Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Kinetic parameters”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12

Thermal barrier coating life prediction model development

A life prediction model for correlating the spallation life of ceramic thermal barrier coatings is developed which includes both cyclic and time-dependent damage. The cyclic damage is related to the calculated cyclic inelastic strain range, while the time-dependent damage is related to the oxidation kinetics at the bond-ceramic interface. The cyclic inelastic strain range is calculated using a modified form of the Walker viscoplastic material model; calculation of the oxidation kinetics is based on traditional oxidation algorithms using experimentally determined parameters. The correlation between the actual and predicted spallation lives is within a factor of 3.

Cruse, T. A.↗

Current driven instabilities of an electromagnetically accelerated plasma

Quantitative measurements of the plasma instability that strongly affects the efficiency and lifetime of electromagnetic plasma accelerators were obtained. Experimental results are presented for the dispersion relations (wave phase velocities), spatial growth rates, and stability boundaries of accelerators. The measured critical wave parameters are found to agree well with theoretical predictions. A kinetic theoretical model was used to study current driven instabilities which are intrinsic to the high-current-carrying magnetized plasma of a magnetoplasmadynamic accelerator. Under certain conditions, marginally stable waves travelling almost perpendicular to the magnetic field are found which travel at a velocity equal to that of the electron current.

Kelly, A. J.↗

Fissioning Plasma Core Reactor

Institute for Scientific Research, Inc. (ISR) research program consist of: 1.Study core physics by adapting existing codes: MCNP4C - Monte Carlo code; COMBINE/VENTURE - diffusion theory; SCALE4 - Monte Carlo, with many utility codes. 2. Determine feasibility and study major design parameters: fuel selection, temperature and reflector sizing. 3. Study reactor kinetics: develop QCALC1 to model point kinetics; study dynamic behavior of the power release.

Albright, Dennis↗

Mechanosensitive channels in bacteria as membrane tension reporters

The purpose of this short review is to discuss recent data on the molecular structure and mechanism of gating of MscL, a mechanosensitive channel of large conductance from Escherichia coli. MscL is the first isolated molecule shown to convert mechanical stress of the membrane into a simple response, the opening of a large aqueous pore. The functional complex appears to be a stable homo-pentamer of 15-kDa subunits, the gating transitions in which are driven by stretch forces conveyed through the lipid bilayer. We have measured the open probability of MscL and the kinetics of transitions as a function of membrane tension. The parameters extracted from the single-channel current recordings and dose-response curves such as the energy difference between the closed, open, and intermediate conducting states, and the transition-related changes in protein dimensions suggest a large conformational rearrangement of the channel complex. The estimations show that in native conditions MscL openings could be driven primarily by forces of osmotic nature. The thermodynamic and spatial parameters reasonably correlate with the available data on the structure of a single MscL subunit and multimeric organization of the complex. Combined with the functional analysis of mutations, these data give grounds to hypotheses on the nature of the channel mechanosensitivity.

Review↗

Growth of Bio Sensor Materials by Physical Vapor Transport Method

Recently there is a big thrust on bio-inspired sensors and there has been a large rise in the investment and expectations for nanotechnology to meet these goals. For in situ sensor development materials deposition on substrate is essential part of device development. Physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and molecular organic vapor deposition methods have developed for growth of semiconductor bulk and thin film growth with some modifications have been used for these materials. Oxides and other elements of the VI group such as sulfides and selenides are key components in the skins of many species. Growth of ordered structures containing these elements have been achieved by using PVD method. This paper describes effect of growth parameters during PVD growth on the quality of materials. Growth kinetics and mechanism will be discussed for the vertical and horizontal growth reactors. Since most of the efficient materials systems are multinary and in many cases non-congruent, PVD provides a pathway to grow materials below melting temperature.

Sachs, David↗

The stability of thick, self-gravitating disks in protostellar systems

Using numerical hydrodynamics techniques, we perform a nonlinear stability analysis of accretion disk systems that contain thick, self-gravitating disks. The systems are initially represented by a point mass M(sub c) at the center and a geometrically thick, axisymmetric disk of mass M(sub d) that supports uniform specific angular momentum and obeys an n = 3/2, polytropic equation of state. The equilibrium disk structure is uniquely defined upon the specification of two key dimensionless system parameters: M(sub d)/M(sub c) and T/absolute value of W (the ratio of rotational kinetic energy if the disk to the gravitational potential energy of the system). The focus of this work is on the identification of systems within this two-dimensional parameter space that are marginally unstable toward the development of nonaxisymmetric distortions. The geometric form and relative pattern speed of the disk's distortion as well as the likelihood of disk fragmentation as a result of such instabilities is examined, particularly in the context of protostellar systems. The value of T/absolute value of W at which thick disks first become dynamically unstable to nonaxisymmetric distortions is found to vary significantly with the mass ratio of the accertion disk system. Nonaxisymmetric eigenmodes with four distinctly different characters are identified in systems with mass ratios in the range 0.2 less than or equal to (M(sub d)/M(sub c)) less than or equal to 5.

Woodward, John W.↗

Turbulent heating of colliding streams in the solar wind.

Turbulent heating of colliding plasma streams has previously been observed in the solar wind. The original data were interpreted in terms of a fluid model. It is contended that a plasma-kinetic description is the more appropriate theoretical approach and is necessary in order to better understand the microscopic physical phenomena that underlie all fluid models. Microscopic solar-wind parameters characteristic of conditions during the observations were used, together with the quasi-linear plasma-kinetic theory, to compute the expected magnetic field and temperature enhancements in the interaction region between two counterstreaming plasma beams. The physical mechanism of excitation is the electromagnetic two-stream instability in which Alfven waves are unstable. A total field in the interaction region of about 8 gamma and a change in temperature of about 100,000 K are obtained.

Goldstein, M. L.↗

Stress-corrosion cracking of titanium alloys.

In the light of research material published up to May 1970, the current understanding of the experimental variables involved in the stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of titanium and its alloys is reviewed. Following a brief summary of the metallurgy and electrochemistry of titanium alloys, the mechanical, electrochemical, and metallurgical parameters influencing SCC behavior are explored with emphasis on crack growth kinetics. Macro- and microfeatures of fractures are examined, and it is shown that many transgranular SCC failures exhibit morphological and crystallographic features similar to mechanical cleavage failures. Current SCC models are reviewed with respect to their ability to explain the observed SCC behavior of titanium and its alloys. Possible methods for eliminating or minimizing stress corrosion hazards in titanium or titanium alloy components are described.

Blackburn, M. J.↗

Macroscopic aspects of interfacial reactions

The extent of interdiffusion and formation of new phases is determined by the constitution diagram of the alloy system, the interdiffusion coefficients of the phases present, and the thermal conditions (temperature and time) associated with the bonding process and/or subsequent use of the bonded structure. In many instance, the kinetics of interdiffusion and phase formation can be predicted from known parameters using numerical methods and computer techniques. Predictions are compared with experimentally determined parameters for a variety of metallurgical alloy systems.

Heckel, R. W.↗

Computer simulation of cyclic oxidation

A computer program has been developed which simulates the cyclic oxidation behavior of materials. The simulation is based on the assumption that the weight fraction of scale that spalls in any thermal cycle is proportional to the amount of scale present on the surface at the beginning of the cycle. The program provides plots as well as tabular data which describe the cyclic oxidation behavior of a given material. Individual input parameters can be selectively altered and the resulting change in cyclic kinetics determined, allowing the user to quickly survey a wide range of cyclic conditions on the kinetics of a given material.

Probst, H. B.↗

An atmospheric pressure flow reactor: Gas phase kinetics and mechanism in tropospheric conditions without wall effects

A new type of gas phase flow reactor, designed to permit the study of gas phase reactions near 1 atm of pressure, is described. A general solution to the flow/diffusion/reaction equations describing reactor performance under pseudo-first-order kinetic conditions is presented along with a discussion of critical reactor parameters and reactor limitations. The results of numerical simulations of the reactions of ozone with monomethylhydrazine and hydrazine are discussed, and performance data from a prototype flow reactor are presented.

Koontz, Steven L.↗

Solar wind-magnetosphere interaction as simulated by a 3-D EM particle code

We present here our first results of simulating the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction with a new three-dimensional electromagnetic particle code. Hitherto such global simulations were done with MHD codes while lower-dimensional particle or hybrid codes served to account for microscopic processes and such transport parameters as have to be introduced ad hoc in MHD. Our kinetic model attempts to combine the macroscopic and microscopic tasks. It relies only on the Maxwell curl equation and the Lorentz equation for particles, which are ideally suited for computers. The preliminary results shown here are for an unmagnetized solar wind plasma streaming past a dipolar magnetic field. The results show the formation of a bow shock and a magnetotail, the penetration of energetic particles into cusp and radiation belt regions, and dawn-dusk asymmetries.

Buneman, Oscar↗

Solar wind-magnetosphere interaction as simulated by a 3D, EM particle code

The results of simulating the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction with a three dimensional, electromagnetic (EM) particle code are presented. Hitherto such global simulations were done with magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) codes while lower dimensional particle or hybrid codes served to account for microscopic processes and such transport parameters as have to be introduced ad hoc in MHD. The kinetic model combines macroscopic and microscopic tasks. It relies only on the Maxwell curl equations and the Lorentz equation for particles. The preliminary results are for an unmagnetized solar wind plasma streaming past a dipolar magnetic field. The results show the formation of a bow shock and a magnetotail, the penetration of energetic particles into cusp and radiation belt regions, and dawn to dusk asymmetries.

Buneman, O.↗

SS 433: Total Coverage of 162-Day Precession Phase in Four Years

The observations prior to AO-4 covered a number of precession phases, leaving a gap at phase 0.8. In addition, ASCA and previous observations of SS 433 did not observe the spectrum above approx. 10 keV, and consequently the continuum underlying the spectral lines was poorly constrained. Therefore RXTE observations were scheduled for April 1997 to extend the observed spectrum to higher energies; these observations were planned to sample the X-ray lightcurve during the 13.08 day binary period, concentrating on the eclipse of the compact object which emits the jets. We proposed and were awarded ASCA observations simultaneous with the RXTE observations; the purpose of the ASCA observations was to provide greater spectral resolution at the low end of the spectrum observed by RXTE, and to complete the phase coverage of SS 433. As a result of scheduling difficulties early in the mission the RXTE observations were confined to a much shorter time range than originally planned, April 18-91 1997. Optical observations of SS 433 were performed at a number of observatories. The ASCA observations occurred from April 18 13:10 (UT) to April 21 13:20 (UT) for a total effective exposure of 120 ks. The continuum X-ray light curve shows that the ASCA observations started shortly before the ingress into the X-ray partial eclipse, and ended approximately at the time of the egress. Light curves were also obtained for the prominent Fe emission lines in the blue-shifted frame (approaching jet), red-shifted frame (receding jet), and the stationary frame (fluorescent line from the ambient matter). Through the eclipse mapping technique using the light curves, the parameters of the jet emission model were constrained, showing that the kinetic power in the jet exceeds 104? erg s-l. If the energy source is gravitational accretion, as is commonly believed, the derived l;inetic power implies extremely supercritical accretion even for a black; hole with 10M. These results will be described more fully in a major presentation of all the ASCA observations of SS 433.

Band, David L.↗

Numerical Simulation of Combustion and Extinction of a Solid Cylinder in Low-Speed Cross Flow

The combustion and extinction behavior of a diffusion flame around a solid fuel cylinder (PMMA) in low-speed forced flow in zero gravity was studied numerically using a quasi-steady gas phase model. This model includes two-dimensional continuity, full Navier Stokes' momentum, energy, and species equations with a one-step overall chemical reaction and second-order finite-rate Arrhenius kinetics. Surface radiation and Arrhenius pyrolysis kinetics are included on the solid fuel surface description and a parameter Phi, representing the percentage of gas-phase conductive heat flux going into the solid, is introduced into the interfacial energy balance boundary condition to complete the description for the quasi-steady gas-phase system. The model was solved numerically using a body-fitted coordinate transformation and the SIMPLE algorithm. The effects of varying freestream velocity and Phi were studied. These parameters have a significant effect on the flame structure and extinction limits. Two flame modes were identified: envelope flame and wake flame. Two kinds of flammability limits were found: quenching at low-flow speeds due to radiative loss and blow-off at high flow speeds due to insufficient gas residence time. A flammability map was constructed showing the existence of maximum Phi above which the solid is not flammable at any freestream velocity.

Tien, J. S.↗

Basal glycogenolysis in mouse skeletal muscle: in vitro model predicts in vivo fluxes

A previously published mammalian kinetic model of skeletal muscle glycogenolysis, consisting of literature in vitro parameters, was modified by substituting mouse specific Vmax values. The model demonstrates that glycogen breakdown to lactate is under ATPase control. Our criteria to test whether in vitro parameters could reproduce in vivo dynamics was the ability of the model to fit phosphocreatine (PCr) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) dynamic NMR data from ischemic basal mouse hindlimbs and predict biochemically-assayed lactate concentrations. Fitting was accomplished by optimizing four parameters--the ATPase rate coefficient, fraction of activated glycogen phosphorylase, and the equilibrium constants of creatine kinase and adenylate kinase (due to the absence of pH in the model). The optimized parameter values were physiologically reasonable, the resultant model fit the [PCr] and [Pi] timecourses well, and the model predicted the final measured lactate concentration. This result demonstrates that additional features of in vivo enzyme binding are not necessary for quantitative description of glycogenolytic dynamics.

Non-NASA Center↗

The Supercritical Pile GRB Model: The Prompt to Afterglow Evolution

The 'Supercritical Pile' is a very economical gamma ray burst (GRB) model that provides for the efficient conversion of the energy stored in the protons of a Relativistic Blast Wave (RBW) into radiation and at the same time produces - in the prompt GRB phase, even in the absence of any particle acceleration - a spectral peak at an energy sim 1 MeV. We extend this model to include also the evolution of the RBW Lorentz factor Gamma and thus follow the spectral and temporal features of this model into the early GRB afterglow stage. One of the novel features of the present treatment is the inclusion of the feedback of the GRB produced radiation on the evolution of Gamma with radius. This feedback and the presence of kinematic and dynamic thresholds in the model can be the sources of rich time evolution which we have begun to explore. In particular, one can this way obtain afterglow light curves with steep decays followed by the more conventional flatter afterglow slopes, while at the same time preserving the desirable features of the model, i.e. the well defined relativistic electron source and radiative processes that produce the proper peak in the nu F spectra. Furthermore, the existence of a kinematic threshold in this model provides for a operational distinction of the prompt and afterglow GRB stages; in fact, the afterglow stage sets in when the RBW Lorentz factor cannot anymore fulfill the kinematic condition for pair formation in the photon - proton pair production reactions that constitute the fundamental process for the dissipation of the blast wave kinetic energy. We present the results of a specific set of parameters of this model with emphasis on the multiwavelength prompt emission and transition to the early afterglow.

Kazanas, Demosthenes↗