SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “trace”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 235 records · Page 13

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1973

Light ray tracing through a leaf cross section

A light ray, incident at about 5 deg to the normal, is geometrically plotted through the drawing of the cross section of a soybean leaf using Fresnel's equations and Snell's law. The optical mediums of the leaf considered for ray tracing are air, cell sap, chloroplast, and cell wall. The above ray is also drawn through the same leaf cross section considering cell wall and air as the only optical mediums. The values of the reflection and transmission found from ray tracing agree closely with the experimental results obtained using a Beckman DK-2A spectroreflectometer.

Kumar, R.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Apollo 16 returned lunar samples - Lithophile trace-element abundances

Lithium, K, Rb, Sr, Ba, rare-earth, Zr, and Hf abundances have been determined by mass-spectrometric isotope-dilution for Apollo 16 soils, anorthosite 61016, and 'basalt' 68415 whole-rock and separated pyroxene and plagioclase. Our sample of 61016 is similar to some other lunar anorthosites in lithophile trace-element concentrations but at a slightly lower level. It was probably accumulated from a little differentiated basalt. Basalt 68415 might be a homogeneous mixture of KREEP and anorthosite material; it appears to have crystallized under conditions as reducing as those holding for mare-basalts. The soil fines cover only a limited compositional range. No obvious chemical differences were noted between the Descartes and Cayley formations. Most of the compositional variation of the soils can be accounted for in terms of the addition of plagioclase. The existence of very high alumina basalt as an independent magma-type appears debatable in view of its KREEP-like lithophile trace-element relative concentrations and the observed lunar radioactivity distribution.

Philpotts, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A discharge-condensation method for the detection of traces of charged particles

A new discharge condensation method is suggested for detecting the traces of charged particles. The chamber designed on the basis of this method possesses a high time resolution (several microseconds) and a greater memory time (dozens of milliseconds). Photographed traces of cosmic particles in the discharge condensation chamber are given.

Mandzhavidze, Z. S.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Measurements of trace constituents from atmospheric infrared emission and absorption spectra, a feasibility study

The feasibility of detecting eight trace constituents (CH4, HCl, HF, HNO3, NH3, NO, NO2 and SO2) against the rest of the atmospheric background at various altitudes from infrared emission and absorption atmospheric spectra was studied. Line-by-line calculations and observational data were used to establish features that can be observed in the atmospheric spectrum due to each trace constituent. Model calculations were made for experimental conditions which approximately represent state of the art emission and absorption spectrometers.

Goldman, A.↗

NASA NTRS1974

The simultaneous determination of 20 trace elements in terrestrial, lunar and meteoritic material by radiochemical neutron activation analysis

A radiochemical neutron activation method has been developed and applied to determine the content of 20 trace elements (Ag, Au, Bi, Br, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Ga, Ge, In, Ir, Ni, Rb, Re, Sb, Te, Tl, and Zn) in 45 terrestrial, 230 lunar, and 70 meteoritic samples. Results obtained for the U.S.G.S. standard basalt BCR-1 indicate that the inherent precision for most elements is 10% or better. The values obtained for the trace elements investigated are compared to those previously reported in the literature. Data for Type I carbonaceous chondrites show their compositions to be far more uniform than previously supposed. The values obtained for several elements represent significant revisions in the accepted cosmic abundances. These new values include: Zn, 1250; Cd, 1.51; and Ir, 0.72 atoms/million Si atoms. Further results have provided insight into the meteoritic material and accretion of the moon, and give evidence of lunar highland vulcanism.

Keays, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Remote sensing of trace constituents from atmospheric infrared emission and absorption spectra

Atmospheric infrared emission and absorption spectra obtained from aircraft and balloon-borne spectrometers are presented. From such spectra, mixing ratio vs altitude profiles are derived for several minor constituents. Recent results for HNO3, CF2Cl2, CFCl3, and HF are presented. In addition, the feasibility of infrared detection of other trace constituents, such as HCl, HF, NH3, NO and SO2, against the rest of the atmospheric background is studied. From this study, made on a line-by-line basis for 'state of the art' airborne spectrometers, potential spectral features for detection of the trace constituents are isolated.

Barker, D. B.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Oxidation of contaminative methane traces with radio-frequency discharge

An 11.8 MHz glow discharge was used to oxidize trace levels of methane in oxygen. The concentration of methane can be reduced by three orders of magnitude. The effects of power (0-400 W), flow rate (10-1000 cc-STP/min) and concentration (70-8000 ppm) were investigated at pressures ranging from 50 torr to almost 1 atm. No organic reaction products were detected in the treated gas stream. The process may prove useful for the removal of atmospheric trace contaminants at ambient pressure.

Flamm, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Greenhouse effects due to man-made perturbations of trace gases

Nitrous oxide, methane, ammonia, and a number of other trace constituents of the earth's atmosphere have infrared absorption bands in the spectral range from 7 to 14 microns. Despite their small amounts, these gases can have a significant effect on the thermal structure of the atmosphere by transmitting most of the thermal radiation from the earth's surface to the lower atmosphere. In the present paper, this greenhouse effect is computed for a number of trace gases. The nature and climatic implications of possible changes in the concentrations of N2O, CH4, NH3, and HNO3 are discussed.

Wang, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Monitoring complex trace-gas mixtures by long-path laser absorption spectrometry

Laser-based spectrophotometric methods, which have been proposed for the detection of trace concentrations of gaseous contaminants, include Raman and passive radiometry. The paper discusses a simple long-path laser absorption method which is capable of resolving complex mixtures of closely related trace contaminants at ppm levels. A number of species were selected which are most likely to accumulate in closed environments, such as submarines or long-duration manned space flights. Absorption coefficients at CO2 laser wavelengths were measured, accurate to + 3 per cent or better, for each of these species. This data base was then used to determine the presence and concentration of the contaminants in prepared mixtures of 12 to 15 gases. Computer programs have been developed which will permit a real-time analysis of the monitored atmosphere. Minimum detectable concentrations for individual species are generally in the ppm range, and are not seriously degraded by interferences even in complex mixtures. Estimates of the dynamic range of this monitoring technique for various system configurations and comparison with other methods of analysis are discussed

Green, B. D.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Further developments in oxidation of methane traces with radiofrequency discharge

The radiofrequency discharge, previously shown to oxidize trace levels of methane in oxygen, was studied with contaminated air at 50, 600, and 760 torr. As with oxygen, the concentration of methane traces could be reduced by several orders of magnitude, and no organic reaction products were detected in the effluent; however, substantial concentrations of NOx (0.1-6%) were formed during treatment. The concentration of NOx was decreased by using a large diameter electrode. There is evidence that the process will oxidize N2 and NO as well as organic impurities in oxygen or oxygen/inert gas atmospheres.

Flamm, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The capability of satellite borne remote sensors to measure stratospheric trace constituents. Volume 3: Supporting material

Contained in this volume is material of a supportive nature not considered to be of sufficient importance to be included in the other two previous volumes. This material is of two types:(1) information and numerical evaluations used in the development of mission evaluations for stratospheric trace constituent measurement;and (2) various spatial and temporal distributions for those stratospheric trace species having sufficient measurements available to warrant their presentation.

Keitz, E. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Airborne infrared interferometric observations and analysis of stratospheric trace constituents

Infrared interferometric observations of key trace constituents of the stratosphere have been obtained. The NASA Lear Airborne Observatory with the Grumman airborne interferometer system was flown in the lower stratosphere at an altitude of 13.7 km to obtain transmission spectra in the 2800-6000 per cm region at a resolution of 2.5 per cm using the moon as a source. An atmospheric modeling program and the AFGL line parameter atlas are used to identify H2O, CH4, O3 and other trace constituents and to derive stratospheric column densities (molecules/sq cm).

Smith, L. L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Trace element contents of selected antarctic meteorites, 1

Data are reported for volatile/mobile Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, Rb, Sb, Se, Te, T1 and Zn in exterior and/or interior samples of four Antarctic meteorites: 77005 (unique achondrite); 77257 (unreilite); 77278 (L3); 77299 (H3). Exterior samples reflect contamination and/or leaching by weathering but trace element (ppm-ppt) contents in interior samples seem reasonable for representatives of these rare meteoritic types. The 77005 achondrite seems related to shergottites; other samples extend compositional ranges previously known for their types. With suitable precautions, Antarctic meteorite finds yield trace element data as reliable as those obtained from previously known falls.

Biswas, S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Trace constituent mixing ratios in the lower stratosphere during the 1977 intertropical convergence zone experiment

Minor constituents in the atmosphere can play an important role as tracers in studies of atmospheric transport and mixing. Simultaneous measurements of the vertical distribution of trace constituents in the troposphere and lower stratosphere were conducted in the region of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). An effort was made to measure the mixing ratios of selected trace constituents. A cryogenic sampling system on board a U-2 aircraft was used to acquire whole-air samples and to cryogenically collect samples at 13.7 to 21.3 km. Simultaneous tropospheric measurements using whole-air sampling canisters on board a Learjet aircraft were also carried out.

Vedder, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Trace element partitioning between ionic crystal and liquid

The partitioning of trace elements between ionic crystals and the melt has been correlated with lattice energy of the host. The solid-liquid partition coefficient has been expressed in terms of the difference in relative ionic radius of the trace element and the homogeneous and heterogeneous strain of the host lattice. Predictions based on this model appear to be in general agreement with data for alkali nitrates and for rare-earth elements in natural garnet phenocrysts.

Tsang, T.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Trace element composition of Luna 24 Crisium VLT basalt

The origins of the individual particles analyzed from the Luna 24 core and the information they provide on the trace-element composition of Mare Crisium basalt are considered. Previous analyses of several Luna 24 soil fragments are reviewed. It is concluded that: (1) the average trace-element concentrations for 12 VLT basalt fragments are the best available estimates for bulk samples of Crisium VLT basalt; (2) there is weak evidence that the average Crisium basalt might have a small positive Eu anomaly relative to chondritic matter; (3) the soils contain components from sources other than the Crisium VLT basalt; and (4) there is no convincing information in concentrations of rare-earth elements, Co, Sc, FeO, or Na2O among the analyzed fragments to indicate more than one parent basalt.

Haskin, L. A.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Genesis of Apollo 15 olivine normative mare basalts - Trace element correlations

Chemical and petrographic studies of 21 Apollo 15 rake basalts are reported; one pyroxene-phyric basalt, four olivine-phyric basalts, 15 olivine microgabbros, and one brecciated basalt are distinguished. The olivine-normative basalts (i.e., all samples but the pyroxene-phyric basalt) show correlation trends of La/Sm vs. La and Sm/Eu vs. La that are within the observed dispersion ranges of La/Sm and Sm/Eu ratios for a single lava flow. Trace element fractionation trends in the sample could be due to mobilization (perhaps by filter pressing) of fractionated residual liquid during the crystallization of a lava flow. However, it is also possible that the suite of olivine-normative basalts represents several basalt flows produced by partial melting of cumulate layers having interstitial liquids with variable trace-element compositions.

Ma, M.-S.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Experimental investigations of trace element fractionation in iron meteorites. I - Early results

Experimental procedures for measuring trace element partitioning among metal and sulfide and silicate phases are described, and solid metal/liquid metal partition coefficients for minor and trace elements in the Fe-Ni system at 5 to 14% Ni are reported. The bulk compositions desired are homogenized at superliquidus temperature for 15-24 hours, held at a temperature in the solid/liquid two phase region for about 24 hours, and quenched to freeze in the equilibrium compositions. Run products are analyzed by electron microprobe. With the exception of Cr, all preliminary partition coefficients obtained are in the same sense as values derived from iron meteorites. The partition coefficients for Cr in solid metal/liquid metal and metal/troilite systems suggest that IIIAB and main group pallasites equilibrated with 9-22% troilite. A second method which makes it possible to place upper and lower limits on the partition coefficient by holding part of the sample at subliquidus and part at superliquidus temperatures, yielded significantly different results for the two metals tested (Au and Pt) from those obtained by the first method, demonstrating the importance of a close approach to equilibrium before using experimentally-determined partition coefficients to test empirical differentiation models for iron meteorites.

Bild, R. W.↗