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At least 1,405 records · Page 78

Thermal conductance of pressed metallic contacts augmented with Indium foil or Apiezon-N (tm) grease at liquid helium temperatures

The thermal conductance of pressed contacts which have been augmented with Indium foil or Apiezon-N (tm) grease was measured over the temperature range of 1.6 to 6.0 K, with applied forces from 22 N to 670 N. The sample pairs were fabricated from OFHC copper, 6061-T6 aluminum, free-machining brass, and 304 stainless steel. Although the thermal conductance was found to increase with increasing applied contact force, the force dependence was less than in earlier work. The addition of Indium foil or Apiezon-NT grease between the contact surfaces resulted in an improvement over uncoated surfaces ranging from a factor of approximately 3 for stainless steel to an order of magnitude for copper contacts.

Salerno, Louis J.↗

The determination of electron densities in the solar atmosphere from the 1718.56 A/1486.51 A emission-line ratio in N IV

The theoretical electron density sensitive emission-line ratio R = I(1718.56 a)/I(1486.51 A) in N IV is presented for a range of N(sub e)(approximately equals 10(exp 10) - 10(exp 12)/cu cm) applicable to higher density solar plasmas, such as active regions. A comparison of these calculations with the observed values of R of several solar features obtained with the Naval Research Laboratory's S082B spectrograph on board Skylab reveals general agreement between theory and observation at pointings just above the limb, where line blends with N IV 1718.56 A should be insignificant, which provides experimental support for the accuracy of the line ratio calculations.

Keenan, F. P.↗

Sounder stimulated D(sub n) resonances in Jupiter's Io plasma torus

On February 8, 1992, the Ulysses spacecraft passed through Jupiter's Io plasma torus, where rich spectra of narrow-band resonances were stimulated by the relaxation sounder of the Ulysses unified radio and plasma wave (URAP) instrument. Since the gyrofrequency f(sub g) is comparable to the plasma frequency f(sub p) in the Io torus, it was predicted that the general classification of stimulated ionospheric D(sub n) resonances, developed for 1 is less than or equal to f(sub p)/f(sub g) is less than or equal to 8 in the Earth's topside ionosphere, should apply in the Io torus as well as the Earth's magnetosphere (Osherovich, 1989). The URAP plasmagrams (sounder spectra) in the portions of the Io torus satisfying these plasma conditions are dominated by the D(sub n) resonances for frequencies below f(sub p). On most of these plasmagrams the f(sub p) resonance is also present, but it is seldom the dominant resonance. Neither upper hybrid nor nf(sub g) resonances have been found on these plasmagrams. The identification of D(sub n) resonances has allowed both the electron density and the magnetic field amplitude to be calculated. The derived densities on the outbound pass agree well with a Voyager model of Bagenal (1992). The derived magnetic field values are close to the Goddard Space Flight Center O(sub 6) magnetic field model.

Osherovich, V. A.↗

Comparisions of modeled N(+), O(+), H(+) and He(+) in the midlatitude ionospherewith mean densities and temperatures from Atmosphere Explorer

In this study, Atmosphere Explorer data and model results for the ion and electron temperature and the density of N(+), O(+), H(+), and He(+) between 120 and 1400 km altitude are compared for two midlatitude ranges (L=2 and L=4), noon and midnight local time, winter and summer, at solar minimum. The data for the heavy atomic ions (O(+) and N(+)) show that their densities are greater at noon than at midnight for a given season and greater in summer than winter for a given local time. There is only a weak latitudinal variation in the density of these ions. The data show that the light ion (H(+) and He(+)) densities are greater at midnight than at noon and are generally greater in winter than summer. There is a strong latitudinal variation of the light ion densities, with the densities decreasing with increasing latitude. The model densities are in good agreement with the AE densities for N(+), O(+), and H(+). Model He(+) densities are lower, by a factor of 2 or more, than the measured densities. Model ion and electron temperatures agree well with the measured temperatures with only a modest increase in plasmapheric heating.

Craven, P. D.↗

Complex molecules in Sagittarius B2(N): The importance of grain chemistry

The complex molecules vinyl cyanide (CH2CHCN), methyl formate (HCOOCH3), and ethyl cyanide (CH3CH2CN) were observed in the Sgr B2 star-forming region with the BIMA millimeter wavelength array. A region with diameter less than 0.1 pc toward the Sgr B2(N) molecular core is found to be the major source of these molecules. Also, this source is coincident with continuum emission from dust and a center of H2O maser activity. Ultracompact (UC) H 11 regions are located within 0.1 pc. Strikingly, none of these molecules is detected toward Sgr B2(M), a core located 1 minute south of Sgr B2(N). The existence of complex molecules, a large mass of dust, high-velocity H2O masers, and UC H 11 regions strongly suggests that the Sgr B2(N) region has just begun to form stars, while the absence of strong dust emission and large molecules suggests Sgr B2(M) is more evolved. The detection of large molecules coincident with continuum emission from dust supports the idea found in current chemical models that grain chemistry is of crucial importance for the formation of these molecules.

Miao, Yanti↗

Spacecraft expected cost analysis with k-out-of-n:G subsystems

In designing a subsystem for a spacecraft, the design engineer is often faced with a number of options ranging from planning an inexpensive subsystem with low reliability to selecting a highly reliable system that would cost much more. We minimize the total of the cost of the subsytem and the costs that would occur if the subsystem fails. We choose the subsystem with the lowest total. A k-out-of-n:G subsystem has n modules, of which k are required to be good for the subsystem to be good. We examine two models to illustrate the principles of the k-out-of-n:G subsystem designs. For the first model, the following assumptions are necessary: the probability of failure of any module in the system is not affected by the failure of any other module; and each of the modules has the same probabillity of success. For the second model we are also free to choose k in our subsystem.

Patterson, Richard↗

Comparison of Graphite Fabric Reinforced PMR-15 and Avimid N Composites After Long Term Isothermal Aging at Various Temperatures

Extensive effort is currently being expended to demonstrate the feasibility of using high-performance, polymer-matrix composites as engine structural materials over the expected operating lifetime of the aircraft, which can extend from 18,000 to 30,000 hr. The goal is to develop light-weight, high-strength, and high-modulus materials for use in higher temperature sections of advanced 21 st century aircraft propulsion systems. To accomplish this goal, it is necessary to pursue the development of thermal and mechanical durability models for graphite-fiber-reinforced, polymer-matrix composites. Numerous investigations have been reported regarding the thermo-oxidative stability (TOS) of the polyimide PMR-15 (1-5). A significant amount of this work has been directed at edge and geometry effects, reinforcement fiber influences, and empirical modeling of high-temperature weight loss behavior. It is yet to be determined if the information obtained from the PMR-15 composite tests is applicable to other polyimide-matrix composites. The condensation-curing polymer Avimid N is another advanced composite material often considered for structural applications at high temperatures. Avimid N has better thermo-oxidative stability than PMR-15 (6), but the latter is more easily processed. The most comprehensive study of the thermo-oxidative stability of Avimid N neat resin and composites at 371 (infinity)C is found in Salin and Seferis (7). The purposes of the work described herein were to compare the thermal aging behavior of these two matrix polymers and to determine the reasons for and the consequences of the difference in thermal durability. These results might be of some use in improving future polymer development through the incorporation of the desirable characteristics of both polyimides.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗

The Density-Potential (N(sub e)-V(sub s/c)) Relation in the High-Latitude Prenoon Ionosphere

Sounding of the Cleft Ion Fountain Energization Region (SCIFER) Thermal Electron Capped Hemisphere Spectrometer (TECHS) data are used to study the plasma density, spacecraft potential relation (N(sub e)-V(sub s/c)) in the prenoon topside auroral and cleft ionosphere during a period of low solar activity. The SCIFER TECHS data show a power-law electron temperature dependence on ambient density across the transition from positive to negative spacecraft potential values in the high-latitude ionosphere. The illuminated ionospheric N(sub e)-V(sub s/c) relation is numerically modeled by imposing equilibrium of current flowing to/from the conductive surfaces of the payload. This modeling demonstrates a strong dependence of spacecraft potential on electron temperature across a wide range of densities. This electron temperature dependence is especially significant in the negative spacecraft potential regime. SCIFER TECHS observations of the N(sub e)-V(sub s/c) relation are used to extend the previous magnetospheric observation-model results to the higher density ionospheric regime.

Adrian, M. L.↗

N-Factor Computations for the X-33 Vehicle

N-Factor computations for the X-33 vehicle on the lower side of the body were per-formed. The transition prediction code e-Malik was used to compute the N-Factors and the meanflow field was computed using the CFD code LAURA. The computations are done at two angles of attack 30 and 40 degrees and the freestream Mach number and Reynolds number are M= 6 and Re = 7.7* 10(exp 6). The N-Factors obtained are very low in the range of 2-3 near the experimentally observed transition onset regions. The stability computations show that at 30 degrees angle of attack, the transition occurs due to crossflow instability and at higher angles of attack the transition occurs due to first mode inviscid instability.

Balakumar, P.↗

Some Recent Observations on the Burning of Isolated N-Heptane and Alcohol Droplets

In a joint program involving Prof. F.A. Williams of the University of California, San Diego and Dr. V. Nayagam of the National Center for Microgravity Research on Combustion and Fluid Dynamics, the combustion of liquid fuel droplets of n-heptane, n-decane, methanol, methanol-water, ethanol and ethanol-water having initial diameters between about 1 mm and 6 mm continues to be studied. The objectives of the work are to improve fundamental knowledge of droplet combustion dynamics for pure fuels and fuel-water mixtures through microgravity experiments and theoretical analyses. The Princeton contributions to the collaborative program supports the engineering design, data analysis, and data interpretation requirements for the study of initially single component, spherically symmetric, isolated droplet combustion studies through experiments and numerical modeling. The complementary UCSD contributions apply asymptotic theoretical analyses and are described in the published literature and in a companion communication in this conference. The combined program continues to focus on analyses of results obtained from Fiber Supported Droplet Combustion (FSDC) experiments (FSDC-2, STS- 94) conducted with the above fuels in shuttle cabin air and Droplet Combustion Experiment (DCE) data obtained for unsupported and fiber supported droplets of n-heptane in Helium-Oxygen mixtures and cabin air (STS-83, STS-94). The program is preparing for a second DCE experimental mission using methanol/methanol-water as fuels and helium-oxygen-nitrogen environments. DCE-2 is to be conducted aboard the International Space Station. Emphases of recent Princeton work are on the study of simple alcohols (methanol, ethanol) and alcohol/water mixtures as fuels, with time-dependent measurements of drop size, flame-standoff, liquid-phase composition, and finally, extinction. Ground based experiments have included bench-scale studies at Princeton and collaborative experimental studies in the 2.2 second drop tower at NASA-Glenn Research Center.

Dryer, F. L.↗

Ab Initio and Improved Empirical Potentials for the Calculation of the Anharmonic Vibrational States and Intramolecular Mode Coupling of N-Methylacetamide

The second-order Moller-Plesset ab initio electronic structure method is used to compute points for the anharmonic mode-coupled potential energy surface of N-methylacetamide (NMA) in the trans(sub ct) configuration, including all degrees of freedom. The vibrational states and the spectroscopy are directly computed from this potential surface using the Correlation Corrected Vibrational Self-Consistent Field (CC-VSCF) method. The results are compared with CC-VSCF calculations using both the standard and improved empirical Amber-like force fields and available low temperature experimental matrix data. Analysis of our calculated spectroscopic results show that: (1) The excellent agreement between the ab initio CC-VSCF calculated frequencies and the experimental data suggest that the computed anharmonic potentials for N-methylacetamide are of a very high quality; (2) For most transitions, the vibrational frequencies obtained from the ab initio CC-VSCF method are superior to those obtained using the empirical CC-VSCF methods, when compared with experimental data. However, the improved empirical force field yields better agreement with the experimental frequencies as compared with a standard AMBER-type force field; (3) The empirical force field in particular overestimates anharmonic couplings for the amide-2 mode, the methyl asymmetric bending modes, the out-of-plane methyl bending modes, and the methyl distortions; (4) Disagreement between the ab initio and empirical anharmonic couplings is greater than the disagreement between the frequencies, and thus the anharmonic part of the empirical potential seems to be less accurate than the harmonic contribution;and (5) Both the empirical and ab initio CC-VSCF calculations predict a negligible anharmonic coupling between the amide-1 and other internal modes. The implication of this is that the intramolecular energy flow between the amide-1 and the other internal modes may be smaller than anticipated. These results may have important implications for the anharmonic force fields of peptides, for which N-methylacetamide is a model.

Gregurick, Susan K.↗

Quantal Study of the Exchange Reaction for N + N2 using an ab initio Potential Energy Surface

The N + N2 exchange rate is calculated using a time-dependent quantum dynamics method on a newly determined ab initio potential energy surface (PES) for the ground A" state. This ab initio PES shows a double barrier feature in the interaction region with the barrier height at 47.2 kcal/mol, and a shallow well between these two barriers, with the minimum at 43.7 kcal/mol. A quantum dynamics wave packet calculation has been carried out using the fitted PES to compute the cumulative reaction probability for the exchange reaction of N + N2(J=O). The J - K shift method is then employed to obtain the rate constant for this reaction. The calculated rate constant is compared with experimental data and a recent quasi-classical calculation using a LEPS PES. Significant differences are found between the present and quasiclassical results. The present rate calculation is the first accurate 3D quantal dynamics study for N + N2 reaction system and the ab initio PES reported here is the first such surface for N3.

Wang, Dunyou↗

Comparison of the Proton-Induced Dark Current and Charge Transfer Efficiency Responses of N- and P-Channel CCDs

The proton-induced CTE behavior for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) p-CCD (being developed for the Supernovae Acceleration Project (SNAP) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) n-CCDs were compared using 55Fe, EPER and FPR techniques. CTE performance of the p-CCD is about an order of magnitude better after a 63 MeV fluence of 2.5 x 10(sup 9)/sq cm, which is equivalent to 2.5 years in the shielded HST orbit. Notched n- and p-CCDs yielded factor of two improvement in CTE performance as compared to their un-notched versions. The introduction rate of hot pixels was greater in p-CCD as compared to n-CCD, and also greater in notched than un-notched devices.

Marshall, Cheryl↗

Sequence dependent N-terminal rearrangement and degradation of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) in aqueous solution

The stability of the PNA (peptide nucleic acid) thymine monomer inverted question markN-[2-(thymin-1-ylacetyl)]-N-(2-aminoaminoethyl)glycine inverted question mark and those of various PNA oligomers (5-8-mers) have been measured at room temperature (20 degrees C) as a function of pH. The thymine monomer undergoes N-acyl transfer rearrangement with a half-life of 34 days at pH 11 as analyzed by 1H NMR; and two reactions, the N-acyl transfer and a sequential degradation, are found by HPLC analysis to occur at measurable rates for the oligomers at pH 9 or above. Dependent on the amino-terminal sequence, half-lives of 350 h to 163 days were found at pH 9. At pH 12 the half-lives ranged from 1.5 h to 21 days. The results are discussed in terms of PNA as a gene therapeutic drug as well as a possible prebiotic genetic material.

Non-NASA Center↗

High Mobility SiGe/Si n-MODFET Structures and Devices on Sapphire Substrates

Si/Ge/Si n-type modulation doped field effect structures and transistors (n-MODFET's) have been fabricated on r-plane sapphire substrates. Mobilities as high as 1380 cm(exp 2)/Vs were measured at room temperature. Excellent carrier confinement was shown by Shubnikov-de Haas measurements. Atomic force microscopy indicated smooth surfaces, with rm's roughness less than 4 nm, similar to the quality of SiGe/Si n-MODFET structures made on Si substrates. Transistors with 2 micron gate lengths and 200 micron gate widths were fabricated and tested.

Mueller, Carl↗

Preparation and Some Properties of N-Type IrxCo1-xSB3 Solid Solutions

A number of studies have been recently devoted to the preparation and characterization of binary skutterudite materials to investigate their potential as advanced thermoelectric materials. These studies show that the potential of these binary skutterudite compounds is limited because of their relatively large thermal conductivity. In order to achieve high thermoelectric figure of merits for these materials, efforts should focus on thermal conductivity reduction. Recent results obtained on n-type CoSb3 and IrSb3 compounds have shown that n-type skutterudite materials might have a better potential for thermoelectric applications than p-type materials. The thermoelectric properties of p-type IrxCo1-xSb3 solid solutions have been recently investigated and it was shown that a substantial reduction in thermal conductivity was achieved. We prepared and measured some properties of n-type IrxCo1-xSb3 solid solutions. The samples are characterized by large Seebeck coefficient values and significantly lower thermal conductivity values than those measured on the binary compounds CoSb3 and IrSb3. A maximum ZT value of about 0.4 was obtained at a temperature of about 300(deg)C. Improvements in the figure of merit are possible in this system by optimization of the doping level.

Solid Solutions↗

Measurements of Excitation Functions and Line Polarizations for Electron Impact Excitation of the n = 2, 3 States of Atomic Hydrogen in the Energy Range 11 - 2000 eV

The electron-atomic hydrogen scattering system is an important testing ground for theoretical models and has received a great deal of attention from experimentalists and theoreticians alike over the years. A complete description of the excitation process requires a knowledge of many different parameters, and experimental measurements of these parameters have been performed in various laboratories around the world. As far as total cross section data are concerned it has been noted that the discrepancy between the data of Long et al. and Williams for n = 2 excitations needs to be resolved in the interests of any further refinement of theory. We report new measurements of total cross sections and atomic line polarizations for both n=2 and n=3 excitations at energies from threshold to 2000 eV...

James, G. K.↗

Cryogenic Temperature-dependent Refractive Index Measurements of N-BK7, BaLKN3, and SF15 for NOTES PDI

In order to enable high quality lens designs using N-BK7, BaLKN3, and SF15 at cryogenic temperatures, we have measured the absolute refractive index of prisms of these three materials using the Cryogenic, High-Accuracy Refraction Measuring System (CHARMS) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, as a function of both wavelength and temperature. For N-BK7, we report absolute refractive index and thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT) at temperatures ranging from 50 to 300 K at wavelengths from 0.45 to 2.7 micrometers; for BaLKN3 we cover temperatures ranging from 40 to 300 K and wavelengths from 0.4 to 2.6 micrometers; for SF15 we cover temperatures ranging from 50 to 300 K and wavelengths from 0.45 to 2.6 micrometers. We compare our measurements with others in the literature and provide temperature-dependent Sellmeier coefficients based on our data to allow accurate interpolation of index to other wavelengths and temperatures. While we generally find good agreement (plus or minus 2 x 10(exp -4) for N-BK7, less than 1 x 10(exp -4) for the other materials) at room temperature between our measured values and those provided by the vendor, there is some variation between the datasheets provided with the prisms we measured and the catalog values published by the vendor. This underlines the importance of measuring the absolute refractive index of the material when precise knowledge of the refractive index is required.

Frey, Bradley J.↗