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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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NASA NTRS2022

TESS in the Extended Mission: A Powerful Tool for Time-Domain Exoplanet Science

Since its launch in 2018, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has embarked on an ambitious mission to image almost the entire sky in search of nearby transiting exoplanet systems. Upon completion of its Primary Mission in July 2020, TESS transitioned to its first Extended Mission, during which it has returned to both the southern and northern ecliptic hemispheres and revisited most of the targets it observed during the first two years of operation. With future Extended Missions likely, the end-to-end time baseline provided by TESS will significantly exceed that of Kepler, enabling a plethora of scientific investigations into time-domain exoplanet science. TESS has already established itself as an extremely productive tool for studying visible-wavelength exoplanet phase curves. During the Primary Mission, we carried out a systematic phase-curve analysis of more than 30 transiting exoplanet systems. These datasets constrained the dayside hemisphere brightness temperatures, day-night brightness contrasts, and optical geometric albedos of a wide range of gas giant planets, revealing some tantalizing trends that warrant further study. In particular, we uncovered a tentative positive correlation between geometric albedo and equilibrium temperature for gas giants with 1500 < Teq < 3000 K. The new light curves from the Extended Mission have refined the measured astrophysical parameters of the previously studied systems and yielded statistically significant secondary eclipse and phase-curve detections for dozens of more systems. By comparing the phase-curve properties obtained from TESS observations separated by months or years, we have also probed for possible atmospheric variability, as well as transit-timing variations due to orbital decay or additional companions. In this presentation, I will provide an overview of the main results from our ongoing multiyear study of TESS light curves and discuss potentially fruitful avenues for further research as TESS continues its all-sky survey into the future.

Ian Wong↗
NASA NTRS2023

Unraveling the Mechanisms and Implications of a Stronger Mid-Pliocene Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in PlioMIP2

The mid-Pliocene warm period (3.264–3.025 Ma) is the most recent geological period in which the atmospheric CO2 concentration was approximately equal to the concentration we measure today (ca. 400 ppm). Sea surface temperature (SST) proxies indicate above-average warming over the North Atlantic in the mid-Pliocene with respect to the pre-industrial period, which may be linked to an intensified Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Earlier results from the Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project Phase 2 (PlioMIP2) show that the ensemble simulates a stronger AMOC in the mid-Pliocene than in the pre-industrial. However, no consistent relationship between the stronger mid-Pliocene AMOC and either the Atlantic northward ocean heat transport (OHT) or average North Atlantic SSTs has been found. In this study, we look further into the drivers and consequences of a stronger AMOC in mid-Pliocene compared to pre-industrial simulations in PlioMIP2. We find that all model simulations with a closed Bering Strait and Canadian Archipelago show reduced freshwater transport from the Arctic Ocean into the North Atlantic. This contributes to an increase in salinity in the subpolar North Atlantic and Labrador Sea that can be linked to the stronger AMOC in the mid-Pliocene. To investigate the dynamics behind the ensemble's variable response of the total Atlantic OHT to the stronger AMOC, we separate the Atlantic OHT into two components associated with either the overturning circulation or the wind-driven gyre circulation. While the ensemble mean of the overturning component is increased significantly in magnitude in the mid-Pliocene, it is partly compensated by a reduction in the gyre component in the northern subtropical gyre region. This indicates that the lack of relationship between the total OHT and AMOC is due to changes in OHT by the subtropical gyre. The overturning and gyre components should therefore be considered separately to gain a more complete understanding of the OHT response to a stronger mid-Pliocene AMOC. In addition, we show that the AMOC exerts a stronger influence on North Atlantic SSTs in the mid-Pliocene than in the pre-industrial, providing a possible explanation for the improved agreement of the PlioMIP2 ensemble mean SSTs with reconstructions in the North Atlantic.

AMOC↗
NASA NTRS2011

Active Flow Effectors for Noise and Separation Control

New flow effector technology for separation control and enhanced mixing is based upon shape memory alloy hybrid composite (SMAHC) technology. The technology allows for variable shape control of aircraft structures through actively deformable surfaces. The flow effectors are made by embedding shape memory alloy actuator material in a composite structure. When thermally actuated, the flow effector def1ects into or out of the flow in a prescribed manner to enhance mixing or induce separation for a variety of applications, including aeroacoustic noise reduction, drag reduction, and f1ight control. The active flow effectors were developed for noise reduction as an alternative to fixed-configuration effectors, such as static chevrons, that cannot be optimized for airframe installation effects or variable operating conditions and cannot be retracted for off-design or fail-safe conditions. Benefits include: Increased vehicle control, overall efficiency, and reduced noise throughout all f1ight regimes, Reduced flow noise, Reduced drag, Simplicity of design and fabrication, Simplicity of control through direct current stimulation, autonomous re sponse to environmental heating, fast re sponse, and a high degree of geometric stability. The concept involves embedding prestrained SMA actuators on one side of the chevron neutral axis in order to generate a thermal moment and def1ect the structure out of plane when heated. The force developed in the host structure during def1ection and the aerodynamic load is used for returning the structure to the retracted position. The chevron design is highly scalable and versatile, and easily affords active and/or autonomous (environmental) control. The technology offers wide-ranging market applications, including aerospace, automotive, and any application that requires flow separation or noise control.

Turner, Travis L.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Conflict Detection Using Variable Four-Dimensional Uncertainty Bounds to Control Missed Alerts

Decision-support tools for maintaining pairwise aircraft separation rely on conflict detection to alert the operator when the predicted trajectories of aircraft will result in a loss of separation. But aircraft frequently do not follow their predicted trajectories exactly. This can cause missed alerts and the failure of strategic separation procedures. We present a technique for modeling a bounded region of uncertainty around a four-dimensional predicted trajectory and an algorithm for detecting conflicts between trajectories modeled in this way that avoids missed alerts as long as the aircraft remain within the specified regions of uncertainty. In addition, we present an algorithm for detecting the intrusion of a trajectory modeled in this way into an area hazard modeled as a polygonal region. The size of the region of uncertainty can vary along the trajectory continually and independently in the along-path, cross-track, and vertical dimensions, providing an opportunity to reduce the likelihood of false alerts while protecting against typical prediction errors. The algorithm has been implemented in the Autonomous Operations Planner, a NASA Langley prototype decision support tool for airborne self-separation.

Karr, David A.↗
NASA NTRS1962

Performance Evaluation of Fixed- and Variable-Area Rocket Exhaust Diffusers Using Single and Clustered Nozzles with and Without Gimbaling

An investigation of exhaust diffusers used for altitude simulation in testing rocket engines was conducted with model diffusers and gaseous nitrogen as the working fluid. This investigation was conducted to eval­uate the effects on performance of gimbaling clustered nozzles in a single fixed-area exhaust diffuser. A two-nozzle cluster was gimbaled in all attitudes in four different exhaust-diffuser configurations: (1) a straight circular tube, (2) a straight figure-eight tube, (3) a circular tube with a second throat, and (4) a figure-eight tube with a second throat. Gimbaling clustered nozzles had little effect on the operating pressure ratio for either straight-tube or second-throat diffusers, but caused a large increase in the starting-pressure-ratio requirements in some straight-tube exhaust diffusers. The performance of two or four clustered nozzles with no gimbaling was compared with single-nozzle per­formance on the basis of the ratio of diffuser area to nozzle-throat area. The performance was found to be dependent on the diffuser- to nozzle-throat-area ratio and independent of both the number of primary nozzles and the nozzle-area ratio. A separate investigation was also conducted to evaluate the per­formance improvement obtainable with a variable-area exhaust diffuser. This type of diffuser achieved a 26-percent reduction in starting pressure ratio, a 40-percent reduction in operating pressure ratio, and a 50-percent reduction in the overall diffuser length over the values attainable with a fixed-area second-throat diffuser.

ROCKET↗
NASA NTRS1980

Discrete-continuous variable structural synthesis using dual methods

Approximation concepts and dual methods are extended to solve structural synthesis problems involving a mix of discrete and continuous sizing type of design variables. Pure discrete and pure continuous variable problems can be handled as special cases. The basic mathematical programming statement of the structural synthesis problem is converted into a sequence of explicit approximate primal problems of separable form. These problems are solved by constructing continuous explicit dual functions, which are maximized subject to simple nonnegativity constraints on the dual variables. A newly devised gradient projection type of algorithm called DUAL 1, which includes special features for handling dual function gradient discontinuities that arise from the discrete primal variables, is used to find the solution of each dual problem. Computational implementation is accomplished by incorporating the DUAL 1 algorithm into the ACCESS 3 program as a new optimizer option. The power of the method set forth is demonstrated by presenting numerical results for several example problems, including a pure discrete variable treatment of a metallic swept wing and a mixed discrete-continuous variable solution for a thin delta wing with fiber composite skins.

Schmit, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Coping with Trial-to-Trial Variability of Event Related Signals: A Bayesian Inference Approach

In electro-neurophysiology, single-trial brain responses to a sensory stimulus or a motor act are commonly assumed to result from the linear superposition of a stereotypic event-related signal (e.g. the event-related potential or ERP) that is invariant across trials and some ongoing brain activity often referred to as noise. To extract the signal, one performs an ensemble average of the brain responses over many identical trials to attenuate the noise. To date, h s simple signal-plus-noise (SPN) model has been the dominant approach in cognitive neuroscience. Mounting empirical evidence has shown that the assumptions underlying this model may be overly simplistic. More realistic models have been proposed that account for the trial-to-trial variability of the event-related signal as well as the possibility of multiple differentially varying components within a given ERP waveform. The variable-signal-plus-noise (VSPN) model, which has been demonstrated to provide the foundation for separation and characterization of multiple differentially varying components, has the potential to provide a rich source of information for questions related to neural functions that complement the SPN model. Thus, being able to estimate the amplitude and latency of each ERP component on a trial-by-trial basis provides a critical link between the perceived benefits of the VSPN model and its many concrete applications. In this paper we describe a Bayesian approach to deal with this issue and the resulting strategy is referred to as the differentially Variable Component Analysis (dVCA). We compare the performance of dVCA on simulated data with Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and analyze neurobiological recordings from monkeys performing cognitive tasks.

Ding, Mingzhou↗
NASA NTRS1987

Two binary cycles of GX 301-2

The slow X-ray pulsar, GX 301-2, has been observed throughout two full binary cycles of 41.5 days in the energy range 13-170 keV by the UCSD/MIT Hard X-Ray and Low Energy Gamma-Ray Experiment aboard HEAO 1. Increased intensity and variability was observed for about four days near periastron during the two binary cycles, which were separated by six months in 1978. The spectral shape was not observed to vary with binary phase, with the possible exception of a steepening of the continuum above 20 keV near superior conjunction in one of the two observing epochs. Evidence for a spectral line was found in the data at the 1-percent confidence level, but not confirmed in the remaining data. The temporal variability of GX 301-2 was not consistent with simple models of X-ray production by interaction of the stellar wind with the neutron star, implying that future modeling must include effects on wind density and speed caused by shocks in the wind, the X-ray flux from the neutron star, the gravitational influence of the neutron star, and possible mass accumulation near the neutron star.

Rothschild, Richard E.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Multiphase Transport in Porous Media: Gas-Liquid Separation Using Capillary Pressure Gradients International Space Station (ISS) Flight Experiment Development

Advances in the understanding of multiphase flow characteristics under variable gravity conditions will ultimately lead to improved and as of yet unknown process designs for advanced space missions. Such novel processes will be of paramount importance to the success of future manned space exploration as we venture into our solar system and beyond. In addition, because of the ubiquitous nature and vital importance of biological and environmental processes involving airwater mixtures, knowledge gained about fundamental interactions and the governing properties of these mixtures will clearly benefit the quality of life here on our home planet. The techniques addressed in the current research involving multiphase transport in porous media and gas-liquid phase separation using capillary pressure gradients are also a logical candidate for a future International Space Station (ISS) flight experiment. Importantly, the novel and potentially very accurate Lattice-Boltzmann (LB) modeling of multiphase transport in porous media developed in this work offers significantly improved predictions of real world fluid physics phenomena, thereby promoting advanced process designs for both space and terrestrial applications.This 3-year research effort has culminated in the design and testing of a zero-g demonstration prototype. Both the hydrophilic (glass) and hydrophobic (Teflon) media Capillary Pressure Gradient (CPG) cartridges prepared during the second years work were evaluated. Results obtained from ground testing at 1-g were compared to those obtained at reduced gravities spanning Martian (13-g), Lunar (16-g) and zero-g. These comparisons clearly demonstrate the relative strength of the CPG phenomena and the efficacy of its application to meet NASAs unique gas-liquid separation (GLS) requirements in non-terrestrial environments.LB modeling software, developed concurrently with the zero-g test effort, was shown to accurately reproduce observed CPG driven gas-liquid separation phenomena. The design and fabrication of a micropost plate-lamina Hele-Shaw (HS) cell was performed which served as a computationally attainable geometric structure facilitating direct comparison between physical phenomena observed in our laboratory and the LB software predictions.

Wheeler, Richard R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Snow mapping and land use studies in Switzerland

The author has identified the following significant results. A system was developed for operational snow and land use mapping, based on a supervised classification method using various classification algorithms and representation of the results in maplike form on color film with a photomation system. Land use mapping, under European conditions, was achieved with a stepwise linear discriminant analysis by using additional ratio variables. On fall images, signatures of built-up areas were often not separable from wetlands. Two different methods were tested to correlate the size of settlements and the population with an accuracy for the densely populated Swiss Plateau between +2 or -12%.

Haefner, H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Motion of the angular momentum vector in body coordinates for torque-free dual-spin spacecraft

The motion of the angular momentum vector in body coordinates for torque free, asymmetric dual spin spacecraft without and, for a special case, with energy dissipation on the main spacecraft is investigated. Without energy dissipation, two integrals can be obtained from the Euler equations of motion. Using the classical method of elimination of variable, the motion about the equilibrium points (six for the general case) are derived with these integrals. For small nutation angle, theta, the trajectories about the theta = 0 deg and theta = 180 deg points readily show the requirements for stable motion about these points. Also the conditions needed to eliminate stable motion about the theta = 180 deg point as well as the other undesireable equilibrium points follow directly from these equations. For the special case where the angular momentum vector moves about the principal axis which contains the momentum wheel, the notion of 'free variable' azimuth angle is used. Physically this angle must vary from 0 to 2 pi in a circular periodic fashion. Expressions are thus obtained for the nutation angle in terms of the free variable and other spacecraft parameters. Results show that in general there are two separate trajectory expressions that govern the motion of the angular momentum vector in body coordinates.

Fedor, J. V.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Design sensitivity analysis using EAL. Part 2: Shape design parameters

A numerical implementation of shape design sensitivity analysis of built-up structures is presented, using the versatility and convenience of an existing finite element structural analysis code and its data base management system. This report is a continuation of a previous report on conventional design parameters. The finite element code used in the implementation presented is the Engineering Analysis Language (EAL), which is based on a hybrid analysis method. It has been shown that shape design sensitivity computations can be carried out using the database management system of EAL, without writing a separate program and a separate data base. The material derivative concept of continuum mechanics and an adjoint variable method of design sensitivity analysis are used to derive shape design sensitivity information of structural performances. A domain method of shape design sensitivity analysis and a design component method are used. Displacement and stress functionals are considered as performance criteria.

Dopker, B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Advanced techniques for the storage and use of very large, heterogeneous spatial databases. The representation of geographic knowledge: Toward a universal framework

A new approach to building geographic data models that is based on the fundamental characteristics of the data is presented. An overall theoretical framework for representing geographic data is proposed. An example of utilizing this framework in a Geographic Information System (GIS) context by combining artificial intelligence techniques with recent developments in spatial data processing techniques is given. Elements of data representation discussed include hierarchical structure, separation of locational and conceptual views, and the ability to store knowledge at variable levels of completeness and precision.

Peuquet, Donna J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Three-dimensional flow past two cylinders mounted side by side on an endwall

This paper reports on the experimental description of flow past two cylinders that stand side by side on an endwall. Flow visualization performed in a water tunnel provides a qualitative understanding of the three-dimensional flow over a range of control variables. Limiting streamline flow visualization shows the location of the three-dimensional separation for a range of cylinder spacings. For a spacing of 1.5 diameters between centers, the flow is described using a five-hole probe and by cylinder and endwall surface static pressure measurements. At a cylinder diameter Reynolds number of 250,000 the measurements show a single primary vortex with a wide flat cross section. The velocity measurements show high shear on the endwall in the primary vortex region. A small counterrotating vortex is found between the primary vortex and the cylinder leading edge.

Boyle, M. T.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Automated Fiber Placement of PEEK/IM7 Composites with Film Interleaf Layers

The incorporation of thin discrete layers of resin between plies (interleafing) has been shown to improve fatigue and impact properties of structural composite materials. Furthermore, interleafing could be used to increase the barrier properties of composites used as structural materials for cryogenic propellant storage. In this work, robotic heated-head tape placement of PEEK/IM7 composites containing a PEEK polymer film interleaf was investigated. These experiments were carried out at the NASA Langley Research Center automated fiber placement facility. Using the robotic equipment, an optimal fabrication process was developed for the composite without the interleaf. Preliminary interleaf processing trials indicated that a two-stage process was necessary; the film had to be tacked to the partially-placed laminate then fully melted in a separate operation. Screening experiments determined the relative influence of the various robotic process variables on the peel strength of the film-composite interface. Optimization studies were performed in which peel specimens were fabricated at various compaction loads and roller temperatures at each of three film melt processing rates. The resulting data were fitted with quadratic response surfaces. Additional specimens were fabricated at placement parameters predicted by the response surface models to yield high peel strength in an attempt to gage the accuracy of the predicted response and assess the repeatability of the process. The overall results indicate that quality PEEK/lM7 laminates having film interleaves can be successfully and repeatability fabricated by heated head automated fiber placement.

Hulcher, A. Bruce↗
NASA NTRS2009

Desktop Application Program to Simulate Cargo-Air-Drop Tests

The DSS Application is a computer program comprising a Windows version of the UNIX-based Decelerator System Simulation (DSS) coupled with an Excel front end. The DSS is an executable code that simulates the dynamics of airdropped cargo from first motion in an aircraft through landing. The bare DSS is difficult to use; the front end makes it easy to use. All inputs to the DSS, control of execution of the DSS, and postprocessing and plotting of outputs are handled in the front end. The front end is graphics-intensive. The Excel software provides the graphical elements without need for additional programming. Categories of input parameters are divided into separate tabbed windows. Pop-up comments describe each parameter. An error-checking software component evaluates combinations of parameters and alerts the user if an error results. Case files can be created from inputs, making it possible to build cases from previous ones. Simulation output is plotted in 16 charts displayed on a separate worksheet, enabling plotting of multiple DSS cases with flight-test data. Variables assigned to each plot can be changed. Selected input parameters can be edited from the plot sheet for quick sensitivity studies.

Cuthbert, Peter↗
NASA NTRS2018

The NANOGrav 11-year Data Set: High-Precision Timing of 45 Millisecond Pulsars

We present high-precision timing data over time spans of up to 11 years for 45 millisecond pulsars observed as part of the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) project, aimed at detecting and characterizing low-frequency gravitational waves. The pulsars were observed with the Arecibo Observatory and/or the Green Bank Telescope at frequencies ranging from 327 MHz to 2.3 GHz. Most pulsars were observed with approximately monthly cadence, and six high-timing-precision pulsars were observed weekly. All were observed at widely separated frequencies at each observing epoch in order to fit for time-variable dispersion delays. We describe our methods for data processing, time-of-arrival (TOA) calculation, and the implementation of a new, automated method for removing outlier TOAs. We fit a timing model for each pulsar that includes spin, astrometric, and (for binary pulsars) orbital parameters; time-variable dispersion delays; and parameters that quantify pulse-profile evolution with frequency. The timing solutions provide three new parallax measurements, two new Shapiro delay measurements, and two new measurements of significant orbital-period variations. We fit models that characterize sources of noise for each pulsar. We find that 11 pulsars show significant red noise, with generally smaller spectral indices than typically measured for non-recycled pulsars, possibly suggesting a different origin. A companion paper uses these data to constrain the strength of the gravitational-wave background

Arzoumanian, Zaven↗