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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 1,261 records · Page 70

Transport and Growth Kinetics in Microgravity Protein Crystal Growth

The dynamic coupling between mass transport and incorporation of growth units into the surface of a crystal growing from solution in microgravity is used to derive quantitative information on the crystal growth kinetics. To this end, new procedures for experiment preparation, interferometric data processing and model fitting have been developed. The use of experimental data from the bulk diffusive maw transport together with a model for steady state stagnant crystal growth allows the detailed quantitative understanding of the kinetics of both the concentration depletion zone around the crystal and the growth of the crystal interface. The protein crystal used in the experiment is shown to be growing in the mixed kinetic regime (0.2 x 10(exp -6) centimeters per second less than beta R/D less than 0.9 x 10(exp -6) centimeters per second).

Otalora, F.↗

Protein Crystal Growth

In order to rapidly and efficiently grow crystals, tools were needed to automatically identify and analyze the growing process of protein crystals. To meet this need, Diversified Scientific, Inc. (DSI), with the support of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from NASA s Marshall Space Flight Center, developed CrystalScore(trademark), the first automated image acquisition, analysis, and archiving system designed specifically for the macromolecular crystal growing community. It offers automated hardware control, image and data archiving, image processing, a searchable database, and surface plotting of experimental data. CrystalScore is currently being used by numerous pharmaceutical companies and academic and nonprofit research centers. DSI, located in Birmingham, Alabama, was awarded the patent Method for acquiring, storing, and analyzing crystal images on March 4, 2003. Another DSI product made possible by Marshall SBIR funding is VaporPro(trademark), a unique, comprehensive system that allows for the automated control of vapor diffusion for crystallization experiments.

Source record↗

A Dynamic Analysis of Hydrodynamic Wave Journal Bearings

The purpose of this paper is to study the dynamic behavior of a three-wave journal bearing using a transient approach. The transient analysis permits the determination of the rotor behavior after the fractional frequency whirl appears. The journal trajectory is determined by solving a set of nonlinear equations of motion using the Runge-Katta method. The fluid film forces are computed by integrating the transient Reynolds equation at each time step location of the shaft with respect to the bearing. Because of the large values of the rotational speeds, turbulent effects were included in the computations. The influence of the temperature on the viscosity was also considered. Numerical results were compared to experimenta1 results obtained at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Comparisons of the theoretical results with experimental data were found to be in good agreement. The numerical and experimental results showed that the fluid film of a three-wave journal bearing having a diameter of 30 mm, a length of 27 mm, and a wave amplitude ratio greater than 0.15 is stable even at rotational speeds of 60,000 RPM. For lower wave amplitude ratios, the threshold speed at which the fluid film becomes unstable depends on the wave amplitude and on the supply pocket pressure. Even if the fluid film is unstable, the wave bearing maintains the whirl orbit inside the bearing clearance.

Ene, Nicoleta M.↗

Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Proposed Personnel Launch System (PLS) Lifting-Body Configuration at Mach Numbers from 0.05 to 20.3. Supplement

A wind-tunnel investigation was performed to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of a proposed lifting-body personnel launch system (PLS) configuration over a Mach range of 0.05 to 20.3. The test configuration had a low-aspect-ratio body with a flat undersurface and three fins on the upper aft body. Data are presented with a minimum of analysis. All of the experimental data were placed in a structured data base using the R:BASE system. This is the CD-ROM that is available for this report.

Cruz, Christopher I.↗

Prediction of Turbulent Temperature Fluctuations in Hot Jets

Large-eddy simulations were used to investigate turbulent temperature fluctuations and turbulent heat flux in hot jets. A high-resolution finite-difference Navier-Stokes solver, WRLES, was used to compute the flow from a 2-inch round nozzle. Several different flow conditions, consisting of different jet Mach numbers and temperature ratios, were examined. Predictions of mean and fluctuating velocities were compared to previously obtained particle image velocimetry data. Predictions of mean and fluctuating temperature were compared to new data obtained using Raman spectroscopy. Based on the good agreement with experimental data for the individual quantities, the combined quantity turbulent heat flux was examined.

large-eddy simulations↗

Prediction of Turbulent Temperature Fluctuations in Hot Jets

Large-eddy simulations were used to investigate turbulent temperature fluctuations and turbulent heat flux in hot jets. A high-resolution finite-difference Navier-Stokes solver, WRLES, was used to compute the flow from a 2-inch round nozzle. Several different flow conditions, consisting of different jet Mach numbers and temperature ratios, were examined. Predictions of mean and fluctuating velocities were compared to previously obtained particle image velocimetry data. Predictions of mean and fluctuating temperature were compared to new data obtained using Raman spectroscopy. Based on the good agreement with experimental data for the individual quantities, the combined quantity turbulent heat flux was examined.

hot jets↗

Development of an Optical Model for the MEDLI2 Radiometer

We present an optical model of the MEDLI2 radiometer, which was flown onboard the Mars 2020 vehicle during atmospheric entry on February 18, 2021. The proposed model takes into account the radiometer geometry and optical phenomena such as reflection, refraction, and absorption to estimate the signal loss inherent in the design of the radiometer. The model serves as a filter, which can be used to convert predicted total radiative heat fluxes on the radiometer window into predicted measured heat fluxes, enabling more accurate comparisons of the radiometer flight data with predicted radiometer measurements. Optical properties of the radiometer’s sapphire window are inferred from spectral transmissivity measurements. A modified Lorentz Oscillator Model is used to represent the dielectric function of the window and is fit to the transmission data. The resulting optical model of the radiometer is validated against experimental data used to measure the dependence of the radiometer output voltage on the incident angle of the light impinging on it. Comparison of predicted radiometer measurements with the MEDLI2 flight data show good agreement between the predicted and measured peak heat fluxes, though offset at different times. A linear increase in the signal loss due to radiometer optics alone is also demonstrated, suggesting that the changing shock angle over the course of the trajectory impacts the signal loss.

MEDLI2↗

Remote sensing data management from a user's viewpoint

The author has identified the following significant results. An experimental data bank in conjunction with the National Marine Fisheries Service's Fisheries Engineering Laboratory's (FEL) participation in the ERTS-1 program was established. The data management system was demonstrated to be effective in the performance of the NMFS-FEL ERTS-1 experiment involving several input sources and varying user requirements. The system is to be further evaluated under similar conditions during FEL participation in the Skylab and ERTS-B experiments.

Stevenson, W. H.↗

A computational investigation of mixing and reacting flows in supersonic combustors

Results of the numerical simulation of 15 degree downstream helium injection into a unconfined Mach 6 airstream are presented. Both details of downstream mixing and mean flow are in good agreement with experimental data. Results of the numerical simulation of similar hydrogen injection into a high enthalpy (Mach 17) confined Mach 6 airstream are presented with favorable comparison to experimental plume structure and wall data. The low enthalpy inflow from the unconfined case was then provided to the high enthalpy geometry in order to study the feasibility of using low enthalpy simulations of mixing for scramjet flight performance estimation. Results indicate that the mixing is substantially lower for the high enthalpy case but can be shown to appropriately scale using the inflow velocity. Production and decay of axial vorticity, cross-flow velocities, and the mean-flow velocities of these confined flows are then related and discussed to illustrate the effect of residence time on jet mixing.

Riggins, D. W.↗

Aeroheating Testing and Predictions for Project Orion CEV at Turbulent Conditions

An investigation of the aeroheating environment of the Project Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle was performed in the Arnold Engineering Development Center Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel No. 9 Mach 8 and Mach 10 nozzles and in the NASA Langley Research Center 20 - Inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel. Heating data were obtained using a thermocouple-instrumented approx.0.035-scale model (0.1778-m/7-inch diameter) of the flight vehicle. Runs were performed in the Tunnel 9 Mach 10 nozzle at free stream unit Reynolds numbers of 1x10(exp 6)/ft to 20x10(exp 6)/ft, in the Tunnel 9 Mach 8 nozzle at free stream unit Reynolds numbers of 8 x 10(exp 6)/ft to 48x10(exp 6)/ft, and in the 20-Inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel at free stream unit Reynolds numbers of 1x10(exp 6)/ft to 7x10(exp 6)/ft. In both facilities, enthalpy levels were low and the test gas (N2 in Tunnel 9 and air in the 20-Inch Mach 6) behaved as a perfect-gas. These test conditions produced laminar, transitional and turbulent data in the Tunnel 9 Mach 10 nozzle, transitional and turbulent data in the Tunnel 9 Mach 8 nozzle, and laminar and transitional data in the 20- Inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel. Laminar and turbulent predictions were generated for all wind tunnel test conditions and comparisons were performed with the experimental data to help define the accuracy of computational method. In general, it was found that both laminar data and predictions, and turbulent data and predictions, agreed to within less than the estimated 12% experimental uncertainty estimate. Laminar heating distributions from all three data sets were shown to correlate well and demonstrated Reynolds numbers independence when expressed in terms of the Stanton number based on adiabatic wall-recovery enthalpy. Transition onset locations on the leeside centerline were determined from the data and correlated in terms of boundary-layer parameters. Finally turbulent heating augmentation ratios were determined for several body-point locations and correlated in terms of the boundary-layer momentum Reynolds number.

Hollis, Brian R.↗

High Pressure X-Ray Diffraction Studies on Nanocrystalline Materials

Application of in situ high pressure powder diffraction technique for examination of specific structural properties of nanocrystals based on the experimental data of SiC nanocrystalline powders of 2 to 30 nrn diameter in diameter is presented. Limitations and capabilities of the experimental techniques themselves and methods of diffraction data elaboration applied to nanocrystals with very small dimensions (< 30 nm) are discussed. It is shown that due to the complex structure, constituting a two-phase, core/surface shell system, no unique lattice parameter value and, consequently, no unique compressibility coefficient can satisfactorily describe the behavior of nanocrystalline powders under pressure. We offer a tentative interpretation of the distribution of macro- and micro-strains in nanoparticles of different grain size.

Palosz, B.↗

Comparison of OVERFLOW Computational and Experimental Results for a Blunt Mars Entry Vehicle Concept During Supersonic Retropropulsion

Simulations of supersonic retropropulsion (SRP) flow over a Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) blunt-body vehicle were performed using the Overflow Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver. Simulation conditions and geometry were designed to match specific test runs in the Descent System Study (DSS) testing campaign. The relative accuracy of simulation predictions are assessed by direct comparison to experimental data. Computational predictions of the SRP flowfield and bow shock shape are compared to experimental schlieren images. Comparisons of the model surface pressure environment are presented for unsteady and static discrete tap data as well as time-averaged Pressure-Sensitive Paint (PSP) data.

Supersonic Retropropulsion↗

Application of perturbation methods to improve analytical model correlation with test data

A linear perturbation method developed by White (1972) to improve the correlation between analytical models and experimental data is applied to modeling of the Viking Propulsion Subsystem (VPS), flown successfully as part of the Viking Spacecraft launch of 1975. Analytical models and modal test data developed for the VPS are employed in the application; a set of mathematically generated data and a corresponding perturbed analytical model, representative of actual flight hardware, are also subjected to the White method. It is found that the linear perturbation method does not yield a single unique improved model.

Garba, J. A.↗

On strain energy and constitutive relations for alkali metals.

An expression for the strain energy as a continuous differentiable function of the Green-Cauchy deformation tensor is obtained for the alkali metals at absolute zero temperature. The development is based on well established quantum and classical calculations of the various contributions to the crystal energy. Stress-deformation relations are next obtained. As a check on the accuracy of the strain energy, theoretical calculations of the values of the second-order elastic coefficients are obtained and compared to known experimental data. The predicted values are shown to compare quite well with the experimental values.

Eftis, J.↗

Laminar supersonic flow over a backstep - A numerical solution at higher Reynolds numbers

The Allen-Cheng solution of the flow over a backward facing step is extended to Reynolds numbers up to 16,000 and to inflow boundary-layer height ratios as low as 0.1 by moving the downstream boundary into the recompression region and by smoothing the resulting errors. The boundary conditions in the supersonic outer flow and the downstream boundary conditions in the wake are determined by an extrapolation procedure. Computational results are compared with relevant experimental data. Fair agreement is found between the calculated base pressures and the experimental values, whereas agreement between heat transfer rates appears to be qualitative only.

Kronzon, Y.↗

Biaxial fatigue loading of notched composites

Thin walled, 2.54-cm (1-in.) diameter tubular specimens of T300/934 graphite/epoxy were fabricated and fatigue cycled in combinations of axial, torsional, and internal pressure loading. Two different four-ply layup configurations were tested: (0/90)S and (+ or - 45)S; all tubes contained a 0.48-cm (3/16-in.) diameter circular hole penetrating one wall midway along the tube length. S-N curves were developed to characterize fatigue behavior under pure axial, torsional, or internal pressure loading, as well as combined loading fatigue. A theory was developed based on the Hill plane stress model which enabled the S-N curve for combined stress states to be predicted from the S-N data for the uniaxial loading modes. Correlation of the theory with the experimental data proved to be remarkably good.

Francis, P. H.↗

Analytic representation of the proton-proton and proton-nucleus cross-sections and its application to the sea-level spectrum and charge ratio of muons

We have calculated the sea-level differential muon momentum spectrum and their charge ratio from 1 GeV/c to 5000 GeV/c, using all of the available accelerator data. We find an excellent agreement between our calculation and the existing experimental data. We see no need, at present, to invoke any change either in the cosmic-ray chemical composition or in the nature of the hadron-nucleus interaction at hadron energies above 1500 GeV.

Badhwar, G. D.↗

Applications of Suits spectral model to wheat

Canopy reflectance calculations for a spring type Mexican wheat, Penjamo, are compared with published data on Scout winter wheat. Good agreement exists between model calculations and experimental data in the spectral range, 500 nm to 750 nm, suggesting that the model parameters for wheat can be applied to different cultivars of wheat in the same growth stage. Wheat canopy reflectance is dependent upon surface soil type and this dependency is examined with the Suits' spectral model. In this particular growth stage wheat reflectance is shown to be nearly independent of soil reflectance in the visible wavelengths and progressively dependent at longer wavelengths in the infrared.

Chance, J. E.↗