Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “E LAYER”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 361 records · Page 20

Implementation of Two Local Correlation-Based Transition Models in OVERFLOW 2.3e

Accurate prediction of the laminar-to-turbulent boundary layer transition is highlighted as a vital component of NASA's CFD Vision 2030 Study. With an increased emphasis on greener air transports and sustainable aviation, transition modeling is anticipated to have an added significance, particularly in the applications related to laminar flow technology. However, unmanned aerial vehicles, crewed reentry vehicles, and ground-to-flight extrapolation all benefit from transition models. It is useful to incorporate a variety of models in CFD solvers because there isn't a single transition model that is ideal for the complete spectrum of applications. While the Langtry-Menter γ–Reθt model has been widely used for CFD predictions of flows with laminar, transitional, and turbulent boundary layers, it does not meet the criteria for Galilean invariance, a desirable attribute for rotorcraft applications. To help overcome that limitation, we have implemented Menter's SST-based γ transition model within NASA’s OVERFLOW Overset CFD code (version 2.3e). In addition, an SA-based implementation of the Langtry-Menter γ–Reθt transition model has also been implemented in view of the increased robustness of the SA-turbulence model for external aerodynamic applications. An initial assessment of the implemented models has been carried out using benchmark 2D test cases involving flat plates and the NLF-0416 airfoil, focusing on bypass, Tollmien-Schlichting, and laminar separation bubble-induced transition scenarios. In comparison to the Langtry-Menter γ–Reθt model, both models were found to produce increased computation efficiency, principally as a result of the decrease from four to three auxiliary transport equations. Results from the initial analysis will be presented, along with additional details pertaining to the deployment of these models.

CFD modeling↗

Half-cell electrode assessments of a crossover-tolerant direct methanol fuel cell with a platinum group metal-free cathode

In this work, a platinum group metal- free (PGM-free) Fe-N-C oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst derived from metal organic framework precursors (Fe-MOF) is evaluated at the cathode side of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). A wide range of methanol concentrations were used, and the performance of the DMFC using air was evaluated and compared to a commercial Pt/C cathode. We conducted our tests with a custom, integrated H 2 reference electrode that separately provided the anode and cathode overpotentials. This allowed us to perform a Tafel analysis on both electrodes and understand the dominant polarizations involved at the PGM-free cathode and the PtRu/C anode. Overall, we achieved a high cell performance using a Fe-N-C based catalyst under liquid methanol and air operation with a peak power density of 111 mW/cm 2 , where the cathode presented a markedly larger contribution to the voltage loss versus the anode. Additionally, we used nanoscale X-ray computed tomography (nano-CT) to image the Fe-N-C cathode and investigate the ionomer and pore size distributions allowing us to identify areas of improvement for catalyst layer fabrication.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

How eigenmode self-interaction affects zonal flows and convergence of tokamak core turbulence with toroidal system size

Self-interaction is the process by which a microinstability eigenmode that is extended along the direction parallel to the magnetic field interacts non-linearly with itself. This effect is particularly significant in gyrokinetic simulations accounting for kinetic passing electron dynamics and is known to generate stationary $E\times B$ zonal flow shear layers at radial locations near low-order mode rational surfaces (Weikl et al. Phys. Plasmas, vol. 25, 2018, 072305). Here, we find that self-interaction, in fact, plays a very significant role in also generating fluctuating zonal flows, which is critical to regulating turbulent transport throughout the radial extent. Unlike the usual picture of zonal flow drive in which microinstability eigenmodes coherently amplify the flow via modulational instabilities, the self-interaction drive of zonal flows from these eigenmodes are uncorrelated with each other. It is shown that the associated shearing rate of the fluctuating zonal flows therefore reduces as more toroidal modes are resolved in the simulation. In simulations accounting for the full toroidal domain, such an increase in the density of toroidal modes corresponds to an increase in the toroidal system size, leading to a finite system size effect that is distinct from the well-known profile shearing effect.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Criteria for electronic growth of Au on layered semiconductors

An electronic growth mode has been reported to occur in several noble metals on MoS2 but has not been observed on other layered semiconductors. In this work, the experiments show that Au(111) islands initially follow an electronic growth mode on WS2, matching the quantization seen in Au/MoS2. However, while epitaxial nanostructures with similar features are observed on WSe2, there is no sign of electronic growth. Binding energy calculations show that multiple bonding sites have nearly the same energy on both WS2 and MoS2, while Au strongly prefers a single bonding site on WSe2. Having multiple sites with the same energy gives flexibility in interfacial bonding that can alleviate strain from the 9+% lattice mismatch in these systems, which would, otherwise, easily suppress quantum size effects from electronic growth modes. These results should be useful in predicting which systems undergo quantized electronic growth on layered semiconductors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Reversed-direction 2-point modelling applied to divertor conditions in DIII-D *

Abstract A predictive form of the extended 2-point model known as the ‘reverse 2-point model’, Rev2PM, is applied to a range of detachment levels in the open lower divertor of DIII-D, showing that the experimentally measured electron temperature ( T e ) and pressure ( p e ) at the divertor entrance can be calculated within 50% from target measurements, if and only if a posteriori corrections for convective heat flux are included in the model. Unlike the standard 2-point model, the Rev2PM calculates upstream scrape-off layer (SOL) quantities (such as separatrix T e and p e ) from target conditions (such as T e and parallel heat flux), with volumetric power and momentum losses depending solely on target T e . The Rev2PM is tested against a database of DIII-D inter-ELM divertor Thomson scattering measurements, built from a series of 6 MW, 1.3 MA, LSN H-mode discharges with varied main ion density, drift direction, and nitrogen puffing rate. Measured target T e ranged from 0.4–25 eV over this database, and upstream T e ranged from 5–60 eV. Poor agreement is found between upstream measurements and Rev2PM calculations that assume purely conductive parallel heat transport. However, introducing a posteriori corrections to account for convective heat transport brings the Rev2PM calculations within 50% of the measured upstream values across the dataset. These corrections imply that up to 99% of the parallel heat flux is carried by convection in detached conditions in the DIII-D open lower divertor, though further work is required to assess any potential dependencies on device size or divertor closure.

2-point model↗

The Influence of Surface Coatings on Exo-Electron Emission During Fatigue

A survey of exo-electron emission literature has shown that the mechanism of exo-emission phenomena has yet to be ascertained. Also, there is probably no unique mechanism that will apply to all the exo-emission observations reported. For exo-emission to occur, trapping centers must first be formed to store electrons. Once such centers are formed, they can be made to give up their trapped electrons by the stimulation of light or oxygen. Future investigations will employ light-transparent films for collecting exo-electrons. Also, a carefully controlled experiment is necessary to detect the emission of exo-electrons from the surface of fatiguing metals. Investigations will include high-vacuum fatigue tests, autoradiography, and solid state collector experiments, and will provide a basis for future research on semiconductor layer collection.

COATING↗

Ion implantation damage effects in silicon

Ion implantation lattice damage effects in crystalline silicon with allowance for optical reflectivity, considering annealing temperature and amorphous layer formation

Eberle, D. E.↗

Space shuttle: Directional and lateral stability and interference effects of cruise engine location on a 0.015 scale space shuttle

The results are presented that were obtained from a wind tunnel tests to improve space shuttle booster baseline lateral-directional stability, control characteristics, and cruise engine location optimization. Tests were conducted in a 7 x 10-foot transonic wind tunnel. The model employed was a 0.015-scale replica of a space shuttle booster. The three major objectives of this test were to determine the following: (1) force, static stability, and control effectiveness characteristics for varying angles of positive and negative wing dihedral and various combinations of wing tip and centerline dorsal fins; (2) force and static stability characteristics of cruise engines location on the body below the high aerodynamic canard; and (3) control effectiveness for the low-mounted wing configuration. The wing dihedral study was conducted at a cruise Mach number of 0.40 and simulated altitude of 10,000 feet. Portions of the test were conducted to determine the control surfaces stability and control characteristics over the Mach number range of 0.4 to 1.2. The aerodynamic characteristics determined are based on a unit Reynolds number of approximately 2 million per foot. Boundary layer trip strips were employed to induce boundary layer transition.

Buchholz, R. E.↗

Thermophysical properties of plasma sprayed coatings

Thermophysical properties of plasma sprayed materials were determined for the following plasma sprayed materials: CaO - stabilized ZrO2, Y2O3 - stabilized ZerO2, Al2O3, HfO2 Mo, nichrome, NiAl, Mo-ZrO2, and MoAl2O3 mixtures. In all cases the thermal conductivity of the as-sprayed materials was found to be considerably lower than that of the bulk material. The flash-laser thermal diffusivity technique was used both for diffusivity determination of single-layer materials and to determine the thermal contact resistance at the interface of two-layer specimens.

Wilkes, K. E.↗

Turbulence measurements in axisymmetric supersonic boundary layer flow in adverse pressure gradients

Mean flow and turbulence measurements are presented for adiabatic compressible turbulent boundary layer flow in adverse pressure gradients. The gradients were induced on the wall of an axially symmetric wind tunnel by contoured centerbodies mounted on the wind tunnel centerline. The boundary layer turbulence downstream of a boundary layer bleed section in a zero pressure gradient was also examined. The measurements were obtained using a constant temperature hot-wire anemometer. The adverse pressure gradients were found to significantly alter the turbulence properties of the boundary layer. With flow through the bleed holes there was a measureable decrease in the rms longitudinal velocity fluctuations near the wall and the turbulent shear stress in the boundary layer was reduced.

Gootzait, E.↗

Thermal analysis of turbulent flow of a supercritical fluid

The influence of the large variation of thermodynamics and transport properties near the pseudocritical temperature on the heat transfer coefficient of supercritical fluid in turbulent flow was studied. The formation of the characteristics peak in the heat transfer coefficient vs. bulk temperature curve is described, and the necessity of the fluid element at pseudocritical temperature located in the buffer layer is discussed.

Yamane, E.↗