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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

Characteristics of Non-Premixed Turbulent Flames in Microgravity

This project is concerned with the characteristics of turbulent hydrocarbon (primarily propane) gas-jet diffusion flames in microgravity. A microgravity environment provides the opportunity to study the structure of turbulent diffusion flames under momentum-dominated conditions (large Froude number) at moderate Reynolds number which is a combination not achievable in normal gravity. This paper summarizes progress made since the last workshop. Primarily, the features of flame radiation from microgravity turbulent jet diffusion flames in a reduced gravity environment are described. Tests were conducted for non-premixed, nitrogen diluted propane flames burning in quiescent air in the NASA Glenn 5.18 Second Zero Gravity Facility. Measured flame radiation from wedge-shaped, axial slices of the flame are compared for microgravity and normal gravity flames. Results from numerical computations of the flame using a k-e model for the turbulence are also presented to show the effects of flame radiation on the thermal field. Flame radiation is an important quantity that is impacted by buoyancy as has been shown in previous studies by the authors and also by Urban et al. It was found that jet diffusion flames burning under microgravity conditions have significantly higher radiative loss (about five to seven times higher) compared to their normal gravity counterparts because of larger flame size in microgravity and larger convective heat loss fraction from the flame in normal gravity. These studies, however, were confined to laminar flames. For the case of turbulent flames, the flame radiation is a function of time and both the time-averaged and time-dependent components are of interest. In this paper, attention is focused primarily on the time-averaged level of the radiation but the turbulent structure of the flame is also assessed from considerations of the radiation power spectra.

Hegde, U.↗

Surface compositional mapping by spectral ratioing of ERTS-1 MSS data in the Wind River Basin and Range, Wyoming

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS data collected in August and October 1972 were processed on digital and special purpose analog recognition computers using ratio enhancement and pattern recognition. Ratios of band-averaged laboratory reflectances of some minerals and rock types known to be in the scene compared favorably with ratios derived from the data by ratio normalization procedures. A single ratio display and density slice of the visible channels of ERTS MSS data, Channel 5/Channel 4 (R5,4), separated the Triassic Chugwater formation (redbeds) from other formations present and may have enhanced iron oxide minerals present at the surface in abundance. Comparison of data sets collected over the same area at two different times of the year by digital processing indicated that spectral variation due to environmental factors was reduced by ratio processing.

Vincent, R. K.↗

An Experimental and Computational Study on Soot Formation in a Coflow Jet Flame Under Microgravity and Normal Gravity

Upon the completion of the Structure and Liftoff in Combustion Experiment (SLICE) in March 2012, a comprehensive and unique set of microgravity coflow diffusion flame data was obtained. This data covers a range of conditions from weak flames near extinction to strong, highly sooting flames, and enabled the study of gravitational effects on phenomena such as liftoff, blowout and soot formation. The microgravity experiment was carried out in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) on board the International Space Station (ISS), while the normal gravity experiment was performed at Yale utilizing a copy of the flight hardware. Computational simulations of microgravity and normal gravity flames were also carried out to facilitate understanding of the experimental observations. This paper focuses on the different sooting behaviors of CH4 coflow jet flames in microgravity and normal gravity. The unique set of data serves as an excellent test case for developing more accurate computational models.Experimentally, the flame shape and size, lift-off height, and soot temperature were determined from line-of-sight flame emission images taken with a color digital camera. Soot volume fraction was determined by performing an absolute light calibration using the incandescence from a flame-heated thermocouple. Computationally, the MC-Smooth vorticity-velocity formulation was employed to describe the chemically reacting flow, and the soot evolution was modeled by the sectional aerosol equations. The governing equations and boundary conditions were discretized on an axisymmetric computational domain by finite differences, and the resulting system of fully coupled, highly nonlinear equations was solved by a damped, modified Newtons method. The microgravity sooting flames were found to have lower soot temperatures and higher volume fraction than their normal gravity counterparts. The soot distribution tends to shift from the centerline of the flame to the wings from normal gravity to microgravity.

microgravity↗

Strategies for enhancing catecholamine-mediated neurotransmission

Major findings made during this project period included the following observations: changes in tyrosine availability do affect brain dopamine release, as assessed by in vivo microdialysis, but that neuronal feedback mechanisms limit the durations of this effect except when dopaminergic neurotransmission has been deficient; the circulating hormone TRH markedly stimulates brain dopamine release, an effect probably mediated by its diketopiperazine metabolite; the amount of circulating L-dopa which enters the brain is both enhanced by carbohydrate consumption and suppressed by protein intake (both nutritional effects can be damaging, inasmuch as a sudden rush of L-dopa into the brain can facilitate dyskinesias, while the inhibition of brain L-dopa uptake by proteins suppresses its conversion to brain dopamine; an appropriate mixture of dietary proteins and carbohydrates can obviate both effects); serotonin release from superfused hypothalamic slices is a linear function of available tryptophan levels throughout the normal dynamic range; the daily rhythm in plasma melatonin levels is abnormal both in the sudden infant death syndrome and in women with secondary amenorrhea; tyrosine can potentiate the anorectic effects of widely-used sympathomimetic drugs; newly-described COMT inhibitors can enhance brain dopamine release in vivo; and a cell culture system, based on Y-79 (retinoblast) cells, exists in which melatonin reliably suppresses dopamine release.

Wurtman, Richard J.↗

Controls and process planning strategies for 5-axis laser directed energy deposition of Ti-6Al-4V using an 8-axis industrial robot and rotary motion

Interest in multi-axis additive manufacturing has grown significantly in recent years due to associated benefits that range from improved quality to support for greater geometric complexity. A method of 5-axis Laser Hot-Wire Directed Energy Deposition is developed and demonstrated in this study using an 8-axis industrial robot, comprised of a 6-axis serial link robot and a 2 degree-of-freedom positioner. Coordinated 5-axis motion is used to print Ti-6Al-4V objects predominantly through build plate rotation. Methods of slicing and toolpath generation are presented, including the use of an alternating toolpath direction philosophy and the manipulation of the CAD model surface normal vectors for determining the required build plate tilt angles for maintaining consistent deposition orientations relative to gravity. Another objective of the study was to determine the limits of conventional slicing and layer height control techniques for printing geometries with significant unsupported overhangs. A comparison is made between the behavior of normal and conformal bead alignment in this regard, and the performance of the layer height controller is reported as it relates to process stability and the limits of printing overhang geometries. Unsupported overhangs were successfully printed at 35° without build plate tilt and 45° with build plate tilt. Toolpath velocity and net-shape printing performance are reported as well, with 3D scans of the printed surfaces used for net-shape characterization. In all, the printing of three geometries is presented, including the overhang geometry, a 5-axis toolpath geometry, and a large-scale, multi-bead demonstrator part, which exceeded 500 mm in height and weighed 44 kg (97 lbs).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Techniques for Producing Coastal Land Water Masks from Landsat and Other Multispectral Satellite Data

Coastal erosion and land loss continue to threaten many areas in the United States. Landsat data has been used to monitor regional coastal change since the 1970s. Many techniques can be used to produce coastal land water masks, including image classification and density slicing of individual bands or of band ratios. Band ratios used in land water detection include several variations of the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). This poster discusses a study that compares land water masks computed from unsupervised Landsat image classification with masks from density-sliced band ratios and from the Landsat TM band 5. The greater New Orleans area is employed in this study, due to its abundance of coastal habitats and its vulnerability to coastal land loss. Image classification produced the best results based on visual comparison to higher resolution satellite and aerial image displays. However, density sliced NDWI imagery from either near infrared (NIR) and blue bands or from NIR and green bands also produced more effective land water masks than imagery from the density-sliced Landsat TM band 5. NDWI based on NIR and green bands is noteworthy because it allows land water masks to be generated from multispectral satellite sensors without a blue band (e.g., ASTER and Landsat MSS). NDWI techniques also have potential for producing land water masks from coarser scaled satellite data, such as MODIS.

Spruce, Joseph P.↗

Techniques for Producing Coastal Land Water Masks from Landsat and Other Multispectral Satellite Data

Coastal erosion and land loss continue to threaten many areas in the United States. Landsat data has been used to monitor regional coastal change since the 1970's. Many techniques can be used to produce coastal land water masks, including image classification and density slicing of individual bands or of band ratios. Band ratios used in land water detection include several variations of the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). This poster discusses a study that compares land water masks computed from unsupervised Landsat image classification with masks from density-sliced band ratios and from the Landsat TM band 5. The greater New Orleans area is imployed in this study, due to its abundance of coastal habitats and ist vulnerability to coastal land loss. Image classification produced the best results based on visual comparison to higher resolution satellite and aerial image displays. However, density-sliced NDWI imagery from either near infrared (NIR) and blue bands or from NIR and green bands also produced more effective land water masks than imagery from the density-sliced Landsat TM band 5. NDWI based on NIR and green bands is noteworthy because it allows land water masks to be generated form multispectral satellite sensors without a blue band (e.g., ASTER and Landsat MSS). NDWI techniques also have potential for producing land water masks from coarser scaled satellite data, such as MODIS.

Spruce, Joe↗

Implementation of an algorithm for cylindrical object identification using range data

One of the problems in 3-D object identification and localization is addressed. In robotic and navigation applications the vision system must be able to distinguish cylindrical or spherical objects as well as those of other geometric shapes. An algorithm was developed to identify cylindrical objects in an image when range data is used. The algorithm incorporates the Hough transform for line detection using edge points which emerge from a Sobel mask. Slices of the data are examined to locate arcs of circles using the normal equations of an over-determined linear system. Current efforts are devoted to testing the computer implementation of the algorithm. Refinements are expected to continue in order to accommodate cylinders in various positions. A technique is sought which is robust in the presence of noise and partial occlusions.

Bozeman, Sylvia T.↗

A Computational and Experimental Study of Coflow Laminar Methane/Air Diffusion Flames: Effects of Fuel Dilution, Inlet Velocity, and Gravity

The influences of fuel dilution, inlet velocity, and gravity on the shape and structure of laminar coflow CH4-air diffusion flames were investigated computationally and experimentally. A series of nitrogen-diluted flames measured in the Structure and Liftoff in Combustion Experiment (SLICE) on board the International Space Station was assessed numerically under microgravity (mu g) and normal gravity (1g) conditions with CH4 mole fraction ranging from 0.4 to 1.0 and average inlet velocity ranging from 23 to 90 cm/s. Computationally, the MC-Smooth vorticity-velocity formulation was employed to describe the reactive gaseous mixture, and soot evolution was modeled by sectional aerosol equations. The governing equations and boundary conditions were discretized on a two-dimensional computational domain by finite differences, and the resulting set of fully coupled, strongly nonlinear equations was solved simultaneously at all points using a damped, modified Newton's method. Experimentally, flame shape and soot temperature were determined by flame emission images recorded by a digital color camera. Very good agreement between computation and measurement was obtained, and the conclusions were as follows. (1) Buoyant and nonbuoyant luminous flame lengths are proportional to the mass flow rate of the fuel mixture; computed and measured nonbuoyant flames are noticeably longer than their 1g counterparts; the effect of fuel dilution on flame shape (i.e., flame length and flame radius) is negligible when the flame shape is normalized by the methane flow rate. (2) Buoyancy-induced reduction of the flame radius through radially inward convection near the flame front is demonstrated. (3) Buoyant and nonbuoyant flame structure is mainly controlled by the fuel mass flow rate, and the effects from fuel dilution and inlet velocity are secondary.

flames↗

Towards scanning nanostructure X-ray microscopy

This article demonstrates spatial mapping of the local and nanoscale structure of thin film objects using spatially resolved pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of synchrotron X-ray diffraction data. This is exemplified in a lab-on-chip combinatorial array of sample spots containing catalytically interesting nanoparticles deposited from liquid precursors using an ink-jet liquid-handling system. A software implementation is presented of the whole protocol, including an approach for automated data acquisition and analysis using the atomic PDF method. The protocol software can handle semi-automated data reduction, normalization and modeling, with user-defined recipes generating a comprehensive collection of metadata and analysis results. By slicing the collection using included functions, it is possible to build images of different contrast features chosen by the user, giving insights into different aspects of the local structure.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Experiment module concepts study. Volume 5 book 1, appendix A: Shuttle only task

Results of a preliminary investigation of the effect on the candidate experiment program implementation of experiment module operations in the absence of an orbiting space station and with the availability of the space shuttle orbiter vehicle only are presented. The fundamental hardware elements for shuttle-only operation of the program are: (1) integrated common experiment modules CM-1, CM-3, and CM-4, together with the propulsion slice; (2) support modules capable of supplying on-orbit crew life support, power, data management, and other services normally provided by a space station; (3) dormancy kits to enable normally attached modules to remain in orbit while shuttle returns to earth; and (4) shuttle orbiter. Preliminary cost estimates for 30 day on-orbit and 5 day on-orbit capabilities for a four year implementation period are $4.2 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.

Source record↗

The distribution of emission-line galaxies in selected areas of the sky

The spatial distribution of emission-line galaxies (ELGs) relative to normal galaxies in several areas of the sky is discussed. Current evidence supports the notion that ELGs trace a low-density population in all the surveyed areas with the possible exception of the CfA 'Slice of the Universe' survey. Based on this and other survey data in the north galactic cap, it is suggested that the ELGs inside the Bootes void may actually define the edge of a totally empty volume within an underdense distribution of normal galaxies.

Moody, J. Ward↗

230Th Normalization: New Insights on an Essential Tool for Quantifying Sedimentary Fluxes in the Modern and Quaternary Ocean

230Th normalization is a valuable paleoceanographic tool for reconstructing high‐resolution sediment fluxes during the late Pleistocene (last ~500,000 years). As its application has expanded to ever more diverse marine environments, the nuances of 230Th systematics, with regard to particle type, particle size, lateral advective/diffusive redistribution, and other processes, have emerged. We synthesized over 1000 sedimentary records of 230Th from across the global ocean at two time slices, the late Holocene (0–5,000 years ago, or 0–5 ka) and the Last Glacial Maximum (18.5–23.5 ka), and investigated the spatial structure of 230Th‐normalized mass fluxes. On a global scale, sedimentary mass fluxes were significantly higher during the Last Glacial Maximum (1.79–2.17 g/sq.cmkyr, 95% confidence) relative to the Holocene (1.48–1.68 g/sq.cmkyr, 95% confidence). We then examined the potential confounding influences of boundary scavenging, nepheloid layers, hydrothermal scavenging, size‐dependent sediment fractionation, and carbonate dissolution on the efficacy of 230Th as a constant flux proxy. Anomalous 230Th behavior is sometimes observed proximal to hydrothermal ridges and in continental margins where high particle fluxes and steep continental slopes can lead to the combined effects of boundary scavenging and nepheloid interference. Notwithstanding these limitations, we found that 230Th normalization is a robust tool for determining sediment mass accumulation rates in the majority of pelagic marine settings (>1,000 m water depth).

Costa, Kassandra M.↗

Development of an 1100 deg F capacitor

The feasibility of developing a high temperature capacitor for 1100 F operation which is as small and light as conventional capacitors for normal operating temperatures is discussed. Pyrolyic boron nitride (PBN) was selected for the dielectric. The PBN capacitors were made by slicing and lapping material from thick blocks and then sputtering thin film electrodes. These capacitors had breakdown strengths of 7,000 volts per mil and a dissipation factor of less than 0.001 at 1100 F. Additional processing improvements were made after testing a multi-layer or stacked PBN capacitor for 1,000 hours at 1100 F. Sputter etching the wafers before depositing electrodes resulted in a reduction in dissipation factor. A sputtered boron nitride film applied to the outer electrode surfaces produced a more stable capacitor. A design for a 0.1 mu F capacitor and a summary of PBN wafer fabrication costs are given.

Stapleton, R. E.↗

A Novel Automated Method for Analyzing Cylindrical Computed Tomography Data

A novel software method is presented that is applicable for analyzing cylindrical and partially cylindrical objects inspected using computed tomography. This method involves unwrapping and re-slicing data so that the CT data from the cylindrical object can be viewed as a series of 2-D sheets in the vertical direction in addition to volume rendering and normal plane views provided by traditional CT software. The method is based on interior and exterior surface edge detection and under proper conditions, is FULLY AUTOMATED and requires no input from the user except the correct voxel dimension from the CT scan. The software is available from NASA in 32- and 64-bit versions that can be applied to gigabyte-sized data sets, processing data either in random access memory or primarily on the computer hard drive. Please inquire with the presenting author if further interested. This software differentiates itself in total from other possible re-slicing software solutions due to complete automation and advanced processing and analysis capabilities.

Roth, D. J.↗

Investigation of the effect of structural defects from hydride precipitation on superconducting properties of high purity SRF cavity Nb using magneto-optical and electron imaging methods

Abstract Nb is an elemental superconductor with a critical temperature of 9.3 K and is widely used to fabricate superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities for particle accelerators. However, microstructural defects in Nb, such as grain boundaries (GBs) and dislocations, can act as pinning centers for magnetic flux that can degrade SRF cavity performance. Hydrogen contamination is also detrimental to SRF cavity performance due to the formation of normal conducting hydrides during cool down. In this study, disc shaped Nb bi-crystals extracted from high-purity large-grain Nb slices were investigated to study the effects of GBs, hydrogen, and dislocations on superconducting properties. Grain orientation and GB misorientation were measured using Laue x-ray diffraction and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analyses. Cryogenic magneto-optical imaging was used to directly observe magnetic flux penetration below T c = 9.3 K. Damage caused by low temperature precipitation of hydrides and their dissolution upon reheating after cryogenic cycles was examined using electron channeling contrast imaging, and EBSD. The relationships between hydride formation, dislocation content, GBs, cryo-cooling, heat treatment (HT), and flux penetration indicate that both GB character and hydrogen content affect magnetic flux penetration. Such flux penetration could be facilitated by dislocation structures and low angle GBs resulting from hydride precipitation and HT.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermal images collected during large-scale 3D printing with Ingersoll MasterPrint

This data set contains images produced to test the performance of anomaly and fault detection methods in the context of additive manufacturing. Two print jobs were executed using the Ingersoll MasterPrint with the Model 30 Strangpresse extruder. The material used was Techmer compounded polylactic acid (PLA) with wood flour as a filler (80/20 PLA/WF by weight). The first print job consists of the 3D printing of a hexagonal cylinder with a two-bead wall. This print was sliced at a gantry velocity of 3000 millimeter per minute, and an extruder screw speed of 68.14 rotations per minute. This are considered the normal operating conditions. A second hexagonal cylinder was printed using a reduced extruder screw speed, 15% lower than under normal operating conditions. The images were collected with a Teledyne FLIR Lepton 3.5 infra-red camera, a small form factor radiometric long-wave infrared camera with a spectral range of 8 µm to 14 µm. Sensor resolution was 160x120 pixels, with a pixel size of 12 µm, a temperature range of -10 - 450°C, and an accuracy of +/- 10°C in its low gain configuration. Images in this data set were collected with cameras oriented at the printer nozzle. The nozzle camera setup consisted of two cameras located 12.5cm from the nozzle center. These were mounted directly to the print head, so that the camera positions relative to the print direction would remain constant as it rotated around its C-axis to follow the print path. One camera was placed ahead of the nozzle to capture the previous layer immediately before being covered by the new layer of material, while the second camera was placed behind the nozzle and captured the freshly extruded bead. Images are collecting during each phase of the print: (a) idle (i.e., no material deposited), (b) extrusion (i.e., to prime the extruder), and (c) printing (deposition of material to manufacture the hexagonal cylinder).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Reconstruction of current profiles from external magnetic and MSE measurements on DIII-D

This work introduces a new current model into the EFIT code for plasma current profile reconstruction. Using this model, edge-localized current density profiles are reconstructed solely from external magnetic measurements. Quantitative comparisons show that edge current profiles obtained with the new current model align closely with those from kinetic equilibrium reconstruction. The new model enables current density reconstruction with fewer diagnostics than kinetic equilibrium reconstruction (Lao et al 1990 Nucl. Fusion 30 1035–49), demonstrating that edge-localized current density information can be obtained from external magnetic measurements only, without the help of kinetic profiles and internal diagnostics, and without using the bootstrap current model. Furthermore, with the constraints of external magnetic and MSE measurements, current profiles in full radius obtained from the new model are in good agreement with the results of kinetic equilibrium reconstruction, which not only improves the efficiency of current reconstruction but also helps avoid possible errors caused by different kinds of diagnoses. Possible applications are also discussed, and a brief analysis of the evolution of the full-radius current density is performed. Noticeable decreases in both the magnitude and gradient of the edge current around the time of ELM bursts are observed. Moreover, analysis of the full radius current density profiles ( ρ N = 0 − 1.0, ρN denotes to square root of the normalized toroidal flux) reveals that as the edge current changes, the inner current also changes following a sinusoidal-like pattern at almost all time slices during four type-I ELMs in discharge 161493. The current evolution in the inner region ( ρ N = 0.2 − 0.6) is synchronized with the boundary region ( ρ N = 0.89 − 1.0), while the intermediate region ( ρ N = 0.6 − 0.89) shows opposite behavior. This sinusoidal-like variations in full-radius current density profile indicates strong core-pedestal coupling, suggesting ELMs significantly affect core plasmas, though current changes manifest differently across radial regions.

EFIT↗