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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 343 records · Page 19

Dip-coating process: Silicon sheet growth development for the large-area silicon sheet task of the low-cost silicon solar array project

The objective of this research program is to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of producing solar-cell-quality sheet silicon by coating one surface of carbonized ceramic substrates with a thin layer of large-grain polycrystalline silicon from the melt. The past quarter demonstrated significant progress in several areas. Seeded growth of silicon-on-ceramic (SOC) with an EFG ribbon seed was demonstrated. Different types of mullite were successfully coated with silicon. A new method of deriving minority carrier diffusion length, L sub n from spectral response measurements was evaluated. ECOMOD cost projections were found to be in good agreement with the interim SAMIS method proposed by JPL. On the less positive side, there was a decrease in cell performance which we believe to be due to an unidentified source of impurities.

Zook, J. D.↗

Investigation of steady and fluctuating pressures associated with the transonic buffeting and wing rock of a one-seventh scale model of the F-5A aircraft

A wind tunnel test of a 1/7 scale F-5A model is described. The pressure, force, and dynamic response measurements during buffet and wing rock are evaluated. Effects of Mach number, angle of attack, sideslip angle, and control surface settings were investigated. The mean and fluctuating static pressure data are presented and correlated with some corresponding flight test data of a F-5A aircraft. Details of the instrumentation and the specially designed support system which allowed the model to oscillate in roll to simulate wing rock are also described. A limit cycle mechanism causing wing rock was identified from this study, and this mechanism is presented.

Hwang, C.↗

A model for the pilot's use of motion cues in roll-axis tracking tasks

Simulated target-following and disturbance-regulation tasks were explored with subjects using visual-only and combined visual and motion cues. The effects of motion cues on task performance and pilot response behavior were appreciably different for the two task configurations and were consistent with data reported in earlier studies for similar task configurations. The optimal-control model for pilot/vehicle systems provided a task-independent framework for accounting for the pilot's use of motion cues. Specifically, the availability of motion cues was modeled by augmenting the set of perceptual variables to include position, rate, acceleration, and accleration-rate of the motion simulator, and results were consistent with the hypothesis of attention-sharing between visual and motion variables. This straightforward informational model allowed accurate model predictions of the effects of motion cues on a variety of response measures for both the target-following and disturbance-regulation tasks.

Levison, W. H.↗

Determination of subcritical frequency and damping from B-1 flight flutter test data

The application of the time-lag products correlation/frequency analysis procedure to determine subcritical frequency and damping from structural response measurements made during flight flutter test of the B-1 prototype airplane is described. The analysis procedure, the test airplane, and flight test procedures are discussed. Summary frequency and damping results are presented for six transonic flight conditions. Illustrative results obtained by applying various options and variations of the analysis method are included for one flight condition.

Dobbs, S. K.↗

The Space Shuttle Ground Terminal Delta Modulation System

Shuttle voice processing uses a Variable Slope Delta Modulation scheme which is a variant of the ABATE algorithm. This paper summarizes the ground terminal subsystem which processes the multiplexed voice and telemetry data digital sequence in the downlink processing and digitizes the voice signal in the uplink processing. The Delta Modulation System (DMS) performance characteristics are given in terms of an intelligibility test score and in terms of time and frequency responses measured on a production system developed for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Implementation details of the encoder and decoder algorithms are given in terms of the circuit logic used to implement them.

Auger, R. L.↗

Lunar interaction with the solar wind - Effects on lunar electrical conductivity estimates

The lunar electromagnetic response, measured at very low frequencies with the moon in the solar wind, is used to evaluate interior electrical conductivity at great depth and to determine limits on the size of possible lunar core. A theory is developed wherein compression of the magnetic field in the lunar tail cavity caused by inflowing plasma at the lunar limbs and in the lunar wake, bends the magnetic field in the lunar interior and thereby alters the tangential component of magnetic field observed on the dayside surface. This theory strongly indicates that cavity fringing cannot explain the enhanced East-West fluctuations. It is proposed that the East-West fluctuations might be due to diamagnetic currents caused by lunar surface photoelectrons in the lunar terminator region.

Goldstein, B. E.↗

Response of defects to illumination in silicon solar cells

The enhancement of diffusion length with intensity was examined using spectral response measurements in solar cells based on Silso silicon and EFG silicon ribbon. Local diffusion length variations at defect sites were investigated as a function of illumination level using a scanning electron microscope operated in the electron beam induced current mode. An increase of diffusion length was observed at defect sites as the intensity level was increased. The diffusion length improvements are explained on the basis of saturation of minority carrier traps in these materials. The trap distribution in Silso silicon is shown to be peaked near (Ec - 0.7)eV. EFG silicon ribbon shows a broad, Gaussian distribution of traps located near (Ec - 0.5)eV.

Hari Rao, C. V.↗

Thin n-i-p radiation-resistant solar cell feasibility study

Silicon solar cells were fabricated to verify the predictions that: (1) thin n(+)pp(+) cells can provide high values of open circuit voltage even when high resistivity base material ( 1000 omega-cm) is used; (2) cells with good p(+) back contacts will display an increase in open circuit voltage with decreasing cell thickness; and (3) high quality, thin, high resistivity, solar cells can be made using processing compatible with conventional practice. Analysis of I-V and spectral response measurements of these cells confirmed theoretical predictions and thereby pointed to voltages beyond the near 600 mV obtained in this study.

Allison, J. F.↗

Procedure M - An advanced procedure for stratified area estimation using Landsat

Procedure M is a systematic approach to processing multispectral scanner data for classification and acreage estimation. The procedure incorporates a statistically robust mechanism for estimation while utilizing component technologies that are based on the physically expected or measured responses of the canopy, atmosphere and sensor. This paper describes Procedure M in the context of large-area agricultural applications, emphasizing three specific configurations: for winter wheat, spring small grains, and corn and soybeans.

Holmes, Q. A.↗

Recent progress in picosecond pulse generation from semiconductor lasers

This paper reviews the recent progress in producing picosecond optical pulses from semiconductor laser diodes. The discussion concentrates on the mode-locking of a semiconductor laser diode in an external resonator. Transform-limited optical pulses ranging from several picoseconds to subpicosecond durations have been observed with active and passive mode-locking. Even though continuing research on the influence of impurities and defects on the mode-locking process is still needed, this technique has good promise for being utilized in fiber-optic communication systems. Alternative methods of direct electrical and optical excitation to produce ultrashort laser pulses are also described. They can generate pulses of similar widths to those obtained by mode-locking. The pulses generated will find applications in laser ranging and detector response measurement.

Auyeung, J. C.↗

Estimation of a remote sensing system point-spread function from measured imagery

A general approach to identifying the point spread function (PSF) of a remotely sensed scene is demonstrated in terms of a step function for an abrupt change in the gray level along the row or column of the image data. The estimate of the PSF is made in terms of a finite sum of basis functions, employing a sequence of rectangular pulses covering the spatial extent of the PSF. The approximation, if narrow impulses are employed, provides accurate fidelity to the PSF. The method becomes practical when the geometrical structure of the scene elements producing the measured response is known. The field boundary is obtained through consideration of the differing intensities on each side of the boundary, which is a step discontinuity. The mathematical procedure for the technique is provided, together with a sample problem from Landsat-4 Thematic Mapper data. Atmospheric blurring and electronic effects on the overall PSF and the cubic convolution resampling effects are noted.

Mcgillem, C. D.↗

Photovoltaic characteristics of diffused P/+N bulk GaAs solar cells

The photovoltaic characteristics of P(+)N junction solar cells fabricated on bulk GaAs by an open tube diffusion technique are described in this paper.Spectral response measurements were analyzed in detail and compared to a computer simulation in order to determine important material parameters. It is projected that proper optimization of the cell parameters can increase the efficiency of the cells from 12.2 percent to close to 20 percent.

Borrego, J. M.↗

A generalized multiple-input, multiple-output modal parameter estimation algorithm

A new method for experimental determination of the modal parameters of a structure is presented. The method allows for multiple input forces to be applied simultaneously, and for an arbitrary number of acceleration response measurements to be employed. These data are used to form the equations of motion for a damped linear elastic structure. The modal parameters are then obtained through an eigenvalue technique. In conjunction with the development of the equations, an extensive computer simulation study was performed. The results of the study show a marked improvement in the mode shape identification for closely-spaced modes as the number of applied forces is increased. Also demonstrated is the influence of noise on the method's ability to identify accurate modal parameters. Here again, an increase in the number of exciters leads to a significant improvement in the identified parameters.

Craig, R. R., Jr.↗

Galileo spacecraft modal identification using an eigensystem realization algorithm

A modal parameter identification technique referred to as the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) was applied to free-response measurements from the Galileo spacecraft modal survey test. The data were recorded following single-point random excitation of the structure. This work is one phase in a research project coordinated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to compare the performance of various contemporary identification techniques using Galileo data. Principal emphasis is placed on estimating the accuracy of the ERA-identified modal parameters. Various accuracy indicators, such as Modal Amplitude Coherence and Modal Phase Collinearity, are discussed. More than 20 modes of the spacecraft were identified, demonstrating the ability of the ERA method to determine the dynamics of such complex structures using only a few seconds of test data.

Pappa, R. S.↗

Exploratory flutter test in a cryogenic wind tunnel

A model consisting of a rigid wing with an integral, flexible beam support that was cantilever mounted from the wall in the NASA LaRC 0.3-m transonic cryogenic tunnel was used in a flutter analysis study. The wing had a rectangular planform of aspect ratio 1.5 and a 64A010 airfoil. Various considerations and procedures for conducting flutter tests in a cryogenic wind tunnel were evaluated. Flutter onset conditions were established from extrapolated subcritical response measurements. A flutter boundary was determined at cryogenic temperatures over a Mach number M range from 0.5 to 0.9. Flutter was obtained at two different Reynolds numbers R at M = 0.5 (R = 4.4 and 18.4 x 10 to the 6th power) and at M = 0.8 (R = 5.0 and 10.4 x 10 to the 6th power). Flutter analyses using subsonic lifting surface (kernel function) aerodynamics were made over the range of test conditions. To evaluate the Reynolds number effects at M = 0.5 and 0.8, the experimental results were adjusted using analytical trends to account for differences in the model test temperatures and mass ratios. The adjusted experimental results indicate that increasing Reynolds number from 5.0 to 20.0 x 10 to the 6th power decreased the dynamic pressure by 4.0 to 6.5 percent at M = 0.5 and 0.8.

Cole, S. R.↗

System identification for large space structure damage assessment

The need for monitoring the dynamic characteristics of large structural systems for purposes of assessing the potential degradation of structural properties was established. A theory for assessing the occurrence, location, and extent of potential damage was developed utilizing on-orbit response measurements. Feasibility of the method is demonstrated using a simple structural system as an example.

Chen, J. C.↗

Integration of altitude and airspeed information into a primary flight display via moving-tape formats: Evaluation during random tracking task

A ground-based aircraft simulation study was conducted to determine the effects on pilot preference and performance of integrating airspeed and altitude information into an advanced electronic primary flight display via moving-tape (linear moving scale) formats. Several key issues relating to the implementation of moving-tape formats were examined in this study: tape centering, tape orientation, and trend information. The factor of centering refers to whether the tape was centered about the actual airspeed or altitude or about some other defined reference value. Tape orientation refers to whether the represented values are arranged in descending or ascending order. Two pilots participated in this study, with each performing 32 runs along seemingly random, previously unknown flight profiles. The data taken, analyzed, and presented consisted of path performance parameters, pilot-control inputs, and electrical brain response measurements.

Abbott, Terence S.↗

F-106 data summary and model results relative to threat criteria and protection design analysis

The NASA F-106 has acquired considerable data on the rates-of-change of EM parameters on the aircraft surface during 690 direct lightning strikes while penetrating thunderstorms at altitudes from 15,000 to 40,000 feet. The data are presently being used in updating previous lightning criteria and standards. The new lightning standards will, therefore, be the first which reflect actual aircraft responses measured at flight altitudes.

Pitts, F. L.↗