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At least 325 records · Page 18

C-14 in lunar soil - Temperature-release and grain-size dependence

C-14 is released from surface soils by heatings between 600 and 1000 C. The amounts of 600-1000-C C-14 obtained increase inversely with grain diameter for the 10-30 and 74-125-micron size fractions. The inverse relation shows that the 600-1000-C C-14 is located on the surface of grains and probably is of solar-wind origin. The amount released at these temperatures gives 0.002 C-14 ions per sq cm/sec for the implantation rate and corresponds to a C-14/H ratio of the order of 4 hundred-billionths for the solar wind. This result from the grain-size dependence is in accord with C-14 depth-variation studies. The C-14 released above melting temperatures can be attributed to spallation production.

Fireman, E. L.↗

Reduced T(sub c) Niobium Superconducting HEB Mixers

A reduction in the mixer noise is expected when using superconductors with a lower transition temperature (T(sub c)) since the thermal noise components of the mixer noise should scale with T(sub c). Also, the local oscillator (LO) power required for a diffusion-cooled device should decrease as T(sub c) when T(sub bath) << T(sub c). We previously studied mixing in aluminum based hot-electron bolometers (HEBs) at microwave frequencies (approximately 30 GHz), and observed a significant improvement in noise performance, and a reduction in LO power as predicted. However, the bias voltage range over which good mixer performance was observed was approximately 5 - 10 microV. These devices are thus susceptible to saturation effects, in particular output saturation. In the present work, we have investigated Nb HEBs whose T(sub c) is lowered by applying a magnetic field. The goal is to study a case intermediate between Nb and Al, and hopefully to find properties that will allow use in practical receivers. A 15 kOe perpendicular magnetic field was applied to a Nb HEB (L = 0.16 micrometers, W = 0.08 micrometers, R(sub N) = 90 ohms) to reduce T(sub c) from 5.2 K to 2.4 K. The mixer noise, as inferred from the output noise and the conversion efficiency, decreased from 390 K, DSB to 171 K, DSB. The LO power required for near optimum mixer conversion efficiency (eta(sub mixer) = -9 dB in this device) was 8 nW in zero field, and approximately 2 nW when T(sub c) was reduced to 2.4 K. T(sub bath) = 0.22 K. The conversion bandwidth was previously measured to be 2.4 GHz and the same bandwidth was observed in the presence of a magnetic field. By lowering T(sub c), the voltage range over which good mixing was observed also decreased. However, even with T(sub c) reduced to 2.4 K, the conversion efficiency dropped by 3 dB from its maximum value only when the bias voltage was changed by approximately 90 microV. Saturation effects should thus be much less of a concern in these devices than in Al HEBS. In situations where the application of a large magnetic field is not feasible, we suggest using Ta based HEBS. Ta HEBs should have T(sub c) = 3 - 3.5 K and material properties very similar to Nb.

Siddiqi, I.↗

Hi-C Observations of Penumbral Bright Dots: Comparison with the IRIS Results

We observed bright dots (BDs) in a sunspot penumbra by using data acquired by the High Resolution Coronal Imager (Hi-C). The sizes of these BDs are on the order of 1 arcsecond (1') and are therefore hard to identify using the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly's (AIA) 0.6' pixel -1 resolution. These BDs become readily apparent with Hi-C's 0.1' pixel -1 resolution. Tian et al. (2014) found penumbral BDs in the transition region (TR) by using the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). However, only a few of their dots could be associated with any enhanced brightness in AIA channels. In this work, we examine the characteristics of the penumbral BDs observed by Hi-C in a sunspot penumbra, including their sizes, lifetimes, speeds, and intensity. We also attempt to relate these BDs to the IRIS BDs. There are fewer Hi-C BDs in the penumbra than seen by IRIS, though different sunspots were studied and Hi-C had a short observation time. We use 193 A Hi-C data from July 11, 2012 which observed from 18:52:00 UT{18:56:00 UT and supplement it with data from AIA's 193 A passband to see the complete lifetime of the dots that were born before and/or lasted longer than Hi-C's 5-minute observation period. We use additional AIA passbands and compare the light curves of the BDs at different temperatures to test whether the Hi-C BDs are TR BDs. We find that most Hi-C BDs show clear movement, and of those that do, they move in a radial direction, toward or away from the sunspot umbra, sometimes doing both. BDs interact with other BDs, combining to fade away or brighten. The BDs that do not interact with other BDs tend to move less and last longer. We examine the properties of the Hi-C BDs and compare them with the IRIS BDs. Our BDs are similar to the exceptional values of the IRIS BDs: they move slower on average and their sizes and lifetimes are on the higher end of the distributions of IRIS BDs. We infer that our penumbral BDs are some of the larger BDs observed by IRIS.

Alpert, S. E.↗

Observation of χ c J → 3 ( K + K − )

By analyzing ( 27.12 ± 0.14 ) × 10 8 ψ ( 3686 ) events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, the decay processes χ c J → 3 ( K + K − ) ( J = 0 , 1, 2) are observed for the first time with statistical significances of 8.2 σ , 8.1 σ , and 12.4 σ , respectively. The product branching fractions of ψ ( 3686 ) → γ χ c J , χ c J → 3 ( K + K − ) are presented and the branching fractions of χ c J → 3 ( K + K − ) decays are determined to be B χ c 0 → 3 ( K + K − ) = ( 10.7 ± 1.8 ± 1.1 ) × 10 − 6 , B χ c 1 → 3 ( K + K − ) = ( 4.2 ± 0.9 ± 0.5 ) × 10 − 6 , and B χ c 2 → 3 ( K + K − ) = ( 7.2 ± 1.1 ± 0.8 ) × 10 − 6 , where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Quantifying spatial and vertical variations in soil C:N relationships in permafrost-affected landscapes

Permafrost regions are experiencing rapid changes that affect carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles, with implications for vegetation dynamics and gas exchanges with the atmosphere. Soil C:N ratio is a key indicator of organic matter quality, yet spatial estimates of N stocks and C:N ratios lag behind those for C. We used quantile regression forests to compare direct and indirect digital soil mapping approaches for predicting soil C:N ratios at 0–30, 30–60, and 60–100 cm depths across a latitudinal transect in Alaska. The indirect approach – deriving C:N from separately predicted C and N stocks – outperformed direct mapping for the surface layer (0–30 cm), while direct mapping was marginally better at greater depths. However, prediction accuracy decreased with depth for both methods. Temperature and topography were the most important predictors. Both approaches overestimated low and underestimated high C:N ratios, with direct mapping showing greater bias. Our results underscore the challenges of modeling C:N ratios in heterogeneous, data-sparse permafrost soils, but also suggest that indirect mapping holds promise if supported by more extensive datasets.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Mechanism of Ni-Catalyzed Photochemical Halogen Atom-Mediated C(sp 3 )–H Arylation

Within the context of Ni photoredox catalysis, halogen atom photoelimination from Ni has emerged as a fruitful strategy for enabling hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)-mediated C(sp 3 )–H functionalization. Despite the numerous synthetic transformations invoking this paradigm, a unified mechanistic hypothesis that is consistent with experimental findings on the catalytic systems and accounts for halogen radical formation and facile C(sp 2 )–C(sp 3 ) bond formation remains elusive. We employ kinetic analysis, organometallic synthesis, and computational investigations to decipher the mechanism of a prototypical Ni-catalyzed photochemical C(sp 3 )–H arylation reaction. Our findings revise the previous mechanistic proposals, first by examining the relevance of SET and EnT processes from Ni intermediates relevant to the HAT-based arylation reaction. Our investigation highlights the ability for blue light to promote efficient Ni–C(sp 2 ) bond homolysis from cationic Ni III and C(sp 2 )–C(sp 3 ) reductive elimination from bipyridine Ni II complexes. However interesting, the rates and selectivities of these processes do not account for the productive catalytic pathway. Instead, our studies support a mechanism that involves halogen atom evolution from in situ generated Ni II dihalide intermediates, radical capture by a Ni II (aryl)(halide) resting state, and key C–C bond formation from Ni III . Oxidative addition to Ni I , as opposed to Ni 0 , and rapid Ni III /Ni I comproportionation play key roles in this process. Furthermore, the findings presented herein offer fundamental insight into the reactivity of Ni in the broader context of catalysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

C 4 fluxes from the sun as a star and the correlation with magnetic flux

A total of 144 C 4 wavelength 1548 SMM-UVSP spectroheliograms of solar plages were analyzed, some of which are series of exposures of the same region on the same day. Also analyzed were C 4 wavelength 1551 rasters of plages and C 4 1548 rasters of the quiet sun. The sample contains data on 17 different plages, observed on 50 different days. The center-to-limb variations of the active regions show that the optical thickness effects in the C 4 wavelength 1548 line can be neglected in the conversion from intensity to flux density. As expected for the nearly optically thin situation, the C 4 1548 line is twice as bright as the C 4 wavelength 1551 line. The average C 4 wavelength 1548 flux density for a quiet is 2700 erg/cm/s and, with surprisingly little scatter, 18,000 erg/cm/s for plages. The intensity histograms of rasters obtained at disk centers can be separated into characteristic plage and quiet-sun contributions with variable relative filling factors. The disk-averaged flux density in the C 4 doublet and the disk-averaged magnitude of the magnetic flux density are related. The relationship between the C 4 and magnetic flux densities for spatially resolved data is inferred to be almost the same, with only an additional factor of order unity in the constant of proportionality.

Schrijver, C. J.↗

Overview of the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-C)

The Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C) experiment will provide increased capability over Seasat and the two previous Shuttle Imaging Radars by acquiring digital images simultaneously at two microwave frequencies (L- and C-band) with multiple signal polarizations (HH, VV, HV, VH). The SIR-C is a dual bandwidth system so that investigators can choose a high or low resolution mode (20 and 10 MHz, respectively). An X-band SAR with VV polarization will be flown with SIR-C, resulting in a three-frequency capability. The SIR-C prototype data will be acquired using an airborne imaging radar to test designs that will be implemented on SIR-C, to develop the overall calibration strategy for SIR-C, and to develop data analysis tools for SIR-C data.

Evans, D.↗

Orion GN and C Model Based Development: Experience and Lessons Learned

The Orion Guidance Navigation and Control (GN&C) team is charged with developing GN&C algorithms for the Exploration Flight Test One (EFT-1) vehicle. The GN&C team is a joint team consisting primarily of Prime Contractor (Lockheed Martin) and NASA personnel and contractors. Early in the GN&C development cycle the team selected MATLAB/Simulink as the tool for developing GN&C algorithms and Mathworks autocode tools as the means for converting GN&C algorithms to flight software (FSW). This paper provides an assessment of the successes and problems encountered by the GN&C team from the perspective of Orion GN&C developers, integrators, FSW engineers and management. The Orion GN&C approach to graphical development, including simulation tools, standards development and autocode approaches are scored for the main activities that the team has completed through the development phases of the program.

Jackson, Mark C.↗

The [M 6 (S 2 C 2 Ph 2 ) 6 ] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) Series: Multielectron Reservoirs That Sustain Ligand-Based Oxidations and Metal-Based Reductions

A complete [M 6 (S 2 C 2 R 2 ) 6 ] series (M = Ni (1), Pd (2), Pt (3); R = Ph), the rarest variety among homoleptic dithiolene transition-metal compounds, has been prepared by reaction between [M(S 2 C 2 Ph 2 ) 2 ] and a M 0 source. The platinum member of this set is the first of its type. Diffraction-quality crystals, grown with high reproducibility by evaporation from PhNO 2 solutions, reveal fully reduced [Ph 2 C 2 S 2 ] 2– dianions and an octahedral M 6 core that is reduced to C 2 symmetry by the fusion of a mononuclear D 2h [M(S 2 C 2 Ph 2 ) 2 ] fragment upon a C 4 -symmetric base. The [Ni 6 (S 2 C 2 Ph 2 ) 2 ] 1– monoanion, prepared by Cp* 2 Co reduction, shows only modest structural differences from its neutral counterpart. In CH 2 Cl 2 , 1 and 2 can undergo two reductions and an oxidation, while 3 sustains two reductions and two oxidations. In benzonitrile, 1 sustains three reversible oxidations at potentials that are shifted appreciably to less positive values. The cathodic processes are shown by density functional theory (DFT) calculations to involve an MO largely of metal–sulfur composition that has contributions throughout the C 4 -symmetric pentametallic base of the assembly, while the oxidations are largely ligand-based and confined to the monometallic [M(S 2 C 2 Ph 2 ) 2 ] cap. The absorption spectra are marked by multiple overlapping bands that produce a continuous, tapering absorption profile of unresolved shoulders and swells.

Ligands↗

C sp 2 –H/F bond activation and borylation with iron

Reduction of [K 2 {( tBu pyrr 2 pyr)Fe} 2 (μ-N 2 )] (1) with two equiv. of KC 8 in the presence of crown-ether 18-C-6 yields the N 2 adduct [{K(18-C-6)} 2 ( tBu pyrr 2 pyr)Fe(N 2 )] (2). Complex 2 heterolytically splits the C sp 2 –H bond of benzene to form [{K(18-C-6)}( tBu pyrr 2 pyr)Fe(C 6 H 5 )] (3), whereby usage of a diboron B 2 pin 2 promotes hydride elimination to form the salt [K(18-C-6)HB 2 Pin 2 ] (4). Similarly, 3 can also be formed by cleavage of the C–F bond of fluorobenzene. Reaction of 3 with ClBcat yields [K(18-C-6)(thf) 2 ][( tBu pyrr 2 pyr)FeCl] (5) and PhBcat and the former can be reduced to 2 to complete a synthetic cycle for heterolytic benzene C–H activation and borylation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Summary of Structural Alloy Compatibility in Supercritical CO2 at 450°-800°C

Supercritical CO2 (sCO2) is of interest as a working fluid for several concepts including the direct- fired Allam cycle as a low-emission fossil energy power cycle. Over the past 10 years, laboratory exposures at 300 bar sCO2 have found reasonably good compatibility for Ni-based alloys at <800°C, including an assessment of the sCO2 impact on room temperature mechanical properties after 750°C exposures. However, initial screening tests at 1 and 20 bar CO2 at 900°-1100°C showed poor compatibility for Ni-based alloys. In an open cycle, the introduction of 1%O2 and 0.1- 0.25%H2O impurities at 300 bar increased the reaction rates ≥2X at 750°C. At lower temperatures, steels are susceptible to C ingress and embrittlement. Creep-strength enhanced ferritic steels may be limited to <550°C and conventional stainless steels to <600°C. Two strategies to increase those temperatures are higher Ni and Cr alloying additions and Al- or Cr-rich coatings. Alloy 709 (Fe- 20Cr-25Ni) shows some promising results at 650°C in sCO2 but reaction rates were accelerated with the addition of O2 and H2O impurities. Pack aluminized and chromized Gr.91 (Fe-9Cr-1Mo) and type 316H stainless steel show some promise at 600°-650°C but further coating optimization is needed.

Pint, Bruce↗

Surface chemistry and friction behavior of the silicon carbide (0001) surface at temperatures to 1500 deg C

X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy analyses and friction studies were conducted with a silicon carbide (0001) surface in contact with iron at various temperatures to 1200 or 1500 C in a vacuum of 10 to the minus 8th power Pa. The results indicate that there is a significant temperature influence on both the surface chemistry and friction properties of silicon carbide. The principal contaminant of adsorbed amorphous carbon on the silicon carbide surface in the as received state is removed by simply heating to 400 C. Above 400 C, graphite and carbide type carbine are the primary species on the silicon carbide surface, in addition to silicon. The coefficients of friction of polycrystalline iron sliding against a single crystal silicon carbide (0001) surface were high at temperatures to 800 C. Similar coefficients of friction were obtained at room temperature after the silicon carbide was preheated at various temperatures up 800 C. When the friction experiments were conducted above 800 C or when the specimens were preheated to above 800 C, the coefficients of friction were dramatically lower. At 800 C the silicon and carbide type carbon are at a maximum intensity in the XPS spectra. With increasing temperature above 800 C, the concentration of the graphite increases rapidly on the surface, whereas those of the carbide type carbon and silicon decrease rapidly.

Miyoshi, K.↗

Factors and processes governing the C-14 content of carbonate in desert soils

A model is presented describing the factors and processes which determine the measured C-14 ages of soil calcium carbonate. Pedogenic carbonate forms in isotopic equilium with soil CO2. Carbon dioxide in soils is a mixture of CO2 derived from two biological sources: respiration by living plant roots and respiration of microorganisms decomposing soil humus. The relative proportion of these two CO2 sources can greatly affect the initial C-14 content of pedogenic carbonate: the greater the contribution of humus-derived CO2, the greater the initial C-14 age of the carbonate mineral. For any given mixture of CO2 sources, the steady-state (14)CO2 distribution vs. soil depth can be described by a production/diffusion model. As a soil ages, the C-14 age of soil humus increases, as does the steady-state C-14 age of soil CO2 and the initial C-14 age of any pedogenic carbonate which forms. The mean C-14 age of a complete pedogenic carbonate coating or nodule will underestimate the true age of the soil carbonate. This discrepancy increases the older a soil becomes. Partial removal of outer (and younger) carbonate coatings greatly improves the relationship between measured C-14 age and true age. Although the production/diffusion model qualitatively explains the C-14 age of pedogenic carbonate vs. soil depth in many soils, other factors, such as climate change, may contribute to the observed trends, particularily in soils older than the Holocene.

Amundson, Ronald↗

Kinetics of template-directed pyrophosphate-linked dideoxyguanylate synthesis as a function of 2-MeImpdG and poly(C) concentration: insights into the mechanism

Aqueous solutions of deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate 2-methylimidazolide, 2-MeImpdG, yield primarily deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate, 5'dGMP, and pyrophosphate-linked dideoxyguanylate, dG5'ppdG, abbreviated G2p (see Chart 1). The initial rate of G2p formation, d[G2p]/dt in M h-1, determined at 23 degrees C, pH 7.8, 1.0 M NaCl and 0.2 M Mg2+ by timed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, exhibits a second-order dependence on 2-MeImpdG concentration, [G]o, indicating a bimolecular mechanism of dimerization in the range 0.02 M < or = [G]o < or = 0.09 M. In the presence of polycytidylate, poly(C), G2p synthesis is accelerated and oligodeoxyguanylate products are formed by incorporation of 2-MeImpdG molecules. The kinetics of G2p formation as a function of both monomer and polymer concentration, expressed in C equivalents, were also determined under the above conditions and exhibited a complex behavior. Specifically, at a constant [poly(C)], values of d[G2p]/dt typically increased with [G]o with a parabolic upward curvature. At a constant [G]o, values of d[G2p]/dt increase with [poly(C)], but level off at the higher poly(C) concentrations. As [G]o increases this saturation occurs at a higher poly(C) concentration, a result opposite to expectation for a simple complexation of two reacting monomers with the catalyst prior to reaction. Nevertheless, these results are shown to be quantitatively consistent with a template-directed (TD) mechanism of dimerization where poly(C) acts as the template to bind 2-MeImpdG in a cooperative manner and lead, for the first time, to the formulation of principles that govern template-directed chemistry. Analysis of the kinetic data via a proposed TD cooperative model provides association constants for the affinity between polymer and monomer and the intrinsic reactivity of 2-MeImpdG toward pyrophosphate synthesis. To the best of our knowledge, poly(C)/2-MeImpdG is the first system that could serve as a textbook example of a TD reaction under conditions such that the template is fully saturated by monomers and under conditions that it is not.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

Static and Switching Characteristics of a 4H-SiC Based BJT to 200 C

Static curves and resistive load switching characteristics of a 600 V, 4 A rated, SiC-based NPN bipolar power transistor (BJT) were observed at selected temperatures from 23 to 200 C. All testing was done in a pulse mode at low duty cycle (approx. 0.1 percent). Turn-on was driven by an adjustable base current pulse and turn-off was accelerated by a negative base voltage pulse of either 7 or 0.6 V. Switching observations were done at base drive currents (I(sub B)) up to 400 mA and collector currents (I(sub C)) up to 4 A, using a 100 OMEGA non-inductive load. At I(sub B) = 400 mA and I(sub C) = 4 A, turn-on times typically varied from 81 to 97 ns, over temperatures from 23 to 200 C. As expected, lowering the base drive greatly extended the turn-on time. Similarly, decreasing the load current to I(sub C) = 1 A with I(sub B) = 400 mA produced turn-on times as short as 30 ns. Over the 23 to 200 C range, with I(sub B) = 400 mA and I(sub C) = 4 A, turn-off times were in the range of 61 to 77 ns with the 7 V sweep-out and 130 to 150 ns with the 0.6 V sweep-out. At a fixed temperature and I(sub C), the turn-off time decreased slightly with decreasing I(sub B), for I(sub B) sufficient to still provide full turn-on. The ratio of conduction to switching losses is estimated, based on the observed I(sub C) transition times and static curves. An estimate at 200 kHz and a 50 percent duty cycle shows that under practicable conditions the two losses can be comparable. Hence the evidence obtained does not support the occasionally voiced concern of necessarily unacceptably high conduction losses in SiC-based BJTs.

Niedra, Janis M.↗

Phase Equilibria of a S- and C-Poor Lunar Core

The composition of the lunar core can have a large impact on its thermal evolution, possible early dynamo creation, and physical state. Geochemical measurements have placed better constraints on the S and C content of the lunar mantle. In this study we have carried out phase equilibrium studies of geochemically plausible S- and C-poor lunar core compositions in the Fe-Ni-S-C system, and apply them to the early history of the Moon. We chose two bulk core compositions, with differing S and C content based on geochemical analyses of S and C trapped melts in Apollo samples, and on the partitioning of S and C between metal and silicate. This approach allowed calculation of core S and C contents - 90% Fe, 9% Ni, 0.5% C, and 0.375% S by weight; a second composition contained 1% each of S and C. Experiments were carried out from 1473K to 1973K and 1 GPa to 5 GPa, in piston cylinder and multi- anvil apparatuses. Combination of the thermal model of with our results, shows that a solid inner core (and therefore initiation of a dynamo) may have been possible in the earliest history of the Moon (approximately 4.2 Ga ago), in agreement with. Thus a volatile poor lunar core may explain the thermal and magnetic history of the Moon.

Righter, K.↗

Additional Characterization of Dome-C to Improve its Use as an Invariant Visible Calibration Target

Dome-C is a recommended CEOS invariant target that has been utilized by the calibration community for several decades for monitoring onboard sensor calibration systems as well radiometric inter-comparisons. Dome-C is a high-altitude Earth target located on the East Antarctic interior plateau, which has a permanent bright, flat, and homogeneous snow-covered surface with little aerosol, cloud cover, snowfall, and water vapor burden. This paper describes angular directional models for characterizing the Dome-C top-of-atmosphere (TOA)radiances as a function of cosine solar zenith angle for pre-solstice and post-solstice conditions. The 0.86-μm channel Dome-C reflectance decreases over the summer due to snow metamorphosisis not observed by the visible channels. Coinciding Terra and AquaMODIS Dome-C reflectance showed occasional inter-annual anomalies when compared against the deep convective cloud and Libya-4 invariant targets observations. Further characterization of the Dome-C reflectances with the Dome-C surface broadband albedo, Antarctic Oscillation(AAO) index, and ozone concentration values were evaluated. A strong correlation with ozone was found for the 0.55-μm and 0.65-μm MODIS channels. The monthly Dome-C reflectances were linearly regressed with ozone to derive the ozone correction coefficients. The uncertainty in the Aqua-and Terra-MODIS Dome-C trends was reduced by half after applying ozone corrections to both the 0.55-μm and 0.65-μm channelTOA observations.

David R Doelling↗