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At least 1,729 records · Page 96

A 2.5 kW cascaded Schwarz converter for 20 kHz power distribution

Because it avoids the high currents in a parallel loaded capacitor, the cascaded Schwarz converter should offer better component utilization than converters with sinusoidal output voltages. The circuit is relatively easy to protect, and it provides a predictable trapezoidal voltage waveform that should be satisfactory for 20-kHz distribution systems. Analysis of the system is enhanced by plotting curves of normalized variables vs. gamma(1), where gamma(1) is proportional to the variable frequency of the first stage. Light-load operation is greatly improved by the addition of a power recycling rectifier bridge that is back biased at medium to heavy loads. Operation has been verified on a 2.5-kW circuit that uses input and output voltages in the same range as those anticipated for certain future spacecraft power systems.

Shetler, Russell E.↗

The concept of the mechanically active guideway as a novel approach to maglev

A maglev system that is suitable for operation in the United States will have to meet unique requirements which determine the major systems characteristics. Maglev configurations presently developed in Germany and Japan are based on conventional maglev concepts and as such do not meet all of the requirements. A novel maglev guideway concept is introduced as a solution. This concept, the mechanically active guideway, is articulated in three degrees of freedom and assumes system functions which normally reside in the maglev vehicle. The mechanically active guideway contains spatially distributed actuators which are energized under computer control at the time of vehicle passage to achieve bank angle adjustment and ride quality control. A typical realization of the concept is outlined.

Horwath, T. G.↗

The double oval UV auroral distribution. 1: Implications for the mapping of auroral arcs

During the later stages of the auroral substorm the luminosity distribution frequently resembles a double oval, one oval lying poleward of the normal or main UV auroral oval. We interpret the double oval morphology as being due to the plasma sheet boundary layer becoming active in the later stages of the substorm process. If the disturbance engulfs the nightside low-latitude boundary layers, then the double oval configuration extends into the dayside ionospheric region. The main UV oval is associated with the inner portion of the central plasma sheet and can rapidly change its auroral character from being diffuse to discrete. This transition is associated with the substorm process and is fundamental to understanding the near-Earth character of substorm onset. On the other hand, the poleward arc system in the nightside ionosphere occurs adjacent to or near the open-closed field line boundary. This system activates at the end of the optical expansion phase and is a part of the recovery phase configuration in substorms where it occurs. These two source regions for nightside discrete auroral arcs are important in resolving the controversy concerning the mapping of arcs to the magnetosphere. The dayside extension of this double oval configuration is also investigated and shows particle signatures which differ considerably from those on the nightside giving clues to the magnetospheric source regions of the aurora in the two local time sectors. Near-Earth substorm onsets are shown to be coupled to processes occurring much further tailward and indicate the importance of understanding the temporal development of features within the double oval. Using 'variance images,' a new technqiue for the investigation of these dynamics is outlined.

Elphinstone, R. D.↗

Circadian Behavioral Study: LED vs Cool White Fluorescent - 0.1, 1, 10, 40, 80 lux

Currently, the light source most commonly used in animal habitat lighting is cool white fluorescent (CWF) light. It was the objective of this study to evaluate a novel LED light source for use in animal habitat lighting by comparing its effectiveness to CWF light in producing and maintaining a normal circadian entrainment. The LED and CWF lights had similar spectral power distributions. Sprague-Dawley rats (175-350 g) were kept individually in metabolic cages, under a strict lighting control: 4 days of acclimation at 12:12 LD, 14 days of 12:12 LD, 14 days of 24:0 LD (free-run), and finally 12:12 LD. Food and water were provided ad libitum. Three behavioral parameters were monitored continuously: gross locomotor activity, drinking, and feeding. Combined mean free run periods (tau) were (mean +/- SEM): 24.6 +/- 0.1 and 24.7 +/- 0.2 at 0.1 lux, 25.5 +/- 0.1 and 25.7 +/- 0.1 at 1.0 lux, 25.3 +/- 0.2 and 25.4 +/- 0.2 at 10 lux, 25.8 +/- 0.1 and 25.9 +/- 0.1 at 40 lux, and 25.9 +/- 0.1 and 25.9 +/- 0.1 at 80 lux, CWF and LED respectively. ANOVA found a significant effect (p < 0.05) due to light level, but no difference in tau between rats exposed to constant CWF light and rats exposed to constant LED light. This study has shown that LED light can produce the same entrainment pattern as a conventional CWT light at similar intensities (0.1, 1, 10, 40, and 80 lux). LED light sources may be a suitable replacement for conventional light sources used in animal habitat lighting while providing many mechanical and economical advantages.

Holley, Daniel C.↗

Orientational Growth of Carbon Nanotube for Applications

Since the superior properties of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) could improve numerous devices such as electronics and sensors, many efforts have been made in investigating the growth mechanism of MWCNT to synthesize high quality MWCNT. Most applications require uniform aligned CNT. In this presentation, a directional growth of CNT will be reported. Carbon nanotubes are synthesized using thermal chemical vapor deposition. Temperature and pressure are two important growth parameters for fabricating carbon nanotubes. It is found that the nanotube diameter distribution mainly depends on the growth-temperature. With the substrate surface normal either along or against the gravity vector, different growth orientations of MWCNT are observed by scanning electron microscopy although the Raman spectra are similar for samples synthesized at different locations. The sizes of these carbon nanotubes in each sample are quite uniform and the length of the tube is up to several tens of micrometers. These results suggest the gravitation effects in the growth of long and small diameter CNT.

Zhu, Shen↗

Heat-Transfer Measurements at a Mach Number of 4.95 on Two 60 deg Swept Delta Wings with Blunt Leading Edges and Dihedral Angles of 0 deg and 45 deg

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the heat-transfer characteristics of two 60 deg swept delta wings with cylindrical leading edges of 0.25-inch radii and dihedral angles of 0 deg and 45 deg. The tests were conducted at a Mach number of 4.95 and a stagnation temperature of 400 F. The The test-section unit Reynolds number was varied from 1.95 x 10(exp 6) to 12.24 x 10(exp 6) per foot. The results of the investigation indicated that, in a plane normal to the leading edge, the laminar-flow heat-transfer distribution was in good agreement with two-dimensional blunt-body theory. The stagnation-line heat-transfer level could be predicted from two-dimensional blunt-body theory provided the stagnation-line heat-transfer coefficient was assumed to vary as the cosine of the effective sweep. A comparison of the heating rates to the 0 deg dihedral wing (planform sweep of 60 deg) and the 45 deg dihedral wing (planform sweep of 69.3 deg) with equal panel sweep and panel area indicated that the stagnation-line heat-transfer coefficient for the 45 deg dihedral wing could be as much as 40 percent less than the stagnation-line heat-transfer coefficient for the 0 deg dihedral wing at both equal angles of attack and equal lifts. The laminar-flow heat-transfer rate to both wings outside the vicinity of the stagnation line was essentially equal.

Stainback, P. Calvin↗

Development and Testing of the Glenn Research Center Visitor's Center Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Power System

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has developed, installed, and tested a 12 kW DC grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) power system at the GRC Visitor s Center. This system utilizes a unique ballast type roof mount for installing the photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Visitor s Center with no alterations or penetrations to the roof. The PV system has generated in excess of 15000 kWh since operation commenced in August 2008. The PV system is providing power to the GRC grid for use by all. Operation of the GRC Visitor s Center PV system has been completely trouble free. A grid-tied PV power system is connected directly to the utility distribution grid. Facility power can be obtained from the utility system as normal. The PV system is synchronized with the utility system to provide power for the facility, and excess power is provided to the utility. The project transfers space technology to terrestrial use via nontraditional partners. GRC personnel glean valuable experience with PV power systems that are directly applicable to various space power systems, and provides valuable space program test data. PV power systems help to reduce harmful emissions and reduce the Nation s dependence on fossil fuels. Power generated by the PV system reduces the GRC utility demand, and the surplus power aids the community. Present global energy concerns reinforce the need for the development of alternative energy systems. Modern PV panels are readily available, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Modern electronics has been the enabling technology behind grid-tied power systems, making them safe, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Based upon the success of the GRC Visitor s Center PV system, additional PV power system expansion at GRC is under consideration. The GRC Visitor s Center grid-tied PV power system was successfully designed and developed which served to validate the basic principles described, and the theoretical work that was performed. The report concludes that grid-tied photovoltaic power systems are reliable, maintenance free, long life power systems, and are of significant value to NASA and the community.

Eichenberg, Dennis J.↗

Development and Testing of a Prototype Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Power System

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has developed and tested a prototype 2 kW DC grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) power system at the Center. The PV system has generated in excess of 6700 kWh since operation commenced in July 2006. The PV system is providing power to the GRC grid for use by all. Operation of the prototype PV system has been completely trouble free. A grid-tied PV power system is connected directly to the utility distribution grid. Facility power can be obtained from the utility system as normal. The PV system is synchronized with the utility system to provide power for the facility, and excess power is provided to the utility. The project transfers space technology to terrestrial use via nontraditional partners. GRC personnel glean valuable experience with PV power systems that are directly applicable to various space power systems, and provide valuable space program test data. PV power systems help to reduce harmful emissions and reduce the Nation s dependence on fossil fuels. Power generated by the PV system reduces the GRC utility demand, and the surplus power aids the community. Present global energy concerns reinforce the need for the development of alternative energy systems. Modern PV panels are readily available, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Modern electronics has been the enabling technology behind grid-tied power systems, making them safe, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Based upon the success of the prototype PV system, additional PV power system expansion at GRC is under consideration. The prototype grid-tied PV power system was successfully designed and developed which served to validate the basic principles described, and the theoretical work that was performed. The report concludes that grid-tied photovoltaic power systems are reliable, maintenance free, long life power systems, and are of significant value to NASA and the community.

Eichenberg, Dennis J.↗

Design of a Glenn Research Center Solar Field Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Power System

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) designed, developed, and installed, a 37.5 kW DC photovoltaic (PV) Solar Field in the GRC West Area in the 1970s for the purpose of testing PV panels for various space and terrestrial applications. The PV panels are arranged to provide a nominal 120 VDC. The GRC Solar Field has been extremely successful in meeting its mission. The PV panels and the supporting electrical systems are all near their end of life. GRC has designed a 72 kW DC grid-tied PV power system to replace the existing GRC West Area Solar Field. The 72 kW DC grid-tied PV power system will provide DC solar power for GRC PV testing applications, and provide AC facility power for all times that research power is not required. A grid-tied system is connected directly to the utility distribution grid. Facility power can be obtained from the utility system as normal. The PV system is synchronized with the utility system to provide power for the facility, and excess power is provided to the utility for use by all. The project transfers space technology to terrestrial use via nontraditional partners. GRC personnel glean valuable experience with PV power systems that are directly applicable to various space power systems, and provide valuable space program test data. PV power systems help to reduce harmful emissions and reduce the Nation s dependence on fossil fuels. Power generated by the PV system reduces the GRC utility demand, and the surplus power aids the community. Present global energy concerns reinforce the need for the development of alternative energy systems. Modern PV panels are readily available, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Modern electronics has been the enabling technology behind grid-tied power systems, making them safe, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. The report concludes that the GRC West Area grid-tied PV power system design is viable for a reliable, maintenance free, long life power system that is of significant value to NASA and the community.

Eichenberg, Dennis J.↗

Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Power System

A grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) power system is connected directly to the utility distribution grid. Facility power can be obtained from the utility system as normal. The PV system is synchronized with the utility system to provide power for the facility, and excess power is provided to the utility. Operating costs of a PV power system are low compared to conventional power technologies. This method can displace the highest-cost electricity during times of peak demand in most climatic regions, and thus reduce grid loading. Net metering is often used, in which independent power producers such as PV power systems are connected to the utility grid via the customers main service panels and meters. When the PV power system is generating more power than required at that location, the excess power is provided to the utility grid. The customer pays the net of the power purchased when the on-site power demand is greater than the onsite power production, and the excess power is returned to the utility grid. Power generated by the PV system reduces utility demand, and the surplus power aids the community. Modern PV panels are readily available, reliable, efficient, and economical, with a life expectancy of at least 25 years. Modern electronics have been the enabling technology behind grid-tied power systems, making them safe, reliable, efficient, and economical with a life expectancy equal to the modern PV panels. The grid-tied PV power system was successfully designed and developed, and this served to validate the basic principles developed, and the theoretical work that was performed. Grid-tied PV power systems are reliable, maintenance- free, long-life power systems, and are of significant value to NASA and the community. Of particular value are the analytical tools and capabilities that have been successfully developed. Performance predictions can be made confidently for grid-tied PV systems of various scales. The work was done under the NASA Hybrid Power Management (HPM) Program, which is the integration of diverse power devices in an optimal configuration for space and terrestrial applications.

Eichenberg, Dennis J.↗

Spatial Correlation of Rain Drop Size Distribution from Polarimetric Radar and 2D-Video Disdrometers

Spatial correlations of two of the main rain drop-size distribution (DSD) parameters - namely the median-volume diameter (Do) and the normalized intercept parameter (Nw) - as well as rainfall rate (R) are determined from polarimetric radar measurements, with added information from 2D video disdrometer (2DVD) data. Two cases have been considered, (i) a widespread, long-duration rain event in Huntsville, Alabama, and (ii) an event with localized intense rain-cells within a convection line which occurred during the MC3E campaign. For the first case, data from a C-band polarimetric radar (ARMOR) were utilized, with two 2DVDs acting as ground-truth , both being located at the same site 15 km from the radar. The radar was operated in a special near-dwelling mode over the 2DVDs. In the second case, data from an S-band polarimetric radar (NPOL) data were utilized, with at least five 2DVDs located between 20 and 30 km from the radar. In both rain event cases, comparisons of Do, log10(Nw) and R were made between radar derived estimates and 2DVD-based measurements, and were found to be in good agreement, and in both cases, the radar data were subsequently used to determine the spatial correlations For the first case, the spatial decorrelation distance was found to be smallest for R (4.5 km), and largest fo Do (8.2 km). For log10(Nw) it was 7.2 km (Fig. 1). For the second case, the corresponding decorrelation distances were somewhat smaller but had a directional dependence. In Fig. 2, we show an example of Do comparisons between NPOL based estimates and 1-minute DSD based estimates from one of the five 2DVDs.

Thurai, Merhala↗

Tropical Ocean Surface Energy Balance Variability: Linking Weather to Climate Scales

Radiative and turbulent surface exchanges of heat and moisture across the atmosphere-ocean interface are fundamental components of the Earth s energy and water balance. Characterizing the spatiotemporal variability of these exchanges of heat and moisture is critical to understanding the global water and energy cycle variations, quantifying atmosphere-ocean feedbacks, and improving model predictability. These fluxes are integral components to tropical ocean-atmosphere variability; they can drive ocean mixed layer variations and modify the atmospheric boundary layer properties including moist static stability, thereby influencing larger-scale tropical dynamics. Non-parametric cluster-based classification of atmospheric and ocean surface properties has shown an ability to identify coherent weather regimes, each typically associated with similar properties and processes. Using satellite-based observational radiative and turbulent energy flux products, this study investigates the relationship between these weather states and surface energy processes within the context of tropical climate variability. Investigations of surface energy variations accompanying intraseasonal and interannual tropical variability often use composite-based analyses of the mean quantities of interest. Here, a similar compositing technique is employed, but the focus is on the distribution of the heat and moisture fluxes within their weather regimes. Are the observed changes in surface energy components dominated by changes in the frequency of the weather regimes or through changes in the associated fluxes within those regimes? It is this question that the presented work intends to address. The distribution of the surface heat and moisture fluxes is evaluated for both normal and non-normal states. By examining both phases of the climatic oscillations, the symmetry of energy and water cycle responses are considered.

Roberts, J. Brent↗

Electromagnetic Scattering by Discrete Random Media. II: The Coherent Field

The computation of the coherent field in the case of a plane electromagnetic wave obliquely incident on a discrete random layer with non-scattering boundaries is addressed. For dense media, the analysis is based on a special-form solution for the conditional configuration-averaged exciting field coefficients, and is restricted to the computation of the so-called zeroth-order fields without a special treatment of the boundary regions. In this setting, we calculate the coherent fields reflected and transmitted by the layer, and the coherent field inside the layer. We found that these fields are analytically equivalent to plane electromagnetic waves, and investigated the fulfillment of the boundary conditions for the electric fields at the layer interfaces. The results are then particularized to the cases of normal incidence and a semi-infinite discrete random medium. For sparsely distributed particles, we present a self-consistent derivation of the coherent field and discuss the Twersky and Foldy approximations.

Adrian Doicu↗

Informing Algorithms from Ground Validation: The GPM Combined Algorithm

Ground validation (GV) for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission encompasses in-situ (e.g., gauge, disdrometer) measurements, ground radar products, and comprehensive datasets from dedicated airborne field campaigns. These datasets are used for direct validation of the precipitation products from GPM as well as to inform assumptions used by the algorithms that produce these products. This presentation will focus on current and potential such uses of GV data in the GPM combined radar-radiometer algorithm.The GPM combined algorithm, by virtue of using data from the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) and GPM Microwave Imager (GMI), is the most well-constrained instantaneous precipitation product from GPM. It also plays an important in role the passive microwave algorithms as a basis for the construction of brightness temperature-precipitation profile databases and is a calibrator for the multi- satellite gridded product IMERG. Since both radar and radiometer data are used as observational inputs, and even with these data the retrievals are underconstrained, microphysical properties of the hydrometeor profile that are relevant over the range of GMI and DPR wavelengths and incidence angles need to be assumed by the algorithm forward models. Such properties include the normalized intercept parameter (N w ) and shape parameter () of the particle size distribution, ice size-density relationship, and particle size-aspect ratio relationships. The sub-beam variability must also be prescribed in order to accurately simulate the observed radar reflectivity profiles without introducing significant biases. The sensitivity of the algorithm to these parameters, along with their mean values and variability, will be discussed. Examples of future directions include refinement with new data (particularly the assumptions related to ice), and seeking relationships between assumptions and observable or environmental data.

Munchak, Joe.↗

Development and Evaluation of the Raindrop Size Distribution Parameters for the NASA Global Precipitation Measurement Mission Ground Validation Program

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission ground validation program uses dual-polarization radar moments to estimate raindrop size distribution (DSD) parameters, the mass-weighted mean drop diameter Dmass, and normalized intercept parameter NW, to validate the GPM Core Observatory–derived DSD parameters. The disdrometer-based Dmass and NW are derived through empirical relationships between Dmass and differential reflectivity ZDR, and between NW, reflectivity ZH, and Dmass. This study employs large datasets collected from two-dimensional video disdrometers (2DVD) during six different field studies to derive the requisite empirical relationships. The uncertainty of the derived Dmass(ZDR) relationship is evaluated through comparisons of 2DVD-calculated and ZDR-estimated Dmass, where ZDR is calculated directly from 2DVD observations. Similarly, the uncertainty of the NW(ZH, Dmass) relationship is evaluated through 2DVD-calculated and Dmass and ZH-estimated NW, where Dmass and ZH are directly calculated from 2DVD observations. This study also presents the sensitivity of Dmass(ZDR) relationships to climate regime and to disdrometer type after developing three additional Dmass(ZDR) relationships from second-generation Particle Size Velocity (PARSIVEL2) disdrometer (P2) observations collected in the Pacific Northwest, in Iowa, and at Kwajalein Atoll in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The application of P2-derived Dmass(ZDR) relationship based on precipitation in the northwestern United States to P2 observations collected over the tropical ocean resulted in the highest error among comparisons of the three datasets.

Ali Tokay↗

Microstructure and Fission Product Distribution Examination in the UCO kernel of TRISO Fuel Particles

The effect of irradiation and fabrication process on the UCO fuel kernel, kernel-buffer interlayer and fission products, has not been fully studied for UCO fuel kernels of TRISO coated particles. Specifically, the potential correlation(s) with fission product retention, composition and distribution within these structures for the tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel performance at normal and accident conditions, are not well reported in literature. Structural and chemical information in the irradiated UCO fuel kernel, e.g., the stoichiometry variations, may further contribute to fuel performance modeling under the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program. The microstructural and micro-chemical evolution of selected irradiated UCO fuel kernels, kernel buffer interfaces and recoil zones were characterized using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping. The fuel kernel of particles from Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR)-2 irradiated to 10.8% fissions per initial metal atom (FIMA), were examined with the following main findings: (1) large fission gas bubbles were mainly identified in the zirconium and molybdenum enriched but oxygen depleted phases in the center of fuel kernel, (2) significant inter-diffusion between the UCO fuel kernel and pyro-carbon buffer layer was observed as a high density of sub-micron sized carbon inclusions was identified at near the interface in the kernel side and some isolated UCO particles were located in the buffer layer, (3) pores filled with free carbon were also observed in the recoil zone specimen. Fuel kernels from two AGR-1 compacts irradiated to 11.4 and 17.4% FIMA respectively, were examined with the following main findings: (1) two primary phases consisting of a “high-Z (atomic mass)” UC(O) phase (rocksalt; a=0.496 nm) that also contained Zr, Mo, and/or Ru and a “low-Z” UO2(C) phase (fluorite structure; a = 0.547nm) in which trace amounts of I, Nd, Pr, and/or Er could be detected. This latter phase contained many precipitates of the “high-Z” phase. Conversely, this latter phase did not contain precipitates of the UO2-type material, (2) Xe bubbles were found almost exclusively in the “high-Z” phase and in the particular example shown, the Zr-containing variant. Further work in this area should address whether this potential Xe preference for just one of the high-Z phases is indeed a real effect.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

The synthesis and analysis of color images

A method is described for performing the synthesis and analysis of digital color images. The method is based on two principles. First, image data are represented with respect to the separate physical factors, surface reflectance and the spectral power distribution of the ambient light, that give rise to the perceived color of an object. Second, the encoding is made efficient by using a basis expansion for the surface spectral reflectance and spectral power distribution of the ambient light that takes advantage of the high degree of correlation across the visible wavelengths normally found in such functions. Within this framework, the same basic methods can be used to synthesize image data for color display monitors and printed materials, and to analyze image data into estimates of the spectral power distribution and surface spectral reflectances. The method can be applied to a variety of tasks. Examples of applications include the color balancing of color images, and the identification of material surface spectral reflectance when the lighting cannot be completely controlled.

Wandell, B. A.↗

The synthesis and analysis of color images

A method is described for performing the synthesis and analysis of digital color images. The method is based on two principles. First, image data are represented with respect to the separate physical factors, surface reflectance and the spectral power distribution of the ambient light, that give rise to the perceived color of an object. Second, the encoding is made efficiently by using a basis expansion for the surface spectral reflectance and spectral power distribution of the ambient light that takes advantage of the high degree of correlation across the visible wavelengths normally found in such functions. Within this framework, the same basic methods can be used to synthesize image data for color display monitors and printed materials, and to analyze image data into estimates of the spectral power distribution and surface spectral reflectances. The method can be applied to a variety of tasks. Examples of applications include the color balancing of color images, and the identification of material surface spectral reflectance when the lighting cannot be completely controlled.

Wandell, Brian A.↗