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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

K/Ar dating of lunar soils. IV - Orange glass from 74220 and agglutinates from 14259 and 14163

Total fusion Ar-40 - A-39 analyses of orange glass from lunar soil 74220 combined with the sums of earlier stepwise heating data by other workers have yielded a precise K/Ar isochron with a slope corresponding to an age of 3.66 + or - 0.03 G.y. for the orange glass. The result is in marginal agreement with Huneke's (1978) age of 3.60 + or - 0.04 G.y. for 74220 glass. The Ar systematics in the agglutinates from 14259 and 14163 are dominated by volume correlated argon. Step-wise heating analyses yield data which define experimentally reproducible linear arrays in Ar-40/Ar-36 vs. K-40/Ar-36 diagrams. The slopes of these arrays correspond formally to very old ages, but it is not clear, however, that such ages have any physical significance.

Alexander, E. C., Jr.↗

Neutron star envelopes

It is pointed out that the separate study of neutron star envelopes is a valuable technique for gaining insights into neutron star cooling calculations. It is shown that, to an excellent approximation, the temperature at the inner boundary of the envelope, T sub b, is a function only of T sub s to the 4th power over g sub s, where T sub s is the effective temperature and g sub s is the surface gravity. This result makes it possible to investigate very simply the effects of general relativity and of opacity changes on the T sub b - T sub s relation and to compare calculations by different workers, even though they use different neutron star models. It is also shown that the most important opacity source for obtaining a reliable T sub b - T sub s relation is the conductive opacity of matter when the ions are liquid. Calculations are presented in which particular attention is given to this region and the best available opacities are used.

Gudmundsson, E. H.↗

Calculation of potential flow past non-lifting bodies at angle of attack using axial and surface singularity methods

Two different singularity methods have been utilized to calculate the potential flow past a three dimensional non-lifting body. Two separate FORTRAN computer programs have been developed to implement these theoretical models, which will in the future allow inclusion of the fuselage effect in a pair of existing subcritical wing design computer programs. The first method uses higher order axial singularity distributions to model axisymmetric bodies of revolution in an either axial or inclined uniform potential flow. Use of inset of the singularity line away from the body for blunt noses, and cosine-type element distributions have been applied to obtain the optimal results. Excellent agreement to five significant figures with the exact solution pressure coefficient value has been found for a series of ellipsoids at different angles of attack. Solutions obtained for other axisymmetric bodies compare well with available experimental data. The second method utilizes distributions of singularities on the body surface, in the form of a discrete vortex lattice. This program is capable of modeling arbitrary three dimensional non-lifting bodies. Much effort has been devoted to finding the optimal method of calculating the tangential velocity on the body surface, extending techniques previously developed by other workers.

Shu, J. Y.↗

Vertical eddy diffusion coefficient from the LANDSAT imagery

Analysis of five stable cases of the smoke plumes that originated in eastern Cabo Frio (22 deg 59'S; 42 deg 02'W), Brazil using LANDSAT imagery is presented for different months and years. From these images the lateral standard deviation (sigma sub y) and the lateral eddy diffusion coefficient (K sub y) are obtained from the formula based on Taylor's theory of diffusion by continuous moment. The rate of kinetic energy dissipation (e) is evaluated from the diffusion parameters sigma sub y and K sub y. Then, the vertical diffusion coefficient (K sub z) is estimated using Weinstock's formulation. These results agree well with the previous experimental values obtained over water surfaces by various workers. Values of e and K sub z show the weaker mixing processes in the marine stable boundary layer. The data sample is apparently to small to include representative active turbulent regions because such regions are so intermittent in time and in space. These results form a data base for use in the development and validation of mesoscale atmospheric diffusion models.

Viswanadham, Y.↗

Life in motion, in motion!

A 120 day limited mobility experiment with young male rats and its results, including retarded growth and degenerative changes in the cardiac muscle, are described. A 120 day strict bedrest experiment with 10 human volunteers and its results are described and discussed. Early subjective complaints, subsequent adaptation and eventual progressive changes in excitability and reactivity, reduction in functional capability of the cerebral cortex, and disturbances in water-salt, protein and fat metabolism, including development of precursors of atherosclerosis, as well as poor results of the orthostatic test after 4 months, are presented. These results are explained as applied to sedentary workers and recommendations are given for such persons to exercise in the morning, at work and in the evening in order to prevent hypokinesis and its physical, mental and physiological effects.

Kovalenko, Y. A.↗

Parallel, Asynchronous Executive (PAX): System concepts, facilities, and architecture

The Parallel, Asynchronous Executive (PAX) is a software operating system simulation that allows many computers to work on a single problem at the same time. PAX is currently implemented on a UNIVAC 1100/42 computer system. Independent UNIVAC runstreams are used to simulate independent computers. Data are shared among independent UNIVAC runstreams through shared mass-storage files. PAX has achieved the following: (1) applied several computing processes simultaneously to a single, logically unified problem; (2) resolved most parallel processor conflicts by careful work assignment; (3) resolved by means of worker requests to PAX all conflicts not resolved by work assignment; (4) provided fault isolation and recovery mechanisms to meet the problems of an actual parallel, asynchronous processing machine. Additionally, one real-life problem has been constructed for the PAX environment. This is CASPER, a collection of aerodynamic and structural dynamic problem simulation routines. CASPER is not discussed in this report except to provide examples of parallel-processing techniques.

Jones, W. H.↗

NSTA-NASA Shuttle Student Involvement Project. Experiment Results: Insect Flight Observation at Zero Gravity

The flight responses of common houseflies, velvetbean caterpillar moths, and worker honeybees were observed and filmed for a period of about 25 minutes in a zero-g environment during the third flight of the Space Shuttle Vehicle (flight number STS-3; March 22-30, 1982). Twelve fly puparia, 24 adult moths, 24 moth pupae, and 14 adult bees were loaded into an insect flight box, which was then stowed aboard the Shuttle Orbiter, the night before the STS-3 launch at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The main purpose of the experiment was to observe and compare the flight responses of the three species of insects, which have somewhat different flight control mechanisms, under zero-g conditions.

Nelson, T. E.↗

SNC meteorites - Evidence against an asteroidal origin

About 1.3 billion years ago, on one or more distant planetary bodies, silicate melts formed and produced cumulate rocks which eventually made their way to earth. Nine of these rocks have been recovered. Three distinct groups are involved, including shergottites, nakhlites, and chassignites (abbreviated as SNC). The young crystallization ages and other chemical features of SNC meteorites have prompted several workers to suggest that the specimens may be samples of igneous rock, ejected from the surface of Mars during an impact event. Others have rejected the Martian origin of SNC meteorites in favor of a more traditional asteroidal parent body. The present investigation shows that the petrologic, geochemical, and isotopic evidence is inconsistent with an asteroidal origin for SNC meteorites. It is found that the characteristics of SNC meteorites argue convincingly against their origin in a planetary object as small as the largest asteroid. That these meteorites may be fragments of the Martian surface still remains the most likely possibility.

Ashwal, L. D.↗

Effects of cobalt in nickel-base superalloys

A study has been carried out to assess the role of cobalt in Udimet 700, a representative nickel-base superalloy containing 17 percent or more cobalt. The study spans the spectrum of microstructural, microchemical, and mechanical behavior aspects which together form a basis for superalloy performance in jet engines. The results suggest that cobalt affects the solubility of elements in the gamma matrix, which leads to enhanced gamma-prime volume fraction and to the stabilization of MC-type carbides and sigma phase. However, these microstructural and microchemical changes are too slight to significantly affect the strength and ductile properties. Depending on the heat treatment, the creep and stress rupture resistance can be cobalt-sensitive. In the coarse-grained, fully solutioned and aged condition, all of the alloy's 17 percent Co can be replaced by nickel without decreasing the creep and stress rupture resistance. These findings are discussed with reference to existing theories and experimental data obtained by other workers.

Tien, J. K.↗

Product definition data interface

The development and application of advanced Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology in aerospace industry is discussed. New CAD/CAM capabilities provide the engineer and production worker with tools to produce better products and significantly improve productivity. This technology is expanding in all phases of engineering and manufacturing with large potential for improvements in productivity. The integration of CAD and CAM systematically to insure maximum utility throughout the U.S. Aerospace Industry, its large community of supporting suppliers, and the Department of Defense aircraft overhaul and repair facilities is outlined. The need for a framework for exchange of digital product definition data, which serves the function of the conventional engineering drawing is emphasized.

Birchfield, B.↗

Recent comet impacts on the moon: The evidence from spectral reflectance studies

The results of analyses of near infrared reflectance spectra are inconsistent with numerous previous interpretations of the Reiner Gamma Formation. These include: (1) nue ardente or volcanic ash deposits, (2) volcanically derived sublimates, (3) high albedo volcanic deposits, and (4) highlands debris emplaced as impact ejecta. These results, strongly suggest that the selective preservation of high albedo features (formed by secondaries) by a local magnetic field enhancement is not a viable hypothesis. The results are generally consistent with, but place constraints on, the cometary impact hypothesis of Schultz and co-workers. While the presence of a magnetized component was not detected in either the bright or dark portions of the Reiner Gamma Formation, this material may be present in amounts under the current detection limits.

Hawke, B. R.↗

Understanding a technical language: A schema-based approach

Workers in many job categories tend to develop technical languages, which are restricted subjects of natural language. A better knowledge of these retrictions provides guidelines for the design of the restricted languages of interactive systems. Accordingly, a technical language used by air-traffic controllers in their communications with pilots was studied. A method of analysis is presented that allows the schemata underlying each category of messages to be identified. This schematic knowledge was implemented in programs, which assume that the goal-oriented aspect of technical languages (and particularly the restricted domain of discourse) limits the processes and the data necessary in order to understand the messages (monosemy, limited vocabulary, evocation of the schemata by some command words, absence of syntax). The programs can interpret, and translate into sequences of action, the messages emitted by the controllers.

Falzon, P.↗

Crustal deformation and earthquakes

The manner in which the Earth's surface deforms during the cycle of stress accumulation and release along major faults is investigated. In an investigation of the crustal deformation associated with a thin channel asthenosphere displacements are reduced from those computed for a half space asthenosphere. A previous finding by other workers that displacements are enhanced when flow is confined to a thin channel is based on several invalid approximations. The major predictions of the finite element model are that the near field postseismic displacements and strain rates are less than those for a half space asthenosphere and that the postseismic strain rates at intermediate distances are greater (in magnitude). The finite width of the asthenosphere ceases to have a significant impact on the crustal deformation pattern when its magnitude exceeds about three lithosphere thicknesses.

Cohen, S. C.↗

On the clock mechanism and the implausibility of the 35 day precessing disk in HZ Herculis/Hercules X-1

The concept of the precessing accretion disk in HZ Her/Her X-1 in its varied forms, to account for the 35 day periodicity in the X-ray flux, has met many objections from a number of workers on various grounds, but it is still being invoked in current publications. These objections are reviewed and additional arguments are presented against the precessing accretion disk model. The implausibility of the disk models is demonstrated. An alternate clock mechanism, based on nonlinear oscillations in the normal star, which provides the modulation of the mass flow is discussed.

Kondo, Y.↗

Knowledge based systems for intelligent robotics

It is pointed out that the construction of large space platforms, such as space stations, has to be carried out in the outer space environment. As it is extremely expensive to support human workers in space for large periods, the only feasible solution appears to be related to the development and deployment of highly capable robots for most of the tasks. Robots for space applications will have to possess characteristics which are very different from those needed by robots in industry. The present investigation is concerned with the needs of space robotics and the technologies which can be of assistance to meet these needs, giving particular attention to knowledge bases. 'Intelligent' robots are required for the solution of arising problems. The collection of facts and rules needed for accomplishing such solutions form the 'knowledge base' of the system.

Rajaram, N. S.↗

Improvement of mixed time implicit-explicit algorithms for thermal analysis of structures

Computer implementation aspects and numerical evaluation of the recently introduced mixed time implicit-explicit algorithms in thermal analysis of structures are presented. A computationally useful method of estimating the critical time step for a linear quadrilateral element is given herein for the methods introduced by Liu and co-workers. Numerical tests confirm the stability criterion and accuracy characteristics of the methods. The superiority of these mixed time methods to the fully implicit method or the fully explicit method is also demonstrated.

Liu, W. K.↗

The turbulent twisted magnetic flux tube gas

The kinematic behavior of a dilute, two-dimensional 'gas' of parallel twisted magnetic flux tubes in a highly conducting fluid is considered. Collisions between flux tubes with the same sense of twist are inelastic due to the reconnection of their oppositely directed azimuthal magnetic field components at impact. In some collisions, the tension in the reconnected magnetic flux is sufficient to bind the two flux tubes together. Collisions between flux tubes with the opposite sense of twist are elastic. It is shown that a tenuous gas of individual twisted flux tubes condenses into two large-scale regions of magnetic field with opposite twists. This calculation illustrates the results of Montgomery and co-workers on the migration of magnetic energy towards small wavenumbers in two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence. In particular, this problem illustrates the dynamical nonequilibrium of the relaxation phase in turbulent MHD systems.

Bogdan, T. J.↗