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At least 1,729 records · Page 96

Analysis of turbulence structures in shear flows

Outline of the research program and a recent progress in the studies of sheared turbulence are described. The research program reported is directed at two goals: (1) understanding of fundamental physics of organized structures in turbulent shear flows; and (2) development of phenomenological models of turbulence based on physical arguments. Three projects that were carried out are: (1) structure of sheared turbulence near a plane boundary; (2) distortion of turbulence by axisymmetric strain and dilation; and (3) study of energy transfer in turbulent shear flow.

Lee, Moon J.↗

Constitutive relationships for anisotropic high-temperature alloys

A constitutive theory is presented for representing the anisotropic viscoplastic behavior of high-temperature alloys that possess directional properties resulting from controlled grain growth or solidification. The theory is an extension of a viscoplastic model that has been applied in structural analyses involving isotropic metals. Anisotropy is introduced through the definition of a vector field that identifies a preferential (solidification) direction at each material point. Following the development of a full multiaxial theory, application is made to homogeneously stressed elements in pure shear and to a uniaxially stressed rectangular block in plane stress with the stress direction oriented at an arbitrary angle with the material direction. It is shown that an additional material parameter introduced to characterize the degree of anisotropy can be determined on the basis of simple creep tests.

Robinson, D. N.↗

Two dimensional sound propagation over a ridge

The sound propagation over an arbitrarily-shaped ridge situated on an infinite plane is treated using the Boundary Element Method, for which the Helmholtz integral equation in two-dimensional half space is formulated. A previously developed computational scheme for the acoustic problem at wave length shorther than the characteristic dimension of the radiator or scatterer is applied to the propagation of relatively low frequency sound over large terrain features. The numerical results using the Boundary Element Method are compared to those using algorithms for the Matched Asymptotic Expansion technique.

Eversman, W.↗

The behavior of delaminations in composite plates - Analytical and experimental results

The behavior of elliptical sublaminates created by delaminations in composite plates was investigated for plates subjected to in-plane compressive, shear, and thermal loads. The axes of the ellipse may be arbitrarily oriented with respect to the applied loads. A model was developed which provides the stresses, strains, and displacements of the sublaminate, and the loads applied to the plate at which the sublaminate buckles and at which it grows in size. A series of experiments was conducted on sandwich plates made of Fiberite T300/976 graphite-epoxy laminates bonded to an aluminum honeycomb core. Teflon film in either a circle or an ellipse was embedded in the laminate, simulating the presence of a delamination. Each plate was loaded in compression, and the load-strain history of the sublaminate, the sublaminate buckling load, and the sublaminate growth load were measured. The predictions of the model agreed reasonably well with the data.

Peck, Scott O.↗

Particle trajectory computer program for icing analysis of axisymmetric bodies

General aviation aircraft and helicopters exposed to an icing environment can accumulate ice resulting in a sharp increase in drag and reduction of maximum lift causing hazardous flight conditions. NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) is conducting a program to examine, with the aid of high-speed computer facilities, how the trajectories of particles contribute to the ice accumulation on airfoils and engine inlets. This study, as part of the NASA/LeRC research program, develops a computer program for the calculation of icing particle trajectories and impingement limits relative to axisymmetric bodies in the leeward-windward symmetry plane. The methodology employed in the current particle trajectory calculation is to integrate the governing equations of particle motion in a flow field computed by the Douglas axisymmetric potential flow program. The three-degrees-of-freedom (horizontal, vertical, and pitch) motion of the particle is considered. The particle is assumed to be acted upon by aerodynamic lift and drag forces, gravitational forces, and for nonspherical particles, aerodynamic moments. The particle momentum equation is integrated to determine the particle trajectory. Derivation of the governing equations and the method of their solution are described in Section 2.0. General features, as well as input/output instructions for the particle trajectory computer program, are described in Section 3.0. The details of the computer program are described in Section 4.0. Examples of the calculation of particle trajectories demonstrating application of the trajectory program to given axisymmetric inlet test cases are presented in Section 5.0. For the examples presented, the particles are treated as spherical water droplets. In Section 6.0, limitations of the program relative to excessive computer time and recommendations in this regard are discussed.

Frost, Walter↗

Least squares restoration of multichannel images

Multichannel restoration using both within- and between-channel deterministic information is considered. A multichannel image is a set of image planes that exhibit cross-plane similarity. Existing optimal restoration filters for single-plane images yield suboptimal results when applied to multichannel images, since between-channel information is not utilized. Multichannel least squares restoration filters are developed using the set theoretic and the constrained optimization approaches. A geometric interpretation of the estimates of both filters is given. Color images (three-channel imagery with red, green, and blue components) are considered. Constraints that capture the within- and between-channel properties of color images are developed. Issues associated with the computation of the two estimates are addressed. A spatially adaptive, multichannel least squares filter that utilizes local within- and between-channel image properties is proposed. Experiments using color images are described.

Galatsanos, Nikolas P.↗

Broadside-coupled coplanar waveguides and their end-coupled band-pass filter applications

New broadside-coupled coplanar waveguides, suitable for applications requiring wide bandwidths, tight couplings, and large mode effective-dielectric-constant ratios, are presented. Their analysis and investigation are described. Simple equations relating the per-unit-length capacitances of the c- and pi-modes and the per-unit-length capacitance matrices of the coupled structures to those obtained when applying even- and odd-symmetric voltages are also derived. New broadside end-coupled band-pass filters have been developed at X-band (8-12 GHz) with less than 1.5 and 1.0 dB passband insertion losses using the proposed four-ground-plane and two-ground-plane coplanar waveguide structures, respectively. Good agreement between the experimental results and those predicted theoretically was also observed.

Nguyen, Cam↗

Orbital debris and near-Earth environmental management: A chronology

This chronology covers the 32-year history of orbital debris and near-Earth environmental concerns. It tracks near-Earth environmental hazard creation, research, observation, experimentation, management, mitigation, protection, and policy-making, with emphasis on the orbital debris problem. Included are the Project West Ford experiments; Soviet ASAT tests and U.S. Delta upper stage explosions; the Ariane V16 explosion, U.N. treaties pertinent to near-Earth environmental problems, the PARCS tests; space nuclear power issues, the SPS/orbital debris link; Space Shuttle and space station orbital debris issues; the Solwind ASAT test; milestones in theory and modeling the Cosmos 954, Salyut 7, and Skylab reentries; the orbital debris/meteoroid research link; detection system development; orbital debris shielding development; popular culture and orbital debris; Solar Max results; LDEF results; orbital debris issues peculiar to geosynchronous orbit, including reboost policies and the stable plane; seminal papers, reports, and studies; the increasing effects of space activities on astronomy; and growing international awareness of the near-Earth environment.

Portree, David S. F.↗

Energy- and Structure-Related Properties for the (100) Surface of Beta-SiC

Calculations were carried out to investigate energy- and structure-related properties for the (100) surfaces of beta-SiC. Investigations for both C- and Si-terminated planes include (1 x 1), (2 x 1) and c(2 x 2) surface phases. All calculations were performed employing the empirical Tersoff function developed for SiC systems. This function has been used on several occasions, with varying sets of parameters to calculate properties for systems containing Si and C atoms. Here a comparative study was conducted. Results obtained from different sets of parameters were compared with respect to each other and also with values from the literature. Suitabilities and limitations of each parameter set were delineated.

Halicioglu, Timur↗

The Physical Origin of Galaxy Morphologies and Scaling Laws

We propose a numerical study designed to interpret the origin and evolution of galaxy properties revealed by space- and ground-based imaging and spectroscopical surveys. Our aim is to unravel the physical processes responsible for the development of different galaxy morphologies and for the establishment of scaling laws such as the Tully-Fisher relation for spirals and the Fundamental Plane of ellipticals. In particular, we plan to address the following major topics: (1) The morphology and observability of protogalaxies, and in particular the relationship between primordial galaxies and the z approximately 3 'Ly-break' systems identified in the Hubble Deep Field and in ground-based searches; (2) The origin of the disk and spheroidal components in galaxies, the timing and mode of their assembly, the corresponding evolution in galaxy morphologies and its sensitivity to cosmological parameters; (3) The origin and redshift evolution of the scaling laws that link the mass, luminosity size, stellar content, and metal abundances of galaxies of different morphological types. This investigation will use state-of-the-art N-body/gasdynamical codes to provide a spatially resolved description of the galaxy formation process in hierarchically clustering universes. Coupled with population synthesis techniques. our models can be used to provide synthetic 'observations' that can be compared directly with observations of galaxies both nearby and at cosmologically significant distances. This study will thus provide insight into the nature of protogalaxies and into the formation process of galaxies like our own Milky Way. It will also help us to assess the cosmological significance of these observations within the context of hierarchical theories of galaxy formation and will supply a theoretical context within which current and future observations can be interpreted.

Steinmetz, Matthias↗

Flow-Field Measurement of Device-Induced Embedded Streamwise Vortex on a Flat Plate

Detailed flow-field measurements were performed downstream of a single vortex generator (VG) using an advanced Stereo Digital Particle Image Velocimetry system. Thc passive flow-control devices examined consisted of a low-profile VG with a device height, h, approximately equal to 20 percent of the boundary-layer thickness, sigma, and a conventional VG with h is approximately sigma. Flow-field data were taken at twelve cross-flow planes downstream of the VG to document and quantify the evolution of embedded streamwise vortex. The effects of device angle of attack on vortex development downstream were compared between the low-profile VG and the conventional VG. Key parameters including vorticity, circulation, trajectory, and half-life radius - describing concentration, strength, path, and size, respectively--of the device-induced streamwise vortex were extracted from the flow-field data. The magnitude of maximum vorticity increases as angle of attack increases for the low-profile VG, but the trend is reversed for the conventional VG, probably due to flow stalling around the larger device at higher angles of attack. Peak vorticity and circulation for the low-profile VG decays exponentially and inversely proportional to the distance downstream from the device. The device-height normalized vortex trajectories for the low-profile VG, especially in the lateral direction, follow the general trends of the conventional VG. The experimental database was used to validate the predictive capability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). CFD accurately predicts the vortex circulation and path; however, improvements are needed for predicting the vorticity strength and vortex size.

Yao, Chung-Sheng↗

Thermal Protection System Evaluation Using Arc-jet Flows: Flight Simulation or Research Tool?

The arc-jet has been used to evaluate thermal protection systems (TPS) and materials for the past forty years. Systems that have been studied in this environmerd include ablators, active, and passive TPS concepts designed for vehicles entering planetary and Earth atmospheres. The question of whether arc-jet flow can simulate a flight environment or is it a research tool that provides an aero-thermodynamic heating environment to obtain critical material properties will be addressed. Stagnation point tests in arc-jets are commonly used to obtain material properties such as mass loss rates, thermal chemical stability data, optical properties, and surface catalytic efficiency. These properties are required in computational fluid dynamic codes to accurately predict the performance of a TPS during flight. Special facilities have been developed at NASA Ames Research Center to approximate the flow environment over the mid-fuselage and body flap regions of proposed space-planes type vehicles. This paper compares flow environments generated in flight over a vehicle with those created over an arc-jet test articles in terms of scale, chemistry, and fluid dynamic properties. Flight experiments are essential in order to validate the material properties obtained from arc-jet tests and used to predict flight performance of any TPS being considered for use on a vehicle entering the Earth atmosphere at hypersonic speed.

Stewart, David A.↗

Restricted Modal Analysis Applied to Internal Annular Combustor Autospectra and Cross-Spectra Measurements

A treatment of the modal decomposition of the pressure field in a combustor as determined by two pressure time history measurements is developed herein. It is applied to a Pratt and Whitney PW4098 engine combustor over a range of operating conditions. For modes other than the plane wave the assumption is made that there are distinct frequency bands in which the individual modes, including the plane wave mode, overlap such that if circumferential mode m and circumferential mode m-1 are present then circumferential mode m-2 is not. In the analysis used herein at frequencies above the first cutoff mode frequency, only pairs of circumferential modes are individually present at each frequency. Consequently, this is a restricted modal analysis. As part of the analysis one specifies mode cut-on frequencies. This creates a set of frequencies that each mode spans. One finding was the successful use of the same modal span frequencies over a range of operating conditions for this particular engine. This suggests that for this case the cut-on frequencies are in proximity at each operating condition. Consequently, the combustion noise spectrum related to the circumferential modes might not change much with operating condition.

Miles, Jeffrey Hilton↗

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2006

Topics covered include: Measurement and Controls Data Acquisition System IMU/GPS System Provides Position and Attitude Data Using Artificial Intelligence to Inform Pilots of Weather Fast Lossless Compression of Multispectral-Image Data Developing Signal-Pattern-Recognition Programs Implementing Access to Data Distributed on Many Processors Compact, Efficient Drive Circuit for a Piezoelectric Pump; Dual Common Planes for Time Multiplexing of Dual-Color QWIPs; MMIC Power Amplifier Puts Out 40 mW From 75 to 110 GHz; 2D/3D Visual Tracker for Rover Mast; Adding Hierarchical Objects to Relational Database General-Purpose XML-Based Information Managements; Vaporizable Scaffolds for Fabricating Thermoelectric Modules; Producing Quantum Dots by Spray Pyrolysis; Mobile Robot for Exploring Cold Liquid/Solid Environments; System Would Acquire Core and Powder Samples of Rocks; Improved Fabrication of Lithium Films Having Micron Features; Manufacture of Regularly Shaped Sol-Gel Pellets; Regulating Glucose and pH, and Monitoring Oxygen in a Bioreactor; Satellite Multiangle Spectropolarimetric Imaging of Aerosols; Interferometric System for Measuring Thickness of Sea Ice; Microscale Regenerative Heat Exchanger Protocols for Handling Messages Between Simulation Computers Statistical Detection of Atypical Aircraft Flights NASA's Aviation Safety and Modeling Project Multimode-Guided-Wave Ultrasonic Scanning of Materials Algorithms for Maneuvering Spacecraft Around Small Bodies Improved Solar-Radiation-Pressure Models for GPS Satellites Measuring Attitude of a Large, Flexible, Orbiting Structure

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The ART-XC Instrument on Board the SRG Mission

Spectrum Roentgen Gamma (SRG) is an X-ray astrophysical observatory, developed by Russia in collaboration with Germany. The mission will be launched in 2014 from Baikonur, by a Zenit rocket with a Fregat booster and placed in a 6-month-period halo orbit around L2. The scientific payload consists of two independent telescopes . a soft-x-ray survey instrument, eROSITA, being provided by Germany and a medium-x-ray-energy survey instrument ART-XC being developed by Russia. ART-XC will consist of seven independent, but co-aligned, telescope modules with seven corresponding cadmium-telluride focal plane detectors. Each will operate over the approximate energy range of 6- 30 keV, with an angular resolution of <1 ', a field of view of ~30 ' and an energy resolution about 10% at 14 keV. The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) will fabricate some of the mirror modules, to complement others fabricated by VNIIEF in Russia.

Pavlinksy, M.↗

Test of Shi et al. Method to Infer the Magnetic Reconnection Geometry from Spacecraft Data: MHD Simulation with Guide Field and Antiparallel Kinetic Simulation

When analyzing data from an array of spacecraft (such as Cluster or MMS) crossing a site of magnetic reconnection, it is desirable to be able to accurately determine the orientation of the reconnection site. If the reconnection is quasi-two dimensional, there are three key directions, the direction of maximum inhomogeneity (the direction across the reconnection site), the direction of the reconnecting component of the magnetic field, and the direction of rough invariance (the "out of plane" direction). Using simulated spacecraft observations of magnetic reconnection in the geomagnetic tail, we extend our previous tests of the direction-finding method developed by Shi et al. (2005) and the method to determine the structure velocity relative to the spacecraft Vstr. These methods require data from four proximate spacecraft. We add artificial noise and calibration errors to the simulation fields, and then use the perturbed gradient of the magnetic field B and perturbed time derivative dB/dt, as described by Denton et al. (2010). Three new simulations are examined: a weakly three-dimensional, i.e., quasi-two-dimensional, MHD simulation without a guide field, a quasi-two-dimensional MHD simulation with a guide field, and a two-dimensional full dynamics kinetic simulation with inherent noise so that the apparent minimum gradient was not exactly zero, even without added artificial errors. We also examined variations of the spacecraft trajectory for the kinetic simulation. The accuracy of the directions found varied depending on the simulation and spacecraft trajectory, but all the directions could be found within about 10 for all cases. Various aspects of the method were examined, including how to choose averaging intervals and the best intervals for determining the directions and velocity. For the kinetic simulation, we also investigated in detail how the errors in the inferred gradient directions from the unmodified Shi et al. method (using the unperturbed gradient) depended on the amplitude of the calibration errors. For an accuracy of 3 for the maximum gradient direction, the calibration errors could be as large as 3% of reconnection magnetic field, while for the same accuracy for the minimum gradient direction, the calibration errors could only be as large as 0.03% of the reconnection magnetic field. These results suggest that the maximum gradient direction can normally be determined by the unmodified Shi et al. method, while the modified method or some other method must be used to accurately determine the minimum gradient direction. The structure velocity was found with magnitude accurate to 2% and direction accurate to within 5%.

Denton, R.↗

Synthesis and Modification of Holey Graphene for Energy Storage

Porous graphene materials have recently drawn significant interest for energy storage applications due to the effective use of the graphitic surface area provided by the pores. Holey graphene is a type of porous graphene with pores in the form of physical through thickness holes. This type of porous graphene provides a unique morphology that allows for effective transport of molecular species through the graphene plane. Therefore, as we recently demonstrated, holey graphene could be advantageous in the preparation of electrodes in supercapacitors with high volumetric performance.1 We have developed methodologies to scalably prepare holey graphene materials with or without the use of catalysts (Figure 1).1,2 In this presentation, we will discuss the choice of synthetic strategies and experimental conditions on the morphology and physical properties of holey graphene (Figure 2) and the effect on their electrochemical properties. We will also present the results on the further modification of holey graphene to study their physical and chemical properties, especially with regard to the stability and chemical reactivity of carbons located around the edges of the holes.

Lin, Yi↗

Armstrong Flight Research Center Research Technology and Engineering 2017

I am delighted to present this report of accomplishments at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center. Our dedicated innovators possess a wealth of performance, safety, and technical capabilities spanning a wide variety of research areas involving aircraft, electronic sensors, instrumentation, environmental and earth science, celestial observations, and much more. They not only perform tasks necessary to safely and successfully accomplish Armstrong's flight research and test missions but also support NASA missions across the entire Agency. Armstrong's project teams have successfully accomplished many of the nation's most complex flight research projects by crafting creative solutions that advance emerging technologies from concept development and experimental formulation to final testing. We are developing and refining technologies for ultra-efficient aircraft, electric propulsion vehicles, a low boom flight demonstrator, air launch systems, and experimental x-planes, to name a few. Additionally, with our unique location and airborne research laboratories, we are testing and validating new research concepts. Summaries of each project highlighting key results and benefits of the effort are provided in the following pages. Technology areas for the projects include electric propulsion, vehicle efficiency, supersonics, space and hypersonics, autonomous systems, flight and ground experimental test technologies, and much more. Additional technical information is available in the appendix, as well as contact information for the Principal Investigator of each project. I am proud of the work we do here at Armstrong and am pleased to share these details with you. We welcome opportunities for partnership and collaboration, so please contact us to learn more about these cutting-edge innovations and how they might align with your needs.

yearbook↗