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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2013

Time Variations of Cosmic-Ray Helium Isotopes with BESS-Polar I

The Balloon-borne Experiment with a Superconducting Spectrometer (BESS) is configured with a solenoidal superconducting magnet and a suite of precision particle detectors, including time-of-flight hodoscopes based on plastic scintillators, a silica-aerogel Cherenkov detector, and a high resolution tracking system with a central jet-type drift chamber. The charges of incident particles are determined from energy losses in the scintillators. Their magnetic rigidities (momentum/charge) are measured by reconstructing each particle trajectory in the magnetic field, and their velocities are obtained by using the time-of-flight system. Together, these measurements can accurately identify helium isotopes among the incoming cosmic-ray helium nuclei up to energies in the GeV per nucleon region. The BESS-Polar I instrument flew for 8.5 days over Antarctica from December 13th to December 21st, 2004. Its long-duration flight and large geometric acceptance allow the time variations of isotopic fluxes to be studied for the first time. The time variations of helium isotope fluxes are presented here for rigidities from 1.2 to 2.5 GV and results are compared to previously reported proton data and neutron monitor data.

Cosmic-ray flux time variations↗
NASA NTRS2018

Trilogy, A Planetary Geodesy Mission Concept for Measuring the Expansion of the Solar System

The scale of the solar system is slowly changing, likely increasing as a result of solar mass loss, with additional change possible if there is a secular variation of the gravitational constant, G. The measurement of the change of scale could provide insight into the past and the future of the solar system, and in addition a better understanding of planetary motion and fundamental physics. Estimates for the expansion of the scale of the solar system are of order 1.5 cm year(exp -1) AU(exp -1), which over several years is an observable quantity with present-day laser ranging systems. This estimate suggests that laser measurements between planets could provide an accurate estimate of the solar system expansion rate. We examine distance measurements between three bodies in the inner solar system -- Earth's Moon, Mars and Venus -- and outline a mission concept for making the measurements. The concept involves placing spacecraft that carry laser ranging transponders in orbit around each body and measuring the distances between the three spacecraft over a period of several years. The analysis of these range measurements would allow the co-estimation of the spacecraft orbit, planetary ephemerides, other geophysical parameters related to the constitution and dynamics of the central bodies, and key geodetic parameters related to the solar system expansion, the Sun, and theoretical physics.

David E Smith↗
NASA NTRS2019

Verification of the SMAP Level-4 Soil Moisture Analysis Using Rainfall Observations in Australia

Global, 3-hourly, 9-km resolution soil moisture estimates are available with a mean latency of ~2.5 days from the NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission Level-4 Soil Moisture (L4_SM) product. These estimates are based on the assimilation of SMAP radiometer brightness temperature (Tb) observations into the NASA Catchment land surface model using a spatially distributed ensemble Kalman filter. Routine monitoring of the L4_SM system's assimilation diagnostics revealed occasionally large observation-minus-forecast Tb differences across eastern central Australia that resulted in large analysis increments (or adjustments) of the model forecast soil moisture. Because this region lacks in situ soil moisture measurements, we developed an alternative approach to assess the veracity of the soil moisture analysis increments in the L4_SM system. Using regional gauge-based precipitation data, we demonstrate that the L4_SM soil moisture increments are correlated with errors in the L4_SM precipitation forcing, suggesting that the SMAP Tb observations contribute valuable information to the L4_SM soil moisture estimates.

Reichle, R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Shock Tube Characterization of Laser Absorption Sensors for Combustion Measurements of Green Propellants

Chemical kinetic models for green spacecraft propulsion systems are needed to calculate efficiency, estimate toxic products, and mitigate plume impingement risks. Laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS) is a common technique used to measure time-resolved mole fraction for model validation. LAS was used to measure species-time history nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon monoxide (CO) behind reflected shock waves. The diagnostics were implemented at the University of Central Florida high-pressure shock tube facility. A mixture of ethylene (0.002) and N2O (0.008) was diluted with argon gas (0.99) and shock heated 12 bar and temperatures from 1400 to 1600 K.

Marley A. Albright↗
NASA NTRS1992

Age-related decrements in bone mineral density in women over 65

Age-related changes in bone density contribute to the risk of fractures. To describe the relationship between age and bone mass in elderly women, we studied a large cohort of women over age 65 years who were recruited from population-based lists in four cities in the United States. Bone density in g/cm2 was measured by single-photon absorptiometry (SPA) and dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the distal and proximal radius, the calcaneus, the lumbar spine, and the proximal femur. Centralized data collection was used to control data quality and consistency. We found a strong inverse relationship between bone density and age for most sites. Decrements in bone density between women aged 65-69 years and women 85 years and older exceeded 16% in all regions except the spine, where the difference between the two age groups was 6%. Ward's triangle and the calcaneus exhibited the largest decrements, with 26 and 21%, respectively. The estimates of annual changes in bone mineral density by linear regression at sites other than the spine ranged from -0.82% at the femoral neck and trochanter to -1.30% at Ward's triangle. Correlations between the different regions ranged from r = 0.51 between the proximal radius and Ward's triangle to r = 0.66 between the distal radius and calcaneus. We conclude that the inverse relationship between age and bone mass measured by absorptiometry techniques in white women continues into the ninth decade of life. The relationship is strongest for bone density of Ward's triangle and the calcaneus and weakest for the spine.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal↗
DOE OSTI2022

Rapid macrovoid characterization in membranes prepared via nonsolvent-induced phase separation: A comparison between 2D and 3D techniques

Optimizing the performance of asymmetric membranes prepared via nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) requires a quantitative understanding of how processing variables influence membrane morphology. Presently, the most useful structural quantification techniques require 3D visualization of the membrane structure and are best suited for studies seeking detailed information on small datasets. This study proposes and validates a rapid and accurate technique for quantifying macroporosity (i.e., D m ), a simple descriptor of sublayer macrovoid content in asymmetric membranes D m . values measured from segmented cross-sectional imaging performed via X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are presented and compared for three asymmetric membranes prepared from commercial polymers. Importantly, analyses of 3D XCT membrane reconstructions reveal that D m is described by a single, centralized mean, which demonstrates that macrovoid content is spatially homogenous. Thus, D m can be approximated from limited sampling of the 2D cross-sectional membrane structure via SEM. A proposed 2D SEM sampling method provides D m estimates within ±6% of corresponding 3D XCT values with 30 independent measurements for the three membranes. Further sensitivity is achieved using complementary descriptors such as macrovoid count density (i.e., C m ). This technique is thus a useful tool for characterizing macroporosity from a broad selection of membrane samples.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2008

An Automatic Cloud Mask Algorithm Based on Time Series of MODIS Measurements

Quality of aerosol retrievals and atmospheric correction depends strongly on accuracy of the cloud mask (CM) algorithm. The heritage CM algorithms developed for AVHRR and MODIS use the latest sensor measurements of spectral reflectance and brightness temperature and perform processing at the pixel level. The algorithms are threshold-based and empirically tuned. They don't explicitly address the classical problem of cloud search, wherein the baseline clear-skies scene is defined for comparison. Here, we report on a new CM algorithm which explicitly builds and maintains a reference clear-skies image of the surface (refcm) using a time series of MODIS measurements. The new algorithm, developed as part of the Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm for MODIS, relies on fact that clear-skies images of the same surface area have a common textural pattern, defined by the surface topography, boundaries of rivers and lakes, distribution of soils and vegetation etc. This pattern changes slowly given the daily rate of global Earth observations, whereas clouds introduce high-frequency random disturbances. Under clear skies, consecutive gridded images of the same surface area have a high covariance, whereas in presence of clouds covariance is usually low. This idea is central to initialization of refcm which is used to derive cloud mask in combination with spectral and brightness temperature tests. The refcm is continuously updated with the latest clear-skies MODIS measurements, thus adapting to seasonal and rapid surface changes. The algorithm is enhanced by an internal dynamic land-water-snow classification coupled with a surface change mask. An initial comparison shows that the new algorithm offers the potential to perform better than the MODIS MOD35 cloud mask in situations where the land surface is changing rapidly, and over Earth regions covered by snow and ice.

Lyapustin, Alexei↗
DOE OSTI2020

Galaxy Cluster Contribution to the Diffuse Extragalactic Ultraviolet Background

The diffuse ultraviolet background radiation has been mapped over most of the sky with 2′ resolution using data from the Galaxy Evolution Explorer survey. We utilize this map to study the correlation between the UV background and clusters of galaxies discovered via the Sunyaev–Zeldovich effect in the Planck survey. We use only high Galactic latitude (|b|>60{sup ∘}) galaxy clusters to avoid contamination by Galactic foregrounds, and we only analyze clusters with a measured redshift. This leaves us with a sample of 142 clusters over the redshift range of 0.02 ≤ z ≤ 0.72, which we further subdivide into four redshift bins. In analyzing our stacked samples binned by redshift, we find evidence for a central excess of UV background light compared to local backgrounds for clusters with z < 0.3. We then stacked these z < 0.3 clusters to find a statistically significant excess of 12 ± 2.3 photon cm{sup −2} s{sup −1} sr{sup −1} Å{sup −1} over the median of ∼380 photon cm{sup −2} s{sup −1} sr{sup −1} Å{sup −1} measured around random blank fields. We measure the stacked radial profile of these clusters, and find that the excess UV radiation decays to the level of the background at a radius of ∼1 Mpc, roughly consistent with the maximum radial extent of the clusters. Analysis of possible physical processes contributing to the excess UV brightness indicates that non-thermal emission from relativistic electrons in the intracluster medium and faint, unresolved UV emission from cluster member galaxies and intracluster light are likely the dominant contributors.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1993

K-band mobile propagation measurements using ACTS

An overview of two planned propagation campaigns employing land-mobile scenarios with ACTS is presented. The campaigns will be undertaken through a joint effort involving the Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), The University of Texas at Austin, Electrical Engineering Research Laboratory (EERL), and the NASA Lewis Research Center (NASA LeRC). Propagation campaigns are planned in Central Maryland in November 1993 (elevation angle approx. equals 40 deg.) and in Fairbanks, Alaska in June 1994 (elevation angle approx. equals 8 deg.) employing a computer controlled antenna tracking system located atop a van containing a receiver/data acquisition system. The antenna will track (in azimuth) downlink transmissions at 19.914 GHz from ACTS during the mobile propagation measurements. The major objectives of the campaigns are to measure the fade and multipath effects of trees and terrain at 20 GHz for rural and suburban scenarios and to extend existing models which were previously validated at UHF to S-Band.

Goldhirsh, Julius↗
DOE OSTI2023

Measurements of dielectron production in Au + Au collisions at s N N = 27 , 39, and 62.4 GeV from the STAR experiment

We report systematic measurements of dielectron (e + e – ) invariant-mass M ee spectra at midrapidity in Au + Au collisions at s N N = 27 = 27, 39, and 62.4 GeV taken with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. For all energies studied, a significant excess yield of dielectrons is observed in the low-mass region ( 0.40 < M ee < 0.75 MeV / c 2 ) compared to hadronic cocktail simulations at freeze-out. Models that include an in-medium broadening of the ρ -meson spectral function consistently describe the observed excess. In addition, we report acceptance-corrected dielectron-excess spectra for Au + Au collisions at midrapidity ( |y ee | < 1) in the 0–80% centrality bin for each collision energy. The integrated excess yields for 0.4 < M ee < 0.75 GeV / c 2 , normalized by the charged particle multiplicity at midrapidity, are compared with previously published measurements for Au + Au at s N N = 27 = 19.6 and 200 GeV. Models that include an in-medium broadening of the ρ -meson spectral function consistently describe the observed excess. Furthermore, the normalized excess yields in the low-mass region show no significant collision energy dependence. The data, however, are consistent with model calculations that demonstrate a modest energy dependence.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2004

IR Fine-Structure Line Signatures of Central Dust-Bounded Nebulae in Luminous Infrared Galaxies

To date, the only far-infrared spectroscopic observations of ultraluminous infrared galaxies have been obtained with the European Space Agency s Infrared Space Observatory Long Wavelength Spectrometer. The spectra of these galaxies are characterized by molecular absorption lines and weak emission lines from photodissociation regions (PDRs), but no far-infrared (greater than 40 microns) lines from ionized regions have been detected. ESA s Herschel Space Observatory, slated for launch in 2007, will likely be able to detect these lines in samples of local and moderate redshift ultra luminous galaxies and to enable measurement of the ionization parameters, the slope of the ionizing continuum, and densities present in the ionized regions of these galaxies. The higher spatial resolution of proposed observatories discussed in this workshop will enable isolation of the central regions of local galaxies and detection of these lines in high-redshift galaxies for study of the evolution of galaxies. Here we discuss evidence for the e.ects of absorption by dust within ionized regions and present the spectroscopic signatures predicted by photoionization modeling of dust-bounded regions.

Fischer, J.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Υ production and nuclear modification at forward rapidity in Pb–Pb collisions at $\sqrt{S_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

The production of Υ mesons in Pb–Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{S_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV is measured with the muon spectrometer of the ALICE detector at the LHC. The yields as well as the nuclear modification factors are determined in the forward rapidity region 2.5 < y < 4.0, as a function of rapidity, transverse momentum and collision centrality. The results show that the production of the Υ(1S) meson is suppressed by a factor of about three with respect to the production in proton– proton collisions. For the first time, a significant signal for the Υ(2S) meson is observed at forward rapidity, indicating a suppression stronger by about a factor 2–3 with respect to the ground state. The measurements are compared with transport, hydrodynamic, comover and statistical hadronisation model calculations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of the longitudinal flow-plane decorrelation using multiplane cumulants in $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV Au+Au, Ru+Ru, and Zr+Zr collisions

Measurements of the variation of anisotropic flow-plane angles (𝛹 𝑛 ) with rapidity, commonly known as the flow-plane decorrelation, provide important insights into the initial conditions of the matter produced in heavy-ion collisions. Here, in this paper, using data collected by the STAR experiment, we report the first measurement of the four-plane correlator observable 𝑇 𝑛 ⁡{𝑏⁢𝑎;𝑑⁢𝑐}=⟨⟨sin⁡[𝑛⁢(𝛹$^𝑏_𝑛$ − 𝛹$^𝑎_𝑛$)]⁢sin⁡[𝑛⁢(𝛹$^𝑑_𝑛$ − 𝛹$^𝑐_𝑛$)]⟩⟩, where superscripts 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, and 𝑑 denote sequential pseudorapidity (𝜂) regions with 𝑎 corresponding to the most backward region, 𝑏 and 𝑐 close to mid-rapidity with 𝜂 𝑏 < 0 and 𝜂 𝑐 > 0, and 𝑑 being the most forward. The measurement is performed for the elliptic and triangular flow (i.e.~𝑛 = 2 and 3) in Au+Au and isobar (Ru+Ru, Zr+Zr) collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$=200~GeV. The goal of calculating the correlation of the flow-plane angle variations from backward to mid-central, and from mid-central to forward regions, is to probe the systematic variation of flow angle over a wide 𝜂 range. In mid-central collisions (10−30% centrality), we find 𝑇 2 ⁡{𝑏⁢𝑎;𝑑⁢𝑐} =−0.004 ±0.001⁢(s⁢t⁢a⁢t) ±0.002⁢(s⁢y⁢s⁢t) independent of the collision system. Such a small value of 𝑇 2 favors a random-walk'' variation of the flow-plane angles, where the rapidity correlation length is smaller than the entire region under study. These measurements provide new information on the decorrelation patterns in the system and offer a quantitative estimate of possible systematic variations in anisotropic flow angles such astwist’’ between forward and backward regions. This opens new opportunities for understanding the three-dimensional structure and the time evolution of the quark-gluon plasma created in heavy-ion collisions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Disentangling Centrality Bias and Final-State Effects in the Production of High-𝑝 𝑇 Neutral Pions Using Direct Photon in 𝑑+Au Collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV

Here, PHENIX presents a simultaneous measurement of the production of direct 𝛾 and 𝜋 0 in 𝑑 + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV over a 𝑝 𝑇 range of 7.5 to 18 GeV/𝑐 for different event samples selected by event activity, i.e., charged-particle multiplicity detected at forward rapidity. Direct-photon yields are used to empirically estimate the contribution of hard-scattering processes in the different event samples. Using this estimate, the average nuclear-modification factor, 𝑅$^{𝜋^0}_{dAu,EXP}$, is 0.925 ± 0.023⁢(stat) ± 0.15⁢(scale), consistent with unity for minimum-bias (MB) 𝑑+Au collisions. For event classes with low and moderate event activity, 𝑅$^{𝜋^0}_{dAu,EXP}$ is consistent with the MB value within 5% uncertainty. This result confirms that the previously observed enhancement of high-𝑝 𝑇 𝜋 0 production found in small-system collisions with low event activity is a result of a bias in interpreting event activity within the Glauber framework. In contrast, for the top 5% of events with the highest event activity, 𝑅$^{𝜋^0}_{dAu,EXP}$ is suppressed by 20% relative to the MB value with a significance of 4.5⁢𝜎, which may be due to final-state effects. This suppression corresponds to a 𝑝 𝑇 shift of 𝛿⁢𝑝 𝑇 = 0.213 ± 0.055 Gev/𝑐 at 9 Gev/𝑐.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1928

The Measurement of Pressure Through Tubes in Pressure Distribution Tests

The tests described in this report were made to determine the error caused by using small tubes to connect orifices on the surface of aircraft to central pressure capsules in making pressure distribution tests. Aluminum tubes of 3/16-inch inside diameter were used to determine this error. Lengths from 20 feet to 226 feet and pressures whose maxima varied from 2 inches to 140 inches of water were used. Single-pressure impulses for which the time of rise of pressure from zero to a maximum varied from 0.25 second to 3 seconds were investigated. The results show that the pressure recorded at the capsule on the far end of the tube lags behind the pressure at the orifice end and experiences also a change in magnitude. For the values used in these tests the time lag and pressure change vary principally with the time of rise of pressure from zero to a maximum and the tube length. Curves are constructed showing the time lag and pressure change. Empirical formulas are also given for computing the time lag. Analysis of pressure distribution tests made on airplanes in flight shows that the recorded pressures are slightly higher than the pressures at the orifice and that the time lag is negligible. The apparent increase in pressure is usually within the experimental error, but in the case of the modern pursuit type of airplane the pressure increase may be 5 per cent. For pressure-distribution tests on airships the analysis shows that the time lag and pressure change may be neglected.

Hemke, Paul E↗
DOE OSTI2026

Depth-Resolved X-Ray Nanoimaging of Coherent and Incoherent Energy Transport in Silicon Carbide

Understanding lattice dynamics is crucial for optimizing the process of creating functional structures, such as laser writing of color-center defects. However, existing structural probes have difficulty measuring structural dynamics with submicrometer depth sensitivity. Here, in this study, a depth-resolved ultrafast X-ray nanodiffraction technique is developed to track the lattice dynamics of silicon carbide (SiC) in three dimensions. Upon laser excitation of an aluminum layer that acts as a heat and strain transducer, a specular Bragg peak of SiC shows an overall increase in the X-ray diffraction intensity rather than a peak shift. The relaxation dynamics of the increased intensity are significantly different when probed on and off the Bragg peak. The fast subnanosecond relaxation probed at the maximum of the Bragg peak is a result of the propagation of a coherent strain wave along the depth direction, while a slow relaxation probed at the wings of the Bragg peak reflects a localized incoherent lattice heating. To further visualize these processes, spatiotemporal maps were obtained by scanning the relative position and delay between the laser pump and X-ray probe beams, which capture the propagation of the strain wave, as well as a stationary structural distortion close to the aluminum/SiC interface. These depth-resolved structural measurements disentangle energy dissipation mechanisms in laser-excited SiC, and they open opportunities for finer control of, for example, the formation of optically addressable defect complexes central to quantum information applications.

X-ray nanodiffraction↗
DOE OSTI2021

Coherent $\mathrm{J}/\psi $ and &#x03C8; photoproduction at midrapidity in ultra-peripheral Pb–Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm {NN}}}~=~5.02$ TeV

The coherent photoproduction of J/ψ and ψ' mesons was measured in ultra-peripheral Pb–Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm {NN}}}~=~5.02$ TeV with the ALICE detector. Charmonia are detected in the central rapidity region for events where the hadronic interactions are strongly suppressed. The J/ψ is reconstructed using the dilepton (l + l - ) and proton–antiproton decay channels, while for the ψ' the dilepton and the l + l - π + π - decay channels are studied. The analysis is based on an event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 233 μb -1 . The results are compared with theoretical models for coherent J/ψ and ψ' photoproduction. The coherent cross section is found to be in a good agreement with models incorporating moderate nuclear gluon shadowing of about 0.64 at a Bjorken-x of around 6×10 -4 , such as the EPS09 parametrization, however none of the models is able to fully describe the rapidity dependence of the coherent J/ψ cross section including ALICE measurements at forward rapidity. The ratio of ψ' to J/ψ coherent photoproduction cross sections was also measured and found to be consistent with the one for photoproduction off protons.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗