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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

RFB Side Effects - Shunt Currents

The various models related to fluid flow, electrochemistry and shunt current, and their interactions are reviewed, and gaps identified in the development of flow battery holistic models. In a flow battery stack, the cells are electrically connected through the manifolds via the electrolyte. This results in shunt current through the electrolyte, which is a source of loss in the battery stack. This issue is examined in depth with a mathematical method of calculating shunt current distribution, the associated losses, and strategies to mitigate shunt current losses, along with the trade-offs.

Crawford, Aladsair J.↗
DOE OSTI2021

The physical meaning of the magnetic scalar potential and its use in the design of hermetic electromagnetic coils

The magnetic scalar potential U(r⃗) has an intuitive physical interpretation, representing the electric current I = ΔU, which must be directed between any pair of isocontours along the boundary of a region, differing in potential by ΔU, in order to generate the corresponding magnetic intensity H⃗=−∇⃗U inside the region with no tangential component outside the boundary. This physical significance is exploited to invert the design process of hermetic (fringeless) electromagnetic coils from standard iterative techniques (calculating the magnetic field of refined current distributions) to a procedure for calculating the exact surface currents required to generate a given field configuration. A practical construction algorithm is given to produce the prescribed field in a “Target” region (constrained only by Maxwell’s equations) while confining the fringe field to a specified hermetic “Return” region. Example coils are analyzed along with a discussion of the limits of precision of the constructed field.

Crawford, C. B. (ORCID:0000000219324334)↗
NASA NTRS1993

Voyager planetary radio astronomy studies

Analysis of nonthermal radio emission data obtained by the Planetary Radio Astronomy (PRA) spectrometers on the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft was performed. This PRA data provided unique insights into the radio emission characteristics of the outer planets because of PRA's unique spectral response below the terrestrial ionospheric plasma frequency and its unprecedented proximity to the source. Of those results which were documented or published, this final report surveys only the highlights and cites references for more complete discussions. Unpublished results for Uranus, Neptune, and theoretical Ionian current distributions are presented at greater length. The most important conclusion to be drawn from these observations is that banded spectral emission is common to the radio emission below 1-2 MHz observed from all four Jovian planets. In every case multiple spectral features evolve on time scales of seconds to minutes. To the extent these features drift in frequency, they appear never to cross one another. The Neptunian spectral features appear to drift little or not at all, their evolution consisting principally of waxing and waning. Since other evidence strongly suggests that most or all of this radio emission is occurring near the local magnetospheric electron cyclotron frequency, this implies that this emission preferentially occurs at certain continually changing planetary radii. It remains unknown why certain radii might be favored, unless radial electric field components or other means serve to differentiate radially the magnetospheric plasma density, particle energy vectors, or particle coherence. Calculation of the spatial distribution and intensity of the Io-generated magnetospheric currents are also presented; these currents may be limited principally by wave impedance and local field strengths.

Staelin, David H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Comment on 'A dramatic decrease in the growth rate of atmospheric methane in the Northern Hemisphere during 1992' by E. J. Dlugokencky et al.

The carefully measured decrease in the growth rate of atmospheric methane (CH4) in 1992 reported by Dlugokencky et al. (1994) is an impressive accomplishment, and testimony for the importance of maintaining high-quality, long-term monitoring of atmospheric composition. The changing growth rate of atmospheric CH4 has important implications for assessing and understanding the potential magnitude and rates of a future greenhouse gas-induced climate change. Furthermore, the CH4 data from the current Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory (CMDL) globally-distributed network of cooperative air sampling sites are clearly the best record of global CH4 trends and distribution currently available. However, we argue briefly here that the speculation by Dlugokencky et al. (1994) on possible mechanisms for the decreased growth rate in 1992 is only one scenario of many that could possibly fit with the constraints imposed by the reported data. Our comments are to (1) illustrate the difficulties of deducing small changes in complex, poorly understood, geographically diverse natural and anthropogenic sources of CH4 from measurements at the remotely-located CMDL sampling sites and (2) emphasize that detailed bottoms-up analyses are necessary to really advance the understanding of changes in source strengths; we are not promoting alternative mechanisms to explain the 1992 decrease in atmospheric CH4.

Hogan, Kathleen B.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Uni-layer magnets: a new concept for LTS and HTS based superconducting magnets

A novel geometrical configuration to form a magnetic field perpendicular to an aperture, created by an asymmetric current distribution, within a single layer, and using a continuous ideal current line, named the uni-layer (UL) magnet, is here presented. The idea is compared to existing concepts in superconducting magnets, namely, the $\cos{\theta}$ sector magnet, stress managed $\cos{\theta}$ and canted $\cos{\theta}$. The UL magnet allows for a design with a continuous unit length (no layer jump), and an increased minimum bending radius of the conductor in relation to traditional $\cos{\theta}$ and canted $\cos{\theta}$ designs. Further, the specific characteristics of the UL design are especially advantageous for strain-sensitive and prone to winding degradation high-temperature superconductors, in very high field accelerator magnet applications, in which, high efficiency in the use of conductor, and a small aperture are required. The advantages with regard to the design and fabrication of UL magnets in relation to other concepts are also discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2026

Distribution System Plan Template and Guide for Electric Utilities for Adaptation by States and Utilities [Slides]

LBNL researchers developed a template and companion guide for structuring distribution system plans. The template covers 10 key sections in utility distribution system plans and underlying topics: -Executive Summary -Planning Objectives -Current Distribution System -Planning Approach -Asst Management, Reliability and Resilience -O&M Expenses -Capacity Expansion Planning -Solution Identification -Cost-effectiveness -Implementation For each section in the template, the companion guide provides: a description of the topics covered and their importance; the type of content to include in the plan; an example utility approach; and references to other utility plans that serve as models for the topic.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS1980

Investigation of the effects of external current systems on the MAGSAT data utilizing grid cell modeling techniques

The feasibility of modeling magnetic fields due to certain electrical currents flowing in the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere was studied. Initial efforts were devoted to reading MAGSAT data tapes in preparation for further analysis of the MAGSAT data. Further efforts concern a modeling procedure developed to compute the magnetic field at satellite orbit due to hypothesized current distributions in the ionosphere and magnetosphere. This technique utilizes a linear current element representation of the large scale space current system.

Klumpar, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Magnetospheric electric fields and currents

The progress made in the years 1983-1986 in understanding the character and operation of magnetospheric electric fields and electric currents is discussed, with emphasis placed on the connection with the interior regions. Special attention is given to determinations of global electric-field configurations, measurements of the response of magnetospheric particle populations to the electric-field configurations, and observations of the magnetospheric currents at high altitude and during northward IMF. Global simulations of current distributions are discussed, and the sources of global electric fields and currents are examined. The topics discussed in the area of impulsive and small-scale phenomena include substorm current systems, impulsive electric fields and associated currents, and field-aligned electrodynamics. A key finding of these studies is that the electric fields and currents are interrelated and cannot be viewed as separate entities.

Mauk, B. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

An evaluation of recent quantitative magnetospheric magnetic field models

Magnetospheric field models involving dipole tilt effects are discussed, with particular reference to defined magnetopause models and boundary surface models. The models are compared with observations and with each other whenever possible. It is shown that models containing only contributions from magnetopause and tail current systems are capable of reproducing the observed quiet time field just in a qualitative way. The best quantitative agreement between models and observations take place when currents distributed in the inner magnetosphere are added to the magnetopause and tail current systems. One region in which all the models fall short is the region around the polar cusp. Obtaining physically reasonable gradients should have high priority in the development of future models.

Walker, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

High-latitude field-aligned current sources and induced electric fields

Using a simple, planar model of the high latitude ionosphere with an enhanced conductivity auroral ring, the electric potential is computed for a pair of field-aligned current sheets inferred from observations. The relationship of various characteristics of the electric potential pattern to features of the field-aligned current distribution are elucidated in the context of a generalized field-aligned current Fourier analysis. On the basis of the analysis and observations to date, it is concluded that boundary layer dynamo action is the prevalent mechanism in the solar wind/magnetosphere/ionosphere interaction.

Barbosa, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Investigation of the effects of external current systems on the MAGSAT data utilizing grid cell modeling techniques

Efforts devoted to reading MAGSAT data tapes in preparation for further analysis of the MAGSAT data are discussed. A modeling procedure developed to compute the magnetic fields at satellite orbit due to hypothesized current distributions in the ionosphere and magnetosphere is described. This technique utilizes a linear current element representation of the large-scale space-current system. Several examples of the model field perturbations computed along hypothetical satellite orbits are shown.

Klumpar, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A 50 cm diameter annular ion engine

An ion engine design is presented which uses an annular geometry as a means of achieving large engine diameters and hence, high thrust levels. Preliminary results are discussed for discharge-only operation of a 50-cm-diameter annular ion engine. Measured operating parameters presented include discharge current and voltage characteristics, discharge chamber ion current distribution, engine body temperatures, plasma flatness parameter effects and total integrated grid ion current.

Aston, Graeme↗
DOE OSTI2022

Multiphysics modeling of SOFC performance degradation caused by interface delamination and active layer cracking

In solid oxide device operation, delamination and cracking cause more catastrophic damage to cell life than other degradation mechanisms, leading to more rapid cell failure. The electrochemical performance degradation caused by electrode/electrolyte interface delamination and active layer cracking were investigated through in-house developed three-dimensional multiphysics simulations. Here the multiphysics simulations, fully calibrated against experimental datasets for button cells in a previous study, were extended to quantitatively investigate the effects of electrode/electrolyte interface delamination and active layer cracking. The simulated polarization curves and impedance behavior with various levels of delamination and cracking provided insights of the performance degradation. Furthermore, the local current distributions within the cell were analyzed for three different operating modes: constant voltage, constant current, and constant power. Finally, a practical strategy was proposed to mitigate the performance degradation in the realistic cell operations, extending overall cell lifetime.

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1981

Investigation of the effects of external current systems on the MAGSAT data utilizing grid cell modeling techniques

Refinements to the modeling procedure developed to compute the magnetic fields at satellite orbit due to current distributions in the ionosphere and magnetosphere are described. The modeling technique utilizes a linear current element representation of the large scale space current system. A model polar current system is presented and magnetic field perturbations resulting from this system are computed along two hypothetical satellite orbits.

Klumpar, D. M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Estimating the Electric Fields Driving Lightning Dart Leader Development With BIMAP‐3D Observations

Abstract In this paper, a numerical dart leader model has been implemented to understand the leader's development and the corresponding electric field changes observed by the 3D broadband mapping and polarization (BIMAP‐3D) system. The model assumes the extending leader channel is equipotential and has a linear charge distribution induced by an ambient electric field. The charge distribution induced by the ambient field can be used to model the electric field change at the ground. We then find the ambient electric field which best fits the field change measurements at the two BIMAP stations. The estimated ambient electric field decreases in the direction of dart leader propagation. Our observations and modeling results are consistent with our earlier hypothesis that dart leader speed is proportional to the electric field at the leader tip. The model also supports our earlier analysis that leader speed variations near branch junctions were due to previous charge deposits near the junctions. The modeled tip electric field is generally lower than the breakdown field unless the pre‐dart‐leader channel has a significant temperature of 3,000 K. This is consistent with the fact that dart leaders typically do not form new branches into the virgin air. Furthermore, the tip field is generally close to the negative streamer stability field at ambient temperatures, explaining the nature of the narrow and well‐defined channel structure. In addition to the charge distribution and the ambient and tip electric field, the development of the channel potential and current distribution are also presented.

3D lightning mapping↗