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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 1,441 records · Page 80

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DOE OSTI2021

FY2020 Annual Report on Subcontract B631779 with UC Berkeley: Reactive Precursors Additive Manufacturing Report

This work succeeded in reaching each of the stated milestones for developing, printing, reacting, and characterizing the uranium carbide final products. Leveraging experience gained from creating magnesium oxide inks (milestone #1) and prior reactive precursor work with boron carbide (milestone #2) a uranium carbide reactive precursor ink was developed. The chosen composition of ink utilized a mixture of wax, petrolatum, and stearic acid as the binder. The reactive precursor portion of the ink was comprised of uranium oxide and nano particle activated carbon for production of uranium carbide via carbothermal reduction. Following an in-air burnout of the binder at 160C the printed samples were reacted and sintered at 1750C in an argon environment induction furnace. The resulting product has an open porosity dense, foam-like internal structure with a calculated density of 89% in the solid fraction.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

DOE OSTI2011

In-Situ Monitoring of Trace Gases in a Non-Urban Environment

A set of commercial instruments measuring carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O 3 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and nitrogen oxides [nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and odd nitrogens (NO X )] was integrated and deployed in a non–urban environment. The deployment occurred between July 2, 2007 and August 7, 2007 in Richland, WA. The mixing ratios of all species were lower than in most rural–suburban environments, and strong diurnal patterns were observed. NO 2 was depleted by photochemically formed ozone during the day and replenished at night as ozone was destroyed. The highest ozone concentration during these episodes was 45 ppb. The overall average was 15 ppb with readings approaching near zero at times. This observation is low compared to average daytime summer readings of 60–80 ppb in highly populated and industrialized urban areas in the Pacific Northwest region. Back-trajectory analysis and prevailing weather conditions both indicated that much of the ozone was transported locally or was produced in–situ. Analysis of SO 2 as a tracer for O 3 advection further indicated lack of long–range regional transport of pollutants to Richland. We also present results of analysis of high ozone episodes and comparisons relative to other areas in the Pacific Northwest region. These results provide a useful sample data set to study the historical record of air quality in rural Eastern Washington.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1967

Improved atmospheric particle analyzer

Nephelometer measures aerosol particles in wide concentration and size distribution ranges. It measures the light scattered from the aerosol particles at a controlled sampling rate to ensure laminar flow through the sample tube, and thereby eliminate the need for sheath air.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1970

Colorometric detection of ethylene glycol vapor

Very low concentrations of ethylene glycol in air or other gases are detected by passing a sample through a glass tube with three partitioned compartments containing reagents which successively convert the ethylene glycol vapor into a colored compound.

Helm, C.↗

NASA NTRS1973

A study of morphology, provenance, and movement of desert sand seas in Africa, Asia, and Australia

The author has identified the following significant results. The assembling of photomosaics from color prints of ERTS images has made possible the recognition and description of san patterns, and these are to be the basis of a worldwide classification of sand bodies. Progress has been as rapid as the acquisition of the bulk composite images will permit and for some areas the mosaics are now nearly complete. A second step, which consists of the accumulation and analysis of regional wind data, to be plotted as overlays for the dune patterns, is now underway and should soon give tangible results. Other aspects of the project include the gathering of ground truth in the form of air photographs, needed to interpret geomorphic forms and the sampling of sand deposits for analyzing the texture and composition of sand bodies. A start has been made on these studies in several selected areas.

Mckee, E. D.↗

NASA NTRS1973

UHV outgassing measurements on various carbons.

Mass spectral analyses were made of gases desorbed from carbon samples at increasing temperatures up to 2200 K. Samples were initially outgassed above 2000 K, exposed to air for several hours at room temperature, and then tested in ultrahigh vacuum following a 24-hr bake at 300 C. Four forms of carbon tested were pyrolytic carbon, Grafoil, vitreous carbon, and pyrolyzed-phenolic fibers. The equivalent of several monolayers of gas (mostly H2 and CO) are evolved from all of the carbons except vitreous carbon. Less than a monolayer of gas is evolved from vitreous carbon during outgassing to 2000 K.

Beitel, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS1973

A computer program for automated flutter solution and matched point determination

The use of a digital computer program (MATCH) for automated determination of the flutter velocity and the matched-point flutter density is described. The program is based on the use of the modified Laguerre iteration formula to converge to a flutter crossing or a matched-point density. A general description of the computer program is included and the purpose of all subroutines used is stated. The input required by the program and various input options are detailed, and the output description is presented. The program can solve flutter equations formulated with up to 12 vibration modes and obtain flutter solutions for up to 10 air densities. The program usage is illustrated by a sample run, and the FORTRAN program listing is included.

Bhatia, K. G.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Analysis of ablation debris from natural and artificial iron meteorites

Artificial ablation studies were performed on iron and nickel-iron samples using an arc-heated plasma of ionized air. Experiment conditions simulated a meteoroid traveling about 12 km/sec at an altitude of 70 km. The artificially produced fusion crusts and ablation debris show features very similar to natural fusion crusts of the iron meteorites Boguslavka, Norfork, and N'Kandhla and to magnetic spherules recovered from Mn nodules. X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe, optical, and scanning electron microscope analyses reveal that important mineralogical, elemental, and textural changes occur during ablation. Some metal is melted and ablated. The outer margin of the melted rind is oxidized and recrystallizes as a discontinuous crust of magnetite and wustite. Adjacent to the oxidized metallic ablation zone is an unoxidized metallic ablation zone in which structures such as Widmannstatten bands are obliterated as the metal is transformed to unequilibrated alpha 2 nickel-iron. Volatile elements are vaporized and less volatile elements undergo fractionation.

Blanchard, M. B.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Altitude variations in stratospheric aerosols of a tropical region

To investigate the possibility that significant amounts of tropical tropospheric air may be convectively introduced into the stratosphere, aerosol samplings over Panama were made at various altitudes using a wire impactor collector. The percentage of particle sizes less than the mean mode decreases with height above the tropopause, suggesting depletion of small particles, possibly due to coagulation. Larger aerosols (greater than 0.3 micron in diam.) are more abundant farther above the tropopause, indicating growth, mainly by condensation. The total particle concentration decreases with increasing height above the tropopause, and also with increasing temperature. Aerosols containing smaller-size particles are thus found closer to the tropopause, and larger-size, more-evolved aerosols occur at higher altitudes. These data indicate that convective activity at the Intertropical Convergence Zone may be a source mechanism for stratospheric aerosols.

Goodman, J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Environmental data display

Methods for using a combination of computer-generated color graphics and image processing techniques to display a large data base of environment information are described. The data source can be either field data or mathematical models, reduced to summary statistics that characterize the data field as a whole. Sharp gradients are plotted into contour plots, which can also feature shades, degree of brightness, and saturation levels for fine-tuning the image. The basic concepts of digital image processing are reviewed, including location of the pixels, intensity mapping operations, pseudocolor enhancements, neighborhood averaging, and smoothing. Sample applications are presented in terms of emissions and air quality distributions over the south coast air basin of southern California.

Hussey, K. J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Laser remote sensing of the atmosphere

Laser beams can be used as long-range spectroscopic probes of the chemical composition and physical state of the atmosphere. The spectroscopic, optical, and laser requirements for atmosphheric laser remote sensing are reviewed, and the sensitivity and limitations of the technique are described. A sampling of recent measurements includes the detection of urban air pollution and toxic chemicals in the atmosphere, the measurement of global circulation of volcanic ash in the upper atmosphere, and the observation of wind shear near airports.

Killinger, Dennis K.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Intensity and line width measurements in the nu(u) fundamental band of (C-13)H4

Intensities and collision-broadened line widths have been measured in the nu(u) fundamental band of (C-13)H4 at 295 K, employing the Doppler-limited spectral resolution of a tunable diode laser spectrometer and a (C-13)-enriched sample of CH4, H2, He, Ar, N2, O2, and air were chosen as the broadening gases in order to provide the data needed in atamospheric and planetary atamospheric applications.

Varanasi, Prasad↗

NASA NTRS1990

Simple Regulator For Positive-Pressure Glove Box

Weighted, inflated bag regulates pressure in positive-pressure glove box such as those used to manipulate samples in atmosphere isolated from such contaminations in open air as moisture or oxygen. Weight atop the inflated bag rises and falls as gas flows into and out of bag from glove box. Positive pressure relative to surroundings pushes gloves outward when not being used. To manipulate items in box, technician forces gloves inside. Sensitive materials manipulated in dry or inert atmosphere without danger of overpressure when technician inserts hands in gloves, or of underpressure - and inward leakage of air - when technician draws hands out of gloves. Replaces elaborate system of pressure-activated valves. Quieter, cheaper, and more reliable.

Shlichta, Paul J.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Engine Gaseous, Aerosol Precursor and Particulated Flight Altitude Conditions

The overall objective of the NASA Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project (AEAP) is to develop scientific bases for assessing atmospheric impacts of the exhaust emissions by both current and future fleets of subsonic and supersonic aircraft. Among the six primary elements of the AEAP is Emissions Characterization. The objective of the Emission Characterization effort is to determine the exhaust emission constituents and concentrations at the engine exit plane. The specific objective of this engine test is to obtain a database of gaseous and particulate emissions as a function of fuel sulfur and engine operating conditions. The database of the particulate emission properties is to be used as a comparative baseline with subsequent flight measurement. The engine used in this test was a Pratt & Whitney F1OO-200E turbofan engine. Aviation fuel (Jet A) with a range of fuel sulfur was used. Low and high sulfur values are limited by commercially available fuels and by fuel specification limits of O.3% by weight. Test matrix was set by parametrically varying the combustor inlet temperature (T(sub 3) between idle and maximum power setting at simulated SLS and up to five other altitudes for each fuel. Four diagnostic systems, extractive and non-intrusive, were assembled for the gaseous and particulate emissions characterization measurements study. NASA extractive system includes smoke meter and analyzers for measurement of CO, CO2, NO, NOx, O2, total unburnt hydrocarbons (THC), and SO2. Particulate emissions were characterized by University of Missouri-Rolla Mobile Aerosol Sampling System. A chemical ionization mass spectrometer from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Hanscom AFB was used to measure SO2 and HNO3. Aerodyne Research. Inc. used infrared tunable diode laser absorption to measure SO2, SO3, NO, H2O and CO2.

Wey, C. C.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Polarization Stability of Amorphous Piezoelectric Polyimides

Amorphous polyimides containing polar functional groups have been synthesized and investigated for potential use as high temperature piezoelectric sensors. The thermal stability of the piezoelectric effect of one polyimide was evaluated as a function of various curing and poling conditions under dynamic and static thermal stimuli. First, the polymer samples were thermally cycled under strain by systematically increasing the maximum temperature from 50 C to 200 C while the piezoelectric strain coefficient was being measured. Second, the samples were isothermally aged at an elevated temperature in air, and the isothermal decay of the remanent polarization was measured at room temperature as a function of time. Both conventional and corona poling methods were evaluated. This material exhibited good thermal stability of the piezoelectric properties up to 100 C.

Park, C.↗

NASA NTRS2009

International Space Station Urine Monitoring System Functional Integration and Science Testing

Exposure to microgravity during human spaceflight is required to be defined and understood as the human exploration of space requires longer duration missions. It is known that long term exposure to microgravity causes bone loss. Urine voids are capable of measuring the calcium and other metabolic byproducts in a constituent s urine. The International Space Station (ISS) Urine Monitoring System (UMS) is an automated urine collection device designed to collect urine, separate the urine and air, measure the void volume, and allow for syringe sampling. Accurate measuring and minimal cross contamination is essential to determine bone loss and the effectiveness of countermeasures. The ISS UMS provides minimal cross contamination (<0.7 ml urine) and has volume accuracy of +/-2% between 100 to 1000 ml urine voids.

Cibuzar, Branelle R.↗

NASA NTRS2008

International Space Station Urine Monitoring System Functional Integration and Science Testing

Rodriguez, Branelle R.↗

NASA NTRS2011

The NASA OCO-2 CO2 Directed Satellite Mission

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) was designed to provide the measurements needed to estimate the atmospheric CO2 dry air mole fraction (XCO2) with the sensitivity, accuracy, and sampling density needed to quantify regional scale carbon sources and sinks over the globe and characterize their behavior over the annual cycle.

carbon cycle↗