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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2013

High Resolution Aerosol Data from MODIS Satellite for Urban Air Quality Studies

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provides daily global coverage, but the 10 km resolution of its aerosol optical depth (AOD) product is not suitable for studying spatial variability of aerosols in urban areas. Recently, a new Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm was developed for MODIS which provides AOD at 1 km resolution. Using MAIAC data, the relationship between MAIAC AOD and PM(sub 2.5) as measured by the 27 EPA ground monitoring stations was investigated. These results were also compared to conventional MODIS 10 km AOD retrievals (MOD04) for the same days and locations. The coefficients of determination for MOD04 and for MAIAC are R(exp 2) =0.45 and 0.50 respectively, suggested that AOD is a reasonably good proxy for PM(sub 2.5) ground concentrations. Finally, we studied the relationship between PM(sub 2.5) and AOD at the intra-urban scale (10 km) in Boston. The fine resolution results indicated spatial variability in particle concentration at a sub-10 kilometer scale. A local analysis for the Boston area showed that the AOD-PM(sub 2.5) relationship does not depend on relative humidity and air temperatures below approximately 7 C. The correlation improves for temperatures above 7 - 16 C. We found no dependence on the boundary layer height except when the former was in the range 250-500 m. Finally, we apply a mixed effects model approach to MAIAC aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals from MODIS to predict PM(sub 2.5) concentrations within the greater Boston area. With this approach we can control for the inherent day-to-day variability in the AOD-PM(sub 2.5) relationship, which depends on time-varying parameters such as particle optical properties, vertical and diurnal concentration profiles and ground surface reflectance. Our results show that the model-predicted PM(sub 2.5) mass concentrations are highly correlated with the actual observations (out-of-sample R(exp 2) of 0.86). Therefore, adjustment for the daily variability in the AOD-PM(sub 2.5) relationship provides a means for obtaining spatially-resolved PM(sub 2.5) concentrations.

remote sensing↗
NASA NTRS2023

Simulated Inherent Optical Properties of Aquatic Particles Using the Equivalent Algal Populations (EAP) Model

Paired measurements of phytoplankton absorption and backscatter, the inherent optical properties central to the interpretation of ocean colour remote sensing data, are notoriously rare. We present a dataset of Chlorophyll a (Chl a) -specific phytoplankton absorption, scatter and backscatter for 17 different phytoplankton groups, derived from first principles using measured in vivo pigment absorption and a well-validated semi-analytical coated sphere model which simulates the full suite of biophysically consistent phytoplankton optical properties. The optical properties of each simulated phytoplankton cell are integrated over an entire size distribution and are provided at high spectral resolution. The model code is additionally included to enable user access to the complete set of wavelength-dependent, angularly resolved volume scattering functions. This optically coherent dataset of hyperspectral optical properties for a set of globally significant phytoplankton groups has potential for use in algorithm development towards the optimal exploitation of the new age of hyperspectral satellite radiometry.

Equivalent Algal Populations↗
NASA NTRS2002

Scale Closure in Upper Ocean Optical Properties: From Single Particles to Ocean Color

Predictions of chlorophyll concentration from satellite ocean color are an indicator of primary productivity, with implications for foodwebs, fisheries, and the global carbon cycle. Models describing the relationship between optical properties and chlorophyll do not account for much of the optical variability observed in natural waters, because of the presence of seawater constituents that do not covary with phytoplankton pigments. in order to understand variability in these models, the optical contributions of seawater constituents were investigated. A combination of Mie theory and flow cytometry was used to determine the diameter, complex refractive index, and optical cross-sections of individual particles. In New England continental shelf waters, eukaryotic phytoplankton were the main particle contributors to absorption and scaftering. Minerals were the main contributor to backscattering (bb) in the spring, whereas in the summer both minerals and detritus contributed to bb. Synechococcus and heterotrophic bacteria were relatively unimportant optically. Seasonal differences in the spectral shape of remote sensing reflectance, Rrs, were contributed to approximately equally by eukaryotic phytoplankton absorption, dissolved absorption, and non-phytoplankton bb. Differences between measurements of bb and Prs and modeled values based on chlorophyll concentration were caused by higher dissolved absorption and non-phytoplankton bb than were assumed by the model.

Green, Rebecca E.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Asymptotic Solutions for Optical Properties of Large Particles with Strong Absorption

The transverse wave condition is not applicable to the refracted electromagnetic wave within the context of geometrical optics when absorption is involved. Either the transverse magnetic (TM) or the transverse electric (TE) wave condition can be assumed for the wave to locally satisfy the electromagnetic boundary condition in a ray-tracing calculation. The assumed wave mode affects both the reflection and the refraction coefficients. As a result, nonunique solutions for these coefficients are inevitable. In this study the appropriate solutions for the Fresnel reflection-refraction coefficients are identified in light-scattering calculations based on the ray-tracing technique. In particular, a 3x2 refraction or transmission matrix is derived to account for the inhomogeneity of the refracted wave in an absorbing medium. An asymptotic solution that completely includes the effect of medium absorption on Fresnel coefficients is obtained for the scattering properties of a general polyhedral particle. Numerical results are presented for hexagonal plates and columns with both preferred and random orientations.

Yang, Ping↗
NASA NTRS2000

Asymptotic Solutions for Optical Properties of Large Particles with Strong Absorption

For scattering calculations involving nonspherical particles such as ice crystals, we show that the transverse wave condition is not applicable to the refracted electromagnetic wave in the context of geometric optics when absorption is involved. Either the TM wave condition (i.e., where the magnetic field of the refracted wave is transverse with respect to the wave direction) or the TE wave condition (i.e., where the electric field is transverse with respect to the propagating direction of the wave) may be assumed for the refracted wave in an absorbing medium to locally satisfy the electromagnetic boundary condition in the ray tracing calculation. The wave mode assumed for the refracted wave affects both the reflection and refraction coefficients. As a result, a nonunique solution for these coefficients is derived from the electromagnetic boundary condition. In this study we have identified the appropriate solution for the Fresnel reflection/refraction coefficients in light scattering calculation based on the ray tracing technique. We present the 3 x 2 refraction or transmission matrix that completely accounts for the inhomogeneity of the refracted wave in an absorbing medium. Using the Fresnel coefficients for an absorbing medium, we derive an asymptotic solution in an analytical format for the scattering properties of a general polyhedral particle. Numerical results are presented for hexagonal plates and columns with both preferred and random orientations. The asymptotic theory can produce reasonable accuracy in the phase function calculations in the infrared window region (wavelengths near 10 micron) if the particle size (in diameter) is on the order of 40 micron or larger. However, since strong absorption is assumed in the computation of the single-scattering albedo in the asymptotic theory, the single scattering albedo does not change with variation of the particle size. As a result, the asymptotic theory can lead to substantial errors in the computation of single-scattering albedo for small and moderate particle sizes. However, from comparison of the asymptotic results with the FDTD solution, it is expected that a convergence between the FDTD results and the asymptotic theory results can be reached when the particle size approaches 200 micron. We show that the phase function at side-scattering and backscattering angles is insensitive to particle shape if the random orientation condition is assumed. However, if preferred orientations are assumed for particles, the phase function has a strong dependence on scattering azimuthal angle. The single-scattering albedo also shows very strong dependence on the inclination angle of incident radiation with respect to the rotating axis for the preferred particle orientations.

Yang, Ping↗
NASA NTRS1974

The effects of particle size on the optical properties and surface roughness of a glass-balloon-filled black paint

The effects of particle size on the optical properties and surface roughness of a glass-balloon-filled, carbon-pigmented paint were studied in order to develop a diffuse-reflecting, low-total-reflectance, low-outgassing black paint. Particle sizes ranged between 20 microns and 74 microns. Surface roughness was found to increase with increasing particle size. Relative total reflectance at near-normal incidence (MgO standard) of the filled paints was less than for the unfilled paint between 230 nm and 1800 nm. Total absolute reflectance at 546 nm decreased with increasing particle size at grazing angles of incidence. Near-normal, total emittance was greater for the filled paints than for the unfilled paint. Specularity decreased with increasing particle size over the range studied.

Heslin, T.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Rapid evolution of aerosol particles and their optical properties downwind of wildfires in the western US

Abstract. During the first phase of the Biomass Burn Operational Project (BBOP) field campaign, conducted in the Pacific Northwest, the DOE G-1 aircraft was used to follow the time evolution of wildfire smoke from near the point of emission to locations 2–3.5 h downwind. In nine flights we made repeated transects of wildfire plumes at varying downwind distances and could thereby follow the plume's time evolution. On average there was little change in dilution-normalized aerosol mass concentration as a function of downwind distance. This consistency hides a dynamic system in which primary aerosol particles are evaporating and secondary ones condensing. Organic aerosol is oxidized as a result. On all transects more than 90 % of aerosol is organic. In freshly emitted smoke aerosol, NH4+ is approximately equivalent to NO3. After 2 h of daytime aging, NH4+ increased and is approximately equivalent to the sum of Cl, SO42, and NO3. Particle size increased with downwind distance, causing particles to be more efficient scatters. Averaged over nine flights, mass scattering efficiency (MSE) increased in ∼ 2 h by 56 % and doubled in one flight. Mechanisms for redistributing mass from small to large particles are discussed. Coagulation is effective at moving aerosol from the Aitken to accumulation modes but yields only a minor increase in MSE. As absorption remained nearly constant with age, the time evolution of single scatter albedo was controlled by age-dependent scattering. Near-fire aerosol had a single scatter albedo (SSA) of 0.8–0.9. After 1 to 2 h of aging SSAs were typically 0.9 and greater. Assuming global-average surface and atmospheric conditions, the observed age dependence in SSA would change the direct radiative effect of a wildfire plume from near zero near the fire to a cooling effect downwind.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2010

Modeling Optical Properties of Mineral Aerosol Particles by Using Nonsymmetric Hexahedra

We explore the use of nonsymmetric geometries to simulate the single-scattering properties of airborne dust particles with complicated morphologies. Specifically, the shapes of irregular dust particles are assumed to be nonsymmetric hexahedra defined by using the Monte Carlo method. A combination of the discrete dipole approximation method and an improved geometric optics method is employed to compute the single-scattering properties of dust particles for size parameters ranging from 0.5 to 3000. The primary optical effect of eliminating the geometric symmetry of regular hexahedra is to smooth the scattering features in the phase function and to decrease the backscatter. The optical properties of the nonsymmetric hexahedra are used to mimic the laboratory measurements. It is demonstrated that a relatively close agreement can be achieved by using only one shape of nonsymmetric hexahedra. The agreement between the theoretical results and their measurement counterparts can be further improved by using a mixture of nonsymmetric hexahedra. It is also shown that the hexahedron model is much more appropriate than the "equivalent sphere" model for simulating the optical properties of dust particles, particularly, in the case of the elements of the phase matrix that associated with the polarization state of scattered light.

Bi, Lei↗
NASA NTRS1972

Particle impact and optical property analysis of the surfaces of Surveyor 3 materials

As part of the investigation of Surveyor 3 materials, a study was conducted to determine the effect of the lunar environment on some of the painted and unpainted exterior surfaces. Examination of the camera parts and tube sections was conducted using three techniques: (1) optical and scanning electron microscopy, (2) energy dispersive X-ray probe analysis, and (3) spectral reflectance measurements.

Anderson, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Optical Properties of Ice Particles in Young Contrails

The single-scattering properties of four types of ice crystals (pure ice crystals, ice crystals with an internal mixture of ice and black carbon, ice crystals coated with black carbon, and soot coated with ice) in young contrails are investigated at wavelengths 0.65 and 2.13 micrometers using Mie codes from coated spheres. The four types of ice crystals have distinct differences in their single-scattering properties because of the embedded black carbon. The bulk scattering properties of young contrails consisting of the four types of ice crystals are further investigated by averaging their single-scattering properties over a typical ice particle size distribution found in young contrails. The effect of the radiative properties of the four types of ice particles on the Stokes parameters I, Q, U, and V is also investigated for different viewing zenith angles and relative azimuth angles with a solar zenith angle of 30 degrees using a vector radiative transfer model based on the adding-doubling technique. The Stokes parameters at a wavelength of 0.65 micrometers show pronounced differences for the four types of ice crystals. Those at a wavelength of 2.13 micrometers show similar variations with the viewing zenith angle and relative azimuth angle, but their values are noticeably different.

Hong, Gang↗
NASA NTRS2002

Parameterization of Cloud Optical Properties for a Mixture of Ice Particles for use in Atmospheric Models

Based on the single-scattering optical properties that are pre-computed using an improve geometric optics method, the bulk mass absorption coefficient, single-scattering albedo, and asymmetry factor of ice particles have been parameterized as a function of the mean effective particle size of a mixture of ice habits. The parameterization has been applied to compute fluxes for sample clouds with various particle size distributions and assumed mixtures of particle habits. Compared to the parameterization for a single habit of hexagonal column, the solar heating of clouds computed with the parameterization for a mixture of habits is smaller due to a smaller cosingle-scattering albedo. Whereas the net downward fluxes at the TOA and surface are larger due to a larger asymmetry factor. The maximum difference in the cloud heating rate is approx. 0.2 C per day, which occurs in clouds with an optical thickness greater than 3 and the solar zenith angle less than 45 degrees. Flux difference is less than 10 W per square meters for the optical thickness ranging from 0.6 to 10 and the entire range of the solar zenith angle. The maximum flux difference is approximately 3%, which occurs around an optical thickness of 1 and at high solar zenith angles.

Chou, Ming-Dah↗
NASA NTRS2002

Parameterization of Shortwave Cloud Optical Properties for a Mixture of Ice Particle Habits for use in Atmospheric Models

Based on the single-scattering optical properties pre-computed with an improved geometric optics method, the bulk absorption coefficient, single-scattering albedo, and asymmetry factor of ice particles have been parameterized as a function of the effective particle size of a mixture of ice habits, the ice water amount, and spectral band. The parameterization has been applied to computing fluxes for sample clouds with various particle size distributions and assumed mixtures of particle habits. It is found that flux calculations are not overly sensitive to the assumed particle habits if the definition of the effective particle size is consistent with the particle habits that the parameterization is based. Otherwise, the error in the flux calculations could reach a magnitude unacceptable for climate studies. Different from many previous studies, the parameterization requires only an effective particle size representing all ice habits in a cloud layer, but not the effective size of individual ice habits.

Chou, Ming-Dah↗
NASA NTRS1980

The clouds of Venus - A synthesis report

The results presented represent a synthesis of data from those Pioneer Venus experiments directed toward studying cloud problems. These orbiter and multiprobe experiments show the cloud system to consist of three altitude regions populated by cloud particles and smaller haze particles which extend above and below as well as coexist with the cloud particles. The optical properties derived are only consistent with the largest particles, having platelike morphology. The smallest particles are shown to require changes in chemical composition to explain observed behavior. The medium-sized H2SO4 droplets of 2 micrometers diameter appear to be the least volatile and are the best understood. The role of the cloud particles in precipitation dynamical processes, lightning, and radiation are all discussed.

Knollenberg, R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Recent studies of the optical properties of dust and cloud particles in the Mars atmosphere and the interannual frequency of global dust storms

The results of research with two distinctly separate sets of observations yield new information on the optical properties of particulate scatterers in the Mars atmosphere, and on the interannual variability of the abundance of such scatterers in the Mars atmosphere. The first set of observations were taken by the IRTM (Infrared Thermal Mapper) instrument onboard the Viking Orbiters, during the period 1976 to 1980. Several hundred emission phase function (EPF) sequences were obtained over the Viking mission, in which the IRTM visual brightness channel observed the same area of surface/atmosphere as the spacecraft passed overhead. The 1 to 2 percent accuracy of calibration and the phase-angle coverage that characterizes these data make them ideally suited to determining both the optical depths and optical properties of dust and cloud scatterers in the Mars atmosphere versus latitude, longitude, seasons (L sub s), and surface elevation over the extended period of Viking observations. The EPF data were analyzed with a multiple scattering radiative transfer code to determine dust single scattering albedos which are distinctly higher than indicated by the Viking Lander observations. The second set of observations regard ground-based observations of the 1.3 to 2.6 mm rotational transitions of CO in the Martian atmosphere. The low-to-mid latitude average of the atmospheric temperature profile (0 to 70 km altitude) were derived from a number of such observations over the 1980 to 1990 period.

Clancy, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Planetary rings - A dynamic, evolving subject

Attention is drawn to current attempts to present the results of theoretical dynamical studies of the planetary rings, and to propagate observational results on ring structure and physical properties that are relevant to dynamical interpretations. Like earlier, optical models, dynamical models tend to assume simplified, single sized, smooth, and round, ring-constituting particles; a tendency is noted which confuses particles dominating optical properties with those that dominate dynamics.

Greenberg, R.↗