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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1953

A New Simple Interferometer for Obtaining Quantitatively Evaluable Flow Patterns

The method described in the present report makes it possible to obtain interferometer records with the aid of any one of the available Schlieren optics by the addition of very simple expedients, which fundamentally need not to be inferior to those obtained by other methods, such as the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, for example. The method is based on the fundamental concept of the phase-contrast process developed by Zernike, but which in principle has been enlarged to such an extent that it practically represents an independent interference method for general applications. Moreover, the method offers the possibility, in case of necessity, of superposing any apparent wedge field on the density field to be gauged. The theory is explained on a purely physical basis and illustrated and proved by experimental data. A number of typical cases are cited and some quantitative results reported.

INSTRUMENTS - INTERFEROMETERS↗
NASA NTRS1982

HOST instrumentation R and D program overview

The turbine hot-section technology (HOST) Instrumentation R&D program focuses on two main classes of instrumentation: (1) those that characterizes the environment around the turbine engine components, which include gas flows measurement, gas temperatures, and heat fluxes; (2) to characterize the effect of the environment on the turbine engine components, which include strain measurements and an optical system to structural responses such as cracking, buckling, spalling, carbon buildup. The HOST Instrumentation R&D program concentrates on the critical measurements that can not be made by commercially available instruments or with instruments that are already in development. The measurements of strain and gas flow are emphasized, these measurements are extremely critical to the success of the HOST program and the HOST requirements differ from the current state of the art by a considerable margin.

Wenger, N. C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Studying the kinetics of magnetization in high Tc superconductors

We report the first microscopic maps of magnetic induction in YBa2Cu3O(7-x) crystals which directly show the dependence of flux flow on twin density, polytwin block, and twin boundary orientation. These maps were obtained by means of a recently-improved magneto-optical imaging technique. Pinning was lowest in untwinned regions and increasing with increasing twin density. Anisotropy in twin boundary pinning, defined as the ratio of the magnetic induction gradient across twin boundaries to that along twin boundaries, was 10 at 17 K; this ratio increased with increasing temperature. In polycrystals, twin boundaries also had a strongly anisotropic effect on flux flow into a grain from a grain boundary.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2024

Utah FORGE: Well 16B(78)-32 DTS, RFS DSS Strain, and Absolute Strain Circulation Test Fiber Optic Data - August 2024

This dataset contains processed fiber optic measurements collected during the extended cross-well circulation test at the Utah FORGE site in August 2024. The data was acquired from the 16B(78)-32 well using distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) technology, including distributed temperature sensing (DTS) on multimode fiber and distributed strain sensing (DSS) measurements on single-mode fiber. The dataset includes Brillouin absolute strain, Rayleigh frequency shift (RFS) DSS strain change, RFS DSS strain change rate, and temperature (DTS) data, all stored in HDF5 format. Time coordinates are provided in UTC, and depth measurements are given in measured depth relative to the rotary kelly bushing (MD RKB) in feet. The spatial sampling on the RFS DSS strain data and the Brillouin Absolute Total Strain data is 20 cm and the spatial sampling on the DTS data is 1m. The dataset is accompanied by a report from Neubrex, which provides further documentation.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Fast radial flows in transition disk holes

Protoplanetary 'transition' disks have large, mass-depleted central cavities, yet also deliver gas onto their host stars at rates comparable to disks without holes. The paradox of simultaneous transparency and accretion can be explained if gas flows inward at much higher radial speeds inside the cavity than outside the cavity, since surface density (and by extension optical depth) varies inversely with inflow velocity at fixed accretion rate. Radial speeds within the cavity might even have to approach free-fall values to explain the huge surface density contrasts inferred for transition disks. We identify observational diagnostics of fast radial inflow in channel maps made in optically thick spectral lines. Signatures include (1) twisted isophotes in maps made at low systemic velocities and (2) rotation of structures observed between maps made in high-velocity line wings. As a test case, we apply our new diagnostic tools to archival Atacama Large Millimeter Array data on the transition disk HD 142527 and uncover evidence for free-fall radial velocities inside its cavity. Although the observed kinematics are also consistent with a disk warp, the radial inflow scenario is preferred because it predicts low surface densities that appear consistent with recent observations of optically thin CO isotopologues in this disk. How material in the disk cavity sheds its angular momentum wholesale to fall freely onto the star is an unsolved problem; gravitational torques exerted by giant planets or brown dwarfs are briefly discussed as a candidate mechanism.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1986

Models of polarized infrared emission from bipolar nebulae

Many stars with circumstellar dust shells show a high degree of linear polarization (Sato et al. 1985). We are developing a model which assumes that the polarization arises from scattering by circumstellar dust. Our model assumes a geometry in which the star is surrounded by an optically thin spherical dust shell and embedded within an optically thick disk. This geometry is consistent with that proposed for objects with bipolar molecular outflow. This is important because many bipolar flow objects have also been observed to be highly polarized. The high degree of linear polarization is produced because the disk differentially attenuates the light from the star. The light incident from the point source is attenuated by a factor of exp(-tau/cos theta) where theta is the angle between a ray from the point source to the scatterer and a ray normal to the disk; tau is the optical depth at the wavelength of interest. Hence, the light scattered from the regions directly above and below the disk give the largest contribution to the total flux. The scattering angle for light from these regions is near 90 deg., so the light is strongly polarized and, in the Rayleigh scattering regime, is polarized parallel to the disk. The Stokes parameters for the scattered light from each particle in the shell are calculated by using the scattering matrix elements generated by a Mie scattering program. After the Stokes parameters for each particle are computed they are summed to give the Stokes parameters for the entire shell. Two graphs are presented which show the intensity and polarization spectrum generated by our model using the optical constants for astronomical silicates as defined by Draine and Lee (1984).

Burns, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Laser Light Scattering by Shock Waves

Scattering of coherent light as it propagates parallel to a shock wave, formed in front of a bluff cylindrical body placed in a supersonic stream, is studied experimentally and numerically. Two incident optical fields are considered. First, a large diameter collimated beam is allowed to pass through the shock containing flow. The light intensity distribution in the resultant shadowgraph image, measured by a low light CCD camera, shows well-defined fringes upstream and downstream of the shadow cast by the shock. In the second situation, a narrow laser beam is brought to a grazing incidence on the shock and the scattered light, which appears as a diverging sheet from the point of interaction, is visualized and measured on a screen placed normal to the laser path. Experiments are conducted on shocks formed at various free-stream Mach numbers, M, and total pressures, P(sub 0). It is found that the widths of the shock shadows in a shadowgraph image become independent of M and P(sub 0) when plotted against the jump in the refractive index, (Delta)n, created across the shock. The total scattered light measured from the narrow laser beam and shock interaction also follows the same trend. In the numerical part of the study, the shock is assumed to be a 'phase object', which introduces phase difference between the upstream and downstream propagating parts of the light disturbances. For a given shape and (Delta)n of the bow shock the phase and amplitude modulations are first calculated by ray tracing. The wave front is then propagated to the screen using the Fresnet diffraction equation. The calculated intensity distribution, for both of the incident optical fields, shows good agreement with the experimental data.

Panda, J.↗
DOE OSTI2018

New science in plain sight: Citizen scientists lead to the discovery of optical structure in the upper atmosphere

A glowing ribbon of purple light running east-west in the night sky has recently been observed by citizen scientists. This narrow, subauroral, visible structure, distinct from the traditional auroral oval, was largely undocumented in the scientific literature and little was known about its formation. Amateur photo sequences showed colors distinctly different from common types of aurora and occasionally indicated magnetic field–aligned substructures. Observations from the Swarm satellite as it crossed the arc have revealed an unusual level of electron temperature enhancement and density depletion, along with a strong westward ion flow, indicating that a pronounced subauroral ion drift (SAID) is associated with this structure. These early results suggest the arc is an optical manifestation of SAID, presenting new opportunities for investigation of the dynamic SAID signatures from the ground. On the basis of the measured ion properties and original citizen science name, we propose to identify this arc as a Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2018

New Science in Plain Sight: Citizen Scientists Lead to the Discovery of Optical Structure in the Upper Atmosphere

A glowing ribbon of purple light running east-west in the night sky has recently been observed by citizen scientists. This narrow, subauroral, visible structure, distinct from the traditional auroral oval, was largely undocumented in the scientific literature and little was known about its formation. Amateur photo sequences showed colors distinctly different from common types of aurora and occasionally indicated magnetic field aligned substructures. Observations from the Swarm satellite as it crossed the arc have revealed an unusual level of electron temperature enhancement and density depletion, along with a strong westward ion flow, indicating that a pronounced subauroral ion drift (SAID) is associated with this structure. These early results suggest the arc is an optical manifestation of SAID, presenting new opportunities for investigation of the dynamic SAID signatures from the ground. On the basis of the measured ion properties and original citizen science name, we propose to identify this arc as a Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE).

MacDonald, Elizabeth A.↗
DOE OSTI2012

Nonlinear instability saturation due to quasi-particle trapping in a turbulent plasma

We consider the problem of a single wave mode stability, dispersion, and nonlinear saturation in a turbulent plasma background. We adopt a wave kinetic description for the quasi-particle turbulence and assume a low frequency perturbation of both the plasma and the turbulent spectrum. We describe an improved theoretical approach, which goes beyond the geometric optics approximation and retains the recoil effects associated with the emission and absorption of low frequency waves by nearly resonant quasi-particles. We illustrate the present approach by considering the case of zonal flow excited by drift wave turbulence.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2017

Application of Background Oriented Schlieren for Altitude Testing of Rocket Engines

A series of experiments was performed to determine the feasibility of using the Background Oriented Schlieren, BOS, flow visualization technique to image a simulated, small, rocket engine, plume under altitude test conditions. Testing was performed at the NASA Glenn Research Centers Altitude Combustion Stand, ACS, using nitrogen as the exhaust gas simulant. Due to limited optical access to the facility test capsule, all of the hardware required to conduct the BOS were located inside the vacuum chamber. During the test series 26 runs were performed using two different nozzle configurations with pressures in the test capsule around 0.3 psia. No problems were encountered during the test series resulting from the optical hardware being located in the test capsule and acceptable resolution images were captured. The test campaign demonstrated the ability of using the BOS technique for small, rocket engine, plume flow visualization during altitude testing.

Background Oriented Schlieren↗
NASA NTRS1991

Optical correlator method and apparatus for particle image velocimetry processing

Young's fringes are produced from a double exposure image of particles in a flowing fluid by passing laser light through the film and projecting the light onto a screen. A video camera receives the image from the screen and controls a spatial light modulator. The spatial modulator has a two dimensional array of cells the transmissiveness of which are controlled in relation to the brightness of the corresponding pixel of the video camera image of the screen. A collimated beam of laser light is passed through the spatial light modulator to produce a diffraction pattern which is focused onto another video camera, with the output of the camera being digitized and provided to a microcomputer. The diffraction pattern formed when the laser light is passed through the spatial light modulator and is focused to a point corresponds to the two dimensional Fourier transform of the Young's fringe pattern projected onto the screen. The data obtained fro This invention was made with U.S. Government support awarded by the Department of the Army (DOD) and NASA grand number(s): DOD #DAAL03-86-K0174 and NASA #NAG3-718. The U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention.

Farrell, Patrick V.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Multi-Wavelength Based Optical Density Sensor for Autonomous Monitoring of Microalgae

A multi-wavelength based optical density sensor unit was designed, developed, and evaluated to monitor microalgae growth in real time. The system consisted of five main components including (1) laser diode modules as light sources (2) photodiodes as detectors, (3) driver circuit, (4) flow cell and (5) sensor housing temperature controller. The sensor unit was designed to be integrated into any microalgae culture system for both real time and non-real time optical density measurements and algae growth monitoring applications. It was shown that the sensor unit was capable of monitoring the dynamics and physiological changes of the microalgae culture in real-time. Algae biomass concentration was accurately estimated with optical density measurements at 650, 685 and 780 nm wavelengths used by the sensor unit. The sensor unit was able to monitor cell concentration as high as 1.05 g L -1 (1.51x10 8 cells mL -1 ) during the culture growth without any sample preparation for the measurements. Since high cell concentrations do not need to be diluted using the sensor unit, the system has the potential to be used in industrial microalgae cultivation systems for real time monitoring and control applications that can lead to improved resource use efficiency.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS1993

Nonintrusive fast response oxygen monitoring system for high temperature flows

A new technique has been developed for nonintrusive in situ measurement of oxygen concentration, gas temperature, and flow velocity of the test media in hypersonic wind tunnels. It is based on absorption of near-infrared radiation from inexpensive GaAlAs laser diodes used in optoelectronics industry. It is designed for simultaneous measurements along multiple lines of sight accessed by fiber optics. Molecular oxygen concentration is measured from the magnitude of absorption signals; rotational gas temperature is measured from the intensity ratio of two oxygen absorption lines; and the flow velocity is measured from the Doppler shift of the absorption line positions. This report describes the results of an extensive series of tests of the prototype instrument in laboratory flames emphasizing assessment of the instruments capabilities for quantitative measurement of O2 concentration (mole fraction) and gas temperature.

Oh, Daniel B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Design, development, and test of a laser velocimeter for a small 8:1 pressure ratio centrifugal compressor

The instrument was designed as a diagnostic tool for the basic fluid dynamics of the inducer, impeller, and diffuser regions of this type compressor. The LV instrumentation was optimized to measure instantaneous velocities up to approximately 500 m/s, measured in absolute coordinates, within the rotating compressor impeller and in the two dimensional radial plane of the diffuser. Some measurements were made within the diffuser and the impeller inlet flows; however, attempts to make detailed measurements of the velocity field were not successful. Difficulties in maintaining high seed particle rates within the probe volume and the improper operation of the blade gating optics may explain the lack of success. Recommendations are made to further pursue these problems. At 100% speed the stage attained a total static pressure ratio of 7.5:1 at 75% total-static efficiency. Flow range from choke-to-surge was 6.8% of choking mass flow rate. Performance was lower than the design intent of 8:1 pressure ratio at 77% efficiency and 12% flow range. Detailed measurements of the stage components are presented which show the reasons for the stage performance deficiencies.

Dolan, F. X.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Investigation of Cycle-to-Cycle Variations in Internal Combustion Engine Using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

The understanding, modeling and control of the cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) in the modern internal combustion engine (ICE) is a key scientific challenge to achieve stable engine operation. High CCV in the engine combustion chamber may contribute to partial burn, misfire and knock, which adversely affects the engine performance and may potentially damage the engine. The objective of the current study is to leverage high-fidelity numerical simulations to improve the understanding of the causes of CCV. Using the massively parallel code, Nek5000, multi-cycle, wall-resolved large-eddy simulations (LES) were performed for the General Motors (GM), Transparent Combustion Chamber (TCC-III) optical engine under motored operating conditions. Further, the large-scale structures of the in-cylinder flow were investigated using a triple proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) technique to explore the characteristics of different parts of the flow and their contributions to CCV. The kinetic energy of the subset of flow structures were determined and correlated between the intake and compression strokes. The insights from the analysis of the large-scale flow structures will be used to assist the development of improved engine designs with reduced CCV and enhance the engine performance.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Generation and characterization of ultrathin free-flowing liquid sheets

The physics and chemistry of liquid solutions play a central role in science, and our understanding of life on Earth. Unfortunately, key tools for interrogating aqueous systems, such as infrared and soft X-ray spectroscopy, cannot readily be applied because of strong absorption in water. Here we use gas-dynamic forces to generate free-flowing, sub-micron, liquid sheets which are two orders of magnitude thinner than anything previously reported. Optical, infrared, and X-ray spectroscopies are used to characterize the sheets, which are found to be tunable in thickness from over 1 μm down to less than 20 nm, which corresponds to fewer than 100 water molecules thick. At this thickness, aqueous sheets can readily transmit photons across the spectrum, leading to potentially transformative applications in infrared, X-ray, electron spectroscopies and beyond. Lastly, the ultrathin sheets are stable for days in vacuum, and we demonstrate their use at free-electron laser and synchrotron light sources.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Evidence of a rolling motion of a microparticle on a silicon wafer in a liquid environment

The interaction of micro- and nanometer-sized particles with surfaces plays a crucial role when small-scale structures are built in a bottom-up approach or structured surfaces are cleaned in the semiconductor industry. For a reliable quantification of the interaction between individual particles and a specific surface, however, the motion type of the particle must be known. We developed an approach to unambiguously distinguish between sliding and rolling particles. To this end, fluorescent particles were partially bleached in a confocal laser scanning microscope to tailor an optical inhomogeneity, which allowed for the identification of the characteristic motion pattern. For the manipulation, the water flow generated by a fast moving cantilever-tip of an atomic force microscope enabled the contactless pushing of the particle. We thus experimentally evidenced a rolling motion of a micrometer-sized particle directly with a fluorescence microscope. A similar approach could help to discriminate between rolling and sliding particles in liquid flows of microfluidic systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗