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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2022

Interaction of a Tunnel-like Acoustic Disturbance Field with a Blunt Cone Boundary Layer at Mach 8

The existing measurements of laminar-to-turbulent transition over circular cones in conventional (i.e., “noisy”) hypersonic wind tunnels have established that the transition location moves downstream when the nose radius is increased from zero. However, this initially downstream movement slows down and ultimately reverses beyond a critical value of the nose radius, and may be related to external forcing in the form of freestream disturbances and/or surface roughness. To understand the effects of freestream acoustic disturbances on transition reversal over a blunt body, hypersonic boundary-layer receptivity to broadband freestream acoustic disturbances from the nozzle wall of a digital conventional wind tunnel is investigated by both direct numerical simulations (DNS) and modal and nonmodal stability analysis. A Mach 8 flow over a 7 deg half-angle cone with a nose radius of 𝑅 𝑛 = 5.2mm and freestream Reynolds number of 12.2 × 10 6 m -1 is considered. The results show that the broadband tunnel noise in the free stream of a convectional hypersonic wind tunnel (i.e., outside of the nozzle-wall turbulent boundary layer) can be well represented by an acoustic model with an ansatz of slow acoustic waves. With successful calibration of the model parameters against the precursor tunnel DNS, such an acoustic ansatz can successfully reproduce both the frequency-wavenumber spectra and the temporal evolution of the broadband tunnel noise radiated from the nozzle wall. Additionally, the DNS of the Mach 8 blunt cone with tunnel-like acoustic input above the bow shock showed that the spectra of wall-pressure and heat-transfer fluctuations recovers the signature of the axisymmetric waves predicted by the nonmodal analysis. Furthermore, the azimuthal wavenumber and frequency spectrum of the temperature fluctuations as a function of the wall-normal distance show higher amplitudes for three-dimensional waves above the boundary-layer edge. The numerical schlieren contours show the inclined structures commonly observed in blunt cone experiments, demonstrating that they correspond to three-dimensional structures due to freestream disturbances in the presence of an entropy layer.

Boundary-layer transition↗
NASA NTRS2022

Interaction of a Tunnel-like Acoustic Disturbance Field with a Blunt Cone Boundary Layer at Mach 8

The existing measurements of laminar-to-turbulent transition over circular cones in conventional (i.e., “noisy”) hypersonic wind tunnels have established that the transition location moves downstream when the nose radius is increased from zero. However, this initially downstream movement slows down and ultimately reverses beyond a critical value of the nose radius, and may be related to external forcing in the form of freestream disturbances and/or surface roughness. To understand the effects of freestream acoustic disturbances on transition reversal over a blunt body, hypersonic boundary-layer receptivity to broadband freestream acoustic disturbances from the nozzle wall of a digital conventional wind tunnel is investigated by both direct numerical simulations (DNS) and modal and nonmodal stability analysis. A Mach 8 flow over a 7 deg half-angle cone with a nose radius of 𝑅 𝑛 = 5.2mm and freestream Reynolds number of 12.2 × 10 6 m -1 is considered. The results show that the broadband tunnel noise in the free stream of a convectional hypersonic wind tunnel (i.e., outside of the nozzle-wall turbulent boundary layer) can be well represented by an acoustic model with an ansatz of slow acoustic waves. With successful calibration of the model parameters against the precursor tunnel DNS, such an acoustic ansatz can successfully reproduce both the frequency-wavenumber spectra and the temporal evolution of the broadband tunnel noise radiated from the nozzle wall. Additionally, the DNS of the Mach 8 blunt cone with tunnel-like acoustic input above the bow shock showed that the spectra of wall-pressure and heat-transfer fluctuations recovers the signature of the axisymmetric waves predicted by the nonmodal analysis. Furthermore, the azimuthal wavenumber and frequency spectrum of the temperature fluctuations as a function of the wall-normal distance show higher amplitudes for three-dimensional waves above the boundary-layer edge. The numerical schlieren contours show the inclined structures commonly observed in blunt cone experiments, demonstrating that they correspond to three-dimensional structures due to freestream disturbances in the presence of an entropy layer.

Boundary layer transition↗
NASA NTRS1980

Mechanism associated with the Space Shuttle main engine oxidizer valve/duct system anomalous high amplitude discrete acoustical excitation

Anomalous high frequency pressure fluctuations in the Space Shuttle main engine have been experienced during hot firings. Through diagnostic analysis of hot firing engine data, it was determined that this excitation originated at the main oxidizer valve. The intensity of these fluctuations was such that the main oxidizer valve was partially consumed in fire, experienced fretting, and had seal damage. Delineated in this paper are the associated dynamical phenomena and the methodologies leading toward understanding the excitation mechanism. The results presented demonstrate that the source of the anomalous frequencies was suppressed by a simple fix and all main oxidizer valve damage was terminated.

Schutzenhofer, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Static DC to DC Power Conditioning-Active Ripple Filter, 1 MHZ DC to DC Conversion, and Nonlinear Analysis

Dc to dc static power conditioning systems on unmanned spacecraft have as their inputs highly fluctuating dc voltages which they condition to regulated dc voltages. These input voltages may be less than or greater than the desired regulated voltages. The design of two circuits which address specific problems in the design of these power conditioning systems and a nonlinear analysis of one of the circuits are discussed. The first circuit design is for a nondissipative active ripple filter which uses an operational amplifier to amplify and cancel the sensed ripple voltage. A dc to dc converter operating at a switching frequency of 1 MHz is the second circuit discussed. A nonlinear analysis of the type of dc to dc converter utilized in designing the 1 MHz converter is included.

Sander, W. A., III↗
DOE OSTI2021

Bispectral analysis of broadband turbulence and geodesic acoustic modes in the T-10 tokamak

Local fluctuations of electrostatic potential, poloidal electric field, magnetic potential and electron density are simultaneously measured in the T-10 tokamak by a heavy ion beam probe (HIBP) having a five-slit energy analyser, which allows an estimate of the turbulent particle flux and $\boldsymbol {E}\times \boldsymbol {B}$ rotation velocity in the off-minor-axis gradient zone of the toroidal plasma column. The high spatial and temporal resolution of the modern multichannel HIBP makes it an effective tool to study plasma oscillations. Motivated by previous work that has documented time-resolved interactions between measured plasma parameters using correlation analysis (coherence of $E_{\textrm {pol}}$ and density $n_e$ , and cross-phase), a new result from bicorrelation analysis (bicoherence of magnetic potential $A_\zeta$ and density $n_e$ , and biphase) is reported for documenting the evidence of wave–wave coupling and energy transfer associated with the interaction between geodesic acoustic modes (GAM) and broadband, quasi-coherent modes.

Physics↗
NASA NTRS1983

Large amplitude MHD waves upstream of the Jovian bow shock

Observations of large amplitude magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) waves upstream of Jupiter's bow shock are analyzed. The waves are found to be right circularly polarized in the solar wind frame which suggests that they are propagating in the fast magnetosonic mode. A complete spectral and minimum variance eigenvalue analysis of the data was performed. The power spectrum of the magnetic fluctuations contains several peaks. The fluctuations at 2.3 mHz have a direction of minimum variance along the direction of the average magnetic field. The direction of minimum variance of these fluctuations lies at approximately 40 deg. to the magnetic field and is parallel to the radial direction. We argue that these fluctuations are waves excited by protons reflected off the Jovian bow shock. The inferred speed of the reflected protons is about two times the solar wind speed in the plasma rest frame. A linear instability analysis is presented which suggests an explanation for many of the observed features of the observations.

Goldstein, M. L.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ab initio quantum many-body description of superconducting trends in the cuprates

Using a systematic ab initio quantum many-body approach that goes beyond low-energy models, we directly compute the superconducting pairing order and estimate the pairing gap of several doped cuprate materials and structures within a purely electronic picture. We find that we can correctly capture two well-known trends: the pressure effect, where the pairing order and gap increase with intra-layer pressure, and the layer effect, where the pairing order and gap vary with the number of copper-oxygen layers. From these calculations, we observe that the strength of superexchange and the covalency at optimal doping are the best descriptors for these trends. Our microscopic analysis further identifies that strong short-range spin fluctuations and multi-orbital charge fluctuations drive the development of the pairing order. Our work illustrates the possibility of a material-specific ab initio understanding of unconventional high-temperature superconducting materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Overview of the TJ-II stellarator research programme towards model validation in fusion plasmas

TJ-II stellarator results on modelling and validation of plasma flow asymmetries due to on-surface potential variations, plasma fuelling physics, Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) control and stability, the interplay between turbulence and neoclassical (NC) mechanisms and liquid metals are reported. Regarding the validation of the neoclassically predicted potential asymmetries, its impact on the radial electric field along the flux surface has been successfully validated against Doppler reflectometry measurements. Research on the physics and modelling of plasma core fuelling with pellets and tracer encapsulated solid pellet injection has shown that, although post-injection particle radial redistributions can be understood qualitatively from NC mechanisms, turbulence and fluctuations are strongly affected during the ablation process. Advanced analysis tools based on transfer entropy have shown that radial electric fields do not only affect the radial turbulence correlation length but are also capable of reducing the propagation of turbulence from the edge into the scrape-off layer. Direct experimental observation of long range correlated structures show that zonal flow structures are ubiquitous in the whole plasma cross-section in the TJ-II stellarator. Alfvénic activity control strategies using ECRH and ECCD as well as the relation between zonal structures and AEs are reported. Finally, the behaviour of liquid metals exposed to hot and cold plasmas in a capillary porous system container was investigated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Dynamic systems modeling of the spallation neutron source cryogenic moderator system to optimize transient control and prepare for power upgrades

Through support of the US Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has begun applying machine learning methods to improve accelerator and target performance of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). These methods are being applied to the control optimization and power upgrade of the SNS Cryogenic Moderator System (CMS). A numerical model of the CMS has been developed to study these optimizations and system modifications using EcosimPro. This paper compares steady-state and transient numerical results with experimental data. Control optimization studies focused on dampening mass flow, temperature, and pressure fluctuations during sudden losses of accelerator beam power. This analysis was conducted by adjusting five proportional-integral-derivative controllers connected to four flow control valves and one heater. Future efforts include power uprate studies focused on increasing the CMS cooling capacity. The current accelerator power is 1.4 MW; the first target station is being upgraded to 2.0 MW as part of the Proton Power Upgrade effort. The CMS cooling capacity is sufficient for 2.0 MW operation.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Quantum magnetism in the frustrated square lattice oxyhalides YbBi 2 IO 4 and YbBi 2 ClO 4

Square-lattice systems offer a direct route for realizing two-dimensional (2D) quantum magnetism with frustration induced by competing interactions. In this work, the square lattice materials YbBi 2 IO 4 and YbBi 2 ClO 4 were investigated using a combination of magnetization and specific-heat measurements on polycrystalline samples. Specific-heat measurements provide evidence for long-range magnetic order below $T$ N = 0.21 K (0.25 K) for YbBi 2 IO 4 (YbBi 2 ClO 4 ). On the other hand, a rather broad maximum is found in the temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility, located at $T$ max = 0.33 K (0.38 K) in YbBi 2 IO 4 (YbBi 2 ClO 4 ), consistent with the quasi-2D magnetism expected for the large separation between the magnetic layers. Estimation of the magnetic entropy supports the expected Kramers' doublet ground state for Yb 3+ and the observed paramagnetic behavior is consistent with a well-isolated doublet. Roughly two-thirds of the entropy is consumed above $T$ N , due to a combination of the quasi-2D behavior and magnetic frustration. The impact of frustration is examined from the viewpoint of a simplified $J$ 1 -$J$ 2 square lattice model, which is frustrated for antiferromagnetic interactions. Specifically, a high-temperature series expansion analysis of the temperature-dependent specific-heat and magnetization data yields $J$ 2 /$J$ 1 = 0.30 (=0.23) for YbBi 2 IO 4 (YbBi 2 ClO 4 ). In conclusion, this simplified analysis suggests strong frustration that should promote significant quantum fluctuations in these compounds, and thus motivates future work on the static and dynamic magnetic properties of these materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Aero-Thermal Characterization of Accelerating and Diffusing Passages Downstream of Rotating Detonation Combustors

Cycle benefits of rotating detonation engines show up to five percentage points of efficiency gain for low-pressure ratio engines. An optimal integration between the combustor and the turbine needs to be guaranteed to realize this potential gain. The rotating detonation combustor (RDC) exhausts transonic flow with shocks rotating at frequencies ranging from a few to tens of kilohertz depending on the number of present waves. Hence, the turbine design requires precise knowledge of the fluctuations and losses downstream of the combustor. This paper focuses on the quantification of fluctuations and losses for accelerating and diffusing passages. The analysis of the combustor is performed via reactive unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations. The unsteady RANS equations are solved via CFD++ from Metacomp with a one-step reaction mechanism for an H2-air mixture. The resolving of the boundary layer is achieved with a structured mesh of around 36 million cells. Inlet pressure of 10 bar and two different back pressures are applied to the combustor to model the interconnection with downstream turbines. Finally, we present and assess a methodology to reduce the computational time to model these passages ten times.

Braun, James↗
NASA NTRS1973

Intensity Oscillation of Low Energy Solar Particles Observed on the IMP 7 Satellite

Solar flare particles in the energy range from 125 to 160 KeV per charge were detected and analyzed by an electrostatic deflection vs. energy instrument on board the Explorer 47 (IMP 7) satellite. A harmonic analysis of the counting rates shows that frequently, the fluctuation of the particle flux can be approximately represented by N(t) = f(t)sin 2 pi nu t where f(t) is a smoothly varying function of t. The oscillation frequency nu varies from flare to flare and is of the order of 2 x .001/sec. The physical implications of the finding are discussed.

Fan, C. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Correlation of the earth's rotation rate and the secular change of the geomagnetic field

Power spectral density analysis using Burg's maximum entropy method was applied to the geomagnetic dipole field and its rate of change for the years 1901 to 1969. Both spectra indicate relative maxima at 0.015 cycles/year and its harmonics. These maxima correspond approximately to 66, 33, 22, 17, 13, 11, and 9-year spectral lines. The application of the same analysis techniques to the length-of-day (l.o.d) fluctuations for the period 1865 to 1961 reveal similar spectral characteristics. Although peaks were observed at higher harmonics of the fundamental frequency, the 22-year and 11-year lines are not attributed unambiguously to the solar magnetic cycle and the solar cycle. It is suggested that the similarity in the l.o.d fluctuations and the dipole field variations is related to the motion within the earth's fluid core during the past one hundred years.

Jin, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Pressure perturbation in EHD contacts due to an ellipsoidal asperity

The pressure fluctuations around an ellipsoidal asperity tip at the inlet region of an elastohydrodynamic contact is determined by solving a perturbed Reynolds equation assuming that the asperity shape is unaffected by the perturbed pressure. Results are presented as the amplitude of the perturbed pressure as a function of ellipticity ratio, maximum Hertzian pressure, nominal EHD film thickness, asperity size, asperity height, and pressure viscosity coefficient. For the case of simple sliding between a smooth surface and a stationary asperity, a comparison is also made between the results for large ellipticity ratios and the pressure fluctuations obtained by using a previous line contact EHD analysis for a two-dimensional asperity ridge. The agreement is found to be close for moderate Hertzian pressure and relatively thick EHD film thickness.

Chow, L. S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Flow-generated noise in ducts

A turbulent jet was used to excite high order acoustic modes in a rectangular duct. The measured pressure spectra exhibited asymmetric singularities (pressure spikes) at the cutoff frequencies of the first few transverse modes. In the high frequency limit, where the number of propagating modes is large, the spectra resembles free space jet spectra. The spectra in these limits are determined by the acoustic response of the duct. A linear theoretical analysis, based on an isotropic model of the turbulent fluctuations, is developed to predict this spectra.

Succi, G. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Solar wind variations and geomagnetic storms - A study of individual storms based on high time resolution ISEE 3 data

Two independent methods are employed to determine the relationship between the parameter epsilon and total energy dissipation rate of the magnetosphere U sub T by selecting disturbed periods from the same data d set used by Baker et al. (1983). Specifically, four storms are examined in detail, since the accuracy of estimating U sub T is significantly improved during disturbed periods. The first method assumes that U sub T = M sub A exp.2- alpha(epsilon) where M sub A is the Alfven Mach number and alpha varies with time. The second method considers a linear, time-invariant dynamic system with epsilon as input and U sub T as output. This means that U sub T = W(asterisk)epsilon where asterisk is the convolution and W is a transfer function characteristic of the system. It is found that alpha values fluctuate mainly between 0 and -0.25. The transfer function analysis indicates that W often resembles a delta-function or a narrow rectangular impulse. Both results give the same implication (namely that U sub T is approximately equal to epsilon) and thus are consistent with the view that the magnetosphere is primarily a directly driven system during disturbed periods.

Akasofu, S.-I.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Macrofossil records of West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat during the Holocene

Marine macrofossils in emerged beaches around Antarctica represent a geochemical framework for interpreting meltwater signatures associated with variations in the adjacent ice sheet margins during the last 10,000 years. In particular, mollusc species provide ideal experimental templates for assessing hydrochemical variations in Antarctic coastal marine environments because of their excellent preservation, high abundances, circumpolar distributions, and carbonate shells, which incorporate trace elements and stable isotopes. Modern samples of the bivalve Adamussium colbecki, which were collected across a depth gradient in the vicinity of a glacial meltwater stream in West McMurdo Sound, revealed shell trace element concentrations that were significantly higher above 10 meters because of their exposure to meltwater runoff. This meltwater signature also was reflected by the shell oxygen isotopic composition, which was in equilibrium with the ambient seawater, as demonstrated by the overlap between the predicted and actual O-(delta-18)sub w values. These modern samples provide analogs for interpreting the geochemical records in their fossils, which were based solely on molluscan fossils, complement the above geochemical data by suggesting that the rate of beach emergence fluctuated around Antarctica during the mid-Holocene. Paleoenvironmental analysis of macrofossils from emerged beaches represents a new direction in Antarctic research that can be used to assess changes in the margins of the ice sheets since the Last Glacial Maximum. The resolution of these analyses will be enhanced by collaborations that are developing with scientists who are conducting comparable studies in other coastal regions around the continent.

Berkman, Paul Arthur↗