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At least 343 records · Page 19

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DOE OSTI2024

High resolution identification and quantification of diffuse deep groundwater discharge in mountain rivers using continuous boat-mounted helium measurements

Discharge of deeply sourced groundwater to streams is difficult to locate and quantify, particularly where both discrete and diffuse discharge points exist, but diffuse discharge is one of the primary controls on solute budgets in mountainous watersheds. The noble gas helium is a unique identifier of deep groundwater discharge because groundwater with long residence times is commonly enriched in helium. In this study, a portable mass spectrometer was used to measure longitudinal variation in dissolved helium concentrations in two mountainous rivers at high spatial resolution not feasible with traditional sampling techniques. Helium profiles were then simulated using a mass-balance model to quantify longitudinal variation in groundwater discharge to the receiving rivers. Results indicate helium concentrations were enriched by multiple orders of magnitude above atmospheric equilibrium in both rivers and that this persisted for up to 18 km below observed pulse inputs in the Colorado River. Helium mass-balance models match observed longitudinal patterns with the exception of sharp initial increases in helium observed in the rivers. Increased longitudinal groundwater discharge rates correspond to mapped geologic structures in both watersheds that likely transport deep geothermal water. Models show variable sensitivity to spatial assignment of input variables representing the groundwater source, illustrating the importance of collecting data from discrete groundwater discharges where possible. The methodology shows promise for field experiments designed to assess air–water exchange rates and to quantify total groundwater discharge from a combination of discrete and diffuse sources.

Deep groundwater↗

NASA NTRS1999

Buoyant Low Stretch Diffusion Flames Beneath Cylindrical PMMA Samples

A unique new way to study low gravity flames in normal gravity has been developed. To study flame structure and extinction characteristics in low stretch environments, a normal gravity low-stretch diffusion flame is generated using a cylindrical PMMA sample of varying large radii. Burning rates, visible flame thickness, visible flame standoff distance, temperature profiles in the solid and gas, and radiative loss from the system were measured. A transition from the blowoff side of the flammability map to the quenching side of the flammability map is observed at approximately 6-7/ sec, as determined by curvefits to the non-monotonic trends in peak temperatures, solid and gas-phase temperature gradients, and non-dimensional standoff distances. A surface energy balance reveals that the fraction of heat transfer from the flame that is lost to in-depth conduction and surface radiation increases with decreasing stretch until quenching extinction is observed. This is primarily due to decreased heat transfer from the flame, while the magnitude of the losses remains the same. A unique local extinction flamelet phenomena and associated pre-extinction oscillations are observed at very low stretch. An ultimate quenching extinction limit is found at low stretch with sufficiently high induced heat losses.

Olson, S. L.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Pattern Formation in Diffusion Flames Embedded in von Karman Swirling Flows

Pattern formation is observed in nature in many so-called excitable systems that can support wave propagation. It is well-known in the field of combustion that premixed flames can exhibit patterns through differential diffusion mechanism between heat and mass. However, in the case of diffusion flames where fuel and oxidizer are separated initially there have been only a few observations of pattern formation. It is generally perceived that since diffusion flames do not possess an inherent propagation speed they are static and do not form patterns. But in diffusion flames close to their extinction local quenching can occur and produce flame edges which can propagate along stoichiometric surfaces. Recently, we reported experimental observations of rotating spiral flame edges during near-limit combustion of a downward-facing polymethylmethacrylate disk spinning in quiescent air. These spiral flames, though short-lived, exhibited many similarities to patterns commonly found in quiescent excitable media including compound tip meandering motion. Flame disks that grow or shrink with time depending on the rotational speed and in-depth heat loss history of the fuel disk have also been reported. One of the limitations of studying flame patterns with solid fuels is that steady-state conditions cannot be achieved in air at normal atmospheric pressure for experimentally reasonable fuel thickness. As a means to reproduce the flame patterns observed earlier with solid fuels, but under steady-state conditions, we have designed and built a rotating, porous-disk burner through which gaseous fuels can be injected and burned as diffusion flames. The rotating porous disk generates a flow of air toward the disk by a viscous pumping action, generating what is called the von K rm n boundary layer which is of constant thickness over the entire burner disk. In this note we present a map of the various dynamic flame patterns observed during the combustion of methane in air as a function of fuel flow rate and the burner rotational speed.

Nayagam, Vedha↗

NASA NTRS1994

Axial and centrifugal pump meanline performance analysis

A meanline pump flow modeling method has been developed to provide a fast capability for modeling pumps of cryogenic rocket engines. Based on this method, a meanline pump flow code (PUMPA) has been written that can predict the performance of pumps at off-design operating conditions, given the loss of the diffusion system at the design point. The design point rotor efficiency is obtained from empirically derived correlations of loss to rotor specific speed. The rapid input setup and computer run time for the meanline pump flow code makes it an effective analysis and conceptual design tool. The map generation capabilities of the PUMPA code provide the information needed for interfacing with a rocket engine system modeling code.

Veres, Joseph P.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Stochastic Optimal Control via Bellman's Principle

This paper presents a method for finding optimal controls of nonlinear systems subject to random excitations. The method is capable to generate global control solutions when state and control constraints are present. The solution is global in the sense that controls for all initial conditions in a region of the state space are obtained. The approach is based on Bellman's Principle of optimality, the Gaussian closure and the Short-time Gaussian approximation. Examples include a system with a state-dependent diffusion term, a system in which the infinite hierarchy of moment equations cannot be analytically closed, and an impact system with a elastic boundary. The uncontrolled and controlled dynamics are studied by creating a Markov chain with a control dependent transition probability matrix via the Generalized Cell Mapping method. In this fashion, both the transient and stationary controlled responses are evaluated. The results show excellent control performances.

Crespo, Luis G.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Early results from the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE)

Data obtained with the FIR Absolute Spectrophotometer, Differential Microwave Radiometers, and Diffuse IR Background Experiment (DIRBE) on the COBE satellite since its launch in November 1989 are briefly characterized. The COBE spacecraft and its 900-km 99-deg orbit are described; the scientific goals and capabilities of the instruments are reviewed; and sample DIRBE data are presented in a map and graph. Upper limits on the Comptonization parameter (y less than 0.001) and the chemical potential (mu less than 0.01 at the 3sigma level) are determined, and the spectrum of the dipole anisotropy is shown to be that of a Doppler-shifted blackbody. The DIRBE 100-micron sky brightness values at the ecliptic poles are found to be significantly lower than those measured by IRAS.

Mather, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Spectroscopy of galaxies in distant clusters. IV - A catalog of photometry and spectroscopy for galaxies in seven clusters with z in the range of 0.35 to 0.55

Photometry and spectroscopy for seven deep fields containing distant clusters of galaxies with z in the range of 0.35 to 0.55 are presented. Positions and photometric parameters, including r-magnitudes g - r and r - i colors, surface brightnesses, and photometric profile types are given for about 2000 galaxies. Low-resolution spectroscopy is obtained from which redshifts are determined for 289 objects, of which 190 are cluster members. These are classified according to dominant spectral features, and examples are plotted in each cluster. Color-magnitude and color-color diagrams are formed which show trends in the cluster populations, and maps are made of the cluster field using the color-color relations to increase the contrast of cluster over field. Galaxies with spectra typical of old stellar populations cluster most strongly, with active galaxies, those with recent or ongoing star formation, or an active nucleus, distributed more diffusely. The g - r color is well correlated with active star formation as judged from spectral features.

Dressler, Alan↗

NASA NTRS2000

Mean Line Pump Flow Model in Rocket Engine System Simulation

A mean line pump flow modeling method has been developed to provide a fast capability for modeling turbopumps of rocket engines. Based on this method, a mean line pump flow code PUMPA has been written that can predict the performance of pumps at off-design operating conditions, given the loss of the diffusion system at the design point. The pump code can model axial flow inducers, mixed-flow and centrifugal pumps. The code can model multistage pumps in series. The code features rapid input setup and computer run time, and is an effective analysis and conceptual design tool. The map generation capability of the code provides the map information needed for interfacing with a rocket engine system modeling code. The off-design and multistage modeling capabilities of the code permit parametric design space exploration of candidate pump configurations and provide pump performance data for engine system evaluation. The PUMPA code has been integrated with the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) code and an expander rocket engine system has been simulated. The mean line pump flow code runs as an integral part of the NPSS rocket engine system simulation and provides key pump performance information directly to the system model at all operating conditions.

Veres, Joseph P.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Conceptual Design of a Two Spool Compressor for the NASA Large Civil Tilt Rotor Engine

This paper focuses on the conceptual design of a two spool compressor for the NASA Large Civil Tilt Rotor engine, which has a design-point pressure ratio goal of 30:1 and an inlet weight flow of 30.0 lbm/sec. The compressor notional design requirements of pressure ratio and low-pressure compressor (LPC) and high pressure ratio compressor (HPC) work split were based on a previous engine system study to meet the mission requirements of the NASA Subsonic Rotary Wing Projects Large Civil Tilt Rotor vehicle concept. Three mean line compressor design and flow analysis codes were utilized for the conceptual design of a two-spool compressor configuration. This study assesses the technical challenges of design for various compressor configuration options to meet the given engine cycle results. In the process of sizing, the technical challenges of the compressor became apparent as the aerodynamics were taken into consideration. Mechanical constraints were considered in the study such as maximum rotor tip speeds and conceptual sizing of rotor disks and shafts. The rotor clearance-to-span ratio in the last stage of the LPC is 1.5% and in the last stage of the HPC is 2.8%. Four different configurations to meet the HPC requirements were studied, ranging from a single stage centrifugal, two axi-centrifugals, and all axial stages. Challenges of the HPC design include the high temperature (1,560deg R) at the exit which could limit the maximum allowable peripheral tip speed for centrifugals, and is dependent on material selection. The mean line design also resulted in the definition of the flow path geometry of the axial and centrifugal compressor stages, rotor and stator vane angles, velocity components, and flow conditions at the leading and trailing edges of each blade row at the hub, mean and tip. A mean line compressor analysis code was used to estimate the compressor performance maps at off-design speeds and to determine the required variable geometry reset schedules of the inlet guide vane and variable stators that would result in the transonic stages being aerodynamically matched with high efficiency and acceptable stall margins based on user specified maximum levels of rotor diffusion factor and relative velocity ratio.

Veres, Joseph P.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Pore-Scale Transport Effects in Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction on Gold via Coupled Microkinetic-Transport Modeling

A pore-resolved modeling framework is developed to quantify how pore-scale transport affects the intrinsic microkinetics of CO 2 -to-CO on Au. A DFT-informed microkinetic model is coupled self-consistently to a Generalized-Modified Poisson–Nernst–Planck (GMPNP) transport description in a single, electrolyte-filled cylindrical pore, allowing local concentrations and potential to feed back into site-specific reaction rates. FIB-SEM is used to determine pore sizes within realistic electrode materials. Across pore diameters, d p = 10–6000 nm, the surface-averaged CO 2 reduction rate is systematically reduced relative to the ideal microkinetic baseline where mass transport is not accounted for; the effectiveness factor 𝜂 𝑠,CO 2 , which quantifies this ratio, decreases rapidly at more negative potentials and is about 1% near −1.0 V vs SHE due to reactant depletion. Spatial maps reveal pore-bulk alkalization that emerges at higher cathodic bias, with a small, near-wall pH dip due to electrostatic repulsion of hydroxide at the cathode interface. For a fixed aspect ratio L p /d p , narrower pores exhibit larger 𝜂 𝑠,CO 2 by shortening diffusion paths, whereas variations in the aspect ratio L p /d p play a secondary role. A dimensionless analysis (surface/bulk Damköhler numbers) delineates operating regimes. In conclusion, this work offers a concept for incorporating microkinetic models into homogenized porous-electrode models through effectiveness factors and pore-size distribution.

Au-catalyst↗

NASA NTRS1987

Seasonal variability of the OH Meinel bands

The influence of seasonal and latitudinal changes in the distribution of mesospheric components on the OH Meinel-band nightglow is investigated by means of numerical simulations using the two-dimensional dynamical/chemical model of Garcia and Solomon (1985). The processes responsible for the formation and destruction of vibrationally excited OH in the mesosphere are described; the seasonal/latitudinal evolution for the higher (v greater than 6) and lower (v = 1-6) levels is shown in graphs and maps and characterized in detail; and the theoretical results are compared with published observational data. The lower-level emission is shown to depend on both O and H, suggesting that the variation of the Meinel-band nightglow can provide important information on the roles of advection and diffusion in the transport of water vapor and odd oxygen near the mesopause.

Le Texier, H.↗

NASA NTRS1998

An Assessment of the Axial and Radial Dilation of a DPIMS Tantalum Cartridge for Space Shuttle Flight Experiments

Ground-based heat treatment tests are planned on an argon gas-filled tantalum cartridge developed as pan of a Diffusion Processes in Molten Semiconductors (DPIMS) experiment conducted on NASA's Space Shuttle. The possibility that the cartridge may creep during testing and touch the furnace walls is of real concern in this program. The present paper discusses the results of calculations performed to evaluate this possibility. Deformation mechanism maps were constructed using literature data in order to identify the creep mechanism dominant under the appropriate stresses and temperatures corresponding to the test conditions. These results showed that power-law creep was dominant when the grain size of the material exceeded 55 gm but Coble creep was the important mechanism below this value of grain size. Finite element analysis was used to analyze the heat treatment tWs assuming a furnace run away condition (which is a worst case scenario) using the appropriate creep parameters corresponding to grain sizes of 1 and 100 gm. Calculations were also conducted to simulate the effect of an initial 3 tilt of the cartridge assembly, the maximum possible tilt angle. The von Mises stress and su-ain distributions were calculated assuming that the cartridge was fixed at one end as it was heated from ambient temperature to 1823 K in 1.42 h, maintained at 1823 K for 9.5 h and then further heated to an over temperature condition of 2028 K in 0.3 h. The inelastic axial and radial displacements of the cartridge walls were evaluated by resolving the von Mises strain along the corresponding directions. These calculations reveal that the maximum axial and radial displacements are expected to be about 2.9 and 0.25 mm, respectively, for both fine and coarse-grained materials at 2028 K. It was determined that these displacements occur during heat-up to temperature and creep of the cartridge is likely to be relatively insignificant irrespective of grain size. Furthermore, with a 3' tilt of the cartridge, the deflection is increased by only 0.39 gm which is negligible. Since the gap between the furnace heating elements and the cartridge is about 7.5 mm and less than the maximum radial dilation of 0.25 mm at 2028 K, it is concluded that the cartridge is unlikely to touch the furnace walls during the experiments.

Raj, S.V.↗

NASA NTRS2000

The Sensitivity of Model Ozone to Advective and Photochemical Processes in the High Latitude Winter Lower Stratosphere

Three dimensional chemistry and transport models (CTMs) contain a set of coupled continuity equations which describe the evolution of constituents such as ozone and other minor species which affect ozone. Both advection and photochemical processes contribute to constituent evolution, and a CTM provides a means to evaluate these contributions separately. Such evaluation is particularly useful when both terms are important to the modeled tendency. An example is the ozone tendency in the high latitude winter lower stratosphere, where advection tends to increase ozone, and catalytic processes involving chlorine radicals tend to decrease ozone. The Goddard three dimensional chemistry and transport model uses meteorological fields from the Goddard Earth Observing System Data Assimilation System, thus the modeled ozone evolution may reproduce the observed evolution and provide a test of the model representation of photochemical processes if the transport is shown to be modeled appropriately. We have investigated the model advection further using diabatic trajectory calculations. For long lived constituents such as N2O, the model field for a particular time on a potential temperature surface is compared with a field produced by calculating 15 day back trajectories for a fixed latitude longitude grid, and mapping model N2O at the terminus of the back trajectories onto the initial grid. This provides a quantitative means to evaluate two aspects of the CTM transport: one, the model horizontal gradient between middle latitudes and the polar vortex is compared with the gradient produced using the non-diffusive trajectory calculation; two, the model vertical advection, which is produced by the divergence of the horizontal winds, is compared with the vertical transport expected from diabatic cooling.

Douglass, A.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Dark Matter and Extragalactic Gas Clouds in the NGC 4532/DDO 137 System

H I synthesis mapping of NGC 4532 and DDO 137, a pair of Sm galaxies on the edge of the Virgo cluster, is used to determine rotation curves for each of the galaxies and to resolve the structure and kinematics of three extragalactic H I clouds embedded in an extended envelope of diffuse HI discovered in earlier Arecibo studies of the system.

Dark Matter Extragalactic Gas Clouds mappinig↗

DOE OSTI2024

Temperature-induced degradation of GaN HEMT: An in situ heating study

High-power electronics, such as GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), are expected to perform reliably in high-temperature conditions. This study aims to gain an understanding of the microscopic origin of both material and device vulnerabilities to high temperatures by real-time monitoring of the onset of structural degradation under varying temperature conditions. This is achieved by operating GaN HEMT devices in situ inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Electron-transparent specimens are prepared from a bulk device and heated up to 800 °C. High-resolution TEM (HRTEM), scanning TEM (STEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and geometric phase analysis (GPA) are performed to evaluate crystal quality, material diffusion, and strain propagation in the sample before and after heating. Gate contact area reduction is visible from 470 °C accompanied by Ni/Au intermixing near the gate/AlGaN interface. Elevated temperatures induce significant out-of-plane lattice expansion at the SiNx/GaN/AlGaN interface, as revealed by geometry-phase GPA strain maps, while in-plane strains remain relatively consistent. Exposure to temperatures exceeding 500 °C leads to almost two orders of magnitude increase in leakage current in bulk devices in this study, which complements the results from our TEM experiment. The findings of this study offer real-time visual insights into identifying the initial location of degradation and highlight the impact of temperature on the bulk device’s structure, electrical properties, and material degradation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2025

Mo Atom Rearrangement Drives Layer-Dependent Reactivity in Two-Dimensional MoS 2

Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer a valuable platform for manipulating and studying chemical reactions at the atomic level, owing to the ease of controlling their microscopic structure at the nanometer scale. While extensive research has been conducted on the structure-dependent chemical activity of 2D materials, the influence of structural transformation during the reaction has remained largely unexplored. In this work, we report the layer-dependent chemical reactivity of MoS 2 during a nitridation atomic substitution reaction and attribute it to the rearrangement of Mo atoms. Our results show that the chemical reactivity of MoS 2 decreases as the number of layers is reduced in the few-layer regime. In particular, monolayer MoS 2 exhibits significantly lower reactivity compared with its few-layer and multilayer counterparts. Atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that MoN nanonetworks form as reaction products from monolayer and bilayer MoS 2 , with the continuity of the MoN crystals increasing with layer number, consistent with the local conductivity mapping data. The layer-dependent reactivity is attributed to the relative stability of the hypothetically formed MoN phase, which retains the number of Mo atomic layers present in the precursor. Specifically, the low chemical reactivity of monolayer MoS 2 is attributed to the high energy cost associated with Mo atom diffusion and migration necessary to form multilayer Mo lattices in the thermodynamically stable MoN phase. In conclusion, this study underscores the critical role of lattice rearrangement in governing chemical reactivity and highlights the potential of 2D materials as versatile platforms for advancing the understanding of materials chemistry at the atomic scale.

Chemical reactivity↗

DOE OSTI2024

Fast photodiode arrays for high frequency fluctuation measurements of reconnecting flux ropes

An array of compact, high-bandwidth (>200 MHz) and low-cost optical photodiodes has been developed and implemented on the PHASe MApping (PHASMA) experiment. Using purpose-built electronics, an array of 16 photodetectors was constructed and used to monitor broadband (1–5 MHz) fluctuations in light intensity emitted by flux ropes undergoing electron-only magnetic reconnection. These measurements reveal a swath of oscillatory behavior, including wave propagation inward toward the diffusion region at approximately the local electron Alfvén speed. Custom 3D-printed collection optics and mounting hardware allow quick reconfiguration of the array for radial or axial measurements. The electronics design is flexible enough to be used with other current-sourcing transducers, such as avalanche photodiodes; silicon photomultipliers; and infrared, x-ray, and UV photodiodes. A noise-rejecting electrical layout allows for low-noise operation close to pulsed plasma discharges. A 16-channel, 64-pixel tomographic array was constructed and initial reconstructions are presented.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗

NASA NTRS1982

Infrared observations of the Uranian rings

Maps of the Uranian rings at 2.2 microns and spectrophotometric observations covering 2.0 to 2.4 and 2.9 to 3.9 microns are discussed. The maps reveal a 2:1 azimuthal brightness variation whose amplitude and phase are consistent with the width variation and apsidal precession of the epsilon ring. Comparison with models based on stellar occultation data leads to an upper limit of 0.01 on the normal optical depth of any broad (5000 km wide), diffuse component of the ring system. A significant east-west asymmetry, corresponding to a brightening of the near side of the rings relative to the far side, is unexplained. The spectrum of the rings is flat over the range 2.1 to 3.9 microns. There is no spectroscopic evidence for the presence of H2O.

Nicholson, P. D.↗