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At least 1,369 records · Page 76

Airborne Sunphotometry of African Dust and Marine Boundary Layer Aerosols in PRIDE

The Puerto Rico Dust Experiment (PRIDE) was conducted during summer 2000 to study the radiative, microphysical and transport properties of Saharan dust in the Caribbean region. During PRIDE, NASA Ames Research Center's six-channel airborne autotracking sunphotometer (AATS-6) was operated aboard a Piper Navajo airplane based at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico. AATS-6 measurements were taken during 21 science flights off the coast of Puerto Rico in the western Caribbean. Data were acquired within and above the Marine Boundary Layer (MBL) and the Saharan Aerosol Layer (SAL) up to 5.5 km altitude tinder a wide range of dust loadings. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) spectra and columnar water vapor (CWV) values have been calculated from the AATS-6 measurements by using sunphotometer calibration data obtained at Mauna Loa Observatory (3A kin ASL) before (May) and after (October) PRIDE. Mid-visible AOD values measured near the surface during PRIDE ranged from 0.07 on the cleanest day to 0.55 on the most turbid day. Values measured above the MBL were as high as 0.35; values above the SAL were as low as 0.01. The fraction of total column AOD due to Saharan dust cannot be determined precisely from AATS-6 AOD data alone due to the uncertainty in the extent of vertical mixing of the dust down through the MBL. However, analyses of ground-based and airborne in-situ aerosol sampling measurements and ground-based aerosol lidar backscatter data should yield accurate characterization of the vertical mixing that will enable calculation of the Saharan dust AOD component from the sunphotometer data. Examples will be presented showing measured AATS-6 AOD spectra, calculated aerosol extinction and water vapor density vertical profiles, and aerosol size distributions retrieved by inversion of the AOD spectra. Near sea-surface AOD spectra acquired by AATS-6 during horizontal flight legs at 30 m ASL are available for validation of AOD derived from coincident satellite sensor (TOMS, MODIS, MISR) measurements. AATS-6 AOD data acquired during numerous aircraft ascents and descents through the MBL and the SAL should permit atmospheric column closure analyses with respect to aerosol optical depth, extinction, and size distribution by comparison with coincident aircraft-based in-situ particle size distribution measurements and ground-based (Cabras Island, Puerto Rico) micropulse lidar aerosol backscatter measurements. The aerosol information derived from the column closure analyses can be used subsequently to calculate radiative flux changes, which can then be compared with coincident spectral flux measurements taken from aboard the aircraft with a solar spectral flux radiometer.

Livingston, John M.↗

Precipitating Snow Retrievals from Combined Airborne Cloud Radar and Millimeter-Wave Radiometer Observations

An algorithm for retrieving snow over oceans from combined cloud radar and millimeter-wave radiometer observations is developed. The algorithm involves the use of physical models to simulate cloud radar and millimeter-wave radiometer observations from basic atmospheric variables such as hydrometeor content, temperature, and relative humidity profiles and is based on an optimal estimation technique to retrieve these variables from actual observations. A high-resolution simulation of a lake-effect snowstorm by a cloud-resolving model is used to test the algorithm. That is, synthetic observations are generated from the output of the cloud numerical model, and the retrieval algorithm is applied to the synthetic data. The algorithm performance is assessed by comparing the retrievals with the reference variables used in synthesizing the observations. The synthetic observation experiment indicates good performance of the retrieval algorithm. The algorithm is also applied to real observations from the Wakasa Bay field experiment that took place over the Sea of Japan in January and February 2003. The application of the retrieval algorithm to data from the field experiment yields snow estimates that are consistent with both the cloud radar and radiometer observations.

Grecu, Mircea↗

Use of Quality Controlled AIRS Temperature Soundings to Improve Forecast Skill

AIRS was launched on EOS Aqua on May 4, 2002, together with AMSU-A and HSB, to form a next generation polar orbiting infrared and microwave atmospheric sounding system. The primary products of AIRS/AMSU-A are twice daily global fields of atmospheric temperature-humidity profiles, ozone profiles, sea/land surface skin temperature, and cloud related parameters including OLR. Also included are the clear column radiances used to derive these products which are representative of the radiances AIRS would have seen if there were no clouds in the field of view. All products also have error estimates. The sounding goals of AIRS are to produce 1 km tropospheric layer mean temperatures with an rms error of 1K, and layer precipitable water with an rms error of 20 percent, in cases with up to 90 percent effective cloud cover. The products are designed for data assimilation purposes for the improvement of numerical weather prediction, as well as for the study of climate and meteorological processes. With regard to data assimilation, one can use either the products themselves or the clear column radiances from which the products were derived. The AIRS Version 5 retrieval algorithm is now being used operationally at the Goddard DISC in the routine generation of geophysical parameters derived from AIRS/AMSU data. A major innovation in Version 5 is the ability to generate case-by-case level-by-level error estimates for retrieved quantities and clear column radiances, and the use of these error estimates for Quality Control. The temperature profile error estimates are used to determine a case-by-case characteristic pressure pbest, down to which the profile is considered acceptable for data assimilation purposes. The characteristic pressure p(sub best) is determined by comparing the case dependent error estimate (delta)T(p) to the threshold values (Delta)T(p). The AIRS Version 5 data set provides error estimates of T(p) at all levels, and also profile dependent values of pbest based on use of a Standard profile dependent threshold (Delta)T(p). These Standard thresholds were designed as a compromise between optimal use for data assimilation purposes, which requires highest accuracy (tighter Quality Control), and climate purposes, which requires more spatial coverage (looser Quality Control). Subsequent research using Version 5 sounding and error estimates showed that tighter Quality Control performs better for data assimilation proposes, while looser Quality Control better spatial coverage) performs better for climate purposes. We conducted a number of data assimilation experiments using the NASA GEOS-5 Data Assimilation System as a step toward finding an optimum balance of spatial coverage and sounding accuracy with regard to improving forecast skill. The model was run at a horizontal resolution of 0.5 degree latitude x 0.67 degree longitude with 72 vertical levels. These experiments were run during four different seasons, each using a different year. The AIRS temperature profiles were presented to the GEOS-5 analysis as rawinsonde profiles, and the profile error estimates (delta)T(p) were used as the uncertainty for each measurement in the data assimilation process.

Susskind, Joel↗

Numerical simulation study of impurity B transport during real-time B powder injection in EAST

To understand the beneficial effects of impurity boron (B) on the plasma, the transport of B species in both atomic and ionic states in the edge plasma and the ensuing evolution of the background plasma are simulated during real-time B powder injection by using two-dimensional fluid code SOLPS-ITER. The initial background plasma profiles for the simulation are reconstructed based on an EAST upper-single null discharge (shot No. 70601). With the injection rate of B atoms, 4.0 × 10 21 atoms/s, the simulation shows that effective charge number is less than 1.1 at the inner boundary R - R sep = -5.2 cm (background plasma density, 5.1 × 10 19 m -3 ) at the outer mid-plane indicating that the B impurity does not have much influence on the energy confinement. The present work finds that the impurity B exhibits very specific features in the edge plasma, mostly present in the narrow region just outside the separatrix. The particular distribution pattern can reduce the heat flux greatly, leading to the divertor detachment. The divertor detachment can be achieved easily under an injection rate of B powder in a reasonable range. This study suggests that the impurity B has a promising potential application in future tokamaks.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Laterally Modulating Carrier Concentration by Ion Irradiation in CdO Thin Films for Mid‐IR Plasmonics

This report demonstrates tunable carrier densities in CdO thin films through local ion irradiation, providing lateral control of mid‐IR optical properties. Ion‐solid interactions produce donor‐like defects that boost electron concentrations from the practical minimum of 2.5 × 10 19 cm −3 to a maximum of 2.5 × 10 20 cm −3 by metered ion exposure. This range is achieved using He, N, Ar, or Au ions at 1–2.8 MeV; when normalized by displacements per atom, all ion species produce comparable results. Since CdO is well‐described by the Drude model, irradiation‐tuned carrier densities directly alter the infrared dielectric function, and in turn, mid‐infrared optical properties. Further, it is demonstrated that by combining irradiation with traditional lithography, CdO films expose to ions in the presence of 3‐µm thick, patterned photoresist exhibit lateral carrier density profiles with ≈400‐nm resolution. Scanning near‐field optical microscopy reveals sharp optical interfaces with almost no companion contrast in surface morphology, microstructure, or crystallinity. Finally, CdO lateral homostructures supporting surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are demonstrated whose dispersion relation can be tuned through periodic patterning in a monolithic platform by simple nanofabrication. Numerical simulations show these polaritons result from strong coupling between excitations at CdO plasma frequencies and SPPs supported by the platinum substrate.

cadmium oxide↗

Rapid and Simultaneous Characterization of Drug Conjugation in Heavy and Light Chains of a Monoclonal Antibody Revealed by High-Resolution Ion Mobility Separations in SLIM

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have recently gained traction in the biomedical community due to their promise for human therapeutics and an alternative to chemotherapy for cancer. Crucial metrics for ADC efficacy, safety, and selectivity are their drug-antibody ratios (DARs). However, DAR characterization (i.e., determining the average number of conjugated drugs on the antibody) through analytical methods remains challenging due to the heterogeneity of drug conjugation as well as the numerous post-translational modifications possible in the monoclonal antibody. In this work, we report on the use of high-resolution ion mobility spectrometry separations in our structures for lossless ion manipulations coupled to mass spectrometry (SLIM IMS-MS) platform for the rapid and simultaneous characterization of the drug load profile (i.e., stoichiometric distribution of the number of conjugated drugs present on the mAb), determination of the weighted average DAR in both the heavy and light chains of a model antibody-drug conjugate, and calculation of the overall DAR of the ADC. After chemical reduction of the ADC and a subsequent 31.5 meter SLIM IMS separation the various drug bound antibody species could be well resolved for both chains. Furthermore, we also show that higher resolution separations were possible with SLIM IMS as compared to ones performed on a commercially available (~1 meter) drift tube IMS-MS platform. Interestingly, additional gas-phase substructures become evident with longer path length SLIM IMS, potentially providing insight related to how drug conjugation may alter the structural properties of a monoclonal antibody and thus affect its overall potency and/or selectivity for a given antigen. We expect high-resolution SLIM IMS separations will augment the existing toolbox for ADC characterization, particularly for structural confirmation to enable the rapid optimization of DAR for a given ADC and thus better understand its potential toxicity and potency.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hybrid simulations of sub-cyclotron compressional and global Alfven Eigenmode stability in spherical tokamaks

A comprehensive numerical study has been conducted in order to investigate the stability of beam-driven, sub-cyclotron frequency compressional (CAE) and global (GAE) Alfven Eigenmodes in low aspect ratio plasmas for a wide range of beam parameters. The presence of CAEs and GAEs has previously been linked to anomalous electron temperature profile flattening at high beam power in NSTX experiments, prompting further examination of the conditions for their excitation. Linear simulations are performed with the hybrid MHD-kinetic initial value code HYM in order to capture the general Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance that drives the modes. Three distinct types of modes are found in simulations -- co-CAEs, cntr-GAEs, and co-GAEs -- with differing spectral and stability properties. The simulations reveal that unstable GAEs are more ubiquitous than unstable CAEs, consistent with experimental observations, as they are excited at lower beam energies and generally have larger growth rates. Local analytic theory is used to explain key features of the simulation results, including the preferential excitation of different modes based on beam injection geometry and the growth rate dependence on the beam injection velocity, critical velocity, and degree of velocity space anisotropy. The background damping rate is inferred from simulations and estimated analytically for relevant sources not present in the simulation model, indicating that co-CAEs are closer to marginal stability than modes driven by the cyclotron resonances.

Compressional Alfven Eigenmodes↗

Amplification of 10 μm picosecond pulses in a compact optically pumped multiatmosphere CO 2 laser

Picosecond pulses, generated by a commercial mid-IR optical parametric source (∼0.5 ps, 1-5 μJ), have been regeneratively amplified to an energy of ≤2 mJ in a palm-size high-pressure CO 2 amplifier optically pumped by a Q-switched 2.8 μm Cr:Er:YSGG laser. The characteristics of the amplified pulses have been studied as a function of seed wavelength centered around 10.3 or 10.6 μm, and the pressure in the gain medium. The measured amplified pulse length is ∼5 ps. Numerical modeling suggests that pulses as short as ∼0.5 ps with multi-GW peak power can be generated in a mixture of CO 2 isotopes. Robustness of the output of a compact CO 2 regenerative amplifier to the seed and pump fluctuations measured at 3 Hz and a perfect Gaussian beam profile indicates the potential of such laser technology for producing high-power ultrashort long-wave infrared pulses at high repetition rates.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Self-potential tomography preconditioned by particle swarm optimization—Self-potential monitoring and streamflow data acquired March 26–September 14, 2023 at East Fork Poplar Creek near Oak Ridge Tennessee

This data release contains self-potential (SP) monitoring data measured on the flood plain of East Fork Poplar Creek (East Fork) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and streamflow data measured at streamgage EFK5.4 about 310 meters upstream from the SP monitoring site. Additionally, forward and inverse numerical modeling scripts used to model the electrical-potential field on the East Fork flood plain are provided. SP monitoring data included in this data release were measured at 39 different data-collection points on the east flood plain; 30 points were spaced 3-m apart along an 87-m profile parallel to the edge of the streambank, and 9 points were spaced 5-m apart along a 40-m profile approximately perpendicular to the streambank. The two profiles of SP data-collection points intersected at the approximate midpoint of the profile parallel to the streambank. Transient voltages were measured at each data-collection point every 60 seconds between 16:13 Eastern Standard Time (EST) on March 26, 2023, and 11:41 EST on September 14, 2023. Streamflow data included in this data release overlap the time-period of self-potential monitoring and were measured every 900 seconds between 16:23 on March 26, 2023, and 23:53 on September 14, 2023.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Venus cloud properties: Infrared opacity and mass mixing ratio

By using the Mariner 5 temperature profile and a homogeneous cloud model, and assuming that CO2 and cloud particles are the only opacity sources, the wavelength dependence of the Venus cloud opacity is inferred from the infrared spectrum of the planet between 450 and 1250/cm. Justification for applying the homogeneous cloud model is found in the fact that numerous polarization and infrared data are mutually consistent within the framework of such a model; on the other hand, dense cloud models are not satisfactory. Volume extinction coefficients varying from 0.000005 to 0.000015/cm depending on the wavelength, are determined at the tropopause level of 6110 km. By using all available data, a cloud mass mixing ratio of approximately 0.000005 and a particle concentration of about 900 particles per cu cm at this level are also inferred. The derived cloud opacity compares favorably with that expected for a haze of droplets of a 75% aqueous solution of sulfuric acid.

Samuelson, R. E.↗

Outer satellite atmospheres: Their extended nature and planetary interactions

Highly developed numerical models are applied to interpret extended-atmosphere data for the sodium cloud of Io and the hydrogen torus of Titan. Solar radiation pressure was identified and verified by model calculations as the mechanism to explain two different east-west asymmetries observed in the sodium cloud. Analysis of sodium line profile data, suggesting that a Jupiter magnetospheric wind may be responsible for high speed sodium atoms emitted from Io, and preliminary modeling of the interaction of the Io plasma torus and Io's sodium cloud are also reported. Models presented for Titan's hydrogen torus are consistent both with the recent Pioneer 11 measurements and earlier Earth-orbiting observations by the Copernicus satellite. Progress is reported on developing models for extended gas and dust atmospheres of comets.

Smyth, W. H.↗

Determination of the horizontal and vertical distribution of clouds from infrared satellite sounding data

A numerical algorithm, based on a physical inversion of the radiative transfer equation, is developed to retrieve the global distribution of the horizontal cloud cover, the cloud-top pressure levels and their temperature. The algorithm makes use of infrared and microwave temperature sounding data to derive the clear-column vertical temperature profiles and then uses the same infrared sounding data to obtain the corresponding cloud parameters. Experimental verification of this method is carried out using data from the High resolution Infrared Sounder (HIRS) and the Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) operating on the NOAA weather satellite system.

Chahine, M. T.↗

Thermographic detection of disbonds

The presence of disbonds significantly decreases the integrity of many laminated structures used in aerospace applications. A thermographic technique is presented which is able to detect subsurface delamination. The technique uses one of several heat sources (such as hot water, hot air, IR lamps, etc.) to increase the surface temperature of the structure. The subsequent temperature profiles of the surface are detected with an IR camera. A novel spatial filter developed at NASA-Langley eliminates the effects of uneven heating to give clear images of the subsurface delaminations. Defects are detectable in samples as diverse as solid rocket motor samples and laminated wood for wind tunnel blades. Numerical simulations are presented for comparison with experiment results.

Winfree, William P.↗

Far-infrared heterodyne spectrometer

A far-infrared heterodyne spectrometer was designed and built by our group for observations of atomic and molecular lines from interstellar clouds. Linewidths as narrow as 1 km/s can be expected from such regions, and so the spectrometer is designed with sub-km/s resolution so that observed line profiles will be resolved. Since its debut on the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) in 1985, the instrument has been used in regular annual flight programs from both Moffett Field, CA and Christchurch, NZ. The basic plan of the spectrometer remains unchanged from the original design presented at the previous airborne science symposium. Numerous improvements and updates to the technical capability have of course been included over the many years of operational service.

Boreiko, Rita T.↗

Numerical Study of Stratified Charge Combustion in Wave Rotors

A wave rotor may be used as a pressure-gain combustor effecting non-steady flow, and intermittent, confined combustion to enhance gas turbine engine performance. It will be more compact and probably lighter than an equivalent pressure-exchange wave rotor, yet will have similar thermodynamic and mechanical characteristics. Because the allowable turbine blade temperature limits overall fuel/air ratio to sub-flammable values, premixed stratification techniques are necessary to burn hydrocarbon fuels in small engines with compressor discharge temperature well below autoignition conditions. One-dimensional, unsteady numerical simulations of stratified-charge combustion are performed using an eddy-diffusivity turbulence model and a simple reaction model incorporating a flammability limit temperature. For good combustion efficiency, a stratification strategy is developed which concentrates fuel at the leading and trailing edges of the inlet port. Rotor and exhaust temperature profiles and performance predictions are presented at three representative operating conditions of the engine: full design load, 40% load, and idle. The results indicate that peak local gas temperatures will result in excessive temperatures within the rotor housing unless additional cooling methods are used. The rotor itself will have acceptable temperatures, but the pattern factor presented to the turbine may be of concern, depending on exhaust duct design and duct-rotor interaction.

Nalim, M. Razi↗

Predicting NonInertial Effects with Algebraic Stress Models which Account for Dissipation Rate Anisotropies

Three types of turbulence models which account for rotational effects in noninertial frames of reference are evaluated for the case of incompressible, fully developed rotating turbulent channel flow. The different types of models are a Coriolis-modified eddy-viscosity model, a realizable algebraic stress model, and an algebraic stress model which accounts for dissipation rate anisotropies. A direct numerical simulation of a rotating channel flow is used for the turbulent model validation. This simulation differs from previous studies in that significantly higher rotation numbers are investigated. Flows at these higher rotation numbers are characterized by a relaminarization on the cyclonic or suction side of the channel, and a linear velocity profile on the anticyclonic or pressure side of the channel. The predictive performance of the three types of models are examined in detail, and formulation deficiencies are identified which cause poor predictive performance for some of the models. Criteria are identified which allow for accurate prediction of such flows by algebraic stress models and their corresponding Reynolds stress formulations.

Jongen, T.↗

MJO Signals in Latent Heating: Results from TRMM Retrievals

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is the dominant intraseasonal signal in the global tropical atmosphere. Almost all numerical climate models have difficulty to simulate realistic MJO. Four TRMM datasets of latent heating were diagnosed for signals in the MJO. In all four datasets, vertical structures of latent heating are dominated by two components, one deep with its peak above the melting level and one shallow with its peak below. Profiles of the two components are nearly ubiquitous in longitude, allowing a separation of the vertical and zonal/temporal variations when the latitudinal dependence is not considered. All four datasets exhibit robust MJO spectral signals in the deep component as eastward propagating spectral peaks centered at period of 50 days and zonal wavenumber 1, well distinguished from lower- and higher-frequency power and much stronger than the corresponding westward power. The shallow component shows similar but slightly less robust MJO spectral peaks. MJO signals were further extracted from a combination of band-pass (30 - 90 day) filtered deep and shallow components. Largest amplitudes of both deep and shallow components of the MJO are confined to the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. There is a local minimum in the deep components over the Maritime Continent. The shallow components of the MJO differ substantially among the four TRMM datasets in their detailed zonal distributions in the eastern hemisphere. In composites of the heating evolution through the life cycle of the MJO, the shallow components lead the deep ones in some datasets and at certain longitudes. In many respects, the four TRMM datasets agree well in their deep components, but not in their shallow components and the phase relations between the deep and shallow components. These results indicate that caution must be exercised in applications of these latent heating data.

Zhang, Chidong↗

Direct Simulation of Flow over A Wall-Mounted Hump

Simulating separated flows at high Reynolds numbers using Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) modeled equations remains a challenge in aeronautics. The main hindrance to progress stems from the lack of extended de- tailed data pertinent to the root cause of failure of RANS models, as well as the little progress in RANS modeling innovations in the past several decades. The goal of the current effort is to generate data for separated flow at a Reynolds numbers where conventional models are challenged. We use Direct Numerical Simulations to model turbulent flow over the wall-mounted hump configuration to investigate the physics of flow separation and boundary layer recovery, as well as provide data relevant to the modeling community. A chord-based Reynolds number of Re(sub c) = 47,500 is considered with a turbulent inflow profile of Re(sub θ) = 1,400 (θ /c = 3%). We use FDL3DI, a code that solves the compressible Navier-Stokes equations using high-order compact-difference scheme and filter, with the standard re- cycling/rescaling method of generating turbulent boundary layers as inflow to the computational domain. Two differ- ent configurations of the upper-wall are analyzed for two sets of boundary conditions (slip and no-slip). The results are compared with the available higher Re(sub c) (= 936,000, Re(sub θ) = 7,200, θ /c = 0.77%) experiment for major flow features. The simulated lower Rec allows for DNS-like mesh resolutions, and adequately wide spans. The results from these simulations show earlier separation and delayed reattachment compared to Re(sub c) = 936,000, and significantly higher skin friction in the forebody of the hump. We also find that the upper-wall shape and boundary condition influence pressure distribution over the hump, whereas skin friction is only influenced by the boundary condition.

Wall-Mounted↗