Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Sensitivity profiles”

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 1,297 records · Page 72
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

Evaluation of Convective Transport in the GEOS-5 Chemistry and Climate Model

The NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-5) Chemistry and Climate Model (CCM) consists of a global atmospheric general circulation model and the combined stratospheric and tropospheric chemistry package from the NASA Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) chemical transport model. The subgrid process of convective tracer transport is represented through the Relaxed Arakawa-Schubert parameterization in the GEOS-5 CCM. However, substantial uncertainty for tracer transport is associated with this parameterization, as is the case with all global and regional models. We have designed a project to comprehensively evaluate this parameterization from the point of view of tracer transport, and determine the most appropriate improvements that can be made to the GEOS-5 convection algorithm, allowing improvement in our understanding of the role of convective processes in determining atmospheric composition. We first simulate tracer transport in individual observed convective events with a cloud-resolving model (WRF). Initial condition tracer profiles (CO, CO2, O3) are constructed from aircraft data collected in undisturbed air, and the simulations are evaluated using aircraft data taken in the convective anvils. A single-column (SCM) version of the GEOS-5 GCM with online tracers is then run for the same convective events. SCM output is evaluated based on averaged tracer fields from the cloud-resolving model. Sensitivity simulations with adjusted parameters will be run in the SCM to determine improvements in the representation of convective transport. The focus of the work to date is on tropical continental convective events from the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (AMMA) field mission in August 2006 that were extensively sampled by multiple research aircraft.

Pickering, Kenneth E.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Ablation and Heating During Atmospheric Entry and Its Effect on Airburst Risk

Large meteoroids and asteroids entering the atmosphere endure tremendous heating from the shock heated air, and thereby lose a significant fraction of their mass during atmospheric entry a process known as ablation. The predicted evolution of the asteroids mass as it passes through the atmosphere can affect both the predicted energy deposition profile relevant to an airburst event, or the residual mass that strikes the ground in the case of an impact event. This presentation is divided roughly into two parts. In the first part, an overview of traditional models for heat transfer and ablation that are historically used in the meteor physics community is presented, and the validity in the asteroid entry regime discussed. Sensitivity analyses performed using the recently developed Fragment-Cloud Model (FCM) will be presented which show illustrate the range of sizes and entry parameters for which the predicted asteroid threat is most sensitive to the models for ablation and heat transfer. The second part of the presentation shall focus on recent work done under NASAs Asteroid Threat Assessment Project (ATAP) to develop new models for heat transfer and ablation using high-fidelity numerical simulation in concert with state-of-the-art experiments. Coupled computational fluid dynamics (CFD)radiation transport simulations preformed using the state-of-the-art entry modeling tools at NASA show that, for large meteoroids and asteroids, there can significant attenuation of the heat transfer to the surface (95 in some cases) by the products of ablation. In addition to the heat transfer, new models for the material response and ablation of asteroidal material have been developed [cite]. In the current work, we present finding from recent novel experiments performed in the arc jet facility at NASA Ames, which allows us to, in part, simulate the extreme environment experienced by the asteroid during entry. Briefly, the experimental set-up was comprised of a 1.5 conical article of machined H5 chondrite, which was exposed to a high-enthalpy flow resulting in approximately 4 kWcm2 of heating to the surface. A still frame capture from high-speed video taken during this experiment can be seen in Figure 1. In this figure, we can observe some of the major mechanisms for meteoroid ablation, such as melt flow, spallation (mechanical removal of material), and vaporization. Major findings from this, and other experiments will be discussed, as well progress on utilizing the data from the experiments to inform and develop improved models for ablation.

Asteroids↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

State-Specific Kinetic Modeling for Predictions of Radiative Heating in H 2 /He Entry Flows

A 23-species State-to-State (StS) thermochemical model for H 2 /He mixtures is developed and used to simulate 1-D shocks at conditions relevant for ice and gas giant entry flows. To implement this StS model, a literature review of the state-specific excitation and ionization rates of atomic H is first performed. While electron impact rates from various sources are found to be in relatively good agreement, large discrepancies are found in the limited data available on heavy particle impact rates. To investigate the impact of these discrepancies on the predicted shock and radiance profiles, simulations are performed for three different versions of the kinetic model, each with a different set of heavy particle impact rates from the literature. Of these three models, two are found to over-predict and one is found to under-predict the radiance values seen in corresponding experimental data from the NASA Ames Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) facility. A sensitivity analysis to the electron and heavy particle impact rates is then performed, from which an improved kinetic model with modified rates is proposed. This modified kinetic model is found to reproduce the total integrated radiance seen in the EAST experiments accurately. This suggests that the associated radiative heating that would be encountered by an entry probe in these environments would be well predicted by this kinetic model. However, some discrepancies are still found i the relative contributions to the total radiance from different spectral features, suggesting that additional improvements to the kinetic model still need to be made.

Outer Planet↗
NASA NTRS1983

Compositional depth profile of a native oxide LPCVD MNOS structure using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and chemical etching

It is pointed out that there is no report of an unambiguous analysis of the composition and interfacial structure of MNOS (metal-nitride oxide semiconductor) systems, despite the technological importance of these systems. The present investigation is concerned with a study of an MNOS structure on the basis of a technique involving the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with a controlled stopped-flow chemical-etching procedure. XPS is sensitive to the structure of surface layers, while stopped-flow etching permits the controlled removal of overlying material on a scale of atomic layers, to expose new surface layers as a function of thickness. Therefore, with careful analysis of observed intensities at measured depths, this combination of techniques provides depth resolution between 5 and 10 A. According to the obtained data there is intact SiO2 at the substrate interface. There appears to be a thin layer containing excess bonds to silicon on top of the SiO2.

Wurzbach, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Antarctica Cloud Cover for October 2003 from GLAS Satellite Lidar Profiling

Seeing clouds in polar regions has been a problem for the imagers used on satellites. Both clouds and snow and ice are white, which makes clouds over snow hard to see. And for thermal infrared imaging both the surface and the clouds cold. The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) launched in 2003 gives an entirely new way to see clouds from space. Pulses of laser light scatter from clouds giving a signal that is separated in time from the signal from the surface. The scattering from clouds is thus a sensitive and direct measure of the presence and height of clouds. The GLAS instrument orbits over Antarctica 16 times a day. All of the cloud observations for October 2003 were summarized and compared to the results from the MODIS imager for the same month. There are two basic cloud types that are observed, low stratus with tops below 3 km and high cirrus form clouds with cloud top altitude and thickness tending at 12 km and 1.3 km respectively. The average cloud cover varies from over 93 % for ocean and coastal regions to an average of 40% over the East Antarctic plateau and 60-90% over West Antarctica. When the GLAS monthly average cloud fractions are compared to the MODIS cloud fraction data product, differences in the amount of cloud cover are as much as 40% over the continent. The results will be used to improve the way clouds are detected from the imager observations. These measurements give a much improved understanding of distribution of clouds over Antarctica and may show how they are changing as a result of global warming.

Spinhirne, J. D.↗
DOE OSTI2021

The impact of the third O 2 addition reaction network on ignition delay times of neo-pentane

In this work, we studied the oxidation of neo-pentane by combining experiments, theoretical calculations, and mechanistic developments to elucidate the impact of the 3rd O 2 addition reaction network on ignition delay time predictions. The experiments are based on photoionization mass spectrometry in jet-stirred and time-resolved flow reactors allowing for sensitive detection of the keto-hydroperoxide (KHP) and keto-dihydroperoxide (KDHP) intermediates. With neo-pentane exhibiting a unique symmetric molecular structure, which consequently results only in single KHP and KDHP isomers, theoretical calculations of ionization and fragment appearance energies and of absolute photoionization cross sections enabled the unambiguous identification and quantification of the KHP intermediate. Its temperature and time-resolved profiles together with calculated and experimentally observed KHP-to-KDHP signal ratios were compared to simulation results based on a newly developed mechanism that describes the 3rd O 2 addition reaction network. A satisfactory agreement has been observed between the experimental data points and the simulation results, thus adding confidence to the model's overall performance. Finally, this mechanism was used to predict ignition delay times reported previously in shock tube and rapid compression machine experiments (J. Bugler et al., Combust. Flame 163 (2016) 138–156). While the model accurately reproduces the experimental data, simulations with and without the 3rd O 2 addition reaction network included reveal only a negligible effect on the predicted ignition delay times at 10 and 20 atm. According to model calculations, low temperatures and high pressures promote the importance of the 3rd O2 addition reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Understanding Multi-Ion Transport Mechanisms in Bipolar Membranes

Bipolar membranes (BPMs) have the potential to become critical components in electrochemical devices for a variety of electrolysis and electrosynthesis applications. Because they can operate under large pH gradients, BPMs enable favorable environments for electrocatalysis at the individual electrodes. Critical to the implementation of BPMs in these devices is understanding the kinetics of water dissociation that occurs within the BPM as well as the co- and counter-ion crossover through the BPM, which both present significant obstacles to developing efficient and stable BPM-electrolyzers. In this study, a continuum model of multi-ion transport in a BPM is developed and fit to experimental data. Specifically, concentration profiles are determined for all ionic species, and the importance of a water-dissociation catalyst is demonstrated. The model describes internal concentration polarization and co- and counter-ion crossover in BPMs, determining the mode of transport for ions within the BPM and revealing the significance of salt-ion crossover when operated with pH gradients relevant to electrolysis and electrosynthesis. Lastly, a sensitivity analysis reveals that the performance and lifetime of BPMs can be improved substantially by using of thinner dissociation catalysts, managing water transport, modulating the thickness of the individual layers in the BPM to control salt-ion crossover, and increasing the ion-exchange capacity of the ion-exchange layers in order to amplify the water-dissociation kinetics at the interface.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1985

Images in the rocket ultraviolet - The stellar population in the central bulge of M31

Imagery of the bulge of M31 obtained with a rocket-borne telescope in two broad bands centered at 1460 A and 2380 A is discussed. The UV spatial profiles over a region about 200 arcsec wide are identical with those at visible wavelengths. The absence of detectable point sources indicates that main-sequence stars hotter than B0 V are not present in the bulge. It is suggested that the far-UV flux in old stellar populations originates in post-AGB stars. The UV flux from such stars is extremely sensitive to age and the physics of their previous mass loss.

Bohlin, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1999

GRO J2058+42 Observations with BATSE and RXTE

GRO J2058+422 is a 196 second pulsar discovered with BATSE during a giant outburst in 1995. It underwent a series of 9 weaker outbursts from 1995 to 1997 which alternated in intensity, with a 110 day cycle in the 20-50 keV band. These outbursts did not show the same, intensity variations in the 2-10 keV observations with the RXTE ASM. Additional outbursts after this series were observed with BATSE, using a more sensitive search method which accounts for excess aperiodic noise from Cygnus X-1, and with the RXTE PCA and ASM. A set of two outbursts, one "periastron" and one "apastron" outburst (assuming a 110 day orbital period) were observed with the RXTE PCA. Pulse shape differences were found between the two outbursts. Histories of pulse frequency, pulsed flux. and total flux are presented. Pulse profiles and spectra from PCA observations are also presented.

Wilson, Colleen A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Computations of Viking Lander Capsule Hypersonic Aerodynamics with Comparisons to Ground and Flight Data

Comparisons are made between the LAURA Navier-Stokes code and Viking Lander Capsule hypersonic aerodynamics data from ground and flight measurements. Wind tunnel data are available for a 3.48 percent scale model at Mach 6 and a 2.75 percent scale model at Mach 10.35, both under perfect gas air conditions. Viking Lander 1 aerodynamics flight data also exist from on-board instrumentation for velocities between 2900 and 4400 m/sec (Mach 14 to 23.3). LAURA flowfield solutions are obtained for the geometry as tested or flown, including sting effects at tunnel conditions and finite-rate chemistry effects in flight. Using the flight vehicle center-of-gravity location (trim angle approx. equals -11.1 deg), the computed trim angle at tunnel conditions is within 0.31 degrees of the angle derived from Mach 6 data and 0.13 degrees from the Mach 10.35 trim angle. LAURA Mach 6 trim lift and drag force coefficients are within 2 percent of measured data, and computed trim lift-to-drag ratio is within 4 percent of the data. Computed trim lift and drag force coefficients at Mach 10.35 are within 5 percent and 3 percent, respectively, of wind tunnel data. Computed trim lift-to-drag ratio is within 2 percent of the Mach 10.35 data. Using the nominal density profile and center-of-gravity location, LAURA trim angle at flight conditions is within 0.5 degrees of the total angle measured from on-board instrumentation. LAURA trim lift and drag force coefficients at flight conditions are within 7 and 5 percent, respectively, of the flight data. Computed trim lift-to-drag ratio is within 4 percent of the data. Computed aerodynamics sensitivities to center-of-gravity location, atmospheric density, and grid refinement are generally small. The results will enable a better estimate of aerodynamics uncertainties for future Mars entry vehicles where non-zero angle-of-attack is required.

Edquist, Karl T.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Mars-GRAM 2010: Improving the Precision of Mars-GRAM

It has been discovered during the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) site selection process that the Mars Global Reference Atmospheric Model (Mars-GRAM) when used for sensitivity studies for Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) MapYear=0 and large optical depth values, such as tau=3, is less than realistic. Mars-GRAM's perturbation modeling capability is commonly used, in a Monte-Carlo mode, to perform high fidelity engineering end-to-end simulations for entry, descent, and landing (EDL). Mars-GRAM 2005 has been validated against Radio Science data, and both nadir and limb data from TES. Traditional Mars-GRAM options for representing the mean atmosphere along entry corridors include: (1) TES mapping year 0, with user-controlled dust optical depth and Mars-GRAM data interpolated from NASA Ames Mars General Circulation Model (MGCM) results driven by selected values of globally-uniform dust optical depth, or (2) TES mapping years 1 and 2, with Mars-GRAM data coming from MGCM results driven by observed TES dust optical depth. From the surface to 80 km altitude, Mars-GRAM is based on NASA Ames MGCM. Above 80 km, Mars-GRAM is based on the University of Michigan Mars Thermospheric General Circulation Model (MTGCM). MGCM results that were used for Mars-GRAM with MapYear=0 were from a MGCM run with a fixed value of tau=3 for the entire year at all locations. This choice of data has led to discrepancies that have become apparent during recent sensitivity studies for MapYear=0 and large optical depths. Unrealistic energy absorption by time-invariant atmospheric dust leads to an unrealistic thermal energy balance on the polar caps. The outcome is an inaccurate cycle of condensation/sublimation of the polar caps and, as a consequence, an inaccurate cycle of total atmospheric mass and global-average surface pressure. Under an assumption of unchanged temperature profile and hydrostatic equilibrium, a given percentage change in surface pressure would produce a corresponding percentage change in density at all altitudes. Consequently, the final result of a change in surface pressure is an imprecise atmospheric density at all altitudes.

Justh, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS2016

The Accretion Disk Wind in the Black Hole GRS 1915 + 105

We report on a 120 kiloseconds Chandra/HETG spectrum of the black hole GRS 1915+105. The observation was made during an extended and bright soft state in 2015 June. An extremely rich disk wind absorption spectrum is detected, similar to that observed at lower sensitivity in 2007. The very high resolution of the third-order spectrum reveals four components to the disk wind in the Fe K band alone; the fastest has a blueshift of v = 0.03 c (velocity equals 0.03 the speed of light). Broadened reemission from the wind is also detected in the first-order spectrum, giving rise to clear accretion disk P Cygni profiles. Dynamical modeling of the re-emission spectrum gives wind launching radii of r approximately equal to 10 (sup 2-4) GM (Gravitational constant times Mass) divided by c (sup 2) (the speed of light squared). Wind density values of n approximately equal to 10 (sup 13-16) per cubic centimeter are then required by the ionization parameter formalism. The small launching radii, high density values, and inferred high mass outflow rates signal a role for magnetic driving. With simple, reasonable assumptions, the wind properties constrain the magnitude of the emergent magnetic field to be B approximately equal to 10 (sup 3-4) G (Gravitational constant) if the wind is driven via magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pressure from within the disk and B approximately equal to 10 (sup 4-5) G (Gravitational constant) if the wind is driven by magnetocentrifugal acceleration. The MHD estimates are below upper limits predicted by the canonical alpha-disk model. We discuss these results in terms of fundamental disk physics and black hole accretion modes.

accretion↗
DOE OSTI2022

A P-61 Black Widow Inspired Palladium Biladiene Complex for Efficient Sensitization of Singlet Oxygen Using Visible Light

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment option that ablates cancerous cells and tumors via photoinduced sensitization of singlet oxygen. Over the last few decades, much work has been devoted to the development of new photochemotherapeutic agents for PDT. A wide variety of macrocyclic tetrapyrrole based photosensitizers have been designed, synthesized and characterized as PDT agents. Many of these complexes have a variety of issues that pose a barrier to their use in humans, including biocompatibility, inherent toxicity, and synthetic hurdles. We have developed a non-traditional, non-cyclic, and non-aromatic tetrapyrrole ligand scaffold, called the biladiene (DMBil1), as an alternative to these traditional photosensitizer complexes. Upon insertion of a heavy atom such as Pd 2+ center, Pd[DMBil1] generates singlet oxygen in substantial yields (Φ Δ = 0.54, λ exc = 500 nm) when irradiated with visible light. To extend the absorption profile for Pd[DMBil1] deeper into the phototherapeutic window, the tetrapyrrole was conjugated with alkynyl phenyl groups at the 2- and 18-positions (Pd[DMBil2-PE]) resulting in a significant redshift while also increasing singlet oxygen generation (Φ Δ = 0.59, 600 nm). To further modify the dialkynyl-biladiene scaffold, we conjugated a 1,8-diethynylanthracene with to the Pd[DMBil1] tetrapyrrole in order to further extend the compound’s π-conjugation in a cyclic loop that spans the entire tetrapyrrole unit. This new compound (Pd[DMBil2-P61]) is structurally reminiscent of the P61 Black Widow aircraft and absorbs light into the phototherapeutic window (600–900 nm). In addition to detailing the solid-state structure and steady-state spectroscopic properties for this new biladiene, photochemical sensitization studies demonstrated that Pd[DMBil2-P61] can sensitize the formation of 1 O 2 with quantum yields of Φ Δ = 0.84 upon irradiation with light λ = 600 nm. These results distinguish the Pd[DMBil2-P61] platform as the most efficient biladiene-based singlet oxygen photosensitizer developed to date. When taken together, the improved absorption in the phototherapeutic window and high singlet oxygen sensitization efficiency of Pd[DMBil2-P61] mark this compound as a promising candidate for future study as an agent of photodynamic cancer therapy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Simultaneous measurement of surface velocity and plasma density with interferometric velocimetry

The apparent velocity measured by an interferometric surface velocimeter is a function of both the surface velocity and the time derivative of the refractive index along the measurement path. We employed this dual sensitivity to simultaneously measure km/s surface velocities and 10 18 cm -3 average plasma densities with combined VISAR (velocity interferometer system for any reflector) and PDV (photonic Doppler velocimetry) measurements in experiments performed on the Z Pulsed Power Facility. We detail the governing equations, associated assumptions, and analysis specifics and show that the surface velocity can be extracted without knowledge of the specific plasma density profile.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Numerical assessment of the new V-shape small-angle slot divertor on DIII-D

The small-angle slot (SAS) divertor of the DIII-D tokamak, and its upcoming upgrade, the V-shape small-angle slot (SAS-V) divertor, are numerically investigated using the SOLPS-ITER code package, including the effect of particle drifts, for a range of plasma density, heating power, strike point position in the slot, and for both magnetic field directions. The simulations show that the electron temperature near the strike point is reduced in SAS-V compared to SAS, for both magnetic field directions, such that SAS-V achieves divertor detachment at a lower value of the outboard mid-plane separatrix electron density. The detachment threshold is lower because the V-shape focuses recycling neutrals on the V-end, densifying and cooling the plasma in the slot. At sufficiently high density, the V-shape also reduces the radial gradient of the temperature profile at the target, which in turns reduces the radial electric field and the E x B drift velocities, further densifying and cooling the plasma in the slot and leading to detachment. The V-shape effect, however, is reduced for higher heating power. With more heating power, the detachment density increases, reducing the ionization mean free path of recycled neutrals, which therefore become less sensitive to target shape changes. Furthermore, this suggests that in a fusion reactor, where the heating power is high, optimization of the divertor target shape needs to be combined with other strategies to lower the detachment density, such as in-slot injection of low-Z impurities.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Assessing Arctic low-level clouds and precipitation from above – a radar perspective

Most Arctic clouds occur below 2 km altitude as revealed by CloudSat satellite observations. However, recent studies suggest that the relatively coarse spatial resolution, low sensitivity, and blind zone of the radar installed on CloudSat may not enable it to comprehensively document low-level clouds. We investigate the impact of these limitations on the Arctic low- level cloud fraction, which is the amount of cloudy points with respect to all points as a function of height, derived from CloudSat radar observations. For this purpose, we leverage highly resolved vertical profiles of low-level cloud fraction derived from downlooking Microwave Radar/radiometer for Arctic Clouds (MiRAC) radar reflectivity measurements. MiRAC has been operated during four aircraft campaigns taking place in the vicinity of Svalbard during different times of the year and covering more than 25,000 km. This allows us to study the dependence of CloudSat limitations on different synoptic and surface conditions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1985

The Hanle effect applied to magnetic field measurements

The Hanle effect is the modification by a local magnetic field of the polarization due to coherent scattering in spectral lines. It results from the precession of a classical oscillator about the magnetic field direction. The sophisticated quantum-mechanical treatment, which is required to compute the polarization parameters of scattered light, was developed. The main features of the Hanle effect concerning magnetic field measurements are: (1) a good sensitivity within the approximate range 0.1 B gamma rho to 10 B gamma rho where B gamma rho is the field strength yielding a Larmor period equal to the radiative lifetime, (2) there is no Hanle effect for field vectors parallel to the excitating beam, (3) the Hanle effect refers essentially to the linear polarization in a spectral line, (4) various points in the line profile are affected in the same way by change of linear polarization so that polarization parameters can be measured on the integrated line profile.

Leroy, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Infrared spectroscopy of cometary parent molecules

The wealth of information on cometary physics provided by high-resolution spectroscopy of the IR water transitions is discussed. Specifically, the absolute line intensities and spatial brightness profiles are used to determine water production rates and lifetimes; the relative line intensities and spatial brightness profiles are used to determine water production rates and lifetimes; the relative line intensities probe the kinetic temperature profile in the coma; the line widths and line positions shed light on the coma outflow dynamics; and the temporal variability in the lines provides information on the structure of the nucleus. These observations also make it possible to determine the water ortho-to-para ratio, which may elucidate the origin and/or evolution of cometary nuclei. Recent advances in IR instrumentation promise to extend sensitivities for parent molecule searches to relative abundances well below 1 percent, especially if cooled, earth-orbiting facilities are available.

Weaver, H. A.↗