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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

The broadening of He I lines including ion dynamic corrections, with application to 4471 A

A theory of the broadening of He I lines with forbidden components is developed. The theory takes into account the effects of dynamic ion broadening and is valid at low densities where the forbidden line is reasonably well isolated. Good agreement with experiment and with calculations by Lee (1972) was obtained when the theory was applied at a wavelength of 4471 A. Tables of these data are given and are extended into the line wings beyond the extent of previous tabulations. Reasons for agreement with Lee data are discussed in detail. The density level above which the static ion theory is adequate is defined. A simple numerical profile of allowed lines is also obtained, taking into account dynamic ion effects.

Barnard, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A proposed concept for the extraction of energy stored in magnetic or electric fields in space

It is known that enormous energy resources associated with electric, magnetic, gravitational, and other fields exist in space. It is also known that the major difficulty in 'tapping' this energy arises from the extremely low density level at which this energy exists. An analytical study has been made of a particular scheme that appears promising for an efficient utilization of some of these energy resources in propulsion. The principle involves the exchange of energy between a fluctuating magnetic field and a velocity field of electrically conducting fluid in turbulent motion located onboard a spacecraft. Under certain conditions the total energy of the turbulent flow field onboard the spacecraft can be increased and this increase appears in the form of Joulean heat. The utilization of the fluctuating part of the magnetic field, in the form of Joulean dissipation (because of its random character) does not introduce any drag on the spacecraft. The application appears promising for flights in the vicinity of Jupiter and other planets. The rate at which energy is gained by the conducting fluid is of the order of 100 watts when the rms value of the fluctuating magnetic field strength is about 1 gauss.

Papailiou, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Electronic and mechanical improvement of the receiving terminal of a free-space microwave power transmission system

Significant advancements were made in a number of areas: improved efficiency of basic receiving element at low power density levels, improved resolution and confidence in efficiency measurements mathematical modelling and computer simulation of the receiving element and the design, construction, and testing of an environmentally protected two-plane construction suitable for low cost, highly automated construction of large receiving arrays.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Open-circuit voltage improvements in low-resistivity solar cells

Mechanisms limiting the open-circuit voltage in 0.1 ohm-cm solar cells were investigated. It was found that a rather complicated multistep diffusion process could produce cells with significantly improved voltages. The voltage capabilities of various laboratory cells were compared independent of their absorption and collection efficiencies. This was accomplished by comparing the cells on the basis of their saturation currents or, equivalently, comparing their voltage outputs at a constant current-density level. The results show that for both the Lewis diffused emitter cell and the Spire ion-implanted emitter cell the base component of the saturation current is voltage controlling. The evidence for the University of Florida cells, although not very conclusive, suggests emitter control of the voltage in this device. The data suggest further that the critical voltage-limiting parameter for the Lewis cell is the electron mobility in the cell base.

Godlewski, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Intercell ohmic contacts for high efficiency multijunction solar converters

The monolithic multijunction converter is an attractive approach to achieving solar/electric conversion with greater than 30% efficiency. A major technical challenge in the development of such devices is the requirement for low resistance, optically transparent intercell contacts between adjacent junctions. These contacts should transmit, without significant loss, the spectral fraction of the incident sunlight which is not absorbed and converted in the overlying junction materials. Their contact resistances must be low enough to prevent significant I to the 2d power R loss at the designed current density levels. They should also exhibit adequate thermal conductivity to prevent device overheating when subjected to the designed illumination level. Recent encouraging results for the development of such contacts are presented.

Zehr, S. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Trophic classification of Tennessee Valley area reservoirs derived from LANDSAT multispectral scanner data

LANDSAT MSS data from four different dates were extracted from computer tapes using a semiautomated digital data handling and analysis system. Reservoirs were extracted from the surrounding land matrix by using a Band 7 density level slice of 3; and descriptive statistics to include mean, variance, and ratio between bands for each of the four bands were calculated. Significant correlations ( 0.80) were identified between the MSS statistics and many trophic indicators from ground truth water quality data collected at 35 reservoirs in the greater Tennessee Valley region. Regression models were developed which gave significant estimates of each reservoir's trophic state as defined by its trophic state index and explained in all four LANDSAT frames at least 85 percent of the variability in the data. To illustrate the spatial variations within reservoirs as well as the relative variations between reservoirs, a table look up elliptical classification was used in conjunction with each reservoir's trophic state index to classify each reservoir on a pixel by pixel basis and produce color coded thematic representations.

Meinert, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Satellite monitoring of sea surface pollution

Thermal IR data from NASA's Heat Capacity Mapping Mission were used in a study of the feasibility of detecting oil spills in the seas around the UK. The period of observation covered the years 1978/9, in which there were no major spills in the area. A video processor capable of generating false color renderings of any satellite image from eight density levels was used in the synoptic search for spills. Other laboratory equipment, and associated analyses, were used to study the thermal behavior of oil spills on water. Oil spills may appear to be warmer or cooler that the surrounding sea, depending on numerous factors.

Fielder, G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Seasat SAR identification of dry climate urban land cover

Digitally processed Seasat synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery of the Denver, Colorado area was examined to assess its potential for mapping urban land cover and the compatibility of SAR derived classes with those described in the U.S. Geological Survey classification system. The entire scene was interpreted to generate a small-scale land cover map. In addition, six subscene enlargements representative of urban land cover categories extant in the area were used as test sites for detailed analysis of land cover types. Two distinct approaches were employed and compared in examining the imagery - a visual interpretation of black-and-white positive transparencies and an automated-machine/visual interpretation. The latter used the Image 100 interactive image analysis system to generate land cover classes by density level slicing of the image frequency histogram.

Henderson, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Ultrasonic velocity for estimating density of structural ceramics

The feasibility of using ultrasonic velocity as a measure of bulk density of sintered alpha silicon carbide was investigated. The material studied was either in the as-sintered condition or hot isostatically pressed in the temperature range from 1850 to 2050 C. Densities varied from approximately 2.8 to 3.2 g cu cm. Results show that the bulk, nominal density of structural grade silicon carbide articles can be estimated from ultrasonic velocity measurements to within 1 percent using 20 MHz longitudinal waves and a commercially available ultrasonic time intervalometer. The ultrasonic velocity measurement technique shows promise for screening out material with unacceptably low density levels.

Klima, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Performance characteristics of a buoyant quad-rotor research aircraft

Performance characteristics of a buoyant, quadrotor research aircraft, which represents a hybrid airship concept for heavy lift application, are described. Ceiling altitude and endurance for hovering at typical power levels, including partial power failure, are predicted. Climb performance at various altitude and gross weight conditions have been examined. Forward flight performance of this vehicle is illustrated in terms of typical performance parameters such as maximum speed, maximum range, and endurance, over the full range of its payload capability. Optimum payload weights have been identified which result in maximum range at sea level density altitude and constant endurance at various altitudes, both during hover and cruise flights.

Nagabhushan, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Photographic memory: The storage and retrieval of data

The concept of density encoding digital data in a mass-storage computer peripheral is proposed. This concept requires that digital data be encoded as distinguishable density levels (DDLS) of the film to be used as the storage medium. These DDL's are then recorded on the film in relatively large pixels. Retrieval of the data would be accomplished by scanning the photographic record using a relatively small aperture. Multiplexing of the pixels is used to store data of a range greater than the number of DDL's supportable by the film in question. Although a cartographic application is used as an example for the photographic storage of data, any digital data can be stored in a like manner. When the data is inherently spatially-distributed, the aptness of the proposed scheme is even more evident. In such a case, human-readability is an advantage which can be added to those mentioned earlier: speed of acquisition, ease of implementation, and cost effectiveness.

Horton, J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The X-ray properties of supernova remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Einstein Observatory instruments were used to survey the generic properties of LMC supernova remnants (SNR). The study covered the diffuse optical bar, the 30 Dor nebula, the surrounding H I cloud, and a high fraction of the spiral arms. Twelve SNRs were identified as X-ray sources and two SNR, N157B and 0540 - 69.3, were located from radio emissions. Filamentary H-alpha emissions also revealed five other objects. X-ray intensity data indicated that density levels of the matter surrounding SNR decrease with SNR diameter. The data suggest that Sedov models for SN may not be accurate for LMC SN, which exhibit too great a luminosity scatter in the surrounding interstellar material. The emissions may be accounted for by ejecta from the SN or by multiphase interstellar material.

Long, K. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

High resolution evidence for the Garrett-Munk spectrum of stratospheric gravity waves

Vertical profiles of scalar horizontal winds have been measured at high resolution (10 m) in the 13 to 37 km region of the stratosphere. This resolution (at that range of altitude) represents the state-of-the-art, and is unique. The technique used smoke trails laid by rockets in the stratosphere, and were taken by AFGL at Wallops Island, VA, White Sands Missile Range, NM, and Ft. Churchill, Canada, in the 1977-78 time period. Two or three cameras were used to give the time-lapse photographs. The goal was to ascertain whether or not the internal waves of the stratosphere behave consistently with the Garrett-Munk model which was originally created for oceanic internal waves. Five profiles of horizontal wind are presented. It is concluded: (1) stratospheric internal waves obey the Garrett-Munk model for vertical wave numbers; (2) there is not statistically significant evidence for a break in the curve at high wave numbers when due allowance is made for aliasing effects; and (3) the power density level of the spectra are almost equal on a log-log scale in spite of the difference in time, season, and geographical location.

Dewan, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Morphology of thermospheric composition variations in the quiet polar thermosphere from Dynamics Explorer measurements

Composition data obtained by the Neutral Atmosphere Composition Spectrometer carried aboard the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite have been examined for variations in the polar regions during magnetically quiet conditions. A persistent enhancement of N2 density and a depletion of He density are present in the vicinity of the magnetic poles with maximum density response in the morning hours (magnetic) on average. A universal time (UT) variation in average density levels is evident near both the geographic and magnetic poles. There are systematic morphology changes with UT and between summer and winter which are qualitatively consistent with the shifting and spreading of thermospheric heating effects by the global circulation systems driven by EUV and magnetospheric sources. The magnitude of the UT variations is larger in the southern hemisphere on average, and the UT variations are larger in local winter than summer.

Hedin, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

On the use of the cross section concept as applied to pulsed CO2 laser dynamics

The 'cross sections' which are commonly used in combination with the molecular vibrational level densities to describe induced transition rates are time dependent in a pulsed discharge. This greatly affects the relative rates of buildup of radiation at the various lines of a molecular gain medium in a nondispersive cavity, and the consequences for line selection by injection in a TEA-CO2 laser are discussed.

Flamant, P. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

UT/longitudinal variations of composition in DE data

Composition data obtained by the quadrupole mass spectrometer (NACS) carried aboard the DE-B satellite were examined for variations in the polar regions during magnetically quiet conditions. The corresponding predictions of the MSIS-83 model are often used for comparison. The MSIS-83 model is used to emphasize the variations of interest by suppressing all other variations. A persistent enhancement of N2 density and a depletion of He density are present in the vicinity of the magnetic poles with maximum density response in the morning hours (magnetic) on average. A universal time (UT) variation in average density levels is evident near both the geographic and magnetic poles. There are systematic morphology changes with UT and between summer and winter which are qualitatively consistent with the simple concept that thermospheric heating effects are shifted or spread in the downwind direction of the global circulation systems driven by EUV and magnetospheric sources. The magnitude of the UT variations is larger in the southern hemisphere and is larger in local winter than summer.

Hedlin, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Numerical simulation by TVD schemes of complex shock reflections from airfoils at high angle of attack

The shock-capturing capability of total variation diminishing (TVD) schemes is demonstrated for a more realistic complex shock-diffraction problem for which the experimental data are available. Second-order explicit upwind and symmetric TVD schemes are used to solve the time-dependent Euler equations of gas dynamics for the interaction of a blast wave with an airfoil at high angle-of-attack. The test cases considered are a time-dependent moving curved-shock wave and a contant moving planar-shock wave impinging at an angle-of-attack 30 deg on a NACA 0018 airfoil. Good agreement is obtained between isopycnic contours computed by the TVD schemes and those from experimental interferograms. No drastic difference in flow-field structure is found between the curved- and planar-shock wave cases, except for a difference in density level near the lower surface of the airfoil. Computation for cases with higher shock Mach numbers is also possible. Numerical experiments show that the symmetric TVD scheme is less sensitive to the boundary conditions treatment than the upwind scheme.

Moon, Young J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Advanced space power PEM fuel cell systems

A model showing mass and heat transfer in proton exchange membrane (PEM) single cells is presented. For space applications, stack operation requiring combined water and thermal management is needed. Advanced hardware designs able to combine these two techniques are available. Test results are shown for membrane materials which can operate with sufficiently fast diffusive water transport to sustain current densities of 300 ma per square centimeter. Higher power density levels are predicted to require active water removal.

Vanderborgh, N. E.↗