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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 NTRS1993

Geometric model from microscopic theory for nuclear absorption

A parameter-free geometric model for nuclear absorption is derived herein from microscopic theory. The expression for the absorption cross section in the eikonal approximation, taken in integral form, is separated into a geometric contribution that is described by an energy-dependent effective radius and two surface terms that cancel in an asymptotic series expansion. For collisions of light nuclei, an expression for the effective radius is derived from harmonic oscillator nuclear density functions. A direct extension to heavy nuclei with Woods-Saxon densities is made by identifying the equivalent half-density radius for the harmonic oscillator functions. Coulomb corrections are incorporated, and a simplified geometric form of the Bradt-Peters type is obtained. Results spanning the energy range from 1 MeV/nucleon to 1 GeV/nucleon are presented. Good agreement with experimental results is obtained.

John, Sarah↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Brayton Cycle Power Conversion Model for MW-Class Nuclear Electric Propulsion Mars Missions

A Brayton cycle based power conversion system for a nuclear electric propulsion application was modeled in Simulink as part of NASA’s space nuclear program in order to explore the impact of technology assumptions on the power conversion system performance and capabilities. The thermodynamic processes and algorithms within the model are documented, including a higher fidelity reactor model. Assumptions are chosen based on literature and subject matter expert review, and example results and capabilities of the model are shown. The effects of the turbine inlet and compressor inlet temperature on radiator area and thermal efficiency are discussed. For a He-Xe closed Brayton cycle, radiator areas as low as 650 m2/MWe are shown, with corresponding thermal efficiences at roughly 20% for the minimal radiator area solutions.

Brayton↗
NASA NTRS1990

Multiplicities of secondaries in interactions of 1.8 GeV/nucleon 56Fe nuclei with photoemulsion and the cascade evaporation model

A nuclear photographic emulsion method was used to study the charge-state, ionization, and angular characteristics of secondaries produced in inelastic interactions of 56Fe nuclei at 1.8 GeV/nucleon with H, CNO, and AgBr nuclei. The data obtained are compared with the results of calculations made in terms of the Dubna version of the cascade evaporation model (DCM). The DCM has been shown to satisfactorily describe most of the interaction characteristics for two nuclei in the studied reactions. At the same time, quantitative differences are observed in some cases.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1979

Simplified model of a volumetric direct nuclear pumped He-3-Ar laser

A physical model for the volumetric nuclear pumped He-3-Ar laser is described and the source terms arising from the He-3(n, p)H-3 reaction as well as the rate equations are given. Steady state solutions are derived for the densities of the species vs the fraction of argon. The dominant pumping mechanism is found to be collisional radiative recombination of the argon atomic ions and subsequent cascading into the upper laser level. The reactions following recombination are described and an expression is derived for the difference in densities of the argon 3d and 4p levels. Comparison with experiments shows good agreement.

Harries, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A nuclear fragmentation energy deposition model

A formalism for target fragment transport is presented with application to energy loss spectra in thin silicon devices. A nuclear data base is recommended that agrees well with the measurements of McNulty et al. using surface barrier detectors. High-energy events observed by McNulty et al., which are not predicted by intranuclear cascade models, are well represented by the present work.

NASA Discipline Number 04-10↗
NASA NTRS1995

Multiplicities of secondaries in interactions of 1.8 GeV/nucleon Fe-56 nuclei with photoemulsion and the cascade evaporation model

A nuclear photographic emulsion method was used to study the charge-state, ionization, and angular characteristics of secondaries produced in inelastic interactions of Fe-56 nuclei at 1.8 GeV/nucleon with H, CNO, and AgBr nuclei. The data obtained are compared with the results of calculations made in terms of the Dubna version of the cascade evaporation model (DCM). The DCM has been shown to satisfactorily describe most of the interaction characteristics for two nuclei in the studied reactions. At the same time, quantitative differences are observed in some cases.

Dudkin, V. E↗
NASA NTRS1993

NEP power subsystem modeling

The Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) system optimization code consists of a master module and various submodules. Each of the submodules represents a subsystem within the total NEP power system. The master module sends commands and input data to each of the submodules and receives output data back. Rocketdyne was responsible for preparing submodules for the power conversion (both K-Rankine and Brayton), heat rejection, and power management and distribution.

Harty, Richard B.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Development of A Monte Carlo Radiation Transport Code System For HEDS: Status Update

Modifications of the Monte Carlo radiation transport code HETC are underway to extend the code to include transport of energetic heavy ions, such as are found in the galactic cosmic ray spectrum in space. The new HETC code will be available for use in radiation shielding applications associated with missions, such as the proposed manned mission to Mars. In this work the current status of code modification is described. Methods used to develop the required nuclear reaction models, including total, elastic and nuclear breakup processes, and their associated databases are also presented. Finally, plans for future work on the extended HETC code system and for its validation are described.

Townsend, Lawrence W.↗
NASA NTRS2010

A Comprehensive Validation Methodology for Sparse Experimental Data

A comprehensive program of verification and validation has been undertaken to assess the applicability of models to space radiation shielding applications and to track progress as models are developed over time. The models are placed under configuration control, and automated validation tests are used so that comparisons can readily be made as models are improved. Though direct comparisons between theoretical results and experimental data are desired for validation purposes, such comparisons are not always possible due to lack of data. In this work, two uncertainty metrics are introduced that are suitable for validating theoretical models against sparse experimental databases. The nuclear physics models, NUCFRG2 and QMSFRG, are compared to an experimental database consisting of over 3600 experimental cross sections to demonstrate the applicability of the metrics. A cumulative uncertainty metric is applied to the question of overall model accuracy, while a metric based on the median uncertainty is used to analyze the models from the perspective of model development by analyzing subsets of the model parameter space.

Norman, Ryan B.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Comparisons of cross-section predictions for relativistic iron and argon beams with semiempirical fragmentation models

Cross-section predictions with semi-empirical nuclear fragmentation models from the Langley Research Center and the Naval Research Laboratory are compared with experimental data for the breakup of relativistic iron and argon projectile nuclei in various targets. Both these models are commonly used to provide fragmentation cross-section inputs into galactic cosmic ray transport codes for shielding and exposure analyses. Overall, the Langley model appears to yield better agreement with the experimental data.

Townsend, Lawrence W.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Cell Kinetic and Histomorphometric Analysis of Microgravitational Osteopenia: PARE.03B

Previous methods of identifying cells undergoing DNA synthesis (S-phase) utilized H-3 thymidine (3HT) autoradiography. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry is a nonradioactive alternative method. This experiment compared the two methods using the nuclear volume model for osteoblast histogenesis in two different embedding media. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were used, with half receiving 3HT (1 micro Ci/g) and the other half BrdU (50 microgram/g). Condyies were embedded (one side in paraffin, the other in plastic) and S-phase nuclei were identified using either autoradiography or immunohistochemistry. The fractional distribution of preosteoblast cell types and the percentage of labeled cells (within each cell fraction and label index) were calculated and expressed as mean q standard error. Chi-Square analysis showed only a minor difference in the fractional distribution of cell types. However, there were significant differences (p less than 0.05) by ANOVA, in the nuclear labeling of specific cell types. With the exception of the less-differentiated A+A'cells, more BrdU label was consistently detected in paraffin than in plastic-embedded sections. In general, more nuclei were labeled with 3H-thymidine than with BrdU in both types of embedding media. Labeling index data (labeled cells/total cells sampled x 100) indicated that BrdU in paraffin, but not plastic gave the same results as 3HT in either embedding method. Thus, we conclude that the two labeling methods do not yield the same results for the nuclear volume model and that embedding media is an important factor whenusing BrdU. As a result of this work, 3HT was chosen for used in the PARE.03 flight experiments.

Roberts, W. Eugene↗
NASA NTRS1995

Computer Model Of Fragmentation Of Atomic Nuclei

High Charge and Energy Semiempirical Nuclear Fragmentation Model (HZEFRG1) computer program developed to be computationally efficient, user-friendly, physics-based program for generating data bases on fragmentation of atomic nuclei. Data bases generated used in calculations pertaining to such radiation-transport applications as shielding against radiation in outer space, radiation dosimetry in outer space, cancer therapy in laboratories with beams of heavy ions, and simulation studies for designing detectors for experiments in nuclear physics. Provides cross sections for production of individual elements and isotopes in breakups of high-energy heavy ions by combined nuclear and Coulomb fields of interacting nuclei. Written in ANSI FORTRAN 77.

Wilson, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Nuclear-induced XeBr/asterisk/ photolytic laser model

Parameters for a photolytically pumped alkyl iodide lasant gas by the nuclear-induced XeBr excimer fluorescence are calculated according to a detailed kinetic model. High gain on the atomic iodine 2P1/2 state is estimated and 100-mJ pulses with an average power output on the order of 1 kW appear possible.

Wilson, J. W.↗