shows strongly demarked vegetation and soil moisture gradients extending across the FIFE experimental site that were developed and maintained by the antecedent and ongoing spatial distribution of rainfall over the region. These gradients are shown to have a pronounced influence on the thermodynamic properties of the surface. Furthermore, perturbation surface wind analysis suggests for both short-term steady-state conditions and long-term averaged conditions that the gradient pattern maintained a diurnally oscillating local direct circulation with perturbation vertical velocities of the same order as developing cumulus clouds. Dynamical and scaling considerations suggest that the embedded perturbation circulation is driven by surface heating/cooling gradients and terrain ef fects rather than the manifestation of an inertial oscillation. The implication is that at even relatively small scales (less than 30 km), the differential evolution in vegetation density and soil moisture distribution over a relatively homogenous ecotone can give rise to preferential boundary-layer circulations capable of modifying local-scale horizontal and vertical motions.

Smith, Eric A.↗