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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 217 records · Page 12

The free-wake prediction of rotor hover performance using a vortex embedding method

A method is developed to predict the rotor hover performance. This method solves the compressible mass conservation equation much like current full potential codes and can therefore predict the transonic flows on a rotor. However, the newly developed approach also allows for the free convection of shed vorticity and permits the computation of the entire hover wake system. The method uses a vortex embedding scheme in potential flow and has been implemented in a computer code, HELIX -I. To predict power we implement a simple boundary layer and two different induced-drag integration schemes. The induced-drag is obtained from surface pressure integration and an energy flux integral. Comparisons between computations and experiment show good agreement for the prediction of power polars, surface pressure distribution, and tip vortex geometry.

Ramachandran, K.↗

Integration of satellite and surface data using a radiative-convective oceanic boundary-layer model

A mixing-line boundary-layer model is used to retrieve cloud-top height from satellite-derived cloud-top temperatures, using 700-hPa National Meteorological Center (NMC) analyses and the Comprehensive Ocean and Atmosphere Data Set (COADS) surface data as supporting datasets. Results are compared with the fixed-lapse-rate method of retrieving boundary-layer depth from sea surface temperatures (SST) and cloud-top temperatures. A radiative-convective equilibrium boundary-layer model is used to retrieve boundary-layer structure given SST and surface wind, satellite cloud-top temperatures and cloud fraction, and the 700-hPa NMC thermodynamic analyses. Good agreement is found between the COADS data and the model solutions for low-level temperature and moisture. This suggests that equilibrium boundary-layer models may be of use over remote oceans in the retrieval of boundary-layer structure.

Betts, Alan K.↗

Development, Integration and Utilization of Surface Nuclear Energy Sources for Exploration Missions

Throughout the past five decades numerous studies have identified nuclear energy as an enhancing or enabling technology for human surface exploration missions. Nuclear energy sources were used to provide electricity on Apollo missions 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17, and on the Mars Viking landers. Nuclear energy sources were used to provide heat on the Pathfinder; Spirit, and Discovery rovers. Scenarios have been proposed that utilize -1 kWe radioisotope systems for early missions, followed by fission systems in the 10 - 30 kWe range when energy requirements increase. A fission energy source unit size of approximately 150 kWt has been proposed based on previous lunar and Mars base architecture studies. Such a unit could support both early and advanced bases through a building block approach.

Houts, Michael G.↗

Integral Equation Model of the Martian Surface layer for the Detection of Buried Ice Deposits in Support of the international Ice Mapping Mission Synthetic Aperture Radar

This work implemented a 3-D Electromagnetic Scattering model to gain a better understanding in the observations of L- and P-band radar returns from the multi-layered Martian upper surface layer. The model is based on the Integral Equation Model (IEM) developed by Adrian Fung. Our model implementation treats the upper surface (regolith) layer as an inhomogeneous medium with irregular boundaries for a range of Martian surface and shallow subsurface scenarios. The model is well suited to study the near subsurface (upper 10 meters of surface sediments) ice detection capability of the L-band (32 cm wavelength) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) planned for the international Mars Ice Mapping (I-MIM) mission launching later in the 2020s.

surface roughness, Integral Equation Model (IEM)↗

ZnO films on /001/-cut (110)-propagating GaAs substrates for surface acoustic wave device applications

A potential application for piezoelectric films substrates is the monolithic integration of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with GaAs electronics. Knowledge of the SAW properties of the layered structure is critical for the optimum and accurate design of such devices. The acoustic properties of ZnO films sputtered on /001/-cut group of (110) zone axes-propagating GaAs substrates are investigated in this article, including SAW velocity, effective piezoelectric coupling constant, propagation loss, diffraction, velocity surface, and reflectivity of shorted and open metallic gratings. The measurements of these essential SAW properties for the frequency range between 180 and 360 MHz have been performed using a knife-edge laser probe for film thicknesses over the range of 1.6-4 micron and with films of different grain sizes. The high quality of dc triode sputtered films was observed as evidenced by high K(sup 2) and low attenuation. The measurements of the velocity surface, which directly affects the SAW diffraction, on the bare and metalized ZnO on SiO2 or Si3N4 on /001/-cut GaAs samples are reported using two different techniques: (1) knife-edge laser probe, (2) line-focus-beam scanning acoustic microscope. It was found that near the group of (110) zone axes propagation direction, the focusing SAW property of the bare GaAs changes into a nonfocusing one for the layered structure, but a reversed phenomenon exists near the (100) direction. Furthermore, to some extent the diffraction of the substrate can be controlled with the film thickness. The reflectivity of shorted and open gratings are also analyzed and measured. Zero reflectivity is observed for a shorted grating. There is good agreement between the measured data and theoretical values.

Hickernell, Frederick S.↗

Application of a one-strip integral method to the unsteady supersonic aerodynamics of an inclined flat surface

The method of integral relations is applied in a one-strip approximation to the perturbation equations governing small motions of an inclined, sharp-edged, flat surface about the mean supersonic steady flow. Algebraic expressions for low reduced-frequency aerodynamics are obtained and a set of ordinary differential equations are obtained for general oscillatory motion. Results are presented for low reduced-frequency aerodynamics and for the variation of the unsteady forces with frequency. The method gives accurate results for the aerodynamic forces at low reduced frequency which are in good agreement with available experimental data. However, for cases in which the aerodynamic forces vary rapidly with frequency, the results are qualitatively correct, but of limited accuracy. Calculations indicate that for a range of inclination angles near shock detachment such that the flow in the shock layer is low supersonic, the aerodynamic forces vary rapidly both with inclination angle and with reduced frequency.

Bennett, R. M.↗

ZnO Films on {001}-Cut <110>-Propagating GaAs Substrates for Surface Acoustic Wave Device Applications

A potential application for piezoelectric films on GaAs substrates is the monolithic integration of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with GaAs electronics. Knowledge of the SAW properties of the layered structure is critical for the optimum and accurate design of such devices. The acoustic properties of ZnO films sputtered on {001}-cut <110> -propagating GaAs substrates are investigated in this article, including SAW Velocity effective piezoelectric coupling constant, propagation loss. diffraction, velocity surface, and reflectivity of shorted and open metallic gratings. The measurements of these essential SAW properties for the frequency range between 180 and 360 MHz have been performed using a knife-edge laser probe for film thicknesses over the range of 1.6-4 micron and with films or different grain sizes. The high quality of dc triode sputtered films was observed as evidenced by high K(exp 2) and low attenuation. The measurements of the velocity surface, which directly affects the SAW diffraction, on the bare and metalized ZnO on SiO2, or Si3N4 on {001}-cut GaAs samples are reported using two different techniques: 1) knife-edge laser probe, 2) line-focus-beam scanning acoustic microscope. It was found that near the <110> propagation direction, the focusing SAW property of the bare GaAs changes into a nonfocusing one for the layered structure, but a reversed phenomenon exists near the <100> direction. Furthermore, to some extent the diffraction of the substrate can be controlled with the film thickness. The reflectivity of shorted and open gratings are also analyzed and measured. Zero reflectivity is observed for a shorted grating. There is good agreement between the measured data and theoretical values.

Kim, Yoonkee↗

Ground-Based Capabilities for Lunar Infrastructure Testing

A focus of NASA’s Moon-to-Mars objectives is the development of the infrastructure on the lunar surface that will be needed to support broader lunar surface operations. This infrastructure is intended to support both United States and international partners to expand human presence on the lunar surface. As this lunar infrastructure is designed and established, it will be critical to ensure that the various hardware elements work together to both enable the capabilities and to avoid unintended actions. NASA’s Glenn Research Center (GRC) is establishing ground-based testing and emulation facilities to mimic the lunar environment that the surface power and communications infrastructure will operate in. These facilities are intended to represent power and communications providers, users, and interfaces to ensure that systems operate as intended to support the lunar economy. They will empower industry to rapidly evaluate new technologies under realistic conditions. In 2023 GRC is opening a new, state-of-the-art, Aerospace Communications Facility featuring hardware-in-the-loop and ground-to-orbit testbeds. The Multiple Asset Testbed for Research in Innovative Communications Systems (MATRICS) capability will emulate the lunar communications environment, enabling validation of mission concepts and technologies to reduce risk through performance and operations testing, training, and uncover potential issues in compatibility among communication systems providers and users. In addition to the communications testbed, GRC is also developing a full-scale power grid to reduce lunar mission risk. The Adaptable Surface Power Integration and Research (ASPIRE) project aims to reduce mission and hardware risk via high-fidelity integrated testing and pave the way for commercially supplied utility power on the lunar surface. The facility will be scalable and highly adaptable and will be available to NASA, Industry, Academia, and International Partners. ASPIRE will allow developers to integrate and demonstrate their power solutions in a relevant environment, and it will be able to characterize the lunar power performance in representative mission contexts.

ground-based testing↗

Inversion of data from diffraction-limited multiwavelength remote sensors. II - Nonlinear dependence of observables on the geophysical parameters

Linear shift-invariant spatial filtering is applied to inversion of radiometric measurements of the earth in both polarizations at the following frequencies: 6.6, 10.7, 18, 21, and 37 GHz. For purposes of radiative transfer calculations at these frequencies, the state of the ocean-atmosphere system is described by a seven-parameter model. The parameters are near-surface wind speed, sea surface temperature, integrated water vapor mass, scale height of water vapor in an exponential distribution, integrated liquid water mass, height of the liquid water, and characteristic drop radius in a Best (1950) drop size distribution. Also described is a spatial filtering algorithm by means of which geophysical parameters are retrieved from measurements made over the ocean by the scanning multichannel microwave radiometer on the Nimbus 7 satellite. The parameters here are near-surface wind speed, sea surface temperature, rain rate, integrated atmospheric water vapor content, and integrated liquid water content (including rain).

Rosenkranz, P. W.↗

Influence of airfoil geometry on delta wing leading-edge vortices and vortex-induced aerodynamics at supersonic speeds

An assessment of the influence of airfoil geometry on delta wing leading edge vortex flow and vortex induced aerodynamics at supersonic speeds is discussed. A series of delta wing wind tunnel models were tested over a Mach number range from 1.7 to 2.0. The model geometric variables included leading edge sweep and airfoil shape. Surface pressure data, vapor screen, and oil flow photograph data were taken to evaluate the complex structure of the vortices and shocks on the family of wings tested. The data show that airfoil shape has a significant impact on the wing upper surface flow structure and pressure distribution, but has a minimal impact on the integrated upper surface pressure increments.

Wood, Richard M.↗

Finite Element Prediction of Acoustic Scattering and Radiation from Submerged Elastic Structures

A finite element formulation is derived for the scattering and radiation of acoustic waves from submerged elastic structures. The formulation uses as fundamental unknowns the displacement in the structure and a velocity potential in the field. Symmetric coefficient matrices result. The outer boundary of the fluid region is terminated with an approximate local wave-absorbing boundary condition which assumes that outgoing waves are locally planar. The finite element model is capable of predicting only the near-field acoustic pressures. Far-field sound pressure levels may be determined by integrating the surface pressures and velocities over the wet boundary of the structure using the Helmholtz integral. Comparison of finite element results with analytic results show excellent agreement. The coupled fluid-structure problem may be solved with general purpose finite element codes by using an analogy between the equations of elasticity and the wave equation of linear acoustics.

Everstine, G. C.↗

Boundary integral equation method calculations of surface regression effects in flame spreading

A solid-phase conduction problem that is a modified version of one that has been treated previously in the literature and is applicable to flame spreading over a pyrolyzing fuel is solved using a boundary integral equation (BIE) method. Results are compared to surface temperature measurements that can be found in the literature. In addition, the heat conducted through the solid forward of the flame, the heat transfer responsible for sustaining the flame, is also computed in terms of the Peclet number based on a heated layer depth using the BIE method and approximate methods based on asymptotic expansions. Agreement between computed and experimental results is quite good as is agreement between the BIE and the approximate results.

Altenkirch, R. A.↗

Global Energy and Water Exchanges Program Surface Radiation Budget Release 4 Integrated Product: Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document

This document represents the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD) describing the NASA Langley Research Center's Surface Radiation budget (SRB) developed in collaboration with the World Research Climate Programme's Global Energy and Water Exchanges Program. The top of atmosphere and surface fluxes span from July 1, 1983 through June 30, 2017. The shortwave or solar wavelengths span the entire record. The thermal infrared or longwave fluxes span globally from January 1, 1988 to December 30, 2009. Before 1988, only the land-only fluxes are available. After 2009 only the ocean fluxes are available. This document describes all the inputs and radiative transfer algorithms used to generate the TOA and surface radiative fluxes. The fluxes include upward and downward, all-sky, clear-sky and pristine sky conditions. Surface net fluxes and cloud radiative effect are computed and presented as part of the analysis. Comparisons to other data products are made to assess the top-of-atmosphere and surface fluxes. Additionally, surface measurements are utilized to validation the surface fluxes. The surface validation analysis shows the the radiative fluxes are improved compared to the previous version. Data set cautions are also presented.

surface radiation budget↗

Precision Interval Estimation of the Response Surface by Means of an Integrated Algorithm of Neural Network and Linear Regression

The integration of Radial Basis Function Networks and Back Propagation Neural Networks with the Multiple Linear Regression has been accomplished to map nonlinear response surfaces over a wide range of independent variables in the process of the Modem Design of Experiments. The integrated method is capable to estimate the precision intervals including confidence and predicted intervals. The power of the innovative method has been demonstrated by applying to a set of wind tunnel test data in construction of response surface and estimation of precision interval.

Lo, Ching F.↗

Evaluation of a Tactical Surface Metering Tool for Charlotte Douglas International Airport Via Human-in-the-Loop Simulation

NASA has been working with the FAA and aviation industry partners to develop and demonstrate new concepts and technologies that integrate arrival, departure, and surface traffic management capabilities. In March 2017, NASA conducted a human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation for integrated surface and airspace operations, modeling Charlotte Douglas International Airport, to evaluate the operational procedures and information requirements for the tactical surface metering tool, and data exchange elements between the airline controlled ramp and ATC Tower. In this paper, we focus on the calibration of the tactical surface metering tool using various metrics measured from the HITL simulation results. Key performance metrics include gate hold times from pushback advisories, taxi-in/out times, runway throughput, and departure queue size. Subjective metrics presented in this paper include workload, situational awareness, and acceptability of the metering tool and its calibration

air traffic management↗