Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Reporting Format”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,117 records · Page 62

Deep X-ray and UV Surveys of Galaxies with Chandra, XMM-Newton, and GALEX

Only with the deepest Chandra surveys has X-ray emission from normal and star forming galaxies (as opposed to AGN, which dominate the X-ray sky) been accessible at cosmologically interesting distances. The X-ray emission from accreting binaries provide a critical glimpse into the binary phase of stellar evolution and studies of the hot gas reservoir constrain past star formation. UV studies provide important, sensitive diagnostics of the young star forming populations and provide the most mature means for studying galaxies at 2 < zeta < 4. This talk will review current progress on studying X-ray emission in concert with UV emission from normal/star-forming galaxies at higher redshift. We will also report on our new, deep surveys with GALEX and XMM-Newton in the nearby Coma cluster. These studies are relevant to DEEP06 as Coma is the nearest rich cluster of galaxies and provides an important benchmark for high-redshift studies in the X-ray and UV wavebands. The 30 ks GALEX (note: similar depth to the GALEX Deep Imaging Survey) and the 110 ks XMM observations provide extremely deep coverage of a Coma outskirts field, allowing the construction of the UV and X-ray luminosity function of galaxies and important constraints on star formation scaling relations such as the X-ray-Star Formation Rate correlation and the X-ray/Stellar Mass correlation. We will discuss what we learn from these deep observations of Coma, including the recently established suppression of the X-ray emission from galaxies in the Coma outskirts that is likely associated with lower levels of past star formation and/or the results of tidal gas stripping.

Hornschemeier, Ann↗

ALMA Observations of Molecular Complexity in the Large Magellanic Cloud: Probing the Star-forming Region N 160

Hot molecular cores represent one of the earliest stages of high mass star formation, yet the number of known extragalactic hot cores is currently very small (six). A typical Galactic hot core found around a forming massive star is small, dense, hot, and it is rich in complex organic molecules (COMs; six or more atoms including carbon). In this presentation, we report the results of 1.2 mm continuum and molecular line single-pointing observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) of the field in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) we dubbed N160A–mm. The goal of our study is to investigate the chemical complexity in this region and search for hot cores. The LMC is an ideal location for studying hot core chemistry in an environment distinctly different from the Milky Way due to its lower metallicity and strong UV radiation. N160A–mm is located in the star-forming region N160 south of 30 Doradus. It hosts two dominant young stellar objects and water (H2O), methanol (CH3OH), and hydroxyl (OH) masers, indicating ongoing star formation. We detect six 1.2 mm continuum sources, five of which are associated with the CH3OH emission peaks and/or extended emission. Methyl cyanide (CH3CN), another COM, is found towards the brightest continuum source in N160A–mm (N160A–mm A), and smaller molecules typically associated with Galactic hot cores (e.g., SO2, SO) are detected in four sources. Using spectral modeling, we estimate the rotational temperatures and column densities of the continuum sources. Based on the derived temperature of above 100 K, we identify N160–mm A as a hot core candidate. Most of the sources in N160A–mm exhibit a complex kinematic structure, providing evidence for large scale motions in the region (e.g., outflows, rotation). We compare the molecular abundances measured for N160-mm A to those found in Galactic hot cores and other LMC hot cores to investigate the impact of the environment on hot core chemistry.

Amanda Broadmeadow↗

Deuterated methane observed on Saturn

The detection of CH3D in the 5-micron spectrum of Saturn, as obtained by a Fourier transform spectrometer, is reported. A CH3D abundance of 2.6 plus or minus 0.8 centimeter-amagat has been found along with a temperature of 175 plus or minus 30 K for the mean level of spectroscopic line formation. This suggests that the observed flux is due to thermal radiation from relatively deep levels within the atmosphere. This CH3D abundance indicates a deuterium/hydrogen ratio of approximately 2 x 10 to the -5th power, which is of a magnitude similar to that of Jupiter. This value is considerably lower than the terrestrial and meteoritic value of 15 x 10 to the -5th power. If stellar processing of the deuterium that formed the solar system is minimal, this ratio may be representative of the primordial ratio at the time of the formation of the universe.

Fink, U.↗

Lithology, age and structure of early proterozoic greenstone belts, West African shield

Lithologic and chemical data have been compiled for belts in the Proterozoic terrane. Available stratigraphic information from geologic maps of these areas indicate that a typical sequence is comprised of predominately mafic lava flows (basalt-andesite) at the base, which are overlain by felsic volcanic rocks including pyroclastic rocks and lavas. Lithostratigraphic data indicate the volcanic succession is 6-8 km thick. This is followed by 3-4 km of basaltic lava flows which are locally pillowed, the top of the unit is marked by a distinctive manganese formation (MF) consisting of Mn-Fe rich cherts up to 200 m thick. The youngest volcanic unit consists of mafic tuffs and breccia with a distinctive fragmental texture. Of about 100 chemical analyses reported calc-alkaline rocks constitute 55% and tholeiites 45%. Quartz-normative basalt constitutes 99% of the rock type in the tholeiitic suite. In the calc-alkaline suite, 9% of the analyses is basalt, 45% andesite and the rest is dacite and rhyodacite. The available data lead to the conclusion that the minimum age for the volcanic activity must be between 2200 and 2100 million years. It is significant that Archean ages have not been reported from any of the volcanic belts (1-10).

Attoh, K.↗

Initial Sr-87/Sr-86 and Sm-Nd chronology of chondritic meteorites

Isotopic analyses of the Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd systems in phosphates from ordinary chondritic meteorites (Bjurbole, Mocs, Menow, Elenovka, Ambapur Nagla, and St. Severin) are presented. The Sm-Nd data yield an isochron of age 4.55 + or - 0.45 Ga and an initial Nd-143/Nd-144 consistent with that of Juvinas. Initial Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios are characteristically (possibly excepting St. Severin) elevated with respect to BABI or ALL. Considering both presently and previously reported data, elevation of initial Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios corresponding to metamorphism intervals of the order of 10 to the 8th years seems quite characteristic of chondrites of metamorphic grade 4 or higher. These formation intervals, however, do not correlate with either degree of metamorphism or with I-Xe ages, hence such data for metamorphic chronologies should be interpreted with caution.

Brannon, J. C.↗

Managing Information On Costs

Cost Management Model, CMM, software tool for planning, tracking, and reporting costs and information related to costs. Capable of estimating costs, comparing estimated to actual costs, performing "what-if" analyses on estimates of costs, and providing mechanism to maintain data on costs in format oriented to management. Number of supportive cost methods built in: escalation rates, production-learning curves, activity/event schedules, unit production schedules, set of spread distributions, tables of rates and factors defined by user, and full arithmetic capability. Import/export capability possible with 20/20 Spreadsheet available on Data General equipment. Program requires AOS/VS operating system available on Data General MV series computers. Written mainly in FORTRAN 77 but uses SGU (Screen Generation Utility).

Taulbee, Zoe A.↗

Interaction Of Hydrogen With Metal Alloys

Report describes experiments on interaction of hydrogen with number of metal alloys. Discusses relationship between metallurgical and crystallographic aspects of structures of alloys and observed distributions of hydrogen on charging. Also discusses effect of formation of hydrides on resistances of alloys to hydrogen. Describes attempt to correlate structures and compositions of alloys with their abilities to resist embrittlement by hydrogen.

Danford, M. D.↗

Preliminary results from the MAMA detectors for the SOHO mission

Multi-Anode Microchannel Array (MAMA) detector systems are being fabricated and tested for use in the Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation (SUMER) and the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS) instruments on the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) mission. The SOHO MAMA detector systems have formats of 360 x 1024 pixels and pixel dimensions of 25 x 25 sq microns and are optimized for operation at Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths between 40 and 160 nm. In this paper we report on the initial results of measurements of the performance characteristics of the first flight-configuration detector system employing the new custom Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) which are designed to improve both the dynamic range and the uniformity of response. The performance characteristics of this detector system are compared with those of earlier breadboard systems employing discrete-component electronics circuits.

Slater, David C.↗

Highlighting Selected Data On Complex Displays

Report describes study of effect of highlighting on speed with which one searches and finds information on complex alphanumeric display. In study, 12 human subjects tested with variety of information displays in which highlighting, format, and type of data manipulated.

Rudisill, Marianne↗

Remote Observing with the Keck Telescope Using the ACTS Satellite

As a technical demonstration project for the NASA Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS), we have implemented remote observing on the 10-meter Keck II telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii from the California Institute of Technology campus in Pasadena. The data connection consists of optical fiber networks in Hawaii and California, connecting the end-points to high data rate (HDR) ACTS satellite antennae at JPL in Pasadena and at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. The terrestrial fiber networks run the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocol at DS-3 (45 Mbit/sec) speeds, providing ample bandwidth to enable remote observing with a software environment identical to that used for on-site observing in Hawaii. This experiment has explored the data requirements of remote observing with a modern research telescope and large-format detector arrays. While the maximum burst data rates are lower than those required for many other applications (e.g., HDTV), the network reliability and data integrity requirements are critical. As we show in this report, the former issue particularly may be the greatest challenge for satellite networks for this class of application. We have also experimented with the portability of standard TCP/IP applications to satellite networks, demonstrating the need for alternative TCP congestion algorithms and minimization of bit error rates (BER). Reliability issues aside, we have demonstrated that true remote observing over high-speed networks provides several important advantages over standard observing paradigms. Technical advantages of the high-speed network access include more rapid download of data to a user's home institution and the opportunity for alternative communication facilities between members of an observing team, such as audio- and videoconferencing.

SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS↗

Detailed Multidimensional Simulations of the Structure and Dynamics of Flames

Numerical simulations in which the various physical and chemical processes can be independently controlled can significantly advance our understanding of the structure, stability, dynamics and extinction of flames. Therefore, our approach has been to use detailed time-dependent, multidimensional, multispecies numerical models to perform carefully designed computational experiments of flames on Earth and in microgravity environments. Some of these computational experiments are complementary to physical experiments performed under the Microgravity Program while others provide a fundamental understanding that cannot be obtained from physical experiments alone. In this report, we provide a brief summary of our recent research highlighting the contributions since the previous microgravity combustion workshop. There are a number of mechanisms that can cause flame instabilities and result in the formation of dynamic multidimensional structures. In the past, we have used numerical simulations to show that it is the thermo-diffusive instability rather than an instability due to preferential diffusion that is the dominant mechanism for the formation of cellular flames in lean hydrogen-air mixtures. Other studies have explored the role of gravity on flame dynamics and extinguishment, multi-step kinetics and radiative losses on flame instabilities in rich hydrogen-air flames, and heat losses on burner-stabilized flames in microgravity. The recent emphasis of our work has been on exploring flame-vortex interactions and further investigating the structure and dynamics of lean hydrogen-air flames in microgravity. These topics are briefly discussed after a brief discussion of our computational approach for solving these problems.

Patnaik, G.↗

Iodine-Xenon Dating: Sensitive Chronometer for Reprocessing in the Primitive Solar System

The I-Xe chronometer is based upon decay of I-129 to Xe-129 in the early Solar System. Recent comparison of I-Xe system in individual mineral separates from twelve different meteorites with independent Pb-Pb data has demonstrated that I-Xe clock is a reliable sensitive chronometer when applied to a single mineral system. Since most iodine hosts are secondary minerals, the I-Xe clock generally records post-formational processing, providing the information on early meteorite evolution. Absolute I-Xe ages can be found by normalization using the measured I-Xe and Pb-Pb ages of Acapulco phosphate (4.557 plus or minus 0.002 Ga). Absolute ages for the I-Xe internal standards Shallow water and Bjurbole, 4.566 plus or minus 0.002 Ga and 4.565 plus or minus 0.003 Ga, respectively, provide absolute I-Xe ages for all other samples. The I-Xe age of bulk meteorite is meaningful and interpretable only when the carrier of primordial iodine is a major mineral phase (e. g., enstatite chondrites). Using the "monomineral" approach, separated phases from the Richardton H5 chondrite provide a case history of post-formational alteration in this object. This work applies the I-Xe chronometer to determine the times of reprocessing of selected minerals in single meteorite types. A preliminary account of this work was recently reported. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Pravdivtseva, O. V.↗

Reproduction during spaceflight by plants in the family Brassicaceae

Researchers report on studies of reproduction in Arabidopsis thaliana in space during during the Chromex-03 on STS-54, Chromex-04 on STS-51, and Chromex-05 on STS-68 missions. The obstacles to seed formation were related to carbon dioxide levels. Other experiments examined in flight pollination and seed production in Brassica rapa during parabolic flight, a 4-1/2 month stay on Mir, and on STS-87. During the Mir experiment, Brassica seeds were harvested from seeds sown in flight. The second generation seeds grew to produce new seeds that contained more starch and less protein and lipid when compared to ground control seeds.

manned↗

Statoconia formation in molluscan statocysts

The gravity sensors of all molluscs phylogenetically below the cephalopods are spherical organs called statocysts. The wall of the sphere contains mechanosensory cells whose sensory cilia project into the lumen of the cyst. The lumen is filled with fluid and dense "stones", the statoconia or statoliths, which sink under the influence of gravity to load, and stimulate, those receptor cells which are at the bottom. The statoconia of Aplysia californica are shown to be calcified about a lamellar arrangement of membranes. Similar lamellar membrane arrangements are seen within the receptor cells, and their possible role in the formation of the statoconia is discussed. SEM of unfixed statoconia reveals plate-like crystallization on their surface. Elemental analysis shows a relatively high Sr content, which is of interest, since others have recently reported that Sr is required in the culture medium of several laboratory reared molluscs in order for the statoconia to develop.

Non-NASA Center↗

Thiophenes as Indicators of Aqueous Alteration in Carbonaceous Meteorites

A common class of organic compound in low petrographic type meteorites is the sulfur-containing thiophenes. The presence of this compound class in organic-rich meteorites which have experienced substantial levels of aqueous alteration is relatively unexplored. Early reports of these compounds attributed them to artifacts brought about by reactions between elemental sulfur and organic matter during high temperature extraction and analysis steps. Subsequent investigations confirmed their indigeneity, yet their environment of formation remained unconstrained. Here we present data which suggests that thiophenes are parent body alteration products that reflect the role of liquid water on asteroids in the early solar system.

Sephton, Mark A.↗

Measuring Thermodynamic Properties of Metals and Alloys With Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometry

This report reviews Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry (KEMS) as it relates to thermodynamic measurements of metals and alloys. First, general aspects are reviewed, with emphasis on the Knudsen-cell vapor source and molecular beam formation, and mass spectrometry issues germane to this type of instrument are discussed briefly. The relationship between the vapor pressure inside the effusion cell and the measured ion intensity is the key to KEMS and is derived in detail. Then common methods used to determine thermodynamic quantities with KEMS are discussed. Enthalpies of vaporization, the fundamental measurement, are determined from the variation of relative partial pressure with temperature using the second-law method or by calculating a free energy of formation and subtracting the entropy contribution using the third-law method. For single-cell KEMS instruments, measurements can be used to determine the partial Gibbs free energy if the sensitivity factor remains constant over multiple experiments. The ion-current ratio method and dimer-monomer method are also viable in some systems. For a multiple-cell KEMS instrument, activities are obtained by direct comparison with a suitable component reference state or a secondary standard. Internal checks for correct instrument operation and general procedural guidelines also are discussed. Finally, general comments are made about future directions in measuring alloy thermodynamics with KEMS.

Copland, Evan H.↗

Implementing DSpace at NASA Langley Research Center

This presentation looks at the implementation of the DSpace institutional repository system at the NASA Langley Technical Library. NASA Langley Technical Library implemented DSpace software as a replacement for the Langley Technical Report Server (LTRS). DSpace was also used to develop the Langley Technical Library Digital Repository (LTLDR). LTLDR contains archival copies of core technical reports in the aeronautics area dating back to the NACA era and other specialized collections relevant to the NASA Langley community. Extensive metadata crosswalks were created to facilitate moving data from various systems and formats to DSpace. The Dublin Core metadata screens were also customized. The OpenURL standard and Ex Libris Metalib are being used in this environment to assist our customers with either discovering full-text content or with initiating a request for the item.

Lowe, Greta↗

Infrared Spectra and Band Strengths of Amorphous and Crystalline N2O

Infrared transmission spectra from 4000 to 400 cm (exp -1), and associated band strengths and absorption coefficients, are presented for the first time for both amorphous and crystalline N2O. Changes in the spectra as a function of ice thickness and ice temperature are shown. New measurements of density, refractive index, and specific refraction are reported for amorphous and crystalline N2O. Comparisons are made to published results, and the most-likely reason for some recent disagreements in the literature is discussed. As with CO2, its isoelectronic congener, the formation of amorphous N2O is found to require greater care than the formation of amorphous solids from more-polar molecules.

Infrared spectra↗