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At least 235 records · Page 13

Vortex Shedding Characteristics of the Wake of a Thin Flat Plate with a Circular Trailing Edge

The near and very near wake of a thin flat plate with a circular trailing edge are investigated with direct numerical simulations (DNS). Data obtained for two different Reynolds numbers (based on plate thickness, D) are the main focus of this study. The separating boundary layers are turbulent in both cases. An earlier investigation of one of the cases (Case F) showed shed vortices in the wake that were about 1.0 D to 4.0 D in spanwise length. Considerable variation in both the strength and frequency of these shed vortices was observed. One objective of the present investigation is to determine the important contributors to this variability in strength and frequency of shed vortices and their finite spanwise extent. Analysis of the data shows that streamwise vortices in the separating boundary layer play an important role in strengthening/weakening of the shed vortices and that high/low-speed streaks in the boundary layer are important contributors to variability in shedding frequency. Both these features of the boundary layer contribute to the finite extent of the vortices in the spanwise direction. The second plate DNS (Case G, with 40 percent of the plate thickness of Case F) shows that while shedding intensity is weaker than obtained in Case F, many of the wake features are similar to that of Case F. This is important in understanding the path to the wake of the thin plate with a sharp trailing edge where shedding is absent. Here we also test the efficacy of a functional relationship between the shedding frequency and the Reynolds numbers based on the boundary layer momentum thickness (Re (sub theta) and D (Re (sub D)); data for developing this behavioral model is from Cases F & G and five earlier DNSs of the flat plate wake.

Turbulent wakes↗

Comparison of Impact Damage from Spin Pit and Flat Panel Gas Gun Testing

Gas gun experiments can generate useful data for the design of jet engine containment shields at much lower costs. To replicate the damage modes similar to that on a containment shield in fan-blade-out (FBO) testing, the gas gun experiment has to be carefully designed. This work focuses on the design of projectiles. Gas gun experiments were performed for flat composite panel targets with three different projectiles. FBO conditions were simulated using spin pit tests. The damage modes on the flat panels used in the gas gun tests were compared with damage modes on cylindrical composite containment shields used in spin pit tests. The results show that to generate similar damage modes, it is critical to ensure the shape of the projectile used in a gas gun test accounts for the deformation of the released blade during initial contact in the spin pit test.

Vanderklok, Andy↗

Flat-H Redundant Frangible Joint Design Evolution 2018: Feasibility Study Conclusions

This paper reports results of an investigation into developing a single failure tolerant pyrotechnic linear separation system which features completely redundant explosive trains suitable for human spaceflight. It is a follow up to “Flat-H Redundant Frangible Joint Design Evolution 2017” and “Flat-H Redundant Frangible Joint Evolution”. The paper chronicles the history of the redundant frangible joint development program including testing, analysis, and design improvements from 2014 to the present culminating in a successful proof-of-concept prototype. The paper describes work done to address debris control and containment of combustion products. A performance optimization strategy is presented along with optimization results. Additionally a novel containment manifold design is presented with test results.

Structures↗

Simulation and Modeling of Cold-Wall Hypersonic Turbulent Boundary Layers on Flat Plate

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of flat-plate, zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layers are presented for nominal freestream Mach numbers of 11 and 14 and a highly cooled wall (wall-to-recovery temperature of approximately 0.2). The flow conditions of the DNS are representative of the experimental data for a Mach 11.1 turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate that was tested at Calspan–University of Buffalo Research Center (CUBRC) and the operational conditions of the AEDC Hypervelocity Tunnel No. 9 at Mach 14. The wall shear stress and turbulent heat flux predicted by DNS show good comparisons with those measured at CUBRC and those modeled with a Baldwin-Lomax model. The generated DNS database extends the range of Reynolds numbers from those typical of previous DNS studies for hypersonic boundary-layer flows and confirms the validity of Morkovin’s hypothesis within the relatively broader range of Reynolds numbers considered in this study. A priori assessment of turbulent heat flux models with DNS data shows that the algebraic energy flux (AEF) formulation gives better predictions of the streamwise turbulent heat flux than the commonly used constant turbulent Prandtl number model while both models give similarly good predictions of the wall-normal turbulent heat flux. A posteriori assessment shows that the AEF model improves the prediction of the temperature profiles while keeping a good prediction of the velocity field.

Junji Huang↗

Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interaction (SWBLI) Experiments in the Presence of Transition-to-Turbulence on a Flat Plate Model in the NASA LaRC 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel

Historically, there have been a limited number of studies involving Transitional Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interactions (XSWBLI) in hypersonic flows, the majority of which have been performed at Mach Numbers of 7.5 and below. Additionally, there have been even fewer such experiments which incorporate non-intrusive and optical diagnostics. NASA Langley Research Center (NASA LaRC), in collaboration with The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI), is currently planning and preparing for a series of experimental aerodynamic tests using the NASA LaRC 31-inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel. The experiments will primarily focus on studying the dynamics of Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interactions (SWBLI) in the presence of transition (XSWBLI) and turbulence (SWTBLI) on a large, flat plate model at a freestream Mach number of 10. Besides continued interest in understanding the flow at high Mach numbers, executing such tests at Mach 10 avoids some known concerns and will aid in solving new problems. XSWBLI are a highly unsteady phenomena and the generation of XSWBLI at lower Mach numbers can prove to be a significant challenge. This concern will be somewhat mitigated in the Mach 10 flow, as boundary layers become increasingly stabilized, but some difficulty in achieving transition is still expected. Modelling SWBLI in the presence of transitional and turbulent boundary layers has also proven to be difficult, so a high-Mach number experiment which applies non-intrusive and optical diagnostics will aid in solving a unique problem as well as advancing the understanding and characterization of an aerodynamic surface at Mach 10.The NASA LaRC 31-inch Wind Tunnel incorporates a test section having a cross-section of 31-inches × 31-inches and provides optical access to the test section via three (3) ultra-violet (UV) transmitting windows on the top, side, and bottom. The Mach 10 operating conditions will consist of pressures (P0) ranging from 2.4 to 10MPa (348 to 1,450 psi) at a temperature (T0) of 1,000 K (1,800 °R). The NASA LaRC 31-inch wind tunnel will deliver 1-minute blow-down runs, of which 30-45 seconds will be consumed to reach the aforementioned test conditions. The pump down time between runs will be approximately 45-60 minutes, which will provide for 6-10 test runs per day over the course of a weeklong entry. The proposed flat plate model will be constructed of stainless steel with geometry consisting of a10-inch × 30-inch upper surface and a 2-inch thickness. The model will be designed to support multiple leading-edge inserts in order to examine blunt, round, and sharp leading edges at Mach 10. Adjustments will be made to manage boundary layer thickness as well as the strength and size of the shock interaction region for each test. Measurements and diagnostics will be performed though high-speed Schlieren, on-body high-speed pressure transducers, IR thermography, and oil flow visualization. Hypersonic vehicle applications have and will continue to emerge at the forefront of aerospace. The NASA-UTSA-UTSI team realizes the value of characterizing SWBLI, XSWBLI, and SWTBLI behaviors well beyond single-digit hypersonic Mach numbers. As hypersonic vehicle speed capabilities continue to increase, measurement and diagnostic methods for Mach numbers of 10 and beyond will provide the foundation for a firm understanding of flow field behavior which will directly influence the advancement of technologies towards the design and manufacturing of high-speed aerodynamic surfaces, controls, thermal protection systems, acoustic treatments, and structural components. The use of non-intrusive and optical diagnostic methods in such experimentation is pivotal in developing the visualization and empirical data necessary to advance the aforementioned technology areas.

Shockwave/Boundary-Layer Interactions↗

Two-Line Focused Laser Differential Interferometry of a Flat Plate Boundary Layer at Mach 6

Flat plate models are often used in wind tunnel testing to make measurements of the boundary layer, but preclude the use of conventional focused laser differential interferometry (FLDI) measurements, particularly for measurements at the surface of the model. By instead focusing light in only one direction using cylindrical optics, as opposed to two directions using only spherical optics, FLDI measurements can be made without truncating the beam at the model edges. Measurements at discrete points along a line can also be acquired, effectively acting as many individual FLDI instruments in a single measurement. Here, a two-line FLDI system has been constructed that allows for the measurement lines to be easily oriented at any azimuthal angle about the optical axis since the optics are housed in rotation mounts. Velocity measurements at points along a line or between two lines are also possible, since the beams are split similar to the two-point FLDI instrument. The system was first characterized in the laboratory using a laser-induced breakdown spark to provide a well-defined density fluctuation, along with high-speed schlieren measurements for comparison. The system was then installed at the NASA Langley 20-Inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel to make measurements through the boundary layer of a flat plate model and in the tunnel freestream.

Joshua M Weisberger↗

Parsec-scale Properties of Steep- and Flat-spectrum Extragalactic Radio Sources from a VLBA Survey of a Complete North Polar Cap Sample

We observed with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 2.3 and 8.6 GHz a complete flux-density-limited sample of 482 radio sources with decl. > +75° brighter than 200 mJy at 1.4 GHz drawn from the NVSS catalog. A total of 34% of the sources show parsec-scale emission above the flux density detection limit of 30 mJy; their accurate positions and parsec-scale structure parameters are determined. Among all the sources detected at least at the shortest VLBA baselines, the majority, or 72%, have a steep single-dish spectrum. The fraction of the sources with a detectable parsec-scale structure is above 95% among the flat-spectrum objects and close to 25% among the steep-spectrum objects. We identified 82 compact steep-spectrum source candidates, which make up 17% of the sample; most of them are reported for the first time. The compactness and the brightness temperature of the sources in our sample show a positive correlation with single-dish and VLBA spectral indices. All the sources with a significant 8 GHz variability were detected by the VLBA snapshot observations, which independently confirmed their compactness. We demonstrated that 54% of the sources detected by the VLBA at 2.3 GHz in our sample have a steep VLBA spectrum. The compact radio emission of these sources is likely dominated by optically thin jets or mini-lobes, not by an opaque jet core. These results show that future VLBI surveys aimed at searching for new sources with parsec-scale structure should include not only flat-spectrum sources but also steep-spectrum ones in order to reach an acceptable level of completeness.

A V Popkov↗

Full Scale Flat Floor Testing of a 500-M2-Class Solar Sail Deployer

Solar sailing missions rely on deployable systemsfor large area to mass ratios once in space, whilestill being small enough for launcher envelopes inthe stowed configuration. Many of thesedeployable systems feature booms that areflattened and subsequently coiled onto aspool/hub. As part of a collaborative deployablespace structures research effort of NASA and DLR,a boom deployment mechanism for a future 500 m²solar sail has been developed since 2017. To achieve the respective solar sail size goal, 16.5m long booms produced by NASA were integratedinto a DLR-designed deployer mechanism. Thisconsiderable size, as well as the lightweightconstruction of the booms and respectivedeployable systems makes ground testing asignificant challenge. Some systems for gravitycompensation and boom alignment will bepresented in the paper. However, the main focus isthe functional flat floor testing of the integratedboom-deployment mechanism system, as well asits challenges. The testing performed includes full deployment aswell as stowage of the booms. Both have beenperformed multiple times. The latter is one of thekey parameters determining packaging efficiency,which in turn confirms design assumptions. Duringsystem development, small scale tests and modelshave been used in preparation of flat floor testingof the 33 m span cross of the full-scale booms anddeployment mechanism. Hence a small chapter isalso devoted to analysing the differences inbehaviour between small- and full-scaledeployment systems. More parameters that are vital to design decisionshave been determined this way, such as drivingbelt force or hub brake torque. This paper alsofocuses on development goals and needs forfuture steps to achieve higher levels of technologyreadiness, such as the balancing of driving motorforce, synchronisation of its transmission and thecountering hub brake torque

Deployment mechanism↗

Numerical Simulation of Pressure-induced Separation of Turbulent Flat-plate Boundary Layers: Definition and Overview of New Cases with Suction-only Transpiration and a Step in Reynolds Number

Results from two new direct numerical simulations (DNSs) are added to the database described in Coleman, Rumsey & Spalart (2018) (henceforth CRS18), and available at the NASA TMR website (https://turbmodels.larc.nasa.gov). The new flows, Cases D and E, are similar to the earlier ones (Cases A–C) in that a transpiration profile above a flat plate creates a prolonged adverse pressure gradient (APG) that drives a canonical turbulent zero-pressure-gradient (ZPG), flat-plate boundary layer towards separation; they differ in that for the new cases (1) the APG is not followed by a favorable gradient (FPG), since only suction transpiration is employed, and (2) the mean shear stress does not cross zero, so that the width of the mean bubble, strictly defined, is essentially zero. However, the probability of reversed skin friction exceeds 49%. The motivation was to produce a flow that is more akin to technological flows, including shock-boundary-layer interaction, with a gradual turbulence-controlled recovery. One of the new simulations is also at a significantly higher Reynolds number than the earlier flows.

Turbulence↗

A Flat-Panel 8x8 Sequentially Rotated Wideband Microstrip Patch Phased Array Antenna for K/Ka-band 6U CubeSat Communications Applications

Flat-panel electronically-scanned phased arrays have recently become a mainstream technology in the areas of radar and satellite applications, particularly due to their low profile and not having to steer the beams mechanically, both of which helps in realizing a lightweight phased array solution that also occupies a smaller volume. Typically for satellite applications, circularly polarized element radiators are often employed in order to deal with the signal fading problem. In this project, the main objective was to design a flat-panel phased array solution for 6U CubeSat communication applications. As for the required specifications, the array should have two operating bands: 22.55–23.55 GHz and 25.5–27.5 GHz, which span part of the K and Ka bands. For both these bands, the panel should be able to radiate dual circular polarization, in both transmit and receive modes, and with a stable gain performance. Since the individual bands are very closely spaced, it was realized that a single wideband design would be a better solution than a closely spaced dual-band design. Thus, a stacked microstrip patch configuration was selected for the element radiator design, which is known to be wideband. Now, it is rather difficult to realize both wide impedance and axial ratio bandwidths simultaneously, and at high frequencies, without complicating the element stacked patch design.. As a result, a sequential rotation technique wasemployed to significantly improves the axial ratio bandwidth and circular polarization purity of an array, all the while improving the pattern symmetry (P. S. Hall, “Application of Sequential Feeding to Wide Bandwidth, Circularly Polarised Microstrip Patch Arrays,” IEE Proc. H (Microw., Antennas Propag.), vol. 136, no. 5, pp. 390–398, Oct. 1989). The designed element radiator is a circularly-polarized probe-fed stacked patch antenna, which has a 10-dB matching bandwidth of 22.3– 30 GHz, with only a 5.14% axial ratio bandwidth around the center frequency of the required band, i.e., ~25 GHz. However, the resulting array demonstrates a very low axial ratio (≪ 3 dB) over the entire bandwidth, due to the application of the sequential rotation technique. The 8×8 array was able to scan up to ±51° and ±40° at frequencies 23.05 GHz and 26.5 GHz (center frequencies of the lower and upper bands), respectively, while maintaining a ≤ 3 dB axial ratio and a ≤ 3 dB gain drop from the corresponding peak broadside value at both the principle and the diagonal radiation planes. The designed layout for the 8×8 phased array prototype is shown in Fig. 1, which is currently undergoing fabrication and RF assembly. The antenna will be tested in the far-field anechoic chambers of the Antenna and Microwave Laboratory (AML) at San Diego State University and at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC).

5G↗

Interpretation of Flat Energy Spectra Upstream of Fast Interplanetary Shocks

Interplanetary shocks are large-scale heliospheric structures often caused by eruptive phenomena at the Sun, and represent one of the main sources of energetic particles. Several interplanetary shock crossings by spacecraft at 1 AU have revealed enhanced energetic-ion fluxes that extend far upstream of the shock. Surprisingly, in some shock events, ion fluxes with energies between 100 keV and about 2 MeV acquire similar values (which we refer to as "overlapped'' fluxes), corresponding to flat energy spectra in that range. In contrast, closer to the shock, the fluxes are observed to depend on energy. In this work, we analyze three interplanetary shock-related energetic particle events observed by the Advanced Composition Explorer spacecraft where flat ion energy spectra were observed upstream of the shock. We interpret these observations via a velocity filter mechanism for particles in a given energy range. This reveals that low energy particles tend to be confined to the shock front and cannot easily propagate upstream, while high energy particles can. The velocity filter mechanism has been corroborated from observations of particle flux anisotropy by the Solid-State Telescope of Wind/3DP.

Shock waves↗

Biosignature Preservation Potential of Sulfate-Rich Rocks From Hogwallow Flats, Jezero Crater, Mars

The Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover discovered fine grained sedimentary rocks in the Hogwallow Flats member of the Shenandoah Formation at the ~3.6- to 3.8-billion-year-old Jezero crater, Mars. Mudstones and sandstones at the 3-meter-thick Hogwallow Flats (HWF) outcrop, and a laterally equivalent outcrop known as “Yori Pass”, show extensive evidence of diagenesis (alteration after deposition). Enhanced preservation of organic matter and other biosignatures can occur in early diagenetic environments associated with aqueous alteration in a lake, floodplain or pro-deltaic setting, as envisaged for HWF and Yori Pass [1]. Three drilled rock cores were collected from HWF-type bedrock as part of the Mars Sample Return Program. They are considered to be the samples with the highest potential to preserve organic compounds and biosignatures out of all samples collected so far by Perseverance (as of mission Sol 1000) [2]. This work outlines the implications of diagenesis for biosignature preservation in rock samples for possible return to Earth.

Mars 2020↗

The exact solution of shear-lag problems in flat panels and box beams assumed rigid in the transverse direction

A mathematical procedure is herein developed for obtaining exact solutions of shear-lag problems in flat panels and box beams: the method is based on the assumption that the amount of stretching of the sheets in the direction perpendicular to the direction of essential normal stresses is negligible. Explicit solutions, including the treatment of cut-outs, are given for several cases and numerical results are presented in graphic and tabular form. The general theory is presented in a from which further solutions can be readily obtained. The extension of the theory to cover certain cases of non-uniform cross section is indicated. Although the solutions are obtained in terms of infinite series, the present developments differ from those previously given in that, in practical cases, the series usually converge so rapidly that sufficient accuracy is afforded by a small number of terms. Comparisons are made in several cases between the present results and the corresponding solutions obtained by approximate procedures devised by Reissner and by Kuhn and Chiarito.

STRESSED SKIN-PLATES, FLAT↗

Existence of a flat band in highly correlated metal BaCo 2 P 2

We report on the observation of a flat band situated at the Fermi level E F along with the structural, electrical transport, and magnetic properties of BaCo 2 P 2 that crystallizes in the ThCr 2 Si 2 -type body-center tetragonal structure. This compound has the largest inter-layer pnictide (Pn) distance d Pn–Pn as well as the largest c/a ratio among all the known ACo 2 Pn 2 (A = alkaline earth metal) compounds, where a and c are the tetragonal lattice parameters. Hence, the magnetic and electronic properties of this compound are expected to have a quasi-two-dimensional character. Despite the evidence of the presence of sizable magnetic interactions, magnetic susceptibility χ(T) of BaCo 2 P 2 does not show magnetic ordering down to 1.8 K. The material shows good metallic conduction with a large residual resistivity ratio ρ 300 K /ρ 1.8 K ≈ 70 and a Fermi liquid behavior at low temperature. Kadowaki–Woods ratio R KW of BaCo 2 P 2 suggests the presence of sizable electronic correlations within this system. Additionally, a large many-body enhancement of 2.3 of the experimental density of states D γ (E F ) over the band-structure D band (E F ) is inferred to arise from sizable electron-electron and/or electron-phonon interactions leading to a substantial deviation from the free-electron behavior.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

An infrared on-shell action and its implications for soft charge fluctuations in asymptotically flat spacetimes

We study the infrared on-shell action of Einstein gravity in asymptotically flat spacetimes (AFSs), obtaining an effective, gauge-invariant boundary action for memory and shockwave spacetimes. We show that the phase space is in both cases parameterized by the leading soft variables in AFSs, thereby extending the equivalence between shockwave and soft commutators to spacetimes with non-vanishing Bondi mass. We then demonstrate that our on-shell action is equal to three quantities studied separately in the literature: (i) the soft supertranslation charge; (ii) the shockwave effective action, or equivalently the modular Hamiltonian; and (iii) the soft effective action. Finally, we compute the quantum fluctuations in the soft supertranslation charge and, assuming the supertranslation parameter may be promoted to an operator, we obtain an area law, consistent with earlier results showing that the modular Hamiltonian has such fluctuations.

asymptotically flat spacetimes↗

Flat-band driven Kondo breakdown and reentrant effects in heavy-fermion moiré superlattices

Moiré superlattices (MSLs) in van der Waals heterostructures have demonstrated their incredible power in driving emergent electronic phenomena, some of which are reminiscent of those usually only observed in bulk strongly correlated quantum materials. With the recent discovery of van der Waals 𝑓-electron materials, the design of novel MSLs of intrinsic strong correlation is now within the reach. Here we study the novel electron phases of two-dimensional heavy-fermion MSL with increasingly diluted 𝑓-electron local moments. By applying dynamical mean-field theory with numerical renormalization group as an impurity solver, we demonstrate the appearance of a different energy scale and a reentrant Kondo breakdown in connection with the emergence of a flat band in the system. We further compare our numerical findings with predictions derived from the Lieb-Mattis theorem and show the necessity of this energy scale to consistently reconcile the predictions with the conventional single-impurity limit for exceedingly large unit cells.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Observation of multiple flat bands and Van Hove singularities in the distorted kagome metal NdTi 3 Bi 4

Kagome materials have attracted enormous research interest recently owing to their diverse topological phases and manifestation of electronic correlation. Here, in this study, we present the electronic structure of a distorted ferromagnetic kagome metal, NdTi 3 ⁢Bi 4 , exhibiting a transition temperature of 9 K. Our investigation employs a combination of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We discover the presence of two “flat” bands which are found to originate from the kagome structure formed by Ti atoms with a major contribution from Ti 𝑑 𝑥⁢𝑦 and Ti 𝑑 𝑥 2 −𝑦 2 orbitals. We also observed multiple Van Hove singularities (VHSs) in its electronic structure, with one VHS lying near the Fermi level. The ARPES data reveal the existence of Dirac cone at the $\overline{𝐾}$ point, a finding which is corroborated by our DFT calculations. These findings present a detailed electronic structure capable of hosting correlation-driven phenomenon in this novel ferromagnetic kagome metal.

Fermi surface↗

Symmetry breaking forms split-off flat bands in quantum oxides controlling metal versus insulator phases

The crystal structure used as input to electronic structure calculation of conventionally bonded solids consists primarily of the standard crystallographic degrees of freedom. Quantum solids sometimes have additional microscopic degrees of freedom (m-DOF) nested within the crystallographic structure. These might include local motifs including positional (Peierls dimers, deformed octahedra, Jahn-Teller distortions), magnetic (local moment configurations) and dipolar (local ferroelectric configurations). Such motifs can be observed experimentally via local probes that avoid averaging, and theoretically as distinct total energy lowering features relative to more simplified “average crystallographic structures”. Here we examine the ability of electronic structure methods independent of strong correlation physics to explain the broad phenomenology of metal-insulator selectivity in quantum oxides by energy-lowering symmetry breaking. We do this by avoiding the restriction of considering only (i) electron-electron interactions in a fixed unresponsive lattice—as done in Mott strong correlation explanations—allowing, however, (ii) local positional and magnetic motifs that coexist within a crystallographic landscape. We find in a broad range of quantum oxides with different symmetry breaking modes the formation of split-off flat bands that can also control metallic versus insulating characteristics. The split-off band effect is common to magnetic and non-magnetic materials, including both binary and ternary oxides. One finds that when such local symmetry breaking motifs are considered in mean-field-like (e.g. density functional theory) electronic structure calculations of quantum oxides, they explain many of the observed trends in metal vs insulator phases discussed otherwise in prior literature via strong correlation in symmetry unbroken view.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗