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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2005

Sol-Gel Glass Holographic Light-Shaping Diffusers

Holographic glass light-shaping diffusers (GLSDs) are optical components for use in special-purpose illumination systems (see figure). When properly positioned with respect to lamps and areas to be illuminated, holographic GLSDs efficiently channel light from the lamps onto specified areas with specified distributions of illumination for example, uniform or nearly uniform irradiance can be concentrated with intensity confined to a peak a few degrees wide about normal incidence, over a circular or elliptical area. Holographic light diffusers were developed during the 1990s. The development of the present holographic GLSDs extends the prior development to incorporate sol-gel optical glass. To fabricate a holographic GLSD, one records a hologram on a sol-gel silica film formulated specially for this purpose. The hologram is a quasi-random, micro-sculpted pattern of smoothly varying changes in the index of refraction of the glass. The structures in this pattern act as an array of numerous miniature lenses that refract light passing through the GLSD, such that the transmitted light beam exhibits a precisely tailored energy distribution. In comparison with other light diffusers, holographic GLSDs function with remarkably high efficiency: they typically transmit 90 percent or more of the incident lamp light onto the designated areas. In addition, they can withstand temperatures in excess of 1,000 C. These characteristics make holographic GLSDs attractive for use in diverse lighting applications that involve high temperatures and/or requirements for high transmission efficiency for ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light. Examples include projectors, automobile headlights, aircraft landing lights, high-power laser illuminators, and industrial and scientific illuminators.

Yu, Kevin↗
NASA NTRS2005

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2005

Topivs include: Diamond-Coated Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient Field Emission; Improved Anode Coatings for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells; Advanced Ablative Insulators and Methods of Making Them; PETIs as High-Temperature Resin-Transfer-Molding Materials; Stable Polyimides for Terrestrial and Space Uses; Low-Density, Aerogel-Filled Thermal-Insulation Tiles; High-Performance Polymers Having Low Melt Viscosities; Nonflammable, Hydrophobic Aerogel Composites for Insulation; Front-Side Microstrip Line Feeding a Raised Antenna Patch; Medium-Frequency Pseudonoise Georadar; Facilitating Navigation Through Large Archives; Program for Weibull Analysis of Fatigue Data; Comprehensive Micromechanics-Analysis Code - Version 4.0; Component-Based Visualization System; Software for Engineering Simulations of a Spacecraft; LabVIEW Interface for PCI-SpaceWire Interface Card; Path Following with Slip Compensation for a Mars Rover; International Space Station Electric Power System Performance Code-SPACE; Software for Automation of Real-Time Agents, Version 2; Software for Optimizing Plans Involving Interdependent Goals; Computing Gravitational Fields of Finite-Sized Bodies; Custom Sky-Image Mosaics from NASA's Information Power Grid; ANTLR Tree Grammar Generator and Extensions; Generic Kalman Filter Software; Alignment Stage for a Cryogenic Dilatometer; Rugged Iris Mechanism; Treatments To Produce Stabilized Aluminum Mirrors for Cryogenic Uses; Making AlNx Tunnel Barriers Using a Low-Energy Nitrogen-Ion Beam; Making Wide-IF SIS Mixers with Suspended Metal-Beam Leads; Sol-Gel Glass Holographic Light-Shaping Diffusers; Automated Counting of Particles To Quantify Cleanliness; Phase Correction for GPS Antenna with Nonunique Phase Center; Compact Infrasonic Windscreen; Broadband External-Cavity Diode Laser; High-Efficiency Solar Cells Using Photonic-Bandgap Materials; Generating Solid Models from Topographical Data; Computationally Lightweight Air-Traffic-Control Simulation; Spool Valve for Switching Air Flows Between Two Beds; Partial Model of Insulator/ Insulator Contact Charging; Asymmetric Electrostatic Radiation Shielding for Spacecraft; and Reusable Hybrid Propellant Modules for Outer-Space Transport.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2018

Light Extraction System for OLED (LESO)

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is funding development of Solid-State Lighting (SSL) to replace incandescent and fluorescent technologies. A more aggressive innovation schedule could achieve site electricity consumption reductions from current projections of 40% to 60% by the year 2030 when compared to the no-LED scenario in the United States. These increased reductions would total an increase in savings of 395 TWh of energy. Based on preliminary data showing improvements of 2x in extraction efficiency with diffuser films, we will optimize surface relief structures to maximize the light extraction efficiency of OLED devices and test the optimized structures in prototype samples. To address the DOE desire for rapid SSL acceptance, Luminit, LLC, proposes to develop a new Light Extraction System for OLED (LESO) implemented in an ultraviolet (UV)-curable HRI polymer. The LESO uses optimized surface relief structures in high-index and low-index interfaces, which will significantly increase light extraction from the OLEDs. The LESO will significantly reduce environmental pollution compared to incandescent, compact fluorescent (CFL), and LED lamps. It will do so at a low price compared to other technologies, and with extremely high quality lighting (nearly perfect color matching, for example). Through LESO adoption, both CO 2 and other pollutants will be reduced by hundreds of megatons annually.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spectral shape of a signal in light-induced diffusive pulling (pushing) of particles into a light beam

We study theoretically how the dependences of transport collision frequencies ν{sub i}, collision broadening γ and collision shift Δ of the levels on the velocity v of resonant particles influence lightinduced diffusive pulling (pushing) (LDP) effects in the framework of a generalised model of strong collisions in the case of velocitydependent collision rates (so-called kangaroo model). It is found that allowance for the dependences ν{sub i}(v), γ(v) and Δ(v) does not change the spectral shape of an LDP signal. In particular, in the case of low-intensity radiation, the spectral dependence of the LDP signal coincides with the absorption line shape. It is shown that the magnitude of the LDP effect is proportional to the difference between the diffusion coefficients of particles in the excited and ground states. It is found that the spectral anomalies previously predicted in the LDP effect [Gel'mukhanov F.Kh. JETP Lett., 55, 214 (1992)] for an idealised model of the Lorentz gas (the limiting case of heavy buffer particles), which arise due to the dependences ν{sub i}(v), γ(v) and Δ(v), are typical only for this gas. At a realistic ratio of the masses of absorbing and buffer particles, spectral anomalies do not occur in the LDP effect. (nonlinear optical phenomena)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1989

The spectral energy distribution of the scattered light from dark clouds

A dark cloud is exposed to the ambient radiation field of integrated starlight in the Galaxy. Scattering of starlight by the dust particles gives rise to a diffuse surface brightness of the dark nebula. The intensity and the spectrum of this diffuse radiation can be used to investigate, e.g., the scattering parameters of the dust, the optical thickness of the cloud, and as a probe of the ambient radiation field at the location of the cloud. An understanding of the scattering process is also a prerequisite for the isolation of broad spectral features due to fluorescence or to any other non-scattering origin of the diffuse light. Model calculations are presented for multiple scattering in a spherical cloud. These calculations show that the different spectral shapes of the observed diffuse light can be reproduced with standard dust parameters. The possibility to use the observed spectrum as a diagnostic tool for analyzing the thickness of the cloud and the dust particle is discussed.

Mattila, Kalevi↗
DOE OSTI2014

Measurement of minority-carrier diffusion lengths using wedge-shaped semiconductor photoelectrodes

Measurement of the photocurrent as a function of the thickness of a light absorber has been shown herein both theoretically and experimentally to provide a method for determination of the minority-carrier diffusion length of a sample. To perform the measurement, an illuminated spot of photons with an energy well above the band gap of the material was scanned along the thickness gradient of a wedge-shaped, rear-illuminated semiconducting light absorber. Photogenerated majority carriers were collected through a back-side transparent ohmic contact, and a front-side liquid or Schottky junction collected the photogenerated minority carriers. Calculations showed that the diffusion length could be evaluated from the exponential variation in photocurrent as a function of the thickness of the sample. Good agreement was observed between experiment and theory for a solid-state silicon Schottky junction measured using this method. As an example for the application of the technique to semiconductor/liquid-junction photoelectrodes, the minority-carrier diffusion length was determined for graded thickness, sputtered tungsten trioxide and polished bismuth vanadate films under back-illumination in contact with an aqueous electrolyte. Furthermore, this wedge technique does not require knowledge of the spectral absorption coefficient, doping, or surface recombination velocity of the sample.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1987

Development of response models for the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) sensors. Part 2: Analysis of the ERBE integrating sphere ground calibration

An explicit solution of the spectral radiance leaving an arbitrary point on the wall of a spherical cavity with diffuse reflectivity is obtained. The solution is applicable to spheres with an arbitrary number of openings of any size and shape, an arbitrary number of light sources with possible non-diffuse characteristics, a non-uniform sphere wall temperature distribution, non-uniform and non-diffuse sphere wall emissivity and non-uniform but diffuse sphere wall spectral reflectivity. A general measurement equation describing the output of a sensor with a given field of view, angular and spectral response measuring the sphere output is obtained. The results are applied to the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) integrating sphere. The sphere wall radiance uniformity, loading effects and non-uniform wall temperature effects are investigated. It is shown that using appropriate interpretation and processing, a high-accuracy short-wave calibration of the ERBE sensors can be achieved.

Halyo, Nesim↗
NASA NTRS1981

Computing diffuse reflection from particulate planetary surface with a new function

An equation is derived to compute the amount of diffuse light reflected by a particulate surface, such as on Mars or an asteroid. The method traces the paths of rays within an ensemble of randomly shaped grains and finds the eventual probability of emission. The amount of diffuse, unpolarized emitted light is obtained in terms of the real index of refraction, the imaginary index, and the average diameter of particles making up the surface. The equation is used to compute the empirical rule for obtaining the planetary albedo from the slope of its polarization curve. Accuracy of the equation, estimated at + or - 4%, seems justified because of quantitative agreement with experimental measures of the empirical rule. It is also shown that the equation can be applied to bubble-enclosing surfaces such as volcanic foams. Results for the indices of the moon, Mars, Io, and Europa are obtained and compared with other data.

Wolff, M.↗
DOE OSTI2013

ALMA OBSERVATIONS OF THE COLDEST PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE: THE BOOMERANG NEBULA

The Boomerang Nebula is the coldest known object in the universe, and an extreme member of the class of pre-planetary nebulae, objects which represent a short-lived transitional phase between the asymptotic giant branch and planetary nebula evolutionary stages. Previous single-dish CO (J = 1-0) observations (with a 45'' beam) showed that the high-speed outflow in this object has cooled to a temperature significantly below the temperature of the cosmic background radiation. Here we report the first observations of the Boomerang Nebula with ALMA in the CO J = 2-1 and J = 1-0 lines to resolve the structure of this ultra-cold nebula. We find a central hourglass-shaped nebula surrounded by a patchy, but roughly round, cold high-velocity outflow. We compare the ALMA data with visible-light images obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope and confirm that the limb-brightened bipolar lobes seen in these data represent hollow cavities with dense walls of molecular gas and dust producing both the molecular-emission-line and scattered-light structures seen at millimeter and visible wavelengths. The large diffuse biconical shape of the nebula seen in the visible wavelength range is likely due to preferential illumination of the cold, high-velocity outflow. We find a compact source of millimeter-wave continuum in the nebular waist—these data, together with sensitive upper limits on the radio continuum using observations with ATCA, indicate the presence of a substantial mass of very large (millimeter-sized) grains in the waist of the nebula. Another unanticipated result is the detection of CO emission regions beyond the ultra-cold region which indicate the re-warming of the cold gas, most likely due to photoelectric grain heating.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

The next generation Virgo cluster survey. VIII. The spatial distribution of globular clusters in the Virgo cluster

We report on a large-scale study of the distribution of globular clusters (GCs) throughout the Virgo cluster, based on photometry from the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey (NGVS), a large imaging survey covering Virgo's primary subclusters (Virgo A = M87 and Virgo B = M49) out to their virial radii. Using the g{sub o}{sup ′}, (g' – i') {sub o} color-magnitude diagram of unresolved and marginally resolved sources within the NGVS, we have constructed two-dimensional maps of the (irregular) GC distribution over 100 deg{sup 2} to a depth of g{sub o}{sup ′} = 24. We present the clearest evidence to date showing the difference in concentration between red and blue GCs over the full extent of the cluster, where the red (more metal-rich) GCs are largely located around the massive early-type galaxies in Virgo, while the blue (metal-poor) GCs have a much more extended spatial distribution with significant populations still present beyond 83' (∼215 kpc) along the major axes of both M49 and M87. A comparison of our GC maps to the diffuse light in the outermost regions of M49 and M87 show remarkable agreement in the shape, ellipticity, and boxiness of both luminous systems. We also find evidence for spatial enhancements of GCs surrounding M87 that may be indicative of recent interactions or an ongoing merger history. We compare the GC map to that of the locations of Virgo galaxies and the X-ray intracluster gas, and find generally good agreement between these various baryonic structures. We calculate the Virgo cluster contains a total population of N {sub GC} = 67, 300 ± 14, 400, of which 35% are located in M87 and M49 alone. For the first time, we compute a cluster-wide specific frequency S {sub N,} {sub CL} = 2.8 ± 0.7, after correcting for Virgo's diffuse light. We also find a GC-to-baryonic mass fraction ε {sub b} = 5.7 ± 1.1 × 10{sup –4} and a GC-to-total cluster mass formation efficiency ε {sub t} = 2.9 ± 0.5 × 10{sup –5}, the latter values slightly lower than but consistent with those derived for individual galactic halos. Taken as a whole, our results show that the production of the complex structures in the unrelaxed Virgo cluster core (including the production of the diffuse intracluster light) is an ongoing and continuing process.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Electro-optically responsive composites of gold nanospheres in 5CB liquid crystal under direct current and alternating current joint action

Direct current (DC) electro-optical (EO) control of transmitted laser beam intensity based on EO controlled coherent light scattering and diffraction by stationary longitudinal texture pattern (LTP) is achieved in planar-oriented cells with a composite mixture of polymer-coated gold spherical nanoparticles (Au-NPs) with a mean diameter of about 12 nm and the room-temperature nematic pentylcyanobiphenyl (5CB). At relatively low DC voltage of about 5 V, the effective scattering/diffraction by Au-NPs/5CB composites leads to a spatial spreading of transmitted coherent light from a low-power continuous wave laser beam, resulting in a drastic reduction of its local intensity. The effect is polarization dependent and is strongest when the polarization of the input laser beam is along the LTP. The EO response of Au-NPs/5CB mixtures is studied under DC and alternating current (AC) joint action with the aim of the potential use of these composite materials as EO controlled diffusers. The specific V-shaped sharp dip in the DC voltage-dependent coherent light transmittance of Au-NPs/5CB planar films, as well as the possibility for erasing the scattering/diffractive LTP in the films by joint low AC voltage, can be useful for EO applications in the field of process control and for detection of weak dynamic electric fields.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1990

Combination Light

The Rayovac TANDEM is an advanced technology combination work light and general purpose flashlight that incorporates several NASA technologies. The TANDEM functions as two lights in one. It features a long range spotlight and wide angle floodlight; simple one-hand electrical switching changes the beam from spot to flood. TANDEM developers made particular use of NASA's extensive research in ergonomics in the TANDEM's angled handle, convenient shape and different orientations. The shatterproof, water resistant plastic casing also draws on NASA technology, as does the shape and beam distance of the square diffused flood. TANDEM's heavy duty magnet that permits the light to be affixed to any metal object borrows from NASA research on rare earth magnets that combine strong magnetic capability with low cost. Developers used a NASA-developed ultrasonic welding technique in the light's interior.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2003

Dot-Projection Photogrammetry and Videogrammetry of Gossamer Space Structures

This paper documents the technique of using hundreds or thousands of projected dots of light as targets for photogrammetry and videogrammetry of gossamer space structures. Photogrammetry calculates the three-dimensional coordinates of each target on the structure, and videogrammetry tracks the coordinates versus time. Gossamer structures characteristically contain large areas of delicate, thin-film membranes. Examples include solar sails, large antennas, inflatable solar arrays, solar power concentrators and transmitters, sun shields, and planetary balloons and habitats. Using projected-dot targets avoids the unwanted mass, stiffness, and installation costs of traditional retroreflective adhesive targets. Four laboratory applications are covered that demonstrate the practical effectiveness of white-light dot projection for both static-shape and dynamic measurement of reflective and diffuse surfaces, respectively. Comparisons are made between dot-projection videogrammetry and traditional laser vibrometry for membrane vibration measurements. The paper closes by introducing a promising extension of existing techniques using a novel laser-induced fluorescence approach.

Pappa, Richard S.↗
DOE OSTI2020

DNA Reaction–Diffusion Attractor Patterns

Abstract Living systems can form and recover complex chemical patterns with precisely sized features in the ranges of tens or hundreds of microns. We show how designed reaction–diffusion processes can likewise produce precise patterns, termed attractor patterns, that reform their precise shape after being perturbed. We use oligonucleotide reaction networks, photolithography, and microfluidic delivery to form precisely controlled attractor patterns and study the responses of these patterns to different localized perturbations. Linear and “hill”‐shaped patterns formed and stabilized into shapes and at time scales consistent with reaction–diffusion models. When patterns were perturbed in particular locations with UV light, they reliably reformed their steady‐state profiles. Recovery also occurred after repeated perturbations. By designing the far‐from‐equilibrium dynamics of a chemical system, this study shows how it is possible to design spatial patterns of molecules that are sustained and regenerated by continually evolving towards a specific steady state configuration.

Dorsey, Phillip James↗
DOE OSTI2020

DNA Reaction–Diffusion Attractor Patterns

Living systems can form and recover complex chemical patterns with precisely sized features in the ranges of tens or hundreds of microns. We show how designed reaction-diffusion processes can likewise produce precise patterns, termed attractor patterns, that reform their precise shape after being perturbed. We use oligonucleotide reaction networks, photolithography and microfluidic delivery to form precisely controlled attractor patterns and study the responses of these patterns to different localized perturbations. Linear and ‘hill’-shaped patterns formed and stabilized into shapes and at time scales consistent with reaction-diffusion models. When patterns were perturbed in particular locations with UV light, they reliably reformed their steady state profiles. Recovery also occurred after repeated perturbations. As a result, by designing the far-from-equilibrium dynamics of a chemical system, this study shows how it is possible to design spatial patterns of molecules that are sustained and regenerated by continually evolving towards a specific steady state configuration

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Impact of Solution Chemistry and Particle Anistropy on the Collective Dynamics of Oriented Aggregation

Although oriented aggregation of nanoparticles is a widely recognized mechanism of crystal growth, the impact of many fundamental parameters, such as crystallographically distinct interfacial structures, solution composition, and particle-shape-specific hydrodynamic characteristics, on the governing mechanisms and assembly kinetics are largely unexplored. In this context, we investigated the structure and dynamics of boehmite aggregation as a function of solution pH and ionic strength. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy shows that boehmite platelets assemble by oriented attachment on (010) planes. The coagulation rate constants obtained from dynamic light scattering during the early stages of aggregation are found to span seven orders of magnitude and cross both the reaction-limited and diffusion-limited regimes. Combining a simple scaling with calculations for stability ratio and rotational/translational diffusivities of irregular particle shapes, the effects of orientation for irregular-shaped particles on the early stages of aggregation is understood via angular dependence of van der Waals, electrostatic, and hydrodynamic interactions. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we found that a simple geometric parameter, namely the contact area between two attaching platelets, provides physical insight into the unique structural characteristics of the larger aggregates of the irregular-shaped particles, explaining the unusually high fractal dimensions measured in the diffusion-limited aggregation regime.

oriented aggregation, boehmite, attachment, nanopl↗
DOE OSTI2013

A THEORY OF PHOTOSPHERIC EMISSION FROM RELATIVISTIC OUTFLOWS

We derive the optical depth and photospheric radius of relativistic outflows using a model of a relativistic wind with a finite duration. We also discuss the role of radiative diffusion in such an outflow. We numerically solve the radiative transfer equation and obtain light curves and observed spectra of the photospheric emission. The spectra we obtain are nonthermal and in some cases have Band shapes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Modeling pulse characteristics in Xenon with NEST

In this paper, a comprehensive model for describing the characteristics of pulsed signals, generated by particle interactions in xenon detectors, is presented. An emphasis is laid on two-phase time projection chambers, but the models presented are also applicable to single phase detectors. In order to simulate the pulse shape due to primary scintillation light, the effects of the ratio of singlet and triplet dimer state populations, as well as their corresponding decay times, and the recombination time are incorporated into the model. In a two phase time projection chamber, when simulating the pulse caused by electroluminescence light, the ionization electron mean free path in gas, the drift velocity, singlet and triplet decay times, diffusion constants, and the electron trapping time, have been implemented. Finally, this modeling has been incorporated into a complete software package, which realistically simulates the expected pulse shapes for these types of detectors.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗