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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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Solidification processes and phenomena, segregation, porosity, gravity effects, fluid flow, undercooling, as well as processing of materials in the microgravity environment of space, now available on space shuttle flights were discussed.
An elongation of 20-200 ms, attributed to closely spaced multiple propagation paths between the satellite and the ground, is noted in well defined pulses observed by the ISEE 1 satellite in nonducted whistler mode signals from the Siple Station VLF transmitter. Electric field measurements show a 2 to 10 dB amplitude variation in the observed amplitude fading pattern which is also consistent with direct multiple path propagation. The results obtained for two cases, one outside and one inside the plasmapause, establish that the direct signals transmitted from the ground arrive almost simultaneously at any point in the magnetosphere along two or more closely spaced direct ray paths. It is also shown that multiple paths can be explained by assuming field-aligned irregularities, and the implications of these results for nonducted wave-particle interaction in the magnetosphere are discussed. For reasonable parameters of nonducted, multiple path propagation, a cyclotron-resonant electron will experience a wave Doppler broadening of a few tens to a few hundreds of Hz.
The global constants associated with orthotropic slab/plate equations are discussed, and the rotational behavior of the modulus/compliance components associated with orthotropic slabs/plates are addressed. It is concluded that one cluster constant is less than or equal to unity for all physically possible materials. Rotationally anomalous behavior is found in two materials, and a simple inequality which can be used to identify regular or anomalous behavior is presented and discussed in detail.
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From the magnetic and electric field observations on the DE-2 satellite it is deduced that the perturbation magnetic field and the electric field in the field-aligned current regions are, as a rule, orthogonal to each other and are highly correlated. This deduction is equivalent to the statement that the Poynting vector calculated from these magnetic and electric field components is equal to the ionospheric energy dissipation and that the height-integrated Hall current is divergence free. The state described is interpreted as a frequently prevailing mode of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling involving field-aligned currents.
The Mathematical Pattern Recognition and Image Analysis (MPRIA) Project is concerned with basic research problems related to the study of the Earth from remotely sensed measurement of its surface characteristics. The program goal is to better understand how to analyze the digital image that represents the spatial, spectral, and temporal arrangement of these measurements for purposing of making selected inference about the Earth.
Evaluation of drop weight impact testing of neat resin and crossplied graphite fiber reinforced composites resulted in three conclusions: (1) during impact of cross-ply laminates, resin properties appear to influence the extent and mechanism of damage propagation; (2) by itself, neat resin strain to fracture is not a controlling influence on resin or composite fracture toughness; and (3) impact failure energy of neat resin plates can give a misleading indication of the resin contribution to composite impact behavior because of differences in the magnitude of diaphragm action in the two systems. Both geometric and composite constituent materials properties influence the drop weight impact resistance of crossplied composite plates. The matrix influence appears to be reflected in the incipient damage mechanism and the propagation of damage.
The equation relating OH concentration to the observed detector count rate for a given laser flux is defined. That equation, which will be referred to henceforth as the central equation for absolute sensitivity, will be cast in terms of standard spectroscopic quantities such as oscillator strengths, Hoenl-London factors, rotational and vibrational quantum numbers, etc., such that it may be tested directly under laboratory conditions. The working expressions used by each of the OH laser induced fluorescence (LIF) groups will be related to this central equation, thereby establishing a common language for the comparison of experimental results and the definition of LIF system performance. The relevant structural details of the OH radical via a spectroscopic description of the energy levels and transitions employed in the LIF method are detailed. The central equation relating observed count rate to absolute concentration will be derived, and that equation will be related to the observed quantities cited by each of the experimental groups engaged in the measurement of OH in the Earth's atmosphere.
When a ceramic is brought into contact with itself, another ceramic, or a metal, strong bond forces can develop between the materials. Adhesion between a ceramic and itself or another solid are discussed from a theoretical consideration of the nature of the surfaces and experimentally by relating bond forces to the interface resulting from solid state contact. Elastic, plastic, and fracture behavior of ceramics in solid-state contact are discussed as they relate to friction and wear. The contact load necessary to initiate fracture in ceramics is shown to be appreciably reduced with tangential motion. Both friction and wear of ceramics are anisotropic and relate to crystal structure as with metals. Both free energy of oxide formation and the d valence bond character of metals are related to the friction and wear characteristics for metals in contact with ceramics. Lubrication is found to increase the critical load necessary to initiate fracture of ceramics with sliding or rubbing contact.
A foundation for ultrasonic evaluation of microcrack nucleation mechanics is identified in order to establish a basis for correlations between plane strain fracture toughness and ultrasonic factors through the interaction of elastic waves with material microstructures. Since microcracking is the origin of (brittle) fracture, it is appropriate to consider the role of stress waves in the dynamics of microcracking. Therefore, the following topics are discussed: (1) microstress distributions with typical microstructural defects located in the stress field; (2) elastic wave scattering from various idealized defects; and (3) dynamic effective-properties of media with randomly distributed inhomogeneities.
Forces on tethered satellites, tether tension as a function of the effective mass, and parameters of candidate tether materials are examined. Illustrations show: stabilization control law; tethered satellite deployment and retrieval; angular momentum; electric motor effect reboost; a very long tether phenomenon; shuttle tethered satellite effects on the orbiter; artificial gravity; tethered satellite rendezvous docking relative velocity; and scaling up from the shuttle/TSS. Limitations of the tethered satellite system and of tether properties as well as cost/benefits trades for future applications are considered.
The transmission of sound generated by wing-mounted, advanced turboprop engines into the cabin interior via structural paths is considered. The structural model employed is a beam representation of the wing box carried into the fuselage via a representative frame type of carry through structure. The structure for the cabin cavity is a stiffened shell of rectangular or cylindrical geometry. The structure is modelled using a finite element formulation and the acoustic cavity is modelled using an analytical representation appropriate for the geometry. The structural and acoustic models are coupled by the use of hard wall cavity modes for the interior and vacuum structural modes for the shell. The coupling is accomplished using a combination of analytical and finite element models. The advantage is the substantial reduction in dimensionality achieved by modelling the interior analytically. The mathematical model for the interior noise problem is demonstrated with a simple plate/cavity system which has all of the features of the fuselage interior noise problem.
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The various processes that produce and destroy electron-positron pairs are reviewed, and the timescales of these processes are compared to thermalization, accretion, and cooling timescales. The various radiation spectra produced by relativistic, thermal plasmas are considered. Recent results for the equilibria available to finite, thermal relativistic plasmas with and without embedded magnetic fields are reviewed. Such plasmas, in steady state, have maximum temperatures, luminosities, and field strengths, useful diagnostics for interpreting quasars and active galaxies.
An investigation of the aerodynamics of sharp leading-edge delta wings at supersonic speeds has been conducted. The supporting experimental data for this investigation were taken from published force, pressure, and flow-visualization data in which the Mach number normal to the wing leading edge is always less than 1.0. The individual upper- and lower-surface nonlinear characteristics for uncambered delta wings are determined and presented in three charts. The upper-surface data show that both the normal-force coefficient and minimum pressure coefficient increase nonlinearly with a decreasing slope with increasing angle of attack. The lower-surface normal-force coefficient was shown to be independent of Mach number and to increase nonlinearly, with an increasing slope, with increasing angle of attack. These charts are then used to define a wing-design space for sharp leading-edge delta wings.
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Potential benefits of microgravity processing discussed. Symposium held at Lewis Research Center in September of 1984 on subject of microgravity and some basic metallurgical factors involved in production of metals. General metallurgical areas of interest were metal solidification and processing. Five specific areas covered included undercooling of liquids, porosity, microstructure, solidification, and segregation. Theme of symposium: Possible benefits of microgravity processing and beneficial effects on industry processing. Information readily lends itself to inclusion in educational programs at college level.
The aircraft industry has long been concerned with the increase of drag on airplanes due to fouling of the wings by insects. The present research studied the effects of surface energy and surface roughness on the phenomenon of insect sticking. Aluminum plates of different roughnesses were coated with thin films of polymers with varying surface energies. The coated plates were attached to a custom jig and mounted on top of an automobile for insect collection. Contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and specular reflectance infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the surface before and after the insect impact experiments. Scanning electron microscopy showed the topography of insect residues on the exposed plates. Moments were calculated in order to find a correlation between the parameters studied and the amount of bugs collected on the plates. An effect of surface energy on the sticking of insect residues was demonstrated.