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At least 1,549 records · Page 86

Interregional Renewable Energy Zones

Interregional Renewable Energy Zones (IREZs) are a component of the National Transmission Planning Study (NTPS), which analyzes strategies for building out transmission infrastructure to support decarbonizing the electricity sector by 2035. In particular, IREZs envision long-distance transmission corridors for moving large amounts of low-cost renewable energy. An IREZ is a transmission collection point that is easily accessible to a very high volume of low-cost developable wind and solar energy potential. This dataset includes 155 IREZs identified across the continental United States where each IREZ is characterized by its primary and secondary resource.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Dependence of defect introduction on temperature and resistivity and some long-term annealing effects

The effort reported here represents data of lithium properties in bulk-silicon samples before and after irradiation for analytical information required to characterize the interactions of lithium with radiation-induced defects in silicon. A model of the damage and recovery mechanisms in irradiated-lithium-containing solar cells is developed based on making measurements of the Hall coefficient and resistivity of samples irradiated by 1-MeV electrons. Experiments on bulk samples included Hall coefficient and resistivity measurements taken as a function of: (1) bombardment temperature, (2) resistivity, (3) fluence, (4) oxygen concentration, and (5) annealing time at temperatures from 300 to 373 K.

Brucker, G. J.↗

Landmark navigation and topographical mapping.

Proposed new navigational and mapping techniques could be of interest when using unmanned vehicles in the exploration of planets within the solar system. Recently developed techniques make use of landmarks whose coordinates are unknown but within sight of the surface vehicle. The techniques described in the present paper still make use of landmarks whose positions are unknown; however, they offer the added features of (1) travel and mapping beyond the original landmarks by discarding them and choosing new ones, (2) the determination of ranges relative to a selected range at the original starting point, (3) the determination of the direction back to the original starting point or any other previously travelled point, and (4) travel and mapping regardless of whether an angle reference is available.

Bennett, J. E.↗

Low-cost, air mass 2 solar simulator

A low cost air mass 2 solar simulator for testing flat-plate solar collectors was developed and operated at Lewis. Total cost was less than $10,800/sq m ($1000/sq ft). It consists of an array of 143 tungsten-halogen 300-watt lamps, each having integral dichroic coated reflectors. A second array of 143 respective hexagonal-shaped plastic Fresnel lenses are located approximately 1 focal length from the lamps. The simulator will produce a uniform collimated beam covering an area of 1.2 by 1.2m(4 by 4 ft). Design features, construction details, and component costs are given, as well as measured results on a 12-lamp prototype.

Yass, K.↗

Terrestrial applications of FEP-encapsulated solar cell modules

The NASA-Lewis Research Center program of transferring the FEP-encapsulated solar cell technology developed for the space program to terrestrial applications is presented. The electrical power system design and the array mechanical design are described, and power systems being tested are discussed. The latter are located at NOAA-RAMOS weather stations at Sterling, Va., and Mammoth Mountain, Calif.; on the roof of the Lewis Research Center; on a NOAA-Coast Guard buoy in the Gulf of Mexico; in a U.S. Forest Service mountaintop voice repeater station in the Inyo National Forest, Calif., and in a backpack charger for portable transmitter/receivers being used in the same place. Preliminary results of testing are still incomplete, but show that rime ice can cause cracks in modular cells without damaging the FEP though, which keeps the grid lines intact, and that electrically active elements of the module must be completely sealed from salt water to prevent FEP delamination.

Forestieri, A. F.↗

Solar array drive system

A solar array drive system consisting of a solar array drive mechanism and the corresponding solar array drive electronics is being developed. The principal feature of the solar array drive mechanism is its bidirectional capability which enables its use in mechanical redundancy. The solar array drive system is of a widely applicable design. This configuration will be tested to determine its acceptability for generic mission sets. Foremost of the testing to be performed is the testing for extended duration.

Berkopec, F. D.↗

Design study of TDRS antenna gimbal system for LANDSAT-D

The conceptual design studies of a two axis antenna drive assembly for the TDRSS link communications subsystem for LANDSAT D are presented. The recommended antenna drive assembly is a simple and reliable design substantially similar to the antenna and solar array drives developed and space qualified for programs such as DSCS 2 and FltSatCom. The gimbal design tradeoff is presented, along with drive electronics.

Wu, J.↗

High efficiency thermionic converter studies

Research in thermionic energy conversion technology is reported. The objectives were to produce converters suitable for use in out of core space reactors, radioisotope generators, and solar satellites. The development of emitter electrodes that operate at low cesium pressure, stable low work function collector electrodes, and more efficient means of space charge neutralization were investigated to improve thermionic converter performance. Potential improvements in collector properties were noted with evaporated thin film barium oxide coatings. Experiments with cesium carbonate suggest this substance may provide optimum combinations of cesium and oxygen for thermionic conversion.

Huffman, F. N.↗

Design and installation package for a solar powered pump

The design and installation procedures of a solar powered pump developed by Calmac Manufacturing Company are presented. Subsystem installation, operation and maintenance requirements, subsystem performance specifications, and detailed design drawings are included.

Source record↗

Reverse Current in Solar Flares

An idealized steady state model of a stream of energetic electrons neutralized by a reverse current in the pre-flare solar plasma was developed. These calculations indicate that, in some cases, a significant fraction of the beam energy may be dissipated by the reverse current. Joule heating by the reverse current is a more effective mechanism for heating the plasma than collisional losses from the energetic electrons because the Ohmic losses are caused by thermal electrons in the reverse current which have much shorter mean free paths than the energetic electrons. The heating due to reverse currents is calculated for two injected energetic electron fluxes. For the smaller injected flux, the temperature of the coronal plasma is raised by about a factor of two. The larger flux causes the reverse current drift velocity to exceed the critical velocity for the onset of ion cyclotron turbulence, producing anomalous resistivity and an order of magnitude increase in the temperature. The heating is so rapid that the lack of ionization equilibrium may produce a soft X-ray and EUV pulse from the corona.

Knight, J. W., III↗

Ionosphere and atmosphere of the moon in the geomagnetic tail

The paper presents calculations of the densities and energies of the various constituents of the lunar ionosphere during the time that the moon is in the geomagnetic tail; the surface concentrations of neon and argon are calculated from a theoretical model to be 3,900 and 1,700, respectively. It is found that a hydrostatic model of the ionospheric plasma is inadequate because the gravitational potential energy of the plasma is considerably smaller than its thermal energy. A hydrodynamic model, comparable to that used to describe the solar wind, is developed to obtain plasma densities and flow velocities as functions of altitude. The electromagnetic properties of the quiescent ionosphere are then investigated, and it is concluded that plasma effects on lunar induction can be neglected for quiescent conditions in the geomagnetic tail lobes.

Daily, W. D.↗

Dynamics of the quiescent solar corona

An analytical model for the quiescent inhomogeneous solar corona is developed on the basis of the hypothesis that looplike structures are the basic coronal building blocks. By assuming that quiescent loop structures observed in X-rays are in hydrostatic equilibrium, it is demonstrated that such loops must have their temperature maximum located near their apex and that substantial nonradiative energy deposition must occur along most of their length. The calculations yield a unique relation among loop temperature, pressure, and size, which fits the X-ray observations of quiescent structures well and is consistent with the initial assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium. The results suggest that the coronal loops visible in X-rays represent a relatively steady-state equilibrium of the confined plasmas and that fluctuations in such quantities as the local heating rate can lead to dynamically unstable states in which the loop plasma does not attain a temperature sufficient for X-ray emission. A parameterization of various proposed coronal heating theories is also developed within the context of the analytical model.

Rosner, R.↗

Future exploration of Mars

Scientific study of Mars after Viking will focus on the following areas: planetary formation from the solar nebula, internal development, interaction with its atmosphere and with the interplanetary medium, and biological history (if any). Four basic measurement modes are outlined to pursue these areas of investigation. They are: orbital, especially polar orbits with wide area surface, atmospheric, and magnetospheric studies; in situ, which include bio-, geo-, and meteorological surface ground stations; network, using separated ground stations and, possibly, RPV aircraft; and sample-return. Various vehicle concepts for the different study modes are described.

Minear, J.↗

A tidal theory for the origin of the solar nebula

A model for the origin of the solar nebula is developed with attention to the significance of angular momentum considerations. Evidence that stars are born in groups rather than singly is examined. It is shown that protostars which are members of typical galactic clusters have some probability of undergoing a gravitational encounter with another star while they are collapsing. According to the model, these encounters impart disproportionate amounts of angular momentum to the later material to fall in toward already centrally condensed fragments. The amount of central condensation of a fragment is the overriding factor in determining its stability against destruction by tidal forces. The encounter also imparts angular momentum to matter that is still accreting onto the protosun.

Kobrick, M.↗

Low-cost point-focus solar concentrator, phase 1

The results of the preliminary design study for the low cost point focus solar concentrator (LCPFSC) development program are presented. A summary description of the preliminary design is given. The design philosophy used to achieve a cost effective design for mass production is described. The concentrator meets all design requirements specified and is based on practical design solutions in every possible way.

Nelson, E. V.↗

Studies of thermochemical water-splitting cycles

Higher temperatures and more isothermal heat profiles of solar heat sources are developed. The metal oxide metal sulfate class of cycles were suited for solar heat sources. Electrochemical oxidation of SO2 and thermochemical reactions are presented. Electrolytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide in dilute sulfuric acid solutions were appropriate for metal oxide metal sulfate cycles. The cell voltage at workable current densities required for the oxidation of SO2 was critical to the efficient operation of any metal oxide metal sulfate cycle. A sulfur dioxide depolarized electrolysis cell for the splitting of water via optimization of the anode reaction is discussed. Sulfuric acid concentrations of 30 to 35 weight percent are preferred. Platinized platinum or smooth platinum gave the best anode kinetics at a given potential of the five materials examined.

Remick, R. J.↗