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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
NASA NTRS1989

Development of an infrared imaging system for the surface tension driven convection experiment

An infrared imaging system is used to quantify the imposed surface temperature distribution along a liquid/gas free surface in support of the Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment, a planned Space Transportation System flight experiment. For ground-based work a commercially available instrument was used to determine the feasibility of using the type of imaging system for this experiment. The ground-based work was used as a baseline for compiling specifications for a flight qualified imager to be designed, fabricated, tested and qualified for flight. The requirements and specifications for the flight model are given along with the reasons for departures from the ground-based equipment. The flight qualification requirements discussed are a representative sample of the necessary procedures which must be followed to flight qualify diagnostic equipment for use aboard the STS. The potential problems and concerns associated with operating an imaging system in orbit are also discussed.

Pline, Alexander D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Development of an infrared imaging system for the surface tension driven convection experiment

An infrared imaging system is used to quantify the imposed surface temperature distribution along a liquid/gas free surface in support of the Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment, a planned Space Transportation System flight experiment. For ground-based work a commercially available instrument was used to determine the feasibility of using this type of imaging system for this experiment. The ground-based work was used as a baseline for compiling specifications for a flight qualified imager to be designed, fabricated, tested and qualified for flight. The requirements and the specifications for the flight model are given along with the reasons for departures from the ground-based equipment. The flight qualification requirements discussed are a representative sample of the necessary procedures which must be followed to flight qualify diagnostic equipment for use aboard the STS. The potential problems and concerns associated with operating an imaging system on orbit are also discussed.

Pline, Alexander D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Measuring the surface tension of soap bubbles

The objectives are for students to gain an understanding of surface tension, to see that pressure inside a small bubble is larger than that inside a large bubble. These concepts can be used to explain the behavior of liquid foams as well as precipitate coarsening and grain growth. Equipment, supplies, and procedures are explained.

Sorensen, Carl D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The effect of temperature induced surface tension gradients on bubble mechanics

Experiments were conducted to examine in detail the influence of surface tension gradient induced flow, the Marangoni effect. One set of studies provided visual results that demonstrated the occurrence and magnitude of the Marangoni effect. Another portion of the work was directed to bubble force measurements. These studies used in deflection of a very fine cantilevered wire with an attached bubble as a means of measuring force with and without temperature gradients. The experimental force data were found to check existing theoretical predictions reasonably well except for the case where the test fluid had a sizeable vapor pressure. In this situation the thermophoretic force on the bubble was much higher than predicted.

Mcgrew, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The wetting characteristics and surface tension of some Ni-based alloys on yttria, hafnia, alumina, and zirconia substrates

The surface tension and wetting characteristics of four commercial Ni-based alloys (UD718, Waspaloy, UD720, and UD520), pure Ni, and three special alloys (Ni-20 percent Cr, Ni-20 percent Cr-1 percent Al, and Ni-20 percent Cr-4 percent Al) on various ceramic substrates (including alumina, zirconia, hafnia, and yttria) were investigated using sessile drop experiments. Most of the systems studied exhibited a nonwetting behavior. Wetting improved with holding time at a given temperature to the point that some systems, such as Ni-20Cr on alumina, Ni-20Cr-4Al on alumina and on yttria, became marginally wetting. Wetting characteristics were apparently related to constitutional undercooling, which in turn could be affected by the metal dissolving some of the substrate during measurements.

Kanetkar, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The wave numbers of supercritical surface tension driven Benard convection

The cell size or the wave numbers of supercritical hexagonal convection cells in primarily surface tension driven convection on a uniformly heated plate was studied experimentally in thermal equilibrium in thin layers of silicone oil of large aspect ratio. It was found that the cell size decreases with increased temperature difference in the slightly supercritical range, and that the cell size is unique within the experimental error. It was also observed that the cell size reaches a minimum and begins to increase at larger temperature differences. This reversal of the rate of change of the wave number with temperature difference is attributed to influences of buoyancy on the fluid motion. The consequences of buoyancy were tested with three fluid layers of different depth.

Koschmieder, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The wavenumbers of supercritical surface-tension-driven Benard convection

The cell size or the wavenumbers of supercritical hexagonal convection cells in primarily surface-tension-driven convection on a uniformly heated plate has been studied experimentally in thermal equilibrium in thin layers of silicone oil of large aspect ratio. It has been found that the cell size decreases with increased temperature difference in the slightly supercritical range, and that the cell size is unique within the experimental error. It has also been observed that the cell size reaches a minimum and begins to increase at larger temperature differences. This reversal of the rate of change of the wavenumber with temperature difference is attributed to influences of buoyancy on the fluid motion. The consequences of buoyancy have been tested with three fluid layers of different depth.

Koschmieder, E. L.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sensitivity of Thermal Predictions to Uncertain Surface Tension Data in Laser Additive Manufacturing

To understand the process-microstructure relationships in additive manufacturing (AM), it is necessary to predict the solidification characteristics in the melt pool. This study investigates the influence of Marangoni driven fluid flow on the predicted melt pool geometry and solidification conditions using a continuum finite volume model. A calibrated laser absorptivity was determined by comparing the model predictions (neglecting fluid flow) against melt pool dimensions obtained from single laser melt experiments on a nickel super alloy 625 (IN625) plate. Using this calibrated efficiency, predicted melt pool geometries agree well with experiments across a range of process conditions. When fluid mechanics is considered, a surface tension gradient recommended for IN625 tends to overpredict the influence of convective heat transfer, but the use of an intermediate value reported from experimental measurements of a similar nickel super alloy produces excellent experimental agreement. Despite its significant effect on the melt pool geometry predictions, fluid flow was found to have a small effect on the predicted solidification conditions compared to processing conditions. We find that this result suggests that under certain circumstances, a model only considering conductive heat transfer is sufficient for approximating process-microstructure relationships in laser AM. Extending the model to multiple laser passes further showed that fluid flow also has a small effect on the solidification conditions compared to the transient variations in the process. Furthermore, limitations of the current model and areas of improvement, including uncertainties associated with the phenomenological model inputs are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Theory of melt polyelectrolyte blends and block copolymers: Phase behavior, surface tension, and microphase periodicity

Polymer mixtures such as blends or block copolymers are of great interest in energy applications and functional materials, and often, one or more of these species contain charges. The traditional fashion in which such materials are studied uses Self-Consistent Field Theory (SCFT) methods that incorporate electrostatics using Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) theory. We adapt a new and rigorous approach that does not rely on the mean-field assumptions inherent in the PB theory and instead uses Liquid State (LS) integral equation theory to articulate charge correlations that are completely neglected in PB. We use this theory to calculate phase diagrams for both blends and block copolyelectrolytes using SCFT-LS and demonstrate how their phase behavior is highly dependent on chain length, charge fraction, charge size, and the strength of Coulombic interactions. Beyond providing phase behavior of blends and block copolyelectrolytes, we can use this theory to investigate the interfacial properties such as surface tension and block copolyelectrolyte lamellar spacing. Lamellar spacing provides a way to directly compare the SCFT-LS theory to the results of experiments. SCFT-LS will provide conceptual and mathematical clarification of the role of charge correlations in these systems and aid in the design of materials based on charge polymers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1978

Studies of convection in a solidifying system with surface tension at reduced gravity

The low gravity environment of Earth's orbit is being seriously considered for experimentation on the production of materials in space. Most of such materials processes inevitably involve either the solidification of melt or the melting of solids. Inherent in most fluid mechanisms with temperature gradients is convective motion. A study is presented for the onset of convection in a solidifying system in an environment which is similar to that encountered in space processing. Since the study is for a low gravity condition, the only driving mechanism considered is that due to the variation of surface tension force at the free surface of the melt layer. Two simple solidification models were considered, one in which the solidification process enters in the perturbation system and another in which the melt is solidifying at a constant rate. The results show that the solidification process will bring about convection in the melt earlier than otherwise.

Antar, B. N.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Direct observation of anisotropic growth of water films on minerals driven by defects and surface tension

Knowledge of the occurrences of water films on minerals is critical for global biogeochemical and atmospheric processes, including element cycling and ice nucleation. The underlying mechanisms controlling water film growth are, however, misunderstood. Using infrared nanospectroscopy, amplitude-modulated atomic force microscopy, and molecular simulations, we show how water films grow from water vapor on hydrophilic mineral nanoparticles. We imaged films with up to four water layers that grow anisotropically over a single face. Growth usually begins from the near edges of a face where defects preferentially capture water vapor. Thicker films produced by condensation cooling completely engulf nanoparticles and form thicker menisci over defects. The high surface tension of water smooths film surfaces and produces films of inhomogeneous thickness. Nanoscale topography and film surface energy thereby control anisotropic distributions and thicknesses of water films on hydrophilic mineral nanoparticles.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1988

Investigation of surface tension driven convection as a feasibility study for a micro-gravity experiment

The work performed for the feasibility study of a microgravity surface tension driven convection experiment was reviewed. An experimental investigation of the onset of convection in shallow fluid layers heated uniformly from below and cooled from above by an air layer was made. Results are discussed in relation to the formation of Benard cells. The onset of Rayleigh-Benard convection in thin fluid layers heated uniformly from below were studied experimentally. It was found that in thin fluid layers the onset of Rayleigh-Benard convection is preceded by subcritical convective motions. Secondly, it was found that the onset of Rayleigh-Benard convection in non-Boussinesq fluid layers takes place in the form of hexagonal cells at Rayleigh numbers larger than the critical Rayleigh number R sub C = 1708 which determines the onset of convection in Boussinesq fluid layers.

Koschmieder, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Selection of a surface tension propellant management system for the Viking 75 Orbiter.

Discussion of the propellant management system requirements derived for the Viking 75 mission, and review of a series of surface tension propellant management system design concepts. The chosen concept is identified and its mission operation described. The ullage bubble and bulk liquid positioning characteristics are presented, along with propellant dynamic considerations entailed by thrust initiation/termination. Pressurization design considerations, required to assure minimum disturbance to the bulk propellant, are introduced as well as those of the tank ullage vent. Design provisions to assure liquid communication between tank ends are discussed. Results of a preliminary design study are presented, including mechanical testing requirements to assure structural integrity, propellant compatibility, and proper installation.

Dowdy, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Surface Tension Confines Cryogenic Liquid

New type of Dewar provides passive, constant-temperature cryogenic cooling for scientific instruments under normal-to low-gravity conditions. Known as Surface-Tension-Contained Liquid Cryogen Cooler (STCLCC), keeps liquid cryogen in known location inside the Dewar by trapping liquid inside spongelike material. Unique sponge material fills most of volume of inner tank. Sponge is all-silica, open-cell material similar to that used for Space Shuttle thermal-protection tiles.

Castles, Stephen H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Onset of hexagons in surface-tension-driven Benard convection

High resolution laboratory experiments with large aspect ratio are being conducted for thin fluid layers heated from below and bounded from above by a free surface. The fluid depths are chosen sufficiently small (less than 0.06 cm) so that surface tension is the dominant driving mechanisms; the Rayleigh number is less than 5 for the results reported here. Shadowgraph visualization reveals that the primary instability leading to hexagons is slightly hysteretic (approximately 1 percent). Preliminary measurements of the convection amplitude using infrared imaging are also presented.

Schatz, Michael F.↗