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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 1,639 records · Page 91

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NASA NTRS1977

Epitaxial solar-cell fabrication, phase 2

Dichlorosilane (SiH2Cl2) was used as the silicon source material in all of the epitaxial growths. Both n/p/p(+) and p/n/n(+) structures were studied. Correlations were made between the measured profiles and the solar cell parameters, especially cell open-circuit voltage. It was found that in order to obtain consistently high open-circuit voltage, the epitaxial techniques used to grow the surface layer must be altered to obtain very abrupt doping profiles in the vicinity of the junction. With these techniques, it was possible to grow reproducibly both p/n/n(+) and n/p/p(+) solar cell structures having open-circuit voltages in the 610- to 630-mV range, with fill-factors in excess of 0.80 and AM-1 efficiencies of about 13%. Combinations and comparisons of epitaxial and diffused surface layers were also made. Using such surface layers, we found that the blue response of epitaxial cells could be improved, resulting in AM-1 short-circuit current densities of about 30 mA/cm sq. The best cells fabricated in this manner had AM-1 efficiency of 14.1%.

Daiello, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Publications in acoustic and noise control from NASA Langley Research Center during 1940-1979

Reference lists of approximately 900 published Langley Research Center reports in various areas of acoustics and noise control for the period 1940-1979 are presented. Specific topic areas covered include: duct acoustics; propagation and operations; rotating blade noise; jet noise; sonic boom; flow surface interaction noise; structural response/interior noise; human response; and noise prediction.

Fryer, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

The electrical conductivity of the Earth's upper mantle as estimated from satellite measured magnetic field variations

Low latitude magnetic field variations (magnetic storms) caused by large fluctuations in the equatorial ring current were derived from magnetic field magnitude data obtained by OGO 2, 4, and 6 satellites over an almost 5 year period. Analysis procedures consisted of (1) separating the disturbance field into internal and external parts relative to the surface of the Earth; (2) estimating the response function which related to the internally generated magnetic field variations to the external variations due to the ring current; and (3) interpreting the estimated response function using theoretical response functions for known conductivity profiles. Special consideration is given to possible ocean effects. A temperature profile is proposed using conductivity temperature data for single crystal olivine. The resulting temperature profile is reasonable for depths below 150-200 km, but is too high for shallower depths. Apparently, conductivity is not controlled solely by olivine at shallow depths.

Didwall, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

A once-molten, coarse-grained, Ca-rich inclusion in Allende

A compact, spheroidal Type B inclusion in Allende contains melilite laths that project radially inward from the inclusion edge which show interference growth textures. The combined textural and chemical features of this object cannot be explained by independent vapor-solid condensation of grains in space, followed by random aggregation of these grains into an inclusion. Instead, it probably formed from a once-molten droplet that crystallized in response to radiative cooling from its outer surface. The crystallization sequence in this and another similar inclusion in which oxygen isotopes have been measured is melilite-spinel-anorthite-fassaite; this sequence shows that oxygen isotopic heterogeneities in coarse-grained inclusions were formed after complete solidification of these objects by partial exchange with a less O-16-rich gas, and not during or before a melting event.

Macpherson, G. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Coordinated X-ray, ultraviolet and optical observations of AM Herculis, U Geminorum, and SS Cygni

Simultaneous and quasi-simultaneous optical, UV and X-ray observations of the accreting degenerate dwarf stars AM Herculis, U Geminorum and SS Cygni are reported. The observations were obtained in March 1979, by instruments on board the Einstein Observatory and the IUE satellite, and optical properties were monitored on the ground. AM Her was found to be in a high state at the time of the observations, while SS Cyg and U Gem appeared to be in the optical low state. The presence of a strong UV excess is found in SS Cyg, U Gem and AM Her, which most likely originates from the boundary of the accretion disk in U Gem. The observed excess, with a blackbody component greater than 10 eV, is noted to be inconsistent with standard accretion disk and column models. It is suggested that nuclear burning at the surface of the white dwarf may be responsible for the excess UV flux in the three systems, with differences in spectral distributions resulting from different levels of magnetic field intensity and accretion rate.

Fabbiano, G.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Operational procedures relative to severe weather

Severe weather impact on both safety and the economics of all types of aviation, and reduction of elimination are discussed. The functions and responsibilities of the dispatcher are outlined. All surface weather reports showing inclement weather, SIGMET REPORTS, forecasting turbulence or icing, convective SIGMETS: (1) tornadoes; (2) hail 3/4 of an inch or greater; (3) imbedded thunderstorms; (4) squall lines or (5) an area of level four or greater thunderstorms. This information along with PIREPs of severe weather are relayed to affected flights. It is concluded that operational procedures must be timely and well conceived to assure the least amount of impact on airline operations.

Sullivan, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Development of electrical test procedures for qualification of spacecraft against EID. Volume 1: The CAN test and other relevant data

A combined experimental and analytical program to develop system electrical test procedures for the qualification of spacecraft against damage produced by space-electron-induced discharges (EID) occurring on spacecraft dielectric outer surfaces is described. The data on the response of a simple satellite model, called CAN, to electron-induced discharges is presented. The experimental results were compared to predicted behavior and to the response of the CAN to electrical injection techniques simulating blowoff and arc discharges. Also included is a review of significant results from other ground tests and the P78-2 program to form a data base from which is specified those test procedures which optimally simulate the response of spacecraft to EID. The electrical and electron spraying test data were evaluated to provide a first-cut determination of the best methods for performance of electrical excitation qualification tests from the point of view of simulation fidelity.

Wilkenfeld, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Callisto: A lunar-like bombardment?

Voyager spacecraft imagery of the Galilean satellites in 1979 revealed Callisto and portions of Ganymede to be densely cratered, but nonetheless deficient in craters larger than 30 km relative to the cratered highlands of the Moon, Mars, and Mercury. This relative deficiency of large craters could have been due to the complete obliteration of large craters through viscous relaxation in the icy surfaces of Ganymede and Callisto at a time when their surfaces were presumably warmer and more mobile or the deficiency could have stemmed from a relative depletion of large impacting bodies in the Jupiter system, compared with the terrestial planets. To test which alternative is correct, and, specifically, to see whether Callisto was subjected to a lunar-like bombardment, two areas on the heavily cratered lunar farside were compared with an area on Callisto. It was concluded that the Moon and Callisto must have bombarded by two different populations and though viscous relaxation could have modified, or even completely obliterated, craters on Callisto's surface, it could not hve been solely responsible for the observed deficiency of large craters on Callisto relative to the moon.

Ruzicka, A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Evidence for X-ray scattering by interstellar dust

X ray images of distant point sources obtained with the Einstein Observatory have been examined for the presence of halos produced by X-ray scattering from interstellar dust. Evidence for detection of dust halos has been obtained by comparing the apparent surface brightness in images of four low-latitude galactic center sources with the surface brightness predicted from the telescope point response function and the simultaneously measured source spectra. This evidence is considerably strengthened by the same comparison using images of two sources at higher galactic latitude, where the column density of dust is expected to be far lower. Simple assumptions indicate the observed scattering halos are consistent with production by the population of dust grains inferred from optical extinction measurements.

Catura, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The sensitivity of a one-dimensional thermodynamic sea ice model to changes in cloudiness

A thermodynamic sea ice-lead model is used to assess the importance of cloud cover changes to modeled ice thickness. For regions of either permanent multiyear ice or seasonal sea ice, the cloud amount variations have relatively little impact. However, for regions where the presence of summer ice is variable from year to year, the predicted ice thickness is strongly dependent on cloud cover. In general, with a snow covered surface, decreased cloud leads to surface cooling while increased cloud gives rise to a surface warming. For a melting bare ice surface, the reverse occurs. The ice model response time is too long for interannual variations in cloud amount to explain interannual variations in ice thickness and extent. Nevertheless, the implication of the results is that numerical modeling of sea ice distribution requires accurate cloud data or cloud prediction and that trends in cloud cover may lead to significant perturbations in sea ice extent and thickness.

Shine, K. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

AE and DE mass spectrometer observations relevant to the shuttle glow

Recent work suggested that NO2 may be responsible for the observed continuum glow near surfaces of the space shuttle. The observations of atomic nitrogen (N) are reported at shuttle altitudes using mass spectrometers, giving special attention to the surface reactions of N relevant to the production of NO2 on spacecraft surfaces. Data from two semi-open sources mass spectrometers, the OSS instruments on the Atmosphere Explorer-C and -D satellites, and the closed source Neutral Atmospheric Composition Spectrometer (NACS) on the Dynamic Explorer-2 satellite are presented to show the similar behavior of NO in each case and the contrasting behavior of NO2. Although signals of NO and NO2 are highly dependent on surface temperature and surface composition, it appears that direct exposure of ion source surfaces to rammed gas is a necessary condition for the production of large amounts of NO2. Evidence that elevated surface temperatures can significantly reduce the production of NO2, likely by causing more rapid desorption of NO from these surfaces, is presented.

Engebretson, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

On transient rheology and glacial isostasy

The effect of transient creep on the inference of long-term mantle viscosity is investigated using theoretical predictions from self-gravitating, layered earth models with Maxwell, Burgers' body, and standard linear solid rheologies. The interaction between transient and steady-state rheologies is studied. The responses of the standard linear solid and Burgers' body models to transient creep in the entire mantle, and of the Burgers' body and Maxwell models to creep in the lower mantle are described. The models' responses are examined in terms of the surface displacement, free air gravity anomaly, wander of the rotation pole, and the secular variation of the degree 2 zonal coefficient of the earth's gravitational potential field. The data reveal that transient creep cannot operate throughout the entire mantle.

Yuen, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Adhesion, friction and micromechanical properties of ceramics

The adhesion, friction, and micromechanical properties of ceramics, both in monolithic and coating form, are reviewed. Ceramics are examined in contact with themselves, other harder materials, and metals. For the simplicity of discussion, the tribological properties of concern in the processes are separated into two parts. The first part discusses the pull-off force (adhesion) and the shear force required to break the interfacial junctions between contacting surfaces. The role of chemical bonding in adhesion and friction, and the effects of surface contaminant films and temperature on tribological response with respect to adhesion and friction are discussed. The second part deals with abrasion of ceramics. Elastic, plastic, and fracture behavior of ceramics in solid state contact is discussed. The scratch technique of determining the critical load needed to fracture interfacial adhesive bonds of ceramic deposited on substrates is also addressed.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗

NASA NTRS1987

Theory and observations of cometary ionospheres

The basic physical and chemical processes responsible for the makeup of cometary ionospheres are discussed in the framework of relevant in situ measurements on the Halley and Giacobini-Zinner comets, as well as recent theoretical models of cometary ionospheres. Special attention is given to physical processes responsible for the formation of the contact surface (CS), which is that surface where the magnetic field becomes zero or extremely small and which separates the field-free ionosphere and the magnetized plasma on the outside. Results of in situ observations indicate that the plasma just outside the CS is just as ionospheric in nature as the 'classical' ionospheric plasma residing within this surface. An expression for the magnetic field in this region is derived.

Cravens, T. E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Magnetic tearing of plasma discharges due to nonuniform resistivity

The rearrangement of current in a plasma discharge in response to resistivity nonuniformities within a magnetic surface is studied. It is shown that macroscopic magnetic islands develop about those surfaces where the nonuniformity is aligned with the magnetic field. If the nonuniformity and the field are not aligned anywhere, there is no current rearrangement; instead, relatively large plasma flows are set up. Such resistivity inhomogeneities can obtain in solar coronal loops and, in some circumstances, in tokamak discharges.

Hassam, A. B.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Adhesion, friction and micromechanical properties of ceramics

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗

NASA NTRS1989

Conjugate (solid/fluid) computational fluid dynamics analysis of the space shuttle solid rocket motor nozzle/case and case field joints

Three-dimensional, conjugate (solid/fluid) heat transfer analyses of new designs of the Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) nozzle/case and case field joints are described. The main focus was to predict the consequences of multiple rips (or debonds) in the ambient cure adhesive packed between the nozzle/case joint surfaces and the bond line between the mating field joint surfaces. The models calculate the transient temperature responses of the various materials neighboring postulated flow/leakpaths into, past, and out from the nozzle/case primary O-ring cavity and case field capture O-ring cavity. These results were used to assess if the design was failsafe (i.e., no potential O-ring erosion) and reusable (i.e., no excessive steel temperatures). The models are adaptions and extensions of the general purpose PHOENICS fluid dynamics code. A non-orthogonal coordinate system was employed and 11,592 control cells for the nozzle/case and 20,088 for the case field joints are used with non-uniform distribution. Physical properties of both fluid and solids are temperature dependent. A number of parametric studies were run for both joints with results showing temperature limits for reuse for the steel case on the nozzle joint being exceeded while the steel case temperatures for the field joint were not. O-ring temperatures for the nozzle joint predicted erosion while for the field joint they did not.

Doran, D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The 3.3 micron emission feature: Map of the galactic disk, 10 deg less than 1 less than 35 deg, - 6 deg less than b less than 6 deg

The 3.3 micron aromatic feature has been detected in the diffuse galactic emission with the AROME balloon-borne instrument. The results are presented in the form of an map of the 3.3 micron feature's intensity. The AROME instrument consists in a Cassegrain telescope with wobbling secondary mirrors and a liquid/solid nitrogen cooled photometer. The instrumental output is modified by the impulse response of the system. So the galactic surface brightness was restored in Fourier space by an inverse optimal filtering. The map of the feature's intensity is presented for a region of galactic coordinates. All the known H II giant molecular cloud complexes are visible in the 3.3 micron feature emission showing a good correlation with the infrared dust emission.

Giard, Martin↗