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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Effect of particle size and particle size distribution on physical characteristics, morphology and crystal structure of explosively compacted high-T(sub c) superconductors

A superconductor, of composition Y(Ba,K,Na)2Cu3O(x)/F(y) and a composite of composition Y(Ba,K,Na)2Cu3O(x)/F(y) + Ag, with changing K, Na and F content but a constant silver content (Ag = 10 mass%) was prepared using a single heat treatment. the resulting material was ground in a corundum lined mill, separated to particle size fractions of 0-40 micron, 0-63 micron and 63-900 micron and explosively compacted, using an explosive pressure of 10(exp 4) MPa and a subsequent heat treatment. Best results were obtained with the 63-900 micron fraction of composition Y(Ba(1.95) K(0.01)Cu3O(x)F(0),(05)/Ag: porosity less than 0.01 cu cm/g and current density 2800 A/sq cm at 77K.

Kotsis, I.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Infrared (8-14 microns) remote sensing of soil particle size

Particle size of soils plays a significant role in erosion potential and other mechanical properties. Most soils are dominated by the residual mineral quartz, which displays prominent reststrahlen bands in the 8-14 microns atmospheric window. The Earth Observing System will likely provide world-wide multispectral imagery in the 8-14 microns region via the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument. The ratio of ASTER bands 10/14 can be used to estimate particle size in soils, if other ASTER bands are used to minimize the confusion factors provided by soil moisture, vegetation cover, soil organic content, and the presence of abundant minerals other than quartz. Use of band ratios minimizes the effects of poor surface temperature estimates, but maximizes the need for high signal-to-noise data.

Salisbury, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Laser Light Scattering with Multiple Scattering Suppression Used to Measure Particle Sizes

Laser light scattering is the technique of choice for noninvasively sizing particles in a fluid. The members of the Advanced Technology Development (ATD) project in laser light scattering at the NASA Lewis Research Center have invented, tested, and recently enhanced a simple and elegant way to extend the concentration range of this standard laboratory particle-sizing technique by several orders of magnitude. With this technique, particles from 3 nm to 3 mm can be measured in a solution. Recently, laser light scattering evolved to successfully size particles in both clear solutions and concentrated milky-white solutions. The enhanced technique uses the property of light that causes it to form tall interference patterns at right angles to the scattering plane (perpendicular to the laser beam) when it is scattered from a narrow laser beam. Such multiple-scattered light forms a broad fuzzy halo around the focused beam, which, in turn, forms short interference patterns. By placing two fiber optics on top of each other and perpendicular to the laser beam (see the drawing), and then cross-correlating the signals they produce, only the tall interference patterns formed by singly scattered light are detected. To restate this, unless the two fiber optics see the same interference pattern, the scattered light is not incorporated into the signal. With this technique, only singly scattered light is seen (multiple-scattered light is rejected) because only singly scattered light has an interference pattern tall enough to span both of the fiber-optic pickups. This technique is simple to use, easy to align, and works at any angle. Placing a vertical slit in front of the signal collection fibers enhanced this approach. The slit serves as an optical mask, and it significantly shortens the time needed to collect good data by selectively masking out much of the unwanted light before cross-correlation is applied.

Meyer, William V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The effect of particle size on the electrical conductivity of CuCl (Al2O3) composites

The conductivity of CuCl containing Al2O3 of 0.06, 0.3, 1, 3, 8, and 15 micron sized particles was measured between 25 and 390 C. Conductivity was enhanced for the 0.06 and 0.3 sized Al2O3 particles for temperatures below approximately 250 C. The maximum enhancement occurred at 10 m/o of 0.06 micron Al2O3 at 25 C. Uncertain degrees of agglomeration as well as the grain size of the matrix were found to be significant.

Chang, M. R.-W.↗
NASA NTRS1994

A revised analysis of micron-sized particles detected near Saturn by the Voyager 2 plasma wave instrument

The impulsive noise that the plasma wave and radio astronomy instruments detected during the Voyager 2 swing by Saturn was attributed to dust grains striking the spacecraft. This report presents a reanalysis of the dust impacts recorded by the plasma wave instrument using an improved model for the response of the electric antenna to dust impacts. The fundamental assumption used in this analysis is that the voltage induced on the antenna is proportional to the mass of the impacting grain. Using the above assumption and the antenna response constants used at Uranus and Neptune, the following conclusions can be reached. The primary dust distribution consists of a 'disk' of particles that coincides with the equator plane and has a north-south thickness of 2-Delta zeta = 962 km. A less dense 'halo' with a north-south thickness of 2-Delta zeta = 3376 km surrounds the primary distribution. The dust particle sizes are of the order of 10 microns, assuming a mass density of 1 g/cu cm. The corresponding particle masses are of the order of 10(exp -9) g, and maximum number densities are of the order of 10(exp -2)/cu m. Most likely, the G ring is the dominate source since the particles were observed very close to that ring, namely at 2.86 R(sub S). Other sources, like nearby moons, are not ruled out especially when perturbations due to electromagnetic forces are included. The calculated optical depth differs by about a factor of 2 from photometric studies. The current particle masses, radii, and the effective north-south thickness of the particle distribution are larger than what Gurnett et al. (1983) reported by about 2, 1, and 1 orders of magnitude, respectively. This is attributed to the fact that the collection coefficient used in this study is smaller than what was used in Gurnett et al.'s earlier publication.

Tsintikidis, D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Frequency-scanning particle size spectrometer

A particle size spectrometer having a fixed field of view within the forward light scattering cone at an angle .theta..sub.s between approximately 100 and 200 minutes of arc (preferably at 150 minutes), a spectral range extending approximately from 0.2 to 4.0 inverse micrometers (.mu.m.sup.-1), and a spectral resolution between about 0.1 and 0.2 .mu.m.sup.-1 (preferably toward the lower end of this range of spectral resolution), is employed to determine the distribution of particle sizes, independently of the chemical composition of the particles, from measurements of incident light, I.sub.o, at each frequency, .sigma. (=1/.lambda.), and scattered light, I(.sigma.), according to the equation: ##EQU1## where l=2.pi.sin.theta., .theta. being the fixed viewing angle .theta..sub.s at which scattered light is measured, r is particle size, .sigma. is the reciprocal of wavelength, J.sub.1 is a Bessel function of first kind and order unity, Y.sub.1 is a Bessel function of second kind and order unity. The quantity, I.sub..sigma., is the ratio of scattered light to incident light at each frequency interval. The apparatus is a passive remote sensor that can be used in laboratories, field stations, flying aircrafts and airships, and on board an orbiting satellite.

Fymat, Alain L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Frequency-scanning particle size spectrometer

A particle size spectrometer having a fixed field of view within the forward light scattering cone at an angle theta sub s between approximately 100 and 200 minutes of arc (preferably at 150 minutes), a spectral range extending approximately from 0.2 to 4.0 inverse micrometers, and a spectral resolution between about 0.1 and 0.2 inverse micrometers (preferably toward the lower end of this range of spectral resolution), is employed to determine the distribution of particle sizes, independently of the chemical composition of the particles, from measurements of incident light, at each frequency, sigma (=1/lambda), and scattered light, I(sigma).

Fymat, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1969

Direct indication of particle size in fluidized beds

Differential pressure measurements indicate particle size and particle size distribution in fluidized beds. The technique is based on the relationship between bed particle size and the intensity and frequency of fluctuations. By measuring the fluctuations, an estimate of average particle size of the fluid-bed material can be made.

Knudsen, I. E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The particle size of Martian aeolian dunes

The effective particle size of unconsolidated materials on the Martian surface can be determined from thermal inertia, due to a pore size dependence of thermal conductivity at Martian atmospheric pressures. Because dunes consist of a narrow range of well-sorted, unconsolidated particles, they provide for a test of the relationship between particle size and thermal inertia calculated from midinfrared emission data for the Martian surface. Two independent approaches are used. First, thermal inertia data indicate that Martian dunes have an average particle size of about 500 +/-100 microns, or medium to coarse sand. Second, expected dune particle sizes are determined from grain trajectory calculations and the particle size transition from suspension to saltation. On earth, the transition occurs for a grain when the ratio of the terminal fall velocity to the wind friction speed, u*(t) is near unity; for grains at u*(t) this occurs at about 52 microns. Terrrestrial dune sands have a mean of 250 microns and are composed entirely of grains greater than 52 microns. The corresponding Martian transition grain size is about 210 microns, suggesting that Martian dunes should be significantly coarser than terrestrial dunes. Grain saltation path length as a function of particle size also shows that, under Martian conditions, larger grains than on earth will become suspended. Both approaches indicate that Martian dune sand should be coarser than terrestrial dune sand. These results closely match the grain sizes determined from thermal inertia models, providing the first direct test of the validity of these models for actual Martian surface materials.

Edgett, Kenneth S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The determination and optimization of (rutile) pigment particle size distributions

A light scattering particle size test which can be used with materials having a broad particle size distribution is described. This test is useful for pigments. The relation between the particle size distribution of a rutile pigment and its optical performance in a gray tint test at low pigment concentration is calculated and compared with experimental data.

Richards, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The techniques of holographic particle sizing

Depending on the mechanism of particle production, the resultant particle size and velocity distribution may range over several orders of magnitude. In general, if particle size information is desired from a given type generator, one must resort to some form of experimental determination of the distribution. If the source of particle production is a dynamic one involving a reasonable volume, holography provides a tailor-made particle size and velocity distribution detector. This is evidenced by the fact that holography allows the entire volume to be recorded on one exposure without any interference with the volume of interest. Herein lies a very important characteristic of the holographic particle detection technique: It provides a holographic nondestructive testing technique in the fullest sense of the definition of nondestructive testing. This report provides a description of three different systems useful in this technique and includes the experimental results from one of the holographic systems which was used to detect particle size and velocity distribution from the Skylab waste tank.

Kurtz, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Space Shuttle exhausted aluminum oxide - A measured particle size distribution

Aluminum oxide (A2O3) particles were collected from the Space Shuttle exhaust plume immediately following the launch of STS-34 on October 18, 1989. A2O3 samples were obtained at 2.4, 3.0, 3.2, and 7.4 km in altitude. The samples were analyzed using SEM to develope particle size distributions. There were no indications that the particle size distribution changed as a function of altitude. The particle number concentrations per cubic meter of air sampled for the four collections was found to fit an exponential expression.

Cofer, W. R., III↗
NASA NTRS1983

Particle size effects on viscosity of silver pastes: A manufacturer's view

Particles from a variety of silver powders were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and particle size analyses. Particle size distribution curves and volume population graphs were prepared for these silver powders and for glass powders with optimum, extra fine and coarse particle sizes. The viscosity at a given shear rate and slope of viscosity over a range of shear rates were determined for thick film pastes made with these powders. Because of particle anomalies and variations, the need for flexibility to achieve the best printing qualities for silver pastes was evident. It was established that print quality, dried and fired film density and optimum contact of silver particles with silicon, important for cell electrical output, could be achieved by adjusting the slope of viscosity that fell outside of the range, -0.550 to -0.650. This was accomplished through organic vehicle technology that permitted a change in the slope of viscosity, up or down, while maintaining a constant silver and total solids content.

Provance, J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Particle size and X-ray analysis of Feldspar, Calvert, Ball, and Jordan soils

Pipette analysis and X-ray diffraction techniques were employed to characterize the particle size distribution and clay mineral content of the feldspar, calvert, ball, and jordan soils. In general, the ball, calvert, and jordan soils were primarily clay size particles composed of kaolinite and illite whereas the feldspar soil was primarily silt-size particles composed of quartz and feldspar minerals.

Chapman, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Global Retrieval of Cloud Particle Size and Optical Thickness Using ISCCP Data

The primary thrust of this investigation is to develop an algorithm to retrieve cloud particle sizes using ISCCP data. The research under this grant has been successful in obtaining initial results of global distribution of ice-particle sizes. Further research about possible problems caused by nonsphericity of ice particle sizes is currently underway. An algorithm of retrieving ice-cloud particle sizes using ISCCP CX data has been developed. The first survey of ice-particle size in a near-global scale has been completed. Comparison with in situ measurements of ice crystal sizes during FIRE I shows good agreement. The initial results show that the global mean size of ice crystals (De) is about 60 micron. This result is consistent with the range of in situ measurements all over the world if definitions of effective particle size are unified (see next section). The survey also shows that there is no distinct difference of ice-particle sizes between continental and maritime ice-clouds. There are many different definitions of effective particle size used in ice-cloud research. Simple comparisons between values of in situ measurement and satellite remote sensing are misleading and may lead to incorrect conclusions. We reviewed different definitions of effective particle sizes used in the literature and compared their relative magnitudes.

Welch, Ronald M.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Relationship Between Cirrus Particle Size and Cloud Top Temperature

The relationship between cirrus particle size and cloud top temperature is surveyed on a near-global scale. The cirrus particle size is retrieved assuming ice crystals are hexagonal columns and the cloud top temperature and the radiances in channel 1 and 3 of AVHRR used to retrieve ice particle sizes are from ISCCP product. The results show that for thick clouds over North America, the relation between particle size and cloud top temperature is consistent with a summary of this relationship based on aircraft measurement over that region for thick clouds. However, this relationship is not universal for other regions especially for for tropical zone, which has been found by other in situ measurements.

Han, Qingyuan↗
NASA NTRS1985

Particle size distributions of several commonly used seeding aerosols

During the course of experimentation, no solid particle powder could be found which produced an aerosol with a narrow particle size distribution when fluidization was the only flow process used in producing the aerosol. The complication of adding particle size fractionation processes to the aerosol generation effort appears to be avoidable. In this regard, a simple sonic orifice is found to be effective in reducing the percentage of agglomerates in the several metal oxide powders tested. Marginally beneficial results are obtained for a 0.5/99.5 percent by weight mixture of the flow agent and metal oxide powder. However, agglomeration is observed to be enhanced when the flow agent percentage is increased to 5 percent. Liquid atomization using the Collison nebulizer as well as a version of the Laskin nozzle resulted in polydispersed aerosols with particle size distributions heavily weighted by the small particle end of the size spectrum. The aerosol particle size distributions produced by the vaporization/condensation seeder are closer to the ideal monodispersed aerosol than any of the other aerosols tested. In addition, this seeding approach affords a measure of control over particle size and particle production rate.

Crosswy, F. L.↗