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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 NTRS1979

Elementary analytic models of climate. 1: The mean global heat balance

Climate models based on global radiative equilibrium are normally so complicated that they require extensive computer codes to provide adequate accuracy. However, by simply modifying the concept of a gray atmosphere, a reasonably correct mean global temperature is obtained. This elementary model is then used to estimate the effects of changes in the abundances of minor infrared absorbers and changes in the solar constant or earth albedo. When applied to a Budyko-Sellers zonally averaged model, the quasi-gray model could give a physical basis for the latitude dependence of outgoing radiation and of opacity due to H2O vapor content. The latter effect constitutes an important positive feedback on surface temperature.

Chamberlain, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The solar wind-magnetosphere energy coupling and magnetospheric disturbances

Energy coupling between the solar wind and the magnetosphere is examined and the influence of this coupling on magnetospheric disturbances is discussed. Following a review of the components of the total energy production rate of the magnetosphere and progress in the study of solar wind-magnetosphere correlations, the derivation of the solar wind-magnetosphere energy coupling function, which has been found to correlate well with the total magnetospheric energy production rate, is presented. Examination of the relations between the energy coupling function and the type of magnetic disturbance with which it is associated indicates that magnetic storms with a large sudden storm commencement and a weak main phase are associated with small energy coupling, while values of the coupling function greater than 5 x 10 to the 18th to 10 to the 19th erg/sec are required for the development of a major geomagnetic storm. The magnetospheric substorm is shown to be a direct result of increased solar wind-magnetosphere energy coupling rather than the sudden conversion of stored magnetic energy. Finally, it is indicated that at energy couplings greater than 10 to the 19th erg/sec, the positive feedback process responsible for substorms breaks down, resulting in the abnormal growth of the ring current.

Akasofu, S.-I.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The effect of clouds on the earth's solar and infrared radiation budgets

The effect of global cloudiness on the solar and infrared components of the earth's radiation balance is studied in general circulation model experiments. A wintertime simulation is conducted in which the cloud radiative transfer calculations use realistic cloud optical properties and are fully interactive with model-generated cloudiness. This simulation is compared to others in which the clouds are alternatively non-interactive with respect to the solar or thermal radiation calculations. Other cloud processes (formation, latent heat release, precipitation, vertical mixing) were accurately simulated in these experiments. It is concluded that on a global basis clouds increase the global radiation balance by 40 W/sq m by absorbing longwave radiation, but decrease it by 56 W/sq m by reflecting solar radiation to space. The net cloud effect is therefore a reduction of the radiation balance by 16 W/sq m, and is dominated by the cloud albedo effect. Changes in cloud frequency and distribution and in atmospheric and land temperatures are also reported for the control and for the non-interactive simulations. In general, removal of the clouds' infrared absorption cools the atmosphere and causes additional cloudiness to occur, while removal of the clouds' solar radiative properties warms the atmosphere and causes fewer clouds to form. It is suggested that layered clouds and convective clouds over water enter the climate system as positive feedback components, while convective clouds over land enter as negative components.

Herman, G. F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Base drive for paralleled inverter systems

In a paralleled inverter system, a positive feedback current derived from the total current from all of the modules of the inverter system is applied to the base drive of each of the power transistors of all modules, thereby to provide all modules protection against open or short circuit faults occurring in any of the modules, and force equal current sharing among the modules during turn on of the power transistors.

Nagano, S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Changes in the planetary heat balance with chemical changes in air

The concept of an 'equivalent radiative atmosphere', a simplified model of the atmospheric radiative aspects, is used to explore changes in the greenhouse effect, caused by changes in the atmospheric composition, and changes in the incident solar flux. By extending this model to the zonal energy-balance type, it is shown that global heating has the more profound effect at higher latitudes. It is also shown that the positive feedback in H2O opacity is comparable to the initial change in opacity due, for example, to a change in CO2 content.

Chamberlain, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Titan - Aerosol photochemistry and variations related to the sunspot cycle

A photochemical theory is proposed for producing complex polymers in a methane atmosphere. It is argued that the polyacetylenes (C2nH2) are the most likely precursor molecules for the formation of the stratospheric haze layer on Titan. The production of polyacetylenes involves a strong positive feedback, leading to more production of polyacetylenes. The thermosphere of Titan may undergo substantial expansion and contraction over a solar cycle, with important consequences for the chemistry of the upper atmosphere.

Allen, M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Optically induced bistable states in metal/tunnel-oxide/semiconductor /MTOS/ junctions

A new switching phenomenon in metal-oxide semiconductor tunnel junction has been discovered. With a sufficiently large negative bias applied to the electrode, incident visible light of intensity greater than about 1 microW/sq cm causes the reverse-biased junction to switch from a low-current to a high-current state. It is believed that hot-electron-induced impact ionization provides the positive feedback necessary for switching, and causes the junction to remain in its high-current state after the optical excitation is removed. The junction may be switched back to the low-current state electrically. The basic junction characteristics have been measured, and a simple model for the switching phenomenon has been developed.

Lai, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Ion current in a magnetic neutral region - Generation of an incipient magnetopause

The current contributed by ions trapped in the vicinity of a magnetic X line is calculated. The three dimensional configuration of the neutral region is found to be critical in determining the current in that the escape mechanism and trapping times depend on the three-dimensional aspects. A trapping criterion is defined. In the neutral region the ions can gain substantial kinetic energy, and the current will change the X line configuration in such a way that there will be a positive feedback effect, rapidly forming an extended magnetopauselike structure for even very small incident plasma densities.

Whipple, E. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Phase Detector for Power-Factor Controller

Positive feedback assures reliable switching. Three Phase Power Factor Controller includes three phase detectors, each produces rectangular waves of duration approximately equal to lag time between line voltage and motor current.

Nola, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The radiative impact of cumulus cloudiness in a general circulation model

The effect of cumulus cloudiness on the radiational heating and, on other aspects of the climate were simulated by the GLAS Climate Model. An experiment in which the cumulus cloudiness is neglected completely for purposes of the solar and terrestrial radiation parameterizations was performed. The results are compared with those of a control run, in which 100% cumulus cloud cover is assumed. The net solar radiation input into the Earth atmosphere system is more realistic in the experiment, and the model's underprediction of the global mean outgoing thermal radiation at the top of the atmosphere is reduced. The results suggest that there is a positive feedback between cumulus convection and the radiation field. The upper troposphere is warmer in the experiment, the surface air temperature increases over land, and the thermal lows over the continents intensity.

Moeng, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Tuned analog network

A noninverting, direct current amplifier stage is cascaded into an integrator stage to form a two stage tuned network with a single input junction common to both stages. The network provides independent adjustment of center frequency, bandwidth and voltage gain. The insertion of a positive feedback loop between the stages provides a very narrow bandwidth network. The addition of back to back zener diodes between the common input node and ground converts the network into an oscillator.

Kleinberg, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle Simulation System On-Board Processing Logic

The control logic for an Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) Simulation system is developed. In order that better control over the vehicle can be exercised, several modifications to the vehicle are suggested. The need of better position feedback leads to the development of an alternative simpler but more reliable navigation system which is also discussed. The control logic is presented in pseudocode form, and can be implemented in FORTRAN and/or MACRO II.

Teoh, W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Motor power control circuit for ac induction motors

A motor power control of the type which functions by controlling the power factor wherein one of the parameters of power factor current on time is determined by the on time of a triac through which current is supplied to the motor. By means of a positive feedback circuit, a wider range of control is effected.

Nola, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Land Biology

The advancing technology of our civilization on Earth affects our environment on a local, regional and global scale. Local effects can feed into larger scale effects because of positive feedbacks in our system. The ability to understand, quantify and predict the large scale and long-term effects of technology is truly mind boggling. The understanding of these effects, which is paramount to the quality of life on Earth, will depend upon the ability to interact with scientists from the biological, atmospheric, oceanographic and geological sciences and develop a common communication system and unified objectives.

Kanemasu, E. T.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Bursting star formation and the overabundance of Wolf-Rayet stars

The ratio of the number of WR-stars to their OB progenitors appears to be significantly higher in some extragalactic systems than in our Galaxy. This overabundance of Wolf-Rayet-stars can be explained as a consequence of a recent burst of star formation. It is suggested that this burst is the manifestation of a long period nonlinear oscillation in the star formation process, produced by positive feedback effects between young stars and the interstellar medium. Star burst galaxies with large numbers of WR-stars must generate gamma - fluxes but due to the distance, all of them are beyond the reach of present-day ray detectors, except probably 30 Dor.

Bodigfee, G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The role of magnetic field shear in solar flares

Observational results and their physical implications on magnetic field shear in relation to flares are presented. The observed character of magnetic shear and its involvement in the buildup and release of flare energy are reviewed. It is pointed out that the magnetic field in active regions can become sheared by several processes, including shear flow in the photosphere, flux emergence, magnetic reconnection, and flux submergence. Modeling studies of the buildup of stored magnetic energy by shearing are reported which show ample energy storage for flares. Observational evidence is presented that flares are triggered when the field shear reaches a critical degree, in qualitative agreement with some theoretical analyses of sheared force-free fields. Finally, a scenario is outlined for the class of flares resulting from large-scale magnetic shear; the overall instability driving the energy release results from positive feedback between reconnection and eruption of the sheared field.

Hagyard, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A minimal living system and the origin of a protocell

The essential molecular attributes of a minimal living system are discussed, and the evolution of a protocell from such a system is considered. Present thought on the emergence and evolution of life is summarized, and the complexity of biological systems is reviewed. The five fundamental molecular attributes considered are: informational molecules, catalytic peptides, a decoding and translation system, protoribosomes, and protomembranes. Their functions in a primitive cell are discussed. Positive feedback interaction between proto-RNA, proto-AA-tRNA, and protoenzyme are identified as the three major steps to the formation of a primitive living cell.

Oro, J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Diagnosis of ageostrophic circulations in a two-dimensional primitive equation model of frontogenesis

A two-dimensional primitive equation frontogenesis model is applied to the identification of dynamical mechanisms which contribute to transverse ageostrophic circulation in warm and cold advection situations. Attention is focused on conditions conducive to significant alongfront ageostrophic flow with divergence confined to the transverse plane. The circulation is partitioned as a function of forcing mechanisms accompanied by confluence, horizontal shear and the alongfront component of the ageostrophic wind. A series of diagnostic equations is defined for the transverse geostrophic circulation and instantaneous contribution from each partitioned component of the circulation are quantified. In the cold advection case, results are obtained which are consistent with positive feedback between the subsidence pattern and forcing by horizontal shear.

Keyser, D.↗