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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

A change of mesospheric ozone content under electron precipitation influence

The simulation model of a change of O, O2 and O3 oxygen component content at the heights 50 to 140 km under electron precipitation influence is presented. Parameters of the air mass vertical transfer are introduced into the model. Calculation results showed that after the intense precipitation in approx. 3 days the ozone content increased at heights approx. 80 km. These results agree with the experimentally found effects of the content change under precipitation conditions.

Sosin, I. I.↗

On-orbit cryogenic fluid transfer research at NASA Lewis Research Center

A summary of research into on-orbit cryogenic fluid transfer at the NASA Lewis Research Center (LRC) is presented. Variable test parameters and liquid injection configurations elucidated the conditions necessary for a successful transfer of liquid hydrogen by the no-vent fill method. The model is based on conservation of mass and a first-law energy balance for a control volume. The ullage, the bulk liquid, and the tank wall are each represented by a single node. The magnitude of the maximum receiver tank pressure was found to be dependent on the liquid inlet temperature, the inlet mass flow rate, and the initial temperature. A comparison of the test data and the analytical results for a no-vent fill test with a small receiver tank is presented.

Taylor, W. J.↗

Remote Sensing Data from CLARET: A Prototype Cart Data Set

A data set containing radiation, meteorological, and cloud sensor observations is documented. It was prepared for use by the Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program and other interested scientists. These data are a precursor of the types of data that ARM Cloud And Radiation Testbed (CART) sites will provide. The data are from the Cloud Lidar And Radar Exploratory Test (CLARET) conducted by the Wave Propagation Laboratory during autumn 1989 in the Denver-Boulder area of Colorado primarily for the purpose of developing new cloud-sensing techniques on cirrus. After becoming aware of this experiment, ARM scientists requested archival of subsets or the data to assist in the developing ARM program. Five CLARET cases were selected: two with cirrus, one with stratus, one with mixed-phase clouds, and one with clear skies. The cases range from 2 to 9.5 h in length. A pyranometer, pyrgeometer, pyrheliometer, and an infrared radiometer constituted the ensemble of instruments that provided surface radiation data. A lidar, radar, and ceilometer observed the cloud geometrical structure, and visual reports and all-sky camera observations were assimilated to provide cloud cover data. Radiosondes, wind profiler, RASS (profiling virtual temperature), microwave radiometers (observing column integrated liquid water and water vapor), and standard surface measurements provided meteorological data. Satellite data from the stratus case and one cirrus case were analyzed for statistics on cloud cover and top height. The main body of the selected data are available on diskette from the Wave Propagation Laboratory or Los Alamos National Laboratory. In addition to documenting the data set, this report describes CLARET and gives a bibliography of publications associated with the project. Some preliminary results of CLARET' research are also summarized. Simultaneous CO 2 lidar and radar backscatter measurements were shown to provide estimates of the effective radius of ice particles. Simultaneous radar and infrared radiometer data appear useful for estimating column-integrated numbers and average sizes of ice cloud particles. Ice water content obtained with this method compared favorably with values from another empirical technique using radar data alone. Depolarization of the CO 2 lidar signal from ice clouds was surprisingly small, suggesting that calculation of backscatter from nonspherical particles for this lidar is a tractable problem. Examples are also cited of CO 2 lidar measurements of the effective radius of water cloud drop size distributions and of inference of the size of pristine ice crystals that assume a particular orientation in the air. These parameters are all important to radiative transfer through clouds.

Clouds (Meteorology)↗

The pulsar planet production process

Most plausible scenarios for the formation of planets around pulsars end with a disk of gas around the pulsar. The supplicant author then points to the solar system to bolster faith in the miraculous transfiguration of gas into planets. We here investigate this process of transfiguration. We derive analytic sequences of quasi-static disks which give good approximations to exact solutions of the disk diffusion equation with realistic opacity tables. These allow quick and efficient surveys of parameter space. We discuss the outward transfer of mass in accretion disks and the resulting timescale constraints, the effects of illumination by the central source on the disk and dust within it, and the effects of the widely different elemental compositions of the disks in the various scenarios, and their extensions to globular clusters. We point out where significant uncertainties exist in the appropriate grain opacities, and in the effect of illumination and winds from the neutron star.

Phinney, E. S.↗

Computation of flows in a turn-around duct and a turbine cascade using advanced turbulence models

Numerical investigation has been carried out to evaluate the capability of the Algebraic Reynolds Stress Model (ARSM) and the Nonlinear Stress Model (NLSM) to predict strongly curved turbulent flow in a turn-around duct (TAD). The ARSM includes the near-wall damping term of pressure-strain correlation phi(sub ij,w), which enables accurate prediction of individual Reynolds stress components in wall flows. The TAD mean flow quantities are reasonably well predicted by various turbulence models. The ARSM yields better predictions for both the mean flow and the turbulence quantities than the NLSM and the k-epsilon (k = turbulent kinetic energy, epsilon = dissipation rate of k) model. The NLSM also shows slight improvement over the k-epsilon model. However, all the models fail to capture the recovery of the flow from strong curvature effects. The formulation for phi(sub ij,w) appears to be incorrect near the concave surface. The hybrid k-epsilon/ARSM, Chien's k-epsilon model, and Coakley's q-omega (q = the square root of k, omega = epsilon/k) model have also been employed to compute the aerodynamics and heat transfer of a transonic turbine cascade. The surface pressure distributions and the wake profiles are predicted well by all the models. The k-epsilon model and the k-epsilon/ARSM model provide better predictions of heat transfer than the q-omega model. The k-epsilon/ARSM solutions show significant differences in the predicted skin friction coefficients, heat transfer rates and the cascade performance parameters, as compared to the k-epsilon model. The k-epsilon/ARSM model appears to capture, qualitatively, the anisotropy associated with by-pass transition.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗

Removal of the solar component in AVHRR 3.7 micrometer radiances for the retrieval of cirrus cloud parameters

A numerical scheme has been developed to remove the solar component in the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) 3.7- micrometer channel for the retrieval of cirrus parameters during daytime. This method uses a number of prescribed threshold values for AVHRR channels 1 (0.63 micrometer), 2 (0.8 micrometer), 3 (3.7 micrometer), 4 (10.9 micrometer), and 5 (12 micrometer) to separate clear and cloudy pixels. A look-up table relating channels 1 and 3 solar reflectances is subsequently constructed based on the prescribed mean effective ice crystal sizes and satellite geometric parameters. An adding-doubling radiative transfer program has been used to generate numerical values in the construction of the look-up table. Removal of the channel 3 solar component is accomplished by using the look-up table and the measured channel 1 reflectance. The cloud retrieval scheme described in Ou et al. has been modified in connection with the removal program. The authors have applied the removal-retrieval scheme to the AVHRR global area coverage daytime data, collected during the First ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project) Regional Experiment cirrus intensive field observation (FIRE IFO) at 2100 UTC 28 October 1986 over the Wisconsin area. Distributions of the retrieved cloud heights and optical depths are comparable to those determined from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) visible and IR channels data reported by Minnis et al. Moreover, verifications of the retrieved cirrus temperature and height against lidar data have been carried out using results reported from three FIRE IFO stations. The retrieved cloud heights are within 0.5 km of the measured lidar values.

Rao, N. X.↗

Remote sounding of surface radiative fluxes in cirrus cloudy conditions

It has been long recognized that radiation and radiation perturbations play a critical role in the climate system. Surface radiative fluxes are useful parameters for monitoring global change, for understanding of the effects of clouds on the radiation field, and for improving parameterization of surface sensible and latent heat fluxes. Monitoring of the radiation budget at the top of the atmosphere has been one of the prime satellite programs for the last 30 years. However, monitoring radiative fluxes at the surface over the globe from space cannot be performed in a direct way at the present time. In particular, since clouds are the prime regulators of the radiative fluxes, uncertainties in the retrieved cloud parameters, which are inputs to radiative transfer models, can introduce significant errors in the computed radiative fluxes. Thus, remote sounding of surface radiative fluxes in cloudy conditions requires the development of both satellite cloud retrieval scheme and radiation models. In this paper, we present results of computed surface radiative fluxes in cirrus cloudy conditions using a cirrus cloud retrieval scheme and a detailed radiative transfer program. Comparisons have been made between the computed surface radiative fluxes and the ground-based radiometer measurements obtained during FIRE-II-IFO, which was carried out near Coffeyville, Kansas, during November and December, 1991.

Ou, S. C.↗

Calculation of Heavy Ion Inactivation and Mutation Rates in Radial Dose Model of Track Structure

In the track structure model, the inactivation cross section is found by summing an inactivation probability over all impact parameters from the ion to the sensitive sites within the cell nucleus. The inactivation probability is evaluated by using the dose response of the system to gamma rays and the radial dose of the ions and may be equal to unity at small impact parameters. We apply the track structure model to recent data with heavy ion beams irradiating biological samples of E. Coli, B. Subtilis spores, and Chinese hamster (V79) cells. Heavy ions have observed cross sections for inactivation that approach and sometimes exceed the geometric size of the cell nucleus. We show how the effects of inactivation may be taken into account in the evaluation of the mutation cross sections in the track structure model through correlation of sites for gene mutation and cell inactivation. The model is fit to available data for HPRT (hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase) mutations in V79 cells, and good agreement is found. Calculations show the high probability for mutation by relativistic ions due to the radial extension of ions track from delta rays. The effects of inactivation on mutation rates make it very unlikely that a single parameter such as LET (linear energy transfer) can be used to specify radiation quality for heavy ion bombardment.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗

Hydrodynamic Dryout in Two-Phase Flows: Observations of Low Bond Number Systems

Dryout occurs readily in certain slug and annular two-phase flows for systems that exhibit partial wetting. The mechanism for the ultimate rupture of the film is attributed to van der Waals forces, but the pace towards rupture is quickened by the surface tension instability (Rayleigh-type) of the annular film left by the advancing slug and by the many perturbations of the free surface present in the Re(sub g) approximately 0(10(exp 3)), Re(sub l) approximately 0(10(exp 4)), and Ca approximately 0(10(exp -1) flows. Results from low-gravity experiments using three different test fluids are presented and discussed. For the range of tests conducted, the effect of increasing viscosity is shown to eliminate the film rupture while the decrease of surface tension via a surfactant additive is shown to dramatically enhance it. Laboratory measurements using capillary tubes are presented which reveal the sensitivity of the dryout phenomena to particulate and surfactant contamination. Rom such observations, dryout due to the hydrodynamic-van der Waals instability can be expected in a certain range of flow parameters in the absence of heat transfer. The addition of heat transfer may only exacerbate the problem by producing thermal transport lines replete with "hot spots." A caution to this effect is issued to future space systems designers concerning the use of partially wetting working fluids.

Weislogel, Mark M.↗

Development of New Modeling and Analysis Tools for Solar Sails

Existing finite-element-based structural analysis codes are ineffective in treating deployable gossamer space systems, including solar sails that are formed by long space-deployable booms and extremely large thin-film membrane apertures. Recognizing this, the NASA Space transportation Technology Program has initiated and sponsored a focused research effort to develop new and computationally efficient structural modeling and analysis tools for solar sails. The technical approach of this ongoing effort will be described. Two solution methods, the Distributed Transfer Function Method and the Parameter-Variation-Principle method, based on which the technical approach was formatted are also discussed.

boom↗

Assessing the Transferability of Statistical Predictive Models for Leaf Area Index Between Two Airborne Discrete Return LiDAR Sensor Designs Within Multiple Intensely Managed Loblolly Pine Forest Locations in the South-Eastern USA

Leaf area is an important forest structural variable which serves as the primary means of mass and energy exchange within vegetated ecosystems. The objective of the current study was to determine if leaf area index (LAI) could be estimated accurately and consistently in five intensively managed pine plantation forests using two multiple-return airborne LiDAR datasets. Field measurements of LAI were made using the LiCOR LAI2000 and LAI2200 instruments within 116 plots were established of varying size and within a variety of stand conditions (i.e. stand age, nutrient regime and stem density) in North Carolina and Virginia in 2008 and 2013. A number of common LiDAR return height and intensity distribution metrics were calculated (e.g. average return height), in addition to ten indices, with two additional variants, utilized in the surrounding literature which have been used to estimate LAI and fractional cover, were calculated from return heights and intensity, for each plot extent. Each of the indices was assessed for correlation with each other, and was used as independent variables in linear regression analysis with field LAI as the dependent variable. All LiDAR derived metrics were also entered into a forward stepwise linear regression. The results from each of the indices varied from an R2 of 0.33 (S.E. 0.87) to 0.89 (S.E. 0.36). Those indices calculated using ratios of all returns produced the strongest correlations, such as the Above and Below Ratio Index (ABRI) and Laser Penetration Index 1 (LPI1). The regression model produced from a combination of three metrics did not improve correlations greatly (R2 0.90; S.E. 0.35). The results indicate that LAI can be predicted over a range of intensively managed pine plantation forest environments accurately when using different LiDAR sensor designs. Those indices which incorporated counts of specific return numbers (e.g. first returns) or return intensity correlated poorly with field measurements. There were disparities between the number of different types of returns and intensity values when comparing the results from two LiDAR sensors, indicating that predictive models developed using such metrics are not transferable between datasets with different acquisition parameters. Each of the indices were significantly correlated with one another, with one exception (LAI proxy), in particular those indices calculated from all returns, which indicates similarities in information content for those indices. It can then be argued that LiDAR indices have reached a similar stage in development to those calculated from optical-spectral sensors, but which offer a number of advantages, such as the reduction or removal of saturation issues in areas of high biomass.

Sumnall, Matthew↗

Far-Field Lorenz-Mie Scattering in an Absorbing Host Medium: Theoretical Formalism and FORTRAN Program

In this paper we make practical use of the recently developed first-principles approach to electromagnetic scattering by particles immersed in an unbounded absorbing host medium. Specifically, we introduce an actual computational tool for the calculation of pertinent far-field optical observables in the context of the classical Lorenzâ€"Mie theory. The paper summarizes the relevant theoretical formalism, explains various aspects of the corresponding numerical algorithm, specifies the input and output parameters of a FORTRAN program available at https://www.giss.nasa.gov/staff/mmishchenko/Lorenz-Mie.html, and tabulates benchmark results useful for testing purposes. This public-domain FORTRAN program enables one to solve the following two important problems: (i) simulate theoretically the reading of a remote well-collimated radiometer measuring electromagnetic scattering by an individual spherical particle or a small random group of spherical particles; and (ii) compute the single-scattering parameters that enter the vector radiative transfer equation derived directly from the Maxwell equations.

Far-field electromagnetic scattering; Absorbing ho↗

The Effects of Surface Fossil Magnetic Fields on Massive Star Evolution – III. the Case of τ Sco

τ Sco, a well-studied magnetic B-type star in the Upper Sco association, has a number of surprising characteristics. It rotates very slowly and shows nitrogen excess. Its surface magnetic field is much more complex than a purely dipolar configuration which is unusual for a magnetic massive star. We employ the CMFGEN radiative transfer code to determine the fundamental parameters and surface CNO and helium abundances. Then, we employ MESA and GENEC stellar evolution models accounting for the effects of surface magnetic fields. To reconcile τ Sco’s properties with single-star models, an increase is necessary in the efficiency of rotational mixing by a factor of 3–10 and in the efficiency of magnetic braking by a factor of 10. The spin-down could be explained by assuming a magnetic field decay scenario. However, the simultaneous chemical enrichment challenges the single-star scenario. Previous works indeed suggested a stellar merger origin for τ Sco. However, the merger scenario also faces similar challenges as our magnetic single-star models to explain τ Sco’s simultaneous slow rotation and nitrogen excess. In conclusion, the single-star channel seems less likely and versatile to explain these discrepancies, while the merger scenario and other potential binary-evolution channels still require further assessment as to whether they may self-consistently explain the observables of τ Sco.

stars: evolution↗

The Effects of Surface Fossil Magnetic Fields on Massive Star Evolution - III. The Case of τSco

τSco, a well-studied magnetic B-type star in the Upper Sco association, has a number of surprising characteristics. It rotates very slowly and shows nitrogen excess. Its surface magnetic field is much more complex than a purely dipolar configuration which is unusual for a magnetic massive star. We employ the CMFGEN radiative transfer code to determine the fundamental parameters and surface CNO and helium abundances. Then, we employ MESA and GENEC stellar evolution models accounting for the effects of surface magnetic fields. To reconcileτSco’s properties with single-star models, an increase is necessary in the efficiency of rotational mixing by a factor of 3–10 and in the efficiency of magnetic braking by a factor of 10. The spin-down could be explained by assuming a magnetic field decay scenario. However, the simultaneous chemical enrichment challenges the single-star scenario. Previous works indeed suggested a stellar merger origin forτSco. However, the merger scenario also faces similar challenges as our magnetic single-star models to explainτSco’s simultaneous slow rotation and nitrogen excess. In conclusion, the single-star channel seems less likely and versatile to explain these discrepancies, while the merger scenario and other potential binary-evolution channels still require further assessment as to whether they may self-consistently explain the observables of τSco.

Z Keszthelyi↗

Effect of Time-Step Duration and Other Parameters on Ice Accretion

This work addresses the ice prediction cases studies for the 1st AIAA Ice Prediction Workshop generated using a mix of commercial and in-house tools. All predictions are compared with those by LEWICE. Results from both 2D NACA 23012 airfoil cases and 3D NACA 0012 swept wing cases have been included. It is observed that the computational tools have a much better correlation with experimental data for rime icing conditions. For glaze icing conditions, the ice horns are not accurately predicted. The impact of parameters such as surface temperature, heat transfer coefficient, and time-step for flow and droplet field re-computation is explored.

Icing, Rotorcraft↗

Models, In Situ, and Remote Sensing of Aerosols (MIRA)

There is a natural partitioning of scientific interest amongst three focus areas of aerosol research: modeling, in situ measurements, and remote sensing observations. The community benefits when these groups interact, with overall benefits towards advancing our understanding of climate, weather, and air quality. To this end, MIRA seeks to foster international collaborations across disciplines and regional boundaries and offers a complementary association with established international working groups. Within the present framework, MIRA has identified four initial focus areas, with opportunities to add more by the working group. One effort advances knowledge of the aerosol lidar ratio for different aerosol compositions and locations to improve backscatter lidar retrievals from satellites and ground-based instruments. Another effort seeks to improve aerosol optical parameters used by climate and radiative transfer models. A third effort focuses on harmonizing aerosol assimilation models with satellite measurement retrievals, and a fourth interest seeks to develop retrievals of aerosol Particulate Matter from remote sensing measurements. The presentation will provide an overview of MIRA and ways for the community to engage.

Chip Trepte↗

Models, in Situ, and Remote Sensing of Aerosols (MIRA) International Working Group

There is a natural partitioning of scientific interest amongst three focus areas of aerosol research: modeling, in situ measurements, and remote sensing observations. The community benefits when these groups interact, with overall benefits towards advancing our understanding of climate, weather, and air quality. To this end, MIRA seeks to foster international collaborations across disciplines and regional boundaries and offers a complementary association with established international working groups. Within the present framework, MIRA has identified four initial focus areas, with opportunities to add more by the working group. One effort advances knowledge of the aerosol lidar ratio for different aerosol compositions and locations to improve backscatter lidar retrievals from satellites and ground-based instruments. Another effort seeks to improve aerosol optical parameters used by climate and radiative transfer models. A third effort focuses on harmonizing aerosol assimilation models with satellite measurement retrievals, and a fourth interest seeks to develop retrievals of aerosol Particulate Matter from remote sensing measurements. The presentation will provide an overview of MIRA and ways for the community to engage.

aerosols↗

Monodisperse Single-Material Granular Tribocharging Modeling and Experimental Validation

Charge transfer between insulating grains has been a topic of interest for many years as this phenomenon is extremely important to many areas in industry. Of particular interest to NASA is the behavior of electrically insulative dust grains such as those found on the lunar surface. Whether poured from a scoop during sample collection activities, agitated inside a drum via mining robots, or fluidized by a gas plume, particle-particle interactions between similar granular materials will be widespread on the Moon. Designers hope to have a predictive model for how dust grains are charged, transported, and deposited on flight systems to better understand issues electrostatics may cause in future missions. While difference in work function is often seen as a driver for charge transfer between two materials, this is an incomplete representation for insulative particles. Other asymmetries in the system can also lead to charge being transferred: one such being the difference between static vs dynamic particles. Experiments performed under vacuum in the Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory (ESPL) clearly show that particles having more contacts with other particles tend to charge positively and particles having fewer contacts tend to charge negatively, despite being made from the same material. During these experiments, monodisperse (population of single diameter) spherical particles were held in a reservoir which was then elevated at one end to slope into a Faraday cup used to measure bulk charge of the grains. Care was taken to limit the number of spheres bouncing out of the cup, to isolate the beads from the container itself so that only grain-to-grain interactions occurred, and to assure neutrality of the beads before the experiment began. A discrete element method (DEM) modeling package already incorporating many granular mechanics interactions was augmented to include the electrostatic behaviors seen in experiments. The model can reproduce the experimental results above by tracking the number of contacts between pairs of individual grains and applying a charge transfer condition related to this contact parameter. The experimental results as well as their incorporation into the improved modeling suite will be discussed. Future work includes adding additional asymmetries into the experiments/model such as polydisperse populations of spherical particles and irregularly shaped grains.

granular↗