Navigating Your Own Stressful-Strain Curve
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Bifurcation of Rotating Liquid Drops: Results From USML-1 Experiments in Space
Experiments on rotational bifurcation of liquid drops, in which the drops were levitated and spun using acoustic fields in a low-gravity environment, were conducted during the first United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-1) Space Shuttle flight. The experiments have successfully resolved the discrepancies existing between the previous experimental results and the theoretical predictions. In the case of a spherical drop, for which theory exists, the results agree well with the predictions. In the case of flattened drops, the experiments have established a family of curves, with the spherical drop as the limiting case.
T G Wang↗
Mechanisms of Protonic Nonvolatile Memory Device
A nonvolatile memory device based on protonic transport in oxides has been proposed. The mobile H+ ions are introduced into the SiO2 layer by annealing Si/SiO2/Si structures in H2 at temperatures greater than 500 deg C. This effect has only been observed for confined oxides that have been annealed at greater than or equal to 1100 C prior to the hydrogenation anneal. This includes buried oxides such as Unibond and SIMOX as well as thermal oxides annealed with a polysilicon cap. An applied field moves the charge within the oxide and the charge stops moving when the field is removed. In a memory device, the hydrogen-annealed oxide is the gate oxide and the position of the mobile charge is sensed by the shift of the I-V curve. Much is still not understood about the motion of the charge across the buried oxide. Previous work has assumed that H+ transport and the time it takes to traverse the oxide is governed by interactions within the bulk of the oxide. Based on parameters that affect the transport time, we conclude that H+ trapping and detrapping at the Si/SiO2 interface are more important than H+ interactions within the oxide bulk. These parameters include the applied field, the H+ concentration and the oxide thickness. One consequence is that projections of device write-time based on the previous assumptions of H+ transport mechanisms may be overly optimistic.
P J Macfarlane↗
Softening the Gap between Wöhler and Paris – New Approaches for Fatigue Analysis –
Fatigue analysis tools can vary across industries. For example, automotive engineers often use the Wöhler (S-N) approach to design for safe-life, while aerospace engineers prioritize damage tolerance and inspection intervals, relying instead on crack growth models such as Paris’ law. Although both approaches may deal with the control of cracks in similar materials, their analysis tools and material characterizations are fundamentally distinct. This divide mirrors the classic split between stress-based strength analysis and linear elastic fracture mechanics. However, modern nonlinear models that incorporate material softening, such as cohesive laws, blur this boundary and capture fracture behaviors across scales. This presentation describes the CF23 fatigue model, which uses cohesive softening to link S-N crack initiation with crack propagation rates. CF23 spans the full fatigue spectrum, from initial propagation transients to steady-state growth and threshold conditions, offering a unified framework that bridges Wöhler and Paris-based methodologies. Example applications include fatigue crack propagation transients in adhesive interfaces and skin/stiffener separation.
cohesive elements↗
Toward Large Field-of-view X-ray Spectrometers with Magnetic Microcalorimeters
A future X-ray telescope mission like Lynx, a X-ray flagship mission concept, requires a large field of view, high energy resolution, and high spatial resolution. The Magnetic Microcalorimeter (MMC) detectors we are developing for such a mission feature a 5-arcminute field of view, approximately 100,000 pixels, each spanning 0.5–1 arcsecond. These detectors require the readout of 8,000 sensors. Three different array types have been designed to meet scientific goals, two of which utilize thermal multiplexing to reduce the number of readout channels in a scheme called “Hydra.” We are currently fabricating detectors on a recently completed buried wiring wafer with connections to every sensor. The sensors are read out using a microwave multiplexer (μMUX) with flux ramp modulation. A single μMUX can read out approximately 1,000 sensors with only two feed lines. We will report on the test of the first two-dimensional μMUX chip, consisting of 78 resonators. μMUX chips that pass screening will be directly bonded to MMC array chips using indium bump bonding. In parallel, we have tested a kinetic inductance traveling wave parametric amplifier (KI-TWPA) to amplify signals at low temperatures. The KI-TWPA exhibits extremely low internal noise, approaching the standard quantum limit. Since the energy resolution of an MMC is primarily limited by the readout system, the KI-TWPA is an ideal amplifier for MMCs with μMUX readout. We recently measured the readout noise of a μMUX with a KI-TWPA, demonstrating its capability for reading out MMC arrays. We present the design and fabrication of the latest MMC detectors, along with its readout performance.
Magntic Microcalorimeters↗
An Efficient Approach to Collect Inlet Characterization Data
This report considers a novel process to acquire performance data for supersonic mixed compression inlets that is faster, and therefore less costly, than the previous one. In the previous process, measurements were recorded in discrete increments. The backpressuring actuator was advanced, there was a pause to allow for airflow fluctuations to diminish, and then the measurements were recorded. While this process was methodical, reliable and accurate, it consumed significant wind-on time. In general, high-speed wind tunnels are expensive to operate considering maintenance, energy and human resource requirements. Furthermore, many facilities, such as blowdown wind tunnels, are limited in the duration that they can maintain the desired test condition. Consequently, a quick method to collect the measurements is desired. A favored approach has the actuator moving in a continuous fashion with measurements recorded as the actuator continuously progresses through the increment points. This approach, identified as the dynamic inlet characteristic data acquisition procedure, uses in situ dynamic high-speed pressure sensors to measure pressure signals. While faster, continuous movement adds dynamic effects to the data. To better understand these dynamic effects and other potential influences, a study was undertaken to compare wind tunnel measurements taken at discrete actuator position points with data gathered during continuous actuator movement. Specially, plots of inlet pressure recovery versus mass capture ratio, or total pressure characteristic curves, were examined. The data were measured during experiments in the NASA Glenn Research Center Abe Silverstein 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT) with an inlet propulsion test article. In this report, the wind tunnel experiment and the study objectives are described. The processes to reduce the data and for analysis are explained. A discussion of the results along with features noted in the data is given. Finally, conclusions from this study that may be used to guide future wind tunnel experiment planning are presented.
Inlet↗
An Efficient Approach to Collect Inlet Characterization Data
This report considers a novel process to acquire performance data for supersonic mixed compression inlets that is faster, and therefore less costly, than the previous one. In the previous process, measurements were recorded in discrete increments. The backpressuring actuator was advanced, there was a pause to allow for airflow fluctuations to diminish, and then the measurements were recorded. While this process was methodical, reliable and accurate, it consumed significant wind-on time. In general, high-speed wind tunnels are expensive to operate considering maintenance, energy and human resource requirements. Furthermore, many facilities, such as blowdown wind tunnels, are limited in the duration that they can maintain the desired test condition. Consequently, a quick method to collect the measurements is desired. A favored approach has the actuator moving in a continuous fashion with measurements recorded as the actuator continuously progresses through the increment points. This approach, identified as the dynamic inlet characteristic data acquisition procedure, uses in situ dynamic high-speed pressure sensors to measure pressure signals. While faster, continuous movement adds dynamic effects to the data. To better understand these dynamic effects and other potential influences, a study was undertaken to compare wind tunnel measurements taken at discrete actuator position points with data gathered during continuous actuator movement. Specially, plots of inlet pressure recovery versus mass capture ratio, or total pressure characteristic curves, were examined. The data were measured during experiments in the NASA Glenn Research Center Abe Silverstein 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT) with an inlet propulsion test article. In this report, the wind tunnel experiment and the study objectives are described. The processes to reduce the data and for analysis are explained. A discussion of the results along with features noted in the data is given. Finally, conclusions from this study that may be used to guide future wind tunnel experiment planning are presented.
Data Acquisition↗
Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment (STDCE)
Results are reported of the Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment (STDCE) aboard the USML-1 (first United States Microgravity Laboratory) Spacelab which was launched on June 25, 1992. In the experiment 10 cSt silicone oil was placed in an open circular container which was 10 cm wide by 5 cm deep. The fluid was heated either by a cylindrical heater (1.11 cm dia.) located along the container centerline or by a CO 2 laser beam to induce thermocapillary flow. The flow field was studied by flow visualization. Several thermistor probes were placed in the fluid to measure the temperature distribution. The temperature distribution along the liquid free surface was measured by an infrared imager. Tests were conducted over a range of heating powers, laser beam diameters, and free surface shapes. In conjunction with the experiments an extensive numerical modeling of the flow was conducted. In this paper some results of the velocity and temperature measurements with flat and curved free surfaces are presented and they are shown to agree well with the numerical predictions.
S Ostrach↗
Orbital Processing of High-Quality CdTe Compound Semiconductors
CdZnTe crystals were grown in one-g and in micro-g for comparative analysis. The two micro-g crystals were grown in the Crystal Growth Furnace during the First United States Microgravity Laboratory mission (USML-1). The samples were analyzed for chemical homogeneity, structural perfection, and optoelectronic performance (infrared transmission). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) transmission of both ground and flight materials showed that the infrared transmission was close to theoretical, 63% versus 66%, suggesting that the material was close to the stochiometric composition during both the ground and flight experiments. Infrared microscopy confirmed that the principal precipitates were Te and their size (1-10 microns) and density suggested that the primary flight and ground base samples experienced similar cooling rates. Macrosegregation was predicted, using scaling analysis, to be low even in one-g crystals and this was confirmed experimentally, with nearly diffusion controlled growth achieved even in the partial mixing regime on the ground. Radial segregation was monitored in the flight samples and was found to vary with fraction solidified, but was disturbed due to the asymmetric grvitational and thermal fields experienced by the flight samples. The flight samples, however, were found to be much higher in structural perfection than the ground samples produced in the same furnace under identical growth conditions except for the gravitational level. Rocking curve widths were found to be substantially reduced, from 20/35 (one-g) to 9/20 (micro-g) for the best regions of the crystals. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 9 arc seconds is as good as the best reported terrestrially for this material. The ground samples were found to have a fully developed mosaic structure consisting of subgrains, whereas the flight sample dislocations were discrete and no mosaic substructure was evident. The defect density was reduced from 50-100,000 (one-g) to 500-25000 EPD (micro-g). These results were confirmed using rocking curve analysis, synchrotron topography, and etch pit analysis. The low dislocation density is thought to have resulted from the near-absence of hydrostatic pressure which allowed the melt to solidify with minimum or no wall contact, resulting in very low stress being exerted on the crystal during growth or during post-solidification cooling.
D J Larson, Jr.↗
Lunar Electrical Conductivity, Permeability and Temperature From Apollo Magnetometer Experiments
Magnetometers have been deployed at four Apollo sites on the Moon to measure remanent and induced lunar magnetic fields. Measurements from this network of instruments have been used to calculate the electrical conductivity, temperature, magnetic permeability, and iron abundance of the lunar interior. The measured lunar remanent fields range from 3 gammas (γ) minimum at the Apollo 15 site to 327 γ maximum at the Apollo 16 site. Simultaneous magnetic field and solar plasma pressure measurements show that the remanent fields at the Apollo 12 and 16 sites interact with, and are compressed by, the solar wind. Remanent fields at Apollo 12 and Apollo 16 are increased 16 γ and 32 γ, respectively, by a solar plasma bulk pressure increase of 1.5 x 10 -7 dynes/cm 2 . Global lunar fields due to eddy currents, induced in the lunar interior by magnetic transients, have been analyzed to calculate an electrical conductivity profile for the Moon. From nightside magnetometer data in the solar wind it has been found that deeper than 170 km into the Moon the conductivity rises from 3 x 10 -4 mhos/m to 10 -2 mhos/m at 1000-km depth. Recent analysis of data obtained in the geomagnetic tail, in regions free of complicating plasma effects, yields results consistent with nightside values. Conductivity profiles have been used to calculate the lunar temperature for an assumed lunar material of olivine. In the outer layer (~ 170 km thick) the temperature rises to 110° C, after which it gradually increases with depth to 1500° C at a depth of ~ 1000 km. Simultaneous measurements by magnetometers on the lunar surface and in orbit around the moon are used to construct a whole-moon hysteresis curve, from which the global lunar magnetic permeability is determined to be μ = 1.012 ± 0.006. The corresponding global induced dipole moment is 2 x 10 18 gauss-cm 3 for typical inducing fields of 10 -4 gauss in the lunar environment. Lunar free iron abundance corresponding to the global permeability is determined to be 2.5 ± 2.0 wt. %. Total iron abundance (sum of iron in the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states) is calculated for two assumed compositional models of the lunar interior. For a free iron/orthopyroxene lunar composition the total iron content is calculated to be 12.8 ± 1.0 wt. %; for a free iron/olivine composition, total iron content is 5.5 ± 1.2 wt. %. Other lunar models with an iron core and with a shallow iron-rich layer are also discussed in light of the measured global lunar permeability. Velocities and thicknesses of the Earth's magnetopause and bow shock have been estimated from simultaneous magnetometer measurements. Average speeds are determined to be about 50 km/s for the magnetopause and 70 km/s for the bow shock, although there are large variations in the measurement for any particular boundary crossing. Corresponding measured boundary thicknesses average about 2300 km for the magnetopause and 1400 km for the bow shock.
P Dyal↗
Diffusion Quantum Monte Carlo Calculation of the Austenite and Martensite Phases of NiTi
NiTi is a promising material for smart and active technologies due to its exhibition of the shape memory effect, superelasticity, and biocompatibility. The shape memory effect is tied to the reversible transition between the austenite and martensite phases. A major research direction is to alloy NiTi with Zr, Hf, Pd, Pt, etc., in order to tune the martensitic transition temperature (MTT). Modeling the MTT from first principles is challenging because the lattice dynamics is complicated by anharmonicity and various low-energy structures. Using density functional theory, the energy difference between the austenite and martensite phases of NiTi varies by up to 100 meV/atom depending on the choice of density functional, which is of the same order of the energy difference itself. Consequently, free energy calculations with different functionals can result in estimates of the MTT that vary by several hundred K. Using diffusion quantum Monte Carlo, we calculated the energy difference between the B2 and B19' structures of NiTi to be 70.9 +- 2.5 meV/atom.
Kevin K Ly↗
Dynamic Analysis of Reynolds Number Effects on Trailing Edge Transonic Vortex Shedding and Its Impact on Turbine Blade Aerodynamic Performance
Time-resolved, high-speed self-aligned focusing schlieren images were acquired in the NASA Glenn Research Center Transonic Turbine Blade Cascade facility to help understand the aerodynamic behavior of high-pressure, thick trailing edge turbine blades. The trailing edge thickness of 9% of axial chord tested represents simulated ceramic matrix composite fabrication constraints, which was verified previously to possess a high-loss flow regime at high inlet turbulence conditions over a narrow range of Reynolds numbers and at a fixed design exit Mach number of 0.74. Our high-speed images, which were acquired at 10 distinct Reynolds numbers, show a significant increase in energy from flow oscillations due to transonic vortex shedding at Reynolds numbers corresponding to the high loss conditions. For those conditions, strong acoustic waves turn into shock waves. Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition of the high-speed images shows acoustic waves from trailing edge vortex shedding at all conditions, with increased spectral energy at the high-loss conditions and slightly increasing frequency (about 6%) as a function of Reynolds number. Analysis of potential feedback timing is performed using velocity fields from a previous LES simulation, considering different feedback mechanisms. Most noteworthy is the acoustic/shock-boundary layer interaction mechanism on the suction surface at the blade geometric throat, which likely plays an important role in realistic curved blade passages.
Trailing Edge↗
Cost reductions in nickel-hydrogen battery
Significant progress was made toward the development of a commercially marketable hydrogen nickel oxide battery. The costs projected for this battery are remarkably low when one considers where the learning curve is for commercialization of this system. Further developmental efforts on this project are warranted as the H2/NiO battery is already cost competitive with other battery systems.
Beauchamp, Richard L.↗
Solar Absorptance and Thermal Emittance of Some Common Spacecraft Thermal-Control Coatings
Solar absorptance and thermal emittance of spacecraft materials are critical parameters in determining spacecraft temperature control. Because thickness, surface preparation, coatings formulation, manufacturing techniques, etc. affect these parameters, it is usually necessary to measure the absorptance and emittance of materials before they are used. Absorptance and emittance data for many common types of thermal control coatings, are together with some sample spectral data curves of absorptance. In some cases for which ultraviolet and particle radiation data are available, the degraded absorptance and emittance values are also listed.
John H Henninger↗
The 20 kW battery study program
Six battery configurations were selected for detailed study and these are described. A computer program was modified for use in estimation of the weights, costs, and reliabilities of each of the configurations, as a function of several important independent variables, such as system voltage, battery voltage ratio (battery voltage/bus voltage), and the number of parallel units into which each of the components of the power subsystem was divided. The computer program was used to develop the relationship between the independent variables alone and in combination, and the dependent variables: weight, cost, and availability. Parametric data, including power loss curves, are given.
Source record↗
Thermal expansion behavior of LDEF metal matrix composites
The effects of the space environment on the thermal expansion stability of metal matrix composites (graphite/Al and graphite/Mg) will be presented. A sample from each category of metal matrix composites mounted on the leading and trailing edge was chosen for analysis of the temperature-time-thermal strain histories. Typical thermal expansion curves over the same range of temperature were selected at the beginning, mid, and end of the recording duration. The thermal expansion of selected post-flight LDEF samples were measured over the same range of temperature in the laboratory using a Michelson laser interferometer. The thermal strains were monitored concurrently with a laser interferometer and a mounted strain gage.
T. D. Le↗
The Slow Demise of the Long-Lived Sn 2005ip
The Type IIn supernova (SN IIn) 2005ip is one of the most well-studied and long-lasting examples of an SN interacting with its circumstellar environment. The optical light curve plateaued at a nearly constant level for more than five years, suggesting ongoing shock interaction with an extended and clumpy circumstellar medium (CSM). Here, we present continued observations of the SN from ∼1000 to 5000 d post-explosion at all wavelengths, including X-ray, ultraviolet, near-infrared (NIR), and mid-infrared. The UV spectra probe the pre-explosion mass loss and show evidence for CNO processing. From the bolometric light curve, we find that the total radiated energy is in excess of 10 50 erg, the progenitor star’s pre-explosion mass-loss rate was >~ 1 × 10 −2 Mꙩ yr −1 , and the total mass lost shortly before explosion was >~1Mꙩ, though the mass lost could have been considerably larger depending on the efficiency for the conversion of kinetic energy to radiation. The ultraviolet through NIR spectrum is characterized by two high-density components, one with narrow high-ionization lines, and one with broader low-ionization H I, He I, [OI], Mg II, and Fe II lines. The rich Fe II spectrum is strongly affected by Lyα fluorescence, consistent with spectral modelling. Both the Balmer and He I lines indicate a decreasing CSM density during the late interaction period. We find similarities to SN 1988Z, which shows a comparable change in spectrum at around the same time during its very slow decline. These results suggest that, at long last, the shock interaction in SN 2005ip may finally be on the decline.
stars↗
Experimental Demonstration of a Supersonic Spike Ejector
Spike diffusers are presented as a means to improve supersonic ejector efficiency via reduction in shock losses. Design, fabrication, and testing of an articulated prototype is described. Experimental results are compared to empirical performance curves representing the loci of optimal one- and two-stage conventional ejectors driven by dry air and discharging to atmosphere. Operated at a compression ratio of ~10 with all inputs equal, the spike ejector is shown to have achieved up to 2.19X and 1.83X the secondary mass throughput of the one- and two-stage references, respectively. This suggests the potential of spike diffusers to reduce ejector operating costs by ~50%.
wind tunnel↗