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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 235 records · Page 13

Study of atmospheric and bidirectional effects on surface reflectance and vegetation index time series: Application to NOAA AVHRR and preparation for future space missions

The objectives of the investigation, namely 'to characterize the atmospheric and directional effects on surface reflectance and vegetation index using the First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISLCSP) Field Experiment (FIFE) data set, develop new algorithms to obtain better Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) indices, and define possible improvements for future satellite missions', were addressed in three separate, yet complementary studies. First, it was shown, from theoretical calculations, that visible and near infrared reflectances combined linearly at optimum (one or two) viewing angles relate linearly to the fraction of photosynthetically available radiation absorbed by plants, f(sub par), can be used independently of the type of foliage and substrate, eliminate the effects of sub-pixel spatial heterogeneity, and improve the accuracy of the f(sub par) estimates when compared to the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI. Second, it was demonstrated that NDVI, even though it is not a linear combination of radiances or reflectances, can be spatially integrated without significant loss of information from scales of 300 to 1000 m. Third, AVHRR visible and near-infrared reflectances over the FIFE site, separating temporal and bidirectional components and determining the model parameters through an original iterative scheme was successfully modeled. It appears that NDVI generated from the top-of-atmosphere reflectances normalized by the bidirectional effects (as determined in the scheme) is a better vegetation index than maximum NDVI. Details about the three studies are presented.

Frouin, Robert↗

Analysis of the Effects of Surface Pitting and Wear on the Vibrations of a Gear Transmission System

A comprehensive procedure to simulate and analyze the vibrations in a gear transmission system with surface pitting, 'wear' and partial tooth fracture of the gear teeth is presented. An analytical model was developed where the effects of surface pitting and wear of the gear tooth were simulated by phase and magnitude changes in the gear mesh stiffness. Changes in the gear mesh stiffness were incorporated into each gear-shaft model during the global dynamic simulation of the system. The overall dynamics of the system were evaluated by solving for the transient dynamics of each shaft system simultaneously with the vibration of the gearbox structure. In order to reduce the number of degrees-of-freedom in the system, a modal synthesis procedure was used in the global transient dynamic analysis of the overall transmission system. An FFT procedure was used to transform the averaged time signal into the frequency domain for signature analysis. In addition, the Wigner-Ville distribution was also introduced to examine the gear vibration in the joint time frequency domain for vibration pattern recognition. Experimental results obtained from a gear fatigue test rig at NASA Lewis Research Center were used to evaluate the analytical model.

Choy, F. K.↗

Chiral Electrokinetic Phenomena in Single Nanopores

Abstract The arrangement of solvent molecules and ions at solid–liquid interfaces determines electrochemical properties that are important in separations platforms, sensing technologies, and energy‐storage systems. Here we show that single glass and polymer pores in contact with propylene carbonate (PC) solutions of LiClO 4 exhibit an effective surface potential that is modulated by the enantiomeric excess of the solvent. In particular, electrochemical and electrokinetic measurements of ionic transport through glass pipettes and polymer pores reveal that the effective surface potential is significantly lower in solutions prepared using enantiomerically pure PC than in solutions prepared using racemic PC. Both pore systems became positively charged in all racemic solutions examined in the range of LiClO 4 concentrations between 1 mM and 100 mM, whereas solutions in ( R )‐(+)‐PC induced a positive surface potential only at concentrations above ~5 mM. The effective surface potential is quantified through asymmetry in current–voltage curves and zeta‐potential measurements. Vibrational sum‐frequency‐generation experiments on LiClO 4 solutions in racemic and enantiomerically pure PC indicate that the surface lipid‐bilayer‐like region in the former is more strongly organized than in the latter, dictating the favorable positions for lithium and perchlorate ions in each case. The more ordered molecular packing in the racemic liquid leads to accumulation of lithium ions on the outside of the bilayer, creating a higher effective positive charge. Our results highlight the extreme sensitivity of the interfacial potential on molecular organization of the solvent, and the relatively unexplored role that chirality can play in electrokinetic phenomena.

Alanis, Kristen↗

Effect of Surface Roughness on Dynamic Stall in Pitching Motion

Dynamic stall plays a critical role in determining the performance and stability of a wide range of fluid-dynamics systems in various engineering applications. This unsteady aerodynamic phenomenon is particularly significant for maneuvering aircraft wings, jet aircraft subjected to gust encounters, helicopter rotor blades, and wind turbine blades [1–3]. The prediction of the dynamic stall vortex (DSV) is challenging due to factors such as unsteady aerodynamics, three-dimensional (3-D) effects, turbulence and flow separation, incoming gust, and surface impact effects [4–6]. Hence, advanced computational techniques and modeling approaches in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) would be required to enhance the accuracy and reliability of DSV predictions in dynamic stall scenarios. In the past, Batther and Lee [7] employed delayed detached eddy simulations (DDES) to understand the flow physics associated with the onset of dynamic stall. Their approach demonstrated that DDES achieves results comparable to those obtained from large-eddy simulations at a reduced computational cost. In another study, Khalifa et al. [8] examined the 3-D aspects of dynamic stall on a NACA 0012 airfoil using DES solvers. In conclusion, the findings underlined the superiority of 3-D simulations over two-dimensional approaches, particularly in predicting the lift coefficient values and capturing dynamic stall stages more precisely.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Effect of surface catalytic activity on stagnation heat-transfer rates.

An experiment was made to determine the effect heterogeneous catalytic surface reactions have on heat-transfer rates in highly frozen low-density stagnation-point boundary layers. Data were obtained in arc-heated facilities that were capable of producing large percentages of chemical energy frozen in a supersonic freestream. The heat-transfer rate to a silicon-dioxide surface was reduced to a minimum value of only one-third of the value obtained on relatively active nickel and platinum surfaces. This is the result of its low catalytic efficiency. Ionization energy was recovered on both the active and the inactive surfaces, indicating that this energy either was released many times faster than the recombination energy or was not controlled by the surface composition.

Anderson, L. A.↗

The effect of surface temperature and Reynolds number on the leeward heat-transfer for a shuttle orbiter

The effect of windward surface temperature on the heat transfer to the leeward surface of the shuttle orbiter was investigated. Heat-transfer distributions, surface-pressure distributions, and schlieren photographs were obtained for an 0.01-scale model of the 37-0 shuttle orbiter at angles-of-attack of 30 deg and of 40 deg. Similar data were obtained for a fuselage-only configuration at angles-of-attack of 30 deg and of 90 deg. Data were obtained for various Mach numbers, Reynolds numbers, and surface temperatures.

Bertin, J. J.↗

The Effect of Surface Heterogeneity on Cloud Absorption Estimates

This study presents a systematic and quantitative analysis of the effect of inhomogeneous surface albedo on shortwave cloud absorption estimates. We use 3D radiative transfer modeling with gradually complex clouds over a simplified surface to calculate cloud absorption. We find that averaging surface albedo always underestimates cloud absorption, and thus accounting for surface heterogeneity always enhances cloud absorption. However, the impact on cloud absorption estimates is not enough to explain the discrepancy between measured and model calculated shortwave cloud absorptions.

Chiu, Jui-Yuan C.↗

Effects of spoiler surfaces on the aeroelastic behavior of a low-aspect-ratio rectangular wing

The relationship between spoiler surfaces and flutter for a low-aspect ratio, rectangular wing is examined. The model design is a rigid wing mounted to the wing tunnel wall using a flexible, rectangular beam. The spoiler surface is composed of thin, rectangular aluminum plates that are vertically mounted to the wing surface. The effects of changes in spoiler geometry and location on wing flutter are studied using wind tunnel testing. It is determined that increases in spoiler height and weight cause an increase in the flutter dynamic pressure; however, variations in the location of the spoiler surfaces have little effect on flutter. Diagrams of the wing model are provided.

Cole, Stanley R.↗

The Effect of Surface Heating Heterogeneity on Boundary Layer Height and Its Dependence on Background Wind Speed

The planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) is a fundamental variable of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). The effect of surface heterogeneity is challenging in the PBL parameterization for numerical weather and climate models. Here we use large eddy simulation data to investigate the impact of surface heating heterogeneity on the PBLH spatial variations and mean values over a domain of typical mesoscale model grid size. It is found that this impact depends on background wind condition. Variance decomposition and Fourier spectra both reveal that for the fully developed sheared convective PBL, surface heterogeneity contributes little to the spatial variation of PBLH, except for the case with heterogeneity scale of 14.4 km. This suggests that surface heterogeneity with length scales less than ~10 km, which is typical for mesoscale modeling, does not induce significant subgrid spatial variation of PBLH. The domain-averaged PBLH is found to generally increase as surface heterogeneity scale decreases, until reaching the scale on the order of PBLH. The findings can be used to inform the parameterization development of PBL processes over heterogeneous surface.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Synergic Effects of Surface Chemistry and Applied Potentials on the Kinetics of the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction in IrO 2

Improving the efficacy of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) through water oxidation is critical for advancing photoelectrochemical water splitting. Among the catalysts, IrO 2 exhibits a high OER catalytic activity and stability under acidic conditions. The OER mechanism in this system has been a topic of intense research; however, many mechanistic understandings are lacking. In this work, we carried out first-principles calculations with an implicit solvation model at a constant potential to study the OER behavior on the IrO 2 (110) surface. We find that the surface hydrogen coverage has a significant effect on OER kinetics and transition states. We then develop a microkinetics model that accounts for the continuous evolution of both OER activation energy and hydrogen coverage as a function of an applied potential. We show that this inclusion leads to significant improvement in the simulated Tafel plot compared to available experiments. In conclusion, our results point to a complex interplay between surface chemistry and the applied potential on OER kinetics.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Effects of Surface Terminations of 2D Bi 2 WO 6 on Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution from Water Splitting

Two-dimensional (2D)-structured photocatalysts with atomically thin layers not only have the potential to enhance hydrogen generation efficiency but also allow more direct investigations of the effects of surface terminations on photocatalytic activity. In this work, taking 2D Bi 2 WO 6 as a model, we found that the configuration of bilayer Bi 2 O 2 sandwiched by alternating WO 4 layers enabled the thermodynamic driving potential for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Without Pt deposition, the H 2 generation efficiency can reach to 56.9 μmol/g/h by 2D Bi 2 WO 6 as compared with no activity of Bi 2 WO 6 nanocrystals under simulated solar light. This configuration is easily functionalized by adsorption of Cl – /Br – to form Bi–Cl/Bi–Br bonds, which leads to the decrease of recombination in photogenerated charge carriers and narrower band gaps. This work highlights an effective way to design photocatalysts with efficient hydrogen evolution by tuning the surface terminations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A procedure for calculating laminar, transitional and/or turbulent three-dimensional boundary layers including surface curvature effects about arbitrary blunt-nosed bodies

The governing equations for laminar, transitional and/or turbulent, incompressible, three-dimensional boundary layers are solved numerically. The equations are developed in terms of an orthogonal surface coordinate system and include surface curvature effects. The coordinates are generated numerically, while the inviscid flow is obtained from a general potential flow procedure. The only restrictions on body geometry are that it possess a blunt nose and a plane of symmetry. The boundary-layer equations, after being transformed into similarity type variables, are solved using the implicit finite-difference Krause scheme. Various test cases are presented to establish the accuracy of the resulting computer program.

Dwoyer, D. L.↗

Survey on effect of surface winds on aircraft design and operation and recommendations for needed wind research

A survey of the effect of environmental surface winds and gusts on aircraft design and operation is presented. A listing of the very large number of problems that are encountered is given. Attention is called to the many studies that have been made on surface winds and gusts, but development in the engineering application of these results to aeronautical problems is pointed out to be still in the embryonic stage. Control of the aircraft is of paramount concern. Mathematical models and their application in simulation studies of airplane operation and control are discussed, and an attempt is made to identify their main gaps or deficiencies. Key reference material is cited. The need for better exchange between the meteorologist and the aeronautical engineer is discussed. Suggestions for improvements in the wind and gust models are made.

Houbolt, J. C.↗

The Effect of Surface Terminations on the Initial Stages of TiO 2 Deposition on Functionalized Silicon

As atomic layer deposition (ALD) emerges as a method to fabricate architectures with atomic precision, emphasis is placed on understanding surface reactions and nucleation mechanisms. ALD of titanium dioxide with TiCl 4 and water has been used to investigate deposition processes in general, but the effect of surface termination on the initial TiO 2 nucleation lacks needed mechanistic insights. Here, this work examines the adsorption of TiCl 4 on Cl–, H–, and HO– terminated Si(100) and Si(111) surfaces to elucidate the general role of different surface structures and defect types in manipulating surface reactivity of growth and non-growth substrates. The surface sites and their role in the initial stages of deposition are examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Density functional theory (DFT) computations of the local functionalized silicon surfaces suggest oxygen-containing defects are primary drivers of selectivity loss on these surfaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effect of surface steps on chemical ordering in the subsurface of Cu(Au) solid solutions

Atomic steps are typically assumed to only influence surface phenomena of solids. In contrast, in this paper we show, using in-situ atomic-resolution electron microscopy observations and atomistic modeling, the pronounced effect from surface stepsin inducing compositional and structural evolution in the subsurface of a Cu(Au) solid solution. We find that Au surface segregation results in a stacked sequence of Cu-Au ordered phases in the subsurface. The presence of a monatomic step at the surface induces the formation of an anti-phase boundary that extends from the surface step to deeper layers by maintaining the same composition profile associated with each terrace. The bunching of surface steps induces chemical disordering of the Cu-Au ordered phases in the subsurface region of the bunched steps. These results demonstrate the instant propagation of surface dynamics of atomic steps into the subsurface region and can find broader applicability in utilizing surface defects to tune the composition and structure in the subsurface of alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Flight test evaluation of drag effects on surface coatings on the NASA Boeing 737 TCV airplane

A flight test program was conducted in which the effects of various surface coatings on aerodynamic drag were investigated; results of this program are described in this report. The tests were conducted at NASA-Langley Research Center on the terminal configured vehicle (TCV) Boeing 737 research airplane. The Boeing Company, as contractor with NASA under the Energy Efficient Transport (EET) program, planned and evaluated the experiment. The NASA-TCV Program Office coordinated the experiment and performed the flight tests. The principal objective of the test was to evaluate the drag reduction potential of an elastomeric polyurethane surface coating, CAAPCO B-274, which also has been considered for application on transport airplanes to protect leading edges from erosion. The smooth surface achievable with this type of coating held some promise of reducing the skin friction drag as compared to conventional production type aircraft surfaces, which are usually anodized bare metal or coated with corrosion protective paint. Requirements for high precision measurements were the principal considerations in the experiment.

George-Falvy, D.↗