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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 37 records · Page 2

Thermal history of the moon.

The thermal history of the lunar interior has been investigated for many sets of parameters and initial conditions by the construction of mathematical models. These models have been extended to include the effects of melting and redistribution of radioactive heat sources with time. The models considered include the possibility of heat transfer by lattice conduction, radiative transfer, removal of radioactive heat sources and, in a molten zone, fluid convection. The energy sources are divided into initial temperature sources that operate during the formation of the moon or shortly thereafter, and long-lived radioactive heat sources.

Reynolds, R. T.↗

Divers solar rotations.

Discussion of a particular variety of rotational properties in the photospheric and solar wind plasma and magnetic fields. In both the photosphere and in the interplanetary medium near the earth there is a tendency for the field patterns to rotate a few percent faster then the plasma patterns. The fields and plasmas show variability in their rotational properties on time scales of days or months, but averages over a few years tend to become much less variable, as shown by the results for long-lived sunspots, and by the rotating solar magnetic 'dipole.' The physical processes responsible for these phenomena are as yet little understood.

Wilcox, J. M.↗

An improved holographic recording medium

Solid, linear chain hydrocarbons with molecular weight ranging from about 300 to 2000 can serve as long-lived recording medium in optical memory system. Suitable recording hydrocarbons include microcrystalline waxes and low molecular weight polymers or ethylene.

Gange, R. A.↗

Non-gassing nickel-cadmium battery electrodes and cells: Testing of 25 Ah cells

The testing of 30 practical size, experimental 25 ampere hour cells constructed as part of an earlier negative limited cell development program is discussed. The test results showed that the negative limited cell is a possible means of developing a long-lived secondary cell. The cells were tested for 500 cycles using an accelerated regime approximating a 90-minute orbit period. Three groups of ten cells were tested at 0,25, and 40 C. The cycle data showed that the negative limited cells had higher degradation rates at the higher operating temperatures. At the conclusion of 500 cycles, the three groups had average capacities of 16.83, 12.74, and 5.71 ampere hours for testing at 0, 25, 40 C, respectively. The conditioning capacities of these cells was in the 25 ampere hours range. The internal cell pressures of the three groups was also temperature dependent and was, in general, in the 2 psig range during the course of the test program. No periodic variation of the internal pressure with the state-of-charge was observed except with some cells tested at 40 C.

Luksha, E.↗

Large-scale photospheric magnetic field - The diffusion of active region fields.

The large-scale photospheric magnetic field has been computed by allowing observed active region fields to diffuse and to be sheared by differential rotation in accordance with the Leighton (1969) magnetokinematic model of the solar cycle. The differential rotation of the computed field patterns as determined by autocorrelation curves is similar to that of the observed photospheric field, and poleward of 20 deg latitude both are significantly different from the differential rotation of the long-lived sunspots (Newton and Nunn, 1951) used as an input into the computations.

Schatten, K. H.↗

On the cause of equatorial spread F.

It is suggested that convective electric fields in the equatorial ionosphere are generated by neutral winds (zonal or meridional) which act on regions having structure in their field aligned Pedersen conductivity integrals. The conductivity structure is presumably caused by long-lived metallic ions concentrated irregularly below the F layer at altitudes where their collision and gyrofrequencies are comparable. The resulting plasma convection leads to large-scale irregularities and sets up gradients in the electric field that drive other instability mechanisms to produce small-scale irregularities. The mechanism proposed requires a different velocity above and below 200 km for winds in the magnetic east-west direction, but for winds in the magnetic meridian direction, an altitude gradient is not required.

Hanson, W. B.↗

Casting copper to tungsten for high-power arc lamp cathodes

Voids forming at interface when copper is cast onto tungsten can be eliminated by adding wetting agent during casting process. Small amount of copper and nickel are cast onto thoriated tungsten insert, insert is recast with more copper to form electrode. Good thermal conductance results in long-lived cathode.

Will, H. A.↗

Feasibility of Space Disposal of Radioactive Nuclear Waste. 1: Executive Summary

This NASA study, performed at the request of the AEC, concludes that transporting radioactive waste (primarily long-lived isotopes) into space is feasible. Tentative solutions are presented for technical problems involving safe packaging. Launch systems (existing and planned), trajectories, potential hazards, and various destinations were evaluated. Solar system escape is possible and would have the advantage of ultimate removal of the radioactive waste from man's environment. Transportation costs would be low (comparable to less than a 5 percent increase in the cost of electricity) even though more than 100 space shuttle launches per year would be required by the year 2000.

Source record↗

The effect of continuous low dose-rate gamma irradiation on cell population kinetics of lymphoid tissue

Cellular response and cell population kinetics were studied during lymphopoiesis in the thymus of the mouse under continuous gamma irradiation using autoradiographic techniques and specific labeling with tritiated thymidine. On the basis of tissue weights, it is concluded that the response of both the thymus and spleen to continuous low dose-rate irradiation is multiphasic. That is, alternating periods of steady state growth, followed by collapse, which in turn is followed by another period of homeostasis. Since there are two populations of lymphocytes - short lived and long-lived, it may be that different phases of steady state growth are mediated by different lymphocytes. The spleen is affected to a greater extent with shorter periods of steady-state growth than exhibited by the thymus.

Foster, B. R.↗

On the thermal evolution of the terrestrial planets

Physical and chemical constraints for such different planetary objects as the earth, the moon and meteorite parent bodies can best be satisfied by thermal history models having high initial temperatures. On the basis of thermal calculations it is suggested that the evolution of the other terrestrial planets (Mars, Venus and Mercury) was also characterized by high initial temperatures. Under these conditions, melting and, consequently, fractionation would set in at an early stage. Because of the resulting redistribution of the long-lived radioactive heat sources and the concentration of these elements in the surface layers, large-scale differentiation could be achieved by partial melting.

Fricker, P. E.↗

Rigid and differential rotation of the solar corona

The rotation of the solar corona has been studied using recurrence properties of the green coronal line (5303 A) for the interval from 1947 to 1970. Short-lived coronal activity is found to show the same differential rotation as short-lived photospheric magnetic field features. Long-lived recurrences show rigid rotation in the latitude interval of plus or minus 57.5 deg. It is proposed that at least part of the variability of rotational properties of the solar atmosphere may be understood as a consequence of coexistence of differential and rigid solar rotation.

Antonucci, E.↗

A correlation between time-overlapping solar flares and the release of energetic particles

The origin of a large corotating solar particle event in August 1970 is discussed. Proton data from spacecraft at five widely separated heliocentric longitudes are used to identify two distinct release points which are over 100 deg apart in solar longitude. Optical flare data show a high incidence of time-overlapping flares between plage regions close to the two release points, indicating a good connection between them. Unusual X-ray and radio emissions are also observed from these regions. The spectrum of the relativistic electrons in the corotating particle event is represented by a power law with an index gamma equal to approximately -4, considerably steeper than that usually observed from a solar flare. It is concluded that there is a large magnetic loop structure connecting points over 100 deg apart on the sun which is able to trap energetic protons and electrons from an earlier solar flare. Subsequent release of these particles establishes an intense, long-lived corotating event.

Simnett, G. M.↗

Gamma-spectrometric analysis of Luna 16 sample of lunar surface material

Using a scintillation gamma spectrometer with shielding against anticoincidences, the content of the natural radioelements (K, U, and Th) and long-lived cosmogenic radioisotopes (Al-26, Na-22, and Mn-54) in a sample of Sea of Fertility regolith was determined. Based on the content data of natural radioelements, an attempt was made to classify this sample in the scale of petrochemical types of terrestrial rocks arranged in accordance with their silicic content and alkalinity. Within the frame of reference of calcium-uranium systematics of lunar samples, a comparison was made of the K/U ratio obtained for the Sea of Fertility sample with analogous data for other regions of the moon. Also discussed are problems on the depthwise distribution of cosmogenic radioisotopes along the regolith profile.

Surkov, Y. A.↗

Electrical characteristics of a free-burning direct-current argon arc operating between 90 and 563 kilowatts with two types of cathodes

The electrical characteristics of a high-power, long-lived, free-burning dc argon arc are presented. Empirical formulas relating voltage to current, electrode separation, and operating pressure are given for two types of cathodes: a typical point tip cathode and a cathode with a 1.27-cm-(0.5-in.-) diameter crater in the tip. Power was varied from 90 to 563 kW. A discussion of the cathode with the crater tip is given.

Curtis, H. B.↗

Management and design of long-life systems; Proceedings of the Symposium, Denver, Colo., April 24-26, 1973

The long life of Pioneer interplanetary spacecraft is considered along with a general accelerated methodology for long-life mechanical components, dependable long-lived household appliances, and the design and development philosophy to achieve reliability and long life in large turbine generators. Other topics discussed include an integrated management approach to long life in space, artificial heart reliability factors, and architectural concepts and redundancy techniques in fault-tolerant computers. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Schurmeier, H. M.↗

Compositional evidence regarding the influx of interplanetary materials onto the lunar surface

Siderophilic element/Ir ratios are higher in mature lunar soils from highlands sites than in those from mare sites. It is suggested that the population of materials responsible for the early intense bombardment of the moon had high ratios and that the population responsible for the essentially constant flux has low ratios. Arguments are summarized against the viewpoint that the siderophiles in most highlands breccias originated in basin-forming projectiles. Differences in mature soil siderophile concentrations at the Apollo 14 and 16 sites indicate a substantially greater concentration at the latter site immediately following the Imbrium event. Siderophile concentrations are used to estimate mean regolith depths at the landing sites. The long-lived flux is calculated to be 2.9 g per cm per aeon averaged over the past 3.7 aeons. Consideration of the relationship between mass fluence and time indicates that the mass flux decreased with a half-life of about 40 million years immediately following the Imbrium event.

Wasson, J. T.↗

Fast metastable fragments produced by dissociative excitation of carbonyl sulfide

Dissociative excitation of OCS by electron impact has been studied using the method of translational spectroscopy. Time-of-flight distributions and excitation functions of the fast metastable fragments have been measured. The results are compared with similar measurements on CO2 and show that a variety of metastable fragments including CO(a 3Pi), S(5S), O(5S) as well as long-lived high-lying atomic and molecular Rydberg fragments can contribute to dissociation.

Van Brunt, R. J.↗

Nuclear waste disposal utilizing a gaseous core reactor

The feasibility of a gaseous core nuclear reactor designed to produce power to also reduce the national inventories of long-lived reactor waste products through nuclear transmutation was examined. Neutron-induced transmutation of radioactive wastes is shown to be an effective means of shortening the apparent half life.

Paternoster, R. R.↗