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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 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Kinetic separation of phototropism from blue-light inhibition of stem elongation

These experiments tested the hypothesis that phototropic bending arises when a light gradient across the stem differentially inhibits cell elongation because of direct inhibition of cell elongation by light (the Blaauw hypothesis). Continuous irradiation of dark-grown cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.) with unilateral blue light inhibited hypocotyl elongation within 30 s, but did not induce phototropic curvature until 4.5 h after the start of irradiation. Marking experiments showed that curvature began simultaneously at the top and bottom of the growing region. In situ measurements of the light gradient across the stem with a glass fiber optic indicated that a 5- to 6-fold difference in fluence rate was established on the two sides of the stem. The light gradient established at the start of irradiation was the same as that after 6 h of irradiation. Changes in gravitropic responsiveness during this period were also ruled out. Calculations show that the light gradient should have caused curvature which would be detectable within 30 to 60 min and which would extrapolate to the start of irradiation--if the Blaauw hypothesis were correct. The long lag for phototropism in this case indicates that rapid inhibition of cell elongation by blue light does not cause the asymmetrical growth of phototropism. Rather, phototropism is superimposed upon this separate light growth response.

NASA Discipline Number 40-30↗
DOE OSTI2024

Topological Optimization with Big Steps

Using persistent homology to guide optimization has emerged as a novel application of topological data analysis. Existing methods treat persistence calculation as a black box and backpropagate gradients only onto the simplices involved in particular pairs. We show how the cycles and chains used in the persistence calculation can be used to prescribe gradients to larger subsets of the domain. In particular, we show that in a special case, which serves as a building block for general losses, the problem can be solved exactly in linear time. This relies on another contribution of this paper, which eliminates the need to examine a factorial number of permutations of simplices with the same value. Here, we present empirical experiments that show the practical benefits of our algorithm: the number of steps required for the optimization is reduced by an order of magnitude.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗
DOE OSTI2016

First-principles study of electronic states in LiBe{sub 2}

By coupling structure prediction methods with first-principles total energy calculations we find lattice constant and bulk modulus of hcp LiBe{sub 2}. Structural and electronic properties are investigated using Linear Combination of Atomic Orbital’s method. The generalized gradient approximation based density functional calculations are attempted to look for the ground state. Thereafter ground state electronic band structure, total density of states and anisotropies in directional Compton profiles are computed. Step like behavior seen broadly in density of states (DOS) is appreciated by band structure suggesting 2D features. Anisotropic behavior of electronic states around Fermi level is also reflected in anisotropies of directional Compton profiles.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS2013

Satellite Observations of Desert Dust-induced Himalayan Snow Darkening

The optically thick aerosol layer along the southern edge of the Himalaya has been subject of several recent investigations relating to its radiative impacts on the South Asian summer monsoon and regional climate forcing. Prior to the onset of summer monsoon, mineral dust from southwest Asian deserts is transported over the Himalayan foothills on an annual basis. Episodic dust plumes are also advected over the Himalaya, visible as dust-laden snow surface in satellite imagery, particularly in western Himalaya. We examined spectral surface reflectance retrieved from spaceborne MODIS observations that show characteristic reduction in the visible wavelengths (0.47 nm) over western Himalaya, associated with dust-induced solar absorption. Case studies as well as seasonal variations of reflectance indicate a significant gradient across the visible (0.47 nm) to near-infrared (0.86 nm) spectrum (VIS-NIR), during premonsoon period. Enhanced absorption at shorter visible wavelengths and the resulting VIS-NIR gradient is consistent with model calculations of snow reflectance with dust impurity. While the role of black carbon in snow cannot be ruled out, our satellite-based analysis suggests the observed spectral reflectance gradient dominated by dust-induced solar absorption during premonsoon season. From an observational viewpoint, this study underscores the importance of mineral dust deposition toward darkening of the western Himalayan snow cover, with potential implications to accelerated seasonal snowmelt and regional snow albedo feedbacks.

Remote Sensing↗
NASA NTRS1998

Comparison of Conjugate Gradient Density Matrix Search and Chebyshev Expansion Methods for Avoiding Diagonalization in Large-Scale Electronic Structure Calculations

We report a comparison of two linear-scaling methods which avoid the diagonalization bottleneck of traditional electronic structure algorithms. The Chebyshev expansion method (CEM) is implemented for carbon tight-binding calculations of large systems and its memory and timing requirements compared to those of our previously implemented conjugate gradient density matrix search (CG-DMS). Benchmark calculations are carried out on icosahedral fullerenes from C60 to C8640 and the linear scaling memory and CPU requirements of the CEM demonstrated. We show that the CPU requisites of the CEM and CG-DMS are similar for calculations with comparable accuracy.

Bates, Kevin R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Multiple, narrow lines in the spectrum of an astrophysical maser in a velocity gradient

The emergent radiation spectrum is obtained for an astrophysical maser in the presence of a velocity gradient without making the 'large velocity gradient' (or 'Sobolev') approximation on which previous calculations have been based. Even in the presence of a velocity gradient, the spectral lines of saturated masers are found to remain narrow. More surprisingly, however, the spectrum breaks up into multiple narrow lines. Hence, individual features in the observed spectra of astrophysical masers need not always be interpreted as separate clumps of gas. Specifically, this result may be related to the occurrence of multiple lines from the same location in the H2O masers in star-forming regions and to be the occurrence of numerous, narrow features recently detected in the spectra of circumstellar OH masers.

Nedoluha, Gerald E.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Testing thermal gradient driving force for grain boundary migration using molecular dynamics simulations

Strong thermal gradients in low-thermal-conductivity ceramics may drive extended defects, such as grain boundaries and voids, to migrate in preferential directions. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to study thermal gradient driven grain boundary migration and to verify a previously proposed thermal gradient driving force equation, using uranium dioxide as a model system. It is found that a thermal gradient drives grain boundaries to migrate up the gradient and the migration velocity increases under a constant gradient owing to the increase in mobility with temperature. Different grain boundaries migrate at very different rates due to their different intrinsic mobilities. The extracted mobilities from the thermal gradient driven simulations are compared with those calculated from two other well-established methods and good agreement between the three different methods is found, demonstrating that the theoretical equation of the thermal gradient driving force is valid, although a correction of one input parameter should be made. The discrepancy in the grain boundary mobilities between modeling and experiments is also discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tetragonal Cs 1.17 In 0.81 Cl 3 : A Charge-Ordered Indium Halide Perovskite Derivative

Polycrystalline samples of Cs 1.17 In 0.81 Cl 3 were prepared by annealing a mixture of CsCl, InCl, and InCl 3 , stoichiometric for the targeted CsInCl 3 . Synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction refinement and chemical analysis by energy dispersive X-ray indicated that Cs 1.17 In 0.81 Cl 3 , a tetragonal distorted perovskite derivative (I4/m), is the thermodynamically stable product. The refined unit cell parameters and space group were confirmed by electron diffraction. In the tetragonal structure, In + and In 3+ are located in four different crystallographic sites, consistent with their corresponding bond lengths. In1, In2, and In3 are octahedrally coordinated, whereas In4 is at the center of a pentagonal bipyramid of Cl because of the noncooperative octahedral tilting of In4Cl 6 . The charged-ordered In+ and In 3+ were also confirmed by X-ray absorption and Raman spectroscopy. Cs 1.17 In 0.81 Cl 3 is the first example of an inorganic halide double perovskite derivative with charged-ordered In + and In 3+ . Band structure and optical conductivity calculations were carried out with both generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) approach; the GGA calculations estimated the band gap and optical band gap to be 2.27 eV and 2.4 eV, respectively. Finally, the large and indirect band gap suggests that Cs 1.17 In 0.81 Cl 3 is not a good candidate for photovoltaic application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1986

Beam-induced pressure gradients in the early phase of proton-heated solar flares

The pressure gradient induced in a coronal loop by proton beam momentum deposition is calculated and compared with the thermal pressure gradient arising from nonuniform deposition of beam energy; it is assumed that the transfer of momentum and energy from beam to target occurs via the Coulomb interaciton. Results are presented for both a low mean energy and a high mean energy proton beam injected at the loop apex and characterized by a power-law energy spectrum. The present treatment takes account of the breakdown of the cold target approximation for the low-energy proton beam in the corona, where the thermal speed of target electrons exceeds the beam speed. It is found that proton beam momentum deposition plays a potentially significant role in flare dynamics only in the low mean energy case and only in the corona, where it may dominate the acceleration of target material for as long as several tens of seconds. This conclusion suggest that the presence of low-energy nonthermal protons may be inferred from velocity-sensitive coronal observations in the early impulsive phase.

Tamres, David H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Energetic oxygen and sulfur in the Jovian magnetosphere

Measurements made in the Jovian magnetosphere by the cosmic ray subsystem on Voyager 1 and 2 are reported. Energy spectra of oxygen ions in the energy range 1-20 MeV/nuc between 5 and 20 Jovian radii are presented, and phase space densities are calculated. A steep positive radial gradient in the phase space density of the energetic oxygen ions is observed, indicating an inward diffusive flow. The upper limit on the rate at which oxygen ions with greater than 400 MeV/nuc-G diffuse across 10 Jovian radii is calculated to be 5 x 10 to the 21st ions per second, indicating that about 10 to the -7th of the ions from Io are accelerated to over 400 MeV/nuc-G and diffuse to 10 Jovian radii. Observations also suggest that oxygen and sulfur ions in the Io plasma torus diffuse radially outward, are nonadiabatically accelerated in a region outside 17 Jovian radii, and diffuse inward and outward from the accelerated region.

Gehrels, N.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Near-surface daytime thermal conductivity in the lunar regolith

If mass and heat transport properties in the top few cm of the lunar surface correspond, estimates of the daytime thermal conductivity based on the diffusivity calculated from in situ concentration gradients of low temperature volatile elements should be possible. Concentration gradients of Hg and Br in response to the diurnal heat pulse have been measured in samples from cores. The conductivity estimated is either approximately 10 to the -3rd or approximately 2 x 10 to the -4th W/cm-degrees K depending on the assumptions made. The latter value is in agreement with near-surface daytime thermal properties calculated by Keihm et al. (1973) to explain the mean surface temperature. An activation energy for diffusion of Hg in the top few cm of the lunar surface is estimated to be approximately 8 kcal/mole and suggests either vapor or surface migration. Fixation of the concentration gradient after the cores were extracted may be due to lack of a temperature gradient to act as a driving force or to disruption of grain contacts or their corrosion on exposure to air.

Reed, G. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Mathematical modeling of high and low temperature heat pipes

Mathematical models are developed for calculating heat-transfer limitations of high-temperature heat pipes and heat-transfer limitations and temperature gradient of low temperature heat pipes. Calculated results are compared with the available experimental data from various sources to increase confidence in the present math models. Complete listings of two computer programs for high- and low-temperature heat pipes respectively are appended. These programs enable the performance of heat pipes with wrapped-screen, rectangular-groove or screen-covered rectangular-groove wick to be predicted.

Chi, S. W.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Mathematical modeling of high and low temperature heat pipes

Following a review of heat and mass transfer theory relevant to heat pipe performance, math models are developed for calculating heat-transfer limitations of high-temperature heat pipes and heat-transfer limitations and temperature gradient of low temperature heat pipes. Calculated results are compared with the available experimental data from various sources to increase confidence in the present math models. Complete listings of two computer programs for high- and low-temperature heat pipes respectively are included. These programs enable the performance to be predicted of heat pipes with wrapped-screen, rectangular-groove, or screen-covered rectangular-groove wick.

Chi, S. W.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Identification and Quantification of Beta-Emitters in Waste Packages by Segmented Gamma-Scanning - 20114

A commonly applied method for the non-destructive characterization of the radioactive inventory of waste packages (e.g. 200-l drums) is segmented gamma-scanning. The gamma-emitting inventory is identified via their characteristic lines in the measured spectra. The corresponding net peak areas allow for quantification applying appropriate models. The identification and quantification of beta-emitters present in the waste package require further evaluation. While some of them emit gamma-rays, too, which can be used for identification and quantification, pure beta-emitters contribute to the gamma-spectra only by their Bremsstrahlung-spectra. {sup 32}P, {sup 90}Sr and {sup 90}Y are typical representatives of these isotopes. A method is developed for identification and quantification of these pure beta-emitters in radioactive waste packages. Origin of the procedure is the evaluation of the measured gamma-spectrum. After the identification of all lines present in the spectrum (characteristic gamma-lines, single- and double-escape-lines, X-ray-lines, annihilation peak etc.) this information is used together with calibration data of the detection system and further a-priori information like matrix composition, cross-section data from databases etc. to simulate the spectra without the Bremsstrahlung-components by an appropriate method. This may be Monte Carlo simulations or, like in our case, a computer code taking into account mathematical descriptions of the physical effects like photo effect, (multiple) Compton scattering, backscattering etc. and the attenuation effects of the waste matrix. In any case, the resulting spectrum must simulate the real spectrum without its Bremsstrahlung-component as good as possible. Subtracting the simulated from the measured spectrum then results in the Bremsstrahlung-components caused by the beta-emitters. Prior to evaluation, a set of Bremsstrahlung-spectra is calculated and stored for different beta-emitters in different matrices using the Bethe-Heitler equation. This data set can be extended for new conditions, if necessary, and is allocated in a data base for future application. Applying a non-linear optimization using the generalized reduced gradient method for comparing the calculated with the derived Bremsstrahlung-spectra results in the identification of the beta-emitter and a factor, which is proportional to its activity. The proportionality is determined by previous calibration measurements. The application of the method is demonstrated by measurements on a 200-l mock-up drum and a real waste package. (authors)

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
NASA NTRS1994

Modification of the MML turbulence model for adverse pressure gradient flows

Computational fluid dynamics is being used increasingly to predict flows for aerospace propulsion applications, yet there is still a need for an easy to use, computationally inexpensive turbulence model capable of accurately predicting a wide range of turbulent flows. The Baldwin-Lomax model is the most widely used algebraic model, even though it has known difficulties calculating flows with strong adverse pressure gradients and large regions of separation. The modified mixing length model (MML) was developed specifically to handle the separation which occurs on airfoils and has given significantly better results than the Baldwin-Lomax model. The success of these calculations warrants further evaluation and development of MML. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of MML for zero and adverse pressure gradient flows, and modify it as needed. The Proteus Navier-Stokes code was used for this study and all results were compared with experimental data and with calculations made using the Baldwin-Lomax algebraic model, which is currently available in Proteus. The MML model was first evaluated for zero pressure gradient flow over a flat plate, then modified to produce the proper boundary layer growth. Additional modifications, based on experimental data for three adverse pressure gradient flows, were also implemented. The adapted model, called MMLPG (modified mixing length model for pressure gradient flows), was then evaluated for a typical propulsion flow problem, flow through a transonic diffuser. Three cases were examined: flow with no shock, a weak shock and a strong shock. The results of these calculations indicate that the objectives of this study have been met. Overall, MMLPG is capable of accurately predicting the adverse pressure gradient flows examined in this study, giving generally better agreement with experimental data than the Baldwin-Lomax model.

Conley, Julianne M.↗