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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 271 records · Page 15

The simultaneous integration of many trajectories using nilpotent normal forms

Taylor's formula shows how to approximate a certain class of functions by polynomials. The approximations are arbitrarily good in some neighborhood whenever the function is analytic and they are easy to compute. The main goal is to give an efficient algorithm to approximate a neighborhood of the configuration space of a dynamical system by a nilpotent, explicitly integrable dynamical system. The major areas covered include: an approximating map; the generalized Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formula; the Picard-Taylor method; the main theorem; simultaneous integration of trajectories; and examples.

Grayson, Matthew A.↗

Self-contained sub-millimeter wave rectifying antenna integrated circuit

The invention is embodied in a monolithic semiconductor integrated circuit in which is formed an antenna, such as a slot dipole antenna, connected across a rectifying diode. In the preferred embodiment, the antenna is tuned to received an electromagnetic wave of about 2500 GHz so that the device is on the order of a wavelength in size, or about 200 microns across and 30 microns thick. This size is ideal for mounting on a microdevice such as a microrobot for example. The antenna is endowed with high gain in the direction of the incident radiation by providing a quarter-wavelength (30 microns) thick resonant cavity below the antenna, the cavity being formed as part of the monolithic integrated circuit. Preferably, the integrated circuit consists of a thin gallium arsenide membrane overlying the resonant cavity and supporting an epitaxial Gallium Arsenide semiconductor layer. The rectifying diode is a Schottky diode formed in the GaAs semiconductor layer and having an area that is a very small fraction of the wavelength of the 2500 GHz incident radiation. The cavity provides high forward gain in the antenna and isolation from surrounding structure.

Siegel, Peter H.↗

The construction of airfoil pressure models by the plate method: Achievements, current research, technology development and potential applications

A method of constructing airfoils by inscribing pressure channels on the face of opposing plates, bonding them together to form one plate with integral channels, and contour machining this plate to form an airfoil model is described. The research and development program to develop the bonding technology is described as well as the construction and testing of an airfoil model. Sample aerodynamic data sets are presented and discussed. Also, work currently under way to produce thin airfoils with camber is presented. Samples of the aft section of a 6 percent airfoil with complete pressure instrumentation including the trailing edge are pictured and described. This technique is particularly useful in fabricating models for transonic cryogenic testing, but it should find application in a wide ange of model construction projects, as well as the fabrication of fuel injectors, space hardware, and other applications requiring advanced bonding technology and intricate fluid passages.

Lawing, P. L.↗

An improvement in the numerical integration procedure used in the NASA Marshall engineering thermosphere model

A proposed replacement scheme for the integration of the barometric and diffusion equations in the NASA Marshall Engineering Thermosphere (MET) model is presented. This proposed integration scheme is based on Gaussian Quadrature. Extensive numerical testing reveals it to be faster, more accurate and more reliable than the present integration scheme (a modified form of Simpson's Rule) used in the MET model. Numerous graphical examples are provided, along with a listing of a modified form of the MET model in which subroutine INTEGRATE (using Simpson's Rule) is replaced by subroutine GAUSS (which uses Gaussian Quadrature). It is recommended that the Gaussian Quadrature integration scheme, as used here, be used in the MET model.

Hickey, Michael Philip↗

A performance comparison of integration algorithms in simulating flexible structures

Asymptotic formulas for the characteristic root errors as well as transfer function gain and phase errors are presented for a number of traditional and new integration methods. Normalized stability regions in the lambda h plane are compared for the various methods. In particular, it is shown that a modified form of Euler integration with root matching is an especially efficient method for simulating lightly-damped structural modes. The method has been used successfully for structural bending modes in the real-time simulation of missiles. Performance of this algorithm is compared with other special algorithms, including the state-transition method. A predictor-corrector version of the modified Euler algorithm permits it to be extended to the simulation of nonlinear models of the type likely to be obtained when using the discretized structure approach. Performance of the different integration methods is also compared for integration step sizes larger than those for which the asymptotic formulas are valid. It is concluded that many traditional integration methods, such as RD-4, are not competitive in the simulation of lightly damped structures.

Howe, R. M.↗

Compact Assumption Applied to the Monopole Term of Farassat's Formulations

Farassat's formulations provide an acoustic prediction at an observer location provided a source surface, including motion and flow conditions. This paper presents compact forms for the monopole term of several of Farassat's formulations. When the physical surface is elongated, such as the case of a high aspect ratio rotorcraft blade, compact forms can be derived which are shown to be a function of the blade cross sectional area by reducing the computation from a surface integral to a line integral. The compact forms of all formulations are applied to two example cases: a short span wing with constant airfoil cross section moving at three forward flight Mach numbers and a rotor at two advance ratios. Acoustic pressure time histories and power spectral densities of monopole noise predicted from the compact forms of all the formulations at several observer positions are shown to compare very closely to the predictions from their non-compact counterparts. A study on the influence of rotorcraft blade shape on the high frequency portion of the power spectral density shows that there is a direct correlation between the aspect ratio of the airfoil and the error incurred by using the compact form. Finally, a prediction of pressure gradient from the non-compact and compact forms of the thickness term of Formulation G1A shows that using the compact forms results in a 99.6% improvement in computation time, which will be critical when noise is incorporated into a design environment.

Lopes, Leonard V.↗

Launch Vehicle/Carrier Interaction, Improving the Analytical Integration Process

A goal of the aerospace industry is to reduce the cost of space transportation by a significant within the next decade. The present cost of launching a space transportation system which includes propulsion system, vehicle, carrier, and payload integrated together to form a system, encompasses much more than the design of the propulsion system and vehicle. The total cost includes the recurring cost of the process of integrating carriers, and payloads into the vehicle for each flight. The recurring cost of the integration of carrier/payloads systems is driven by the interaction of the vehicle. If the interaction can be well characterized and made to be very predictable for a range of payloads, or if it can be minimized then the cost of integrating a payload can be reduced significantly from today's levels. The Space Shuttle is very interactive with the payload. The interaction has been well characterized through finite element modeling and is reasonably predictable for a specific payload. Experience has shown, however, that the interaction is very manifest dependent, and small changes in one portion of a payload complement can change the interaction significantly in another portion. That is the affects of one on the other are such that if one or the other is changed slightly the environment at the interfaces can change significantly. To date the Shuttle has made in excess of one hundred flights. For each of these flights several iterations of dynamic analyses have been required in the development of each vehicle/carrier/payload system. The iterative analyses are needed because of the sensitivity of the interaction of the launch vehicle to the attached carrier/payload. The Multi Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) is a carrier designed for flight in the Space Shuttle carrying a wide variation of cargo, supplies, and experiments to and from Space Station. Its integration process provides a unique area for improvement in the template in use today for transporting items to space. Discussion of the present MPLM integration analysis requirements and possible areas for improvement of the process are provided in the subject paper. Special emphasis is placed on reduction of requirements based on similarity of items being transported, and the use of carrier hardware for protection of the Shuttle Orbiter.

Shariett, Charles A.↗

Downward continuation of gravity information from satellite to satellite tracking or satellite gradiometry in local areas

Integral formulas in the parameter domain are used instead of a representation by spherical harmonics. The neglected regions will cause a truncation error. The application of the discrete form of the integral equations connecting the satellite observations with surface gravity anomalies is discussed in comparison with the least squares prediction method. One critical point of downward continuation is the proper choice of the boundary surface. Practical feasibilities are in conflict with theoretical considerations. The properties of different approaches for this question are analyzed.

Rummel, R.↗

Leveraging Existing Mission Tools in a Re-Usable, Component-Based Software Environment

Emerging methods in component-based software development offer significant advantages but may seem incompatible with existing mission operations applications. In this paper we relate our positive experiences integrating existing mission applications into component-based tools we are delivering to three missions. In most operations environments, a number of software applications have been integrated together to form the mission operations software. In contrast, with component-based software development chunks of related functionality and data structures, referred to as components, can be individually delivered, integrated and re-used. With the advent of powerful tools for managing component-based development, complex software systems can potentially see significant benefits in ease of integration, testability and reusability from these techniques. These benefits motivate us to ask how component-based development techniques can be relevant in a mission operations environment, where there is significant investment in software tools that are not component-based and may not be written in languages for which component-based tools even exist. Trusted and complex software tools for sequencing, validation, navigation, and other vital functions cannot simply be re-written or abandoned in order to gain the advantages offered by emerging component-based software techniques. Thus some middle ground must be found. We have faced exactly this issue, and have found several solutions. Ensemble is an open platform for development, integration, and deployment of mission operations software that we are developing. Ensemble itself is an extension of an open source, component-based software development platform called Eclipse. Due to the advantages of component-based development, we have been able to vary rapidly develop mission operations tools for three surface missions by mixing and matching from a common set of mission operation components. We have also had to determine how to integrate existing mission applications for sequence development, sequence validation, and high level activity planning, and other functions into a component-based environment. For each of these, we used a somewhat different technique based upon the structure and usage of the existing application.

Greene, Kevin↗

Analytic evaluation of two-center molecular integrals

By using the Fourier-transform technique, the explicit expressions for the one-electron - two-center overlap integrals of Slater-type atomic orbitals up to 3d are derived. The final expressions are analytic, simple, and independent of local coordinates. Furthermore, they do not contain the nonclosed-form of exponential integrals which were presented in expressions given in earlier work. It is shown that the two-electron - two-center Coulomb integrals, as well as the hybrid integrals, can simply be expressed in terms of these integrals. The numerical instability arising from the situation in which the exponents of the two orbitals are almost equal is discussed, and a solution for this problem based on a Taylor-series expansion of the integral is suggested.

Tai, H.↗

Principles, Techniques, and Applications of Tissue Microfluidics

The principle of tissue microfluidics and its resultant techniques has been applied to cell analysis. Building microfluidics to suit a particular tissue sample would allow the rapid, reliable, inexpensive, highly parallelized, selective extraction of chosen regions of tissue for purposes of further biochemical analysis. Furthermore, the applicability of the techniques ranges beyond the described pathology application. For example, they would also allow the posing and successful answering of new sets of questions in many areas of fundamental research. The proposed integration of microfluidic techniques and tissue slice samples is called tissue microfluidics because it molds the microfluidic architectures in accordance with each particular structure of each specific tissue sample. Thus, microfluidics can be built around the tissues, following the tissue structure, or alternatively, the microfluidics can be adapted to the specific geometry of particular tissues. By contrast, the traditional approach is that microfluidic devices are structured in accordance with engineering considerations, while the biological components in applied devices are forced to comply with these engineering presets. The proposed principles represent a paradigm shift in microfluidic technology in three important ways: Microfluidic devices are to be directly integrated with, onto, or around tissue samples, in contrast to the conventional method of off-chip sample extraction followed by sample insertion in microfluidic devices. Architectural and operational principles of microfluidic devices are to be subordinated to suit specific tissue structure and needs, in contrast to the conventional method of building devices according to fluidic function alone and without regard to tissue structure. Sample acquisition from tissue is to be performed on-chip and is to be integrated with the diagnostic measurement within the same device, in contrast to the conventional method of off-chip sample prep and subsequent insertion into a diagnostic device. A more advanced form of tissue integration with microfluidics is tissue encapsulation, wherein the sample is completely encapsulated within a microfluidic device, to allow for full surface access. The immediate applications of these approaches lie with diagnostics of tissue slices and biopsy samples e.g. for cancer but the approaches would also be very useful in comparative genomics and other areas of fundamental research involving heterogeneous tissue samples.

Wade, Lawrence A.↗

The aerodynamics of propellers and rotors using an acoustic formulation in the time domain

The aerodynamics of propellers and rotors is especially complicated because of the highly three-dimensional and compressible nature of the flow field. However, in linearized theory the problem is governed by the wave equation, and a numerically-efficient integral formulation can be derived. This reduces the problem from one in space to one over a surface. Many such formulations exist in the aeroacoustics literature, but these become singular integral equations if one naively tries to use them to predict surface pressures, i.e., for aerodynamics. The present paper illustrates how one must interpret these equations in order to obtain nonambiguous results. After the regularized form of the integral equation is derived, a method for solving it numerically is described. This preliminary computer code uses Legendre-Gaussian quadrature to solve the equation. Numerical results are compared to experimental results for ellipsoids, wings, and rotors, including effects due to lift. Compressibility and the farfield boundary conditions are satisfied automatically using this method.

Long, L. N.↗

Calculation of the planar supercritical flow over a NASA supercritical profile

An unsteady finite difference procedure was used to calculate the steady inviscid flow over an 11% thickness ratio NASA supercritical profile of LWP 505 at M sub infinity = 0.80 and alpha = 0. An attempt is made to include the viscous effects using a modified form of Head's entrainment method to calculate the turbulent boundary layer. The attempt to predict the viscous effects using the compressible form of Head's integral method with a modified auxiliary equation for the form factors was unsatisfactory. Though a reasonably separation bubble was established on the lower surface, a grossly exaggerated displacement effect resulted downstream of the shock on the upper surface. There clearly is substantial further effort required to evolve a satisfactory boundary layer procedure, which must then be coupled in a still unproven manner with the inviscid procedure.

Yoshihara, H.↗

Advanced stitching technology

In the design of textile composites, the selection of materials and constructional techniques must be matched with product performance, productivity, and cost requirements. Constructional techniques vary. A classification of various textile composite systems is given. In general, the chopped fiber system is not suitable for structural composite applications because of fiber discontinuity, uncontrolled fiber orientation and a lack of fiber integration or entanglement. Linear filament yarn systems are acceptable for structural components which are exposed to simple tension in their applications. To qualify for more general use as structural components, filament yarn systems must be multi-directionally positioned. With the most sophisticated filament winding and laying techniques, however, the Type 2 systems have limited potential for general load-bearing applications because of a lack of filament integration or entanglement, which means vulnerability to splitting and delamination among filament layers. The laminar systems (Type 3) represented by a variety of simple fabrics (woven, knitted, braided and nonwoven) are especially suitable for load-bearing panels in flat form and for beams in a roled up to wound form. The totally integrated, advanced fabric system (Type 4) are thought to be the most reliable for general load-bearing applications because of fiber continuity and because of controlled multiaxial fiber orientation and entanglement. Consequently, the risk of splitting and delamination is minimized and practically omitted. Type 4 systems can be woven, knitted, braided or stitched through with very special equipment. Multiaxial fabric technologies are discussed.

Scardino, Frank L.↗

Evaluation of advanced microelectronic fluxless solder-bump contacts for hybrid microcircuits

Technology for interconnecting monolithic integrated circuit chips with other components is investigated. The advantages and disadvantages of the current flip-chip approach as compared to other interconnection methods are outlined. A fluxless solder-bump contact technology is evaluated. Multiple solder-bump contacts were formed on silicon integrated circuit chips. The solder-bumps, comprised of a rigid nickel under layer and a compliant solder overlayer, were electroformed onto gold device pads with the aid of thick dry film photomasks. Different solder alloys and the use of conductive epoxy for bonding were explored. Fluxless solder-bump bond quality and reliability were evaluated by measuring the effects of centrifuge, thermal cycling, and high temperature storage on bond visual characteristics, bond electrical continuity, and bond shear tests. The applicability and suitability of this technology for hybrid microelectronic packaging is discussed.

Mandal, R. P.↗

Emerging computer technologies and the news media of the future

The media environment of the future may be dramatically different from what exists today. As new computing and communications technologies evolve and synthesize to form a global, integrated communications system of networks, public domain hardware and software, and consumer products, it will be possible for citizens to fulfill most information needs at any time and from any place, to obtain desired information easily and quickly, to obtain information in a variety of forms, and to experience and interact with information in a variety of ways. This system will transform almost every institution, every profession, and every aspect of human life--including the creation, packaging, and distribution of news and information by media organizations. This paper presents one vision of a 21st century global information system and how it might be used by citizens. It surveys some of the technologies now on the market that are paving the way for new media environment.

Vrabel, Debra A.↗

On dimensional line radiative transfer

Integrations over solid angle and frequency are performed in the expressions for the radiant heat flux and local energy loss of a line in a region of strong variations of the source function in one direction. Approximations are given for coefficients and kernels in the resulting forms which involve integrals over the physical coordinate.

Harstad, K. G.↗

One-dimensional line radiative transfer.

Integrations over solid angle and frequency are performed in the expressions for the radiant heat flux and local energy loss of a line in a region of strong variations of the source function in one direction. Approximations are given for coefficients and kernels in the resulting forms which involve integrals over the physical coordinate.

Harstad, K. G.↗