Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “surface additives”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2018

Topological Control of Polystyrene-Silica Core-Shell Microspheres

Controllable surface morphology is requisite across a gamut of processes, industries, and applications. The surface morphology of silica-coated polystyrene microspheres was controllably modified to enable generation of both smooth and bumpy, or raspberry-like, surfaces. Although smooth and raspberry-like silica shells on polystyrene templates have been demonstrated extensively, the method described here used readily available materials to produce radical changes in surface morphology from a single polystyrene template coated in silica through a facile sol-gel reaction processes. Silica shells were deposited via a sol-gel process (using tetraethyl orthosilicate as the silica precursor) onto 1 to 2 m diameter anionic polystyrene spheres, fabricated by emulsifier-free polymerization. By varying of the concentration of silica precursor and ammonium hydroxide catalyst and altering the electrostatic surface interactions via addition of a cationic polymeric brush, an array of surface topologies was generated. The resulting silica shells ranged from 100 to 200 nm in thickness, as measured by calcination of the polystyrene template. Empirical relations between reaction conditions and the resulting silica colloid diameter were utilized to understand the resultant silica shell topology. These results may serve as a guide to generate a versatile platform for research in the multitude of applications where polystyrene-silica core-shell particles are utilized.

Zane A. Grady↗
NASA NTRS1988

Surface compositional and structural aspects of Martian samples

There are many excellent reasons to examine the surface composition of a wide range of Martian samples. The existing spectral data indicate that many dust and soil particles have a thin Fe(+3) layer with a typical particle size in the 10 micrometer to 400 micrometer range. In view of the high CO2 content of the atmosphere, one might expect that surface carbonates should be present. In addition to chemisorbed material there will probably exist physisorbed atmospheric components of the atmosphere including oxygen, nitrogen and water vapor. The latter could possibly give rise to some hydrated minerals. Using ultra-high-vacuum/mass spectrographic techniques it should be possible to detect physisorbed and moderately strong chemisorbed species on the particle surfaces with a temperature programmed degassing procedure. In some instances such an approach is capable of helping distinguish between volcanic and impact generated materials by detecting the presence of fumerolic gases. Such gases typically condense on the exterior of the ejected particles. Additionally surface atomic and chemical compositions should be examined by a combination of modern surface analytical techniques. The combination we currently have in Buffalo at SUNY would appear to be one of the best available including ESCA (150 micrometer spot capability) Auger (SAM) with 300 A focussing for surface compositional surveys, SIMS for high sensitivity trace element detection and ISS for immediate surface layer analysis.

Cadenhead, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Traverse Planning Experiments for Future Planetary Surface Exploration

The purpose of the investigation is to evaluate methodology and data requirements for remotely-assisted robotic traverse of extraterrestrial planetary surface to support human exploration program, assess opportunities for in-transit science operations, and validate landing site survey and selection techniques during planetary surface exploration mission analog demonstration at Haughton Crater on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada. Additionally, 1) identify quality of remote observation data sets (i.e., surface imagery from orbit) required for effective pre-traverse route planning and determine if surface level data (i.e., onboard robotic imagery or other sensor data) is required for a successful traverse, and if additional surface level data can improve traverse efficiency or probability of success (TRPF Experiment). 2) Evaluate feasibility and techniques for conducting opportunistic science investigations during this type of traverse. (OSP Experiment). 3) Assess utility of remotely-assisted robotic vehicle for landing site validation survey. (LSV Experiment).

Hoffman, Stephen J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Polarimetry of Pluto

The polarization of Pluto has been measured for a range of solar phase angles from 0.8 to 1.8 deg. A mean linear polarization of 0.29 + or - 0.01% (error of the mean) was found. No dependence of both the amount of polarization and position angles with rotational phase or solar phase angle could be detected. The positional angles of polarization agree with calculated position angles of the defect of illumination and are therefore parallel to the scattering plane. The observed polarization cannot be explained as resulting purely from a surface material which is similar to asteroidal surfaces. A hypothesis of polarization from a thin atmosphere, in addition to the surface polarization, is advanced.

Breger, M.↗
NASA NTRS2023

NASCAP Surface Charging Tool Development - Nascap-2k Additional Examples

This document consists of examples of the use of Nascap-2k to analyze moderately complex interactions between spacecraft surfaces and the plasma environment. The narrative assumes familiarity with the use of Nascap-2k and the field of spacecraft-environment interactions. Specific results may be slightly different from those given here due to small differences in the geometry, material selection, and version of Nascap-2k.

Charge Plate Analyzer↗
NASA NTRS1988

An improved long range potential for O(1D)+H2

Several dynamics studies have indicated that the product isotopic distributions and vibrational energy distributions in the reaction O(1D) + H2(HD) are very sensitive to the long range interaction of the reactants. In this paper, an improved calculation of the reactant region of the potential energy surface is reported. In agreement with previous work, no barrier is found to edge-on insertion (1 A-prime ground state water surface), but a smaller (less than 0.2 kcal/mol) barrier to collinear addition, 1 Sigma (+) surface, is found than in previous work. The long range potential obtained in the present work most closely resembles the SL3 surface.

Walch, Stephen P.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Triangulation methods for automated docking

An automated docking system must have a reliable method for determining range and orientation of the passive (target) vehicle with respect to the active vehicle. This method must also provide accurate information on the rates of change of range to and orientation of the passive vehicle. The method must be accurate within required tolerances and capable of operating in real time. The method being developed at Marshall Space Flight Center employs a single TV camera, a laser illumination system and a target consisting, in its minimal configuration, of three retro-reflectors. Two of the retro-reflectors are mounted flush to the same surface, with the third retro-reflector mounted to a post fixed midway between the other two and jutting at a right angle from the surface. For redundancy, two additional retroreflectors are mounted on the surface on a line at right angles to the line containing the first two retro-reflectors, and equally spaced on either side of the post. The target vehicle will contain a large target for initial acquisition and several smaller targets for close range.

Bales, John W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Towards a More Realistic Representation of NASA CERES-derived Surface Radiative Fluxes during Polar Night: A Comparison with the MOSAiC Field Campaign

The Arctic is one of the most sensitive regions of Earth to climate change, and yet remains one of the more difficult regions to both observe and simulate. The remoteness of the Arctic from most of civilization makes large volumes of in situ observations difficult to collect, and so satellite observations are a critical tool for observing the region, such as those from Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES). But validating the satellite radiative flux estimates is difficult because of the lack of in situ measurements. A useful remedy is utilizing measurements from field campaigns, such as the year-long Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition during 2019-2020. The extensive high-quality surface radiative flux and meteorological measurements collected from MOSAiC provide a useful check on flux retrievals from CERES instruments. We compare MOSAiC and CERES surface radiative fluxes during October through March of 2019-2020. As this time period is mostly during polar night and twilight, the focus of the study is on longwave surface fluxes. To better understand the reasons for errors in CERES fluxes, we use the large set of meteorological measurements also collected by MOSAiC, including surface temperature, thermodynamic vertical profiles, surface turbulent fluxes, and cloud properties. Previous work identified a significant source of error in the CERES estimate of surface downwelling longwave flux as the estimate of low level cloud amount when compared with MOSAiC W-band radar measurements. An overestimate of low cloud amount yielded an underestimate of the downwelling flux on the order of tens of W m2. Continuing this work, we test other meteorological properties such as the vertical thermodynamic profile and surface turbulent fluxes. In addition, we examine different estimates of surface fluxes derived from CERES measurements. Previous work used the SYN1deg product, which had the limitation of having a 1º x 1 º horizontal resolution. A newer product estimates the surface fluxes at the CERES footprint resolution, which allows a more precise colocation, and thus a representative flux estimate, with the MOSAiC site.

J Brant Dodson↗
NASA NTRS1982

A computer program for wing subsonic aerodynamic performance estimates including attainable thrust and vortex lift effects

Numerical methods incorporated into a computer program to provide estimates of the subsonic aerodynamic performance of twisted and cambered wings of arbitrary planform with attainable thrust and vortex lift considerations are described. The computational system is based on a linearized theory lifting surface solution which provides a spanwise distribution of theoretical leading edge thrust in addition to the surface distribution of perturbation velocities. The approach used relies on a solution by iteration. The method also features a superposition of independent solutions for a cambered and twisted wing and a flat wing of the same planform to provide, at little additional expense, results for a large number of angles of attack or lift coefficients. A previously developed method is employed to assess the portion of the theoretical thrust actually attainable and the portion that is felt as a vortex normal force.

Carlson, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

System dynamic simulation of precision segmented reflector

A joint effort was undertaken on a Precision Segmented Reflector (PSR) Project. The missions in which the PSR is to be used will use large (up to 20 m in diameter) telescopes. The essential requirement for the telescopes is that the reflector surface of the primary mirror must be made extremely precise to allow no more than a few microns of errors and, additionally, this high surface precision must be maintained when the telescope is subjected to on-orbital mechanical and thermal disturbances. Based on the mass, size, and stability considerations, reflector surface formed by segmented, probably actively or passively controlled, composite panels are regarded as most suitable for future space based astronomical telescope applications. In addition to the design and fabrication of composite panels with a surface error of less than 3 microns RMS, PSR also develops related reflector structures, materials, control, and sensing technologies. As part of the planning effort for PSR Technology Demonstration, a system model which couples the reflector, consisting of panels, support truss and actuators, and the optical bench was assembled for dynamic simulations. Random vibration analyses using seismic data obtained from actual measurements at the test site designated for PSR Technology Demonstration are described.

Shih, Choon-Foo↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Experimental Studies of Open Rotor Installation Effects

Open rotor propulsion technologies offer an opportunity for reducing fuel burn. At the same time, great challenges arise from this radically different engine architecture in terms of aircraft system integration. The aeroacoustic effects of integration are one of those key challenges and, furthermore, can offer the possibility for total aircraft system noise reduction. The inter-relationship of the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic system integration effects is particularly important to enable future application. An extensive model scale test campaign was conducted to investigate a broad range of these open rotor installation effects for both a conventional and an unconventional airframe. The experimental campaign was conducted in the Boeing Low Speed Aeroacoustic Facility with specially designed modifications for efficient positioning of the open rotor rig relative to the airframe. The airframe was traversed remotely relative to the fixed open rotor rig providing for the investigation of a large number of installation positions. Eight positions around the main wing of the conventional airframe and eleven positions above the hybrid wing body airframe were documented. Other parameters investigated in the test campaign included forward flight simulation Mach number, angle of attack, rotor speed, and airframe control surface deployment. In addition, both airframes were modified for alternate configurations. The conventional airframe was configured with both a T and a U tail while the unconventional hybrid wing body airframe was configured with different vertical control surfaces. An extensive instrumentation package was deployed. The acoustics were documented with a fixed array of far field microphones, a traversing array of in-flow microphones, an out-of-flow traversing phased array, and unsteady pressure transducers mounted flush on the surface of the airframes. In addition, mean flow surveys were measured with an articulating arm traversing system. The flow field surveys were particularly valuable in documenting flow distortion effects for the various installation positions and those created by angle of attack. This presentation will report the key results obtained for open rotor installation effects and discuss future prospects with the perspective of these results.

Michael J Czech↗
NASA NTRS1991

Design of equipment for lunar dust removal

NASA has a long range goal of constructing a fully equipped, manned lunar base on the near side of the moon by the year 2015. During the Apollo Missions, lunar dust coated and fouled equipment surfaces and mechanisms exposed to the lunar environment. In addition, the atmosphere and internal surfaces of the lunar excursion module were contaminated by lunar dust which was brought in on articles passed through the airlock. Consequently, the need exists for device or appliance to remove lunar dust from surfaces of material objects used outside of the proposed lunar habitat. Additionally, several concepts were investigated for preventing the accumulation of lunar dust on mechanisms and finished surfaces. The character of the dust and the lunar environment present unique challenges for the removal of contamination from exposed surfaces. In addition to a study of lunar dust adhesion properties, the project examines the use of various energy domains for removing the dust from exposed surfaces. Also, prevention alternatives are examined for systems exposed to lunar dust. A concept utilizing a pressurized gas is presented for dust removal outside of an atmospherically controlled environment. The concept consists of a small astronaut/robotic compatible device which removes dust from contaminated surfaces by a small burst of gas.

Belden, Lacy↗
NASA NTRS2010

Use of a Hybrid Edge Node-Centroid Node Approach to Thermal Modeling

A recent proposal submitted for an ESA mission required that models be delivered in ESARAD/ESATAN formats. ThermalDesktop was the preferable analysis code to be used for model development with a conversion done as the final step before delivery. However, due to some differences between the capabilities of the two codes, a unique approach was developed to take advantage of the edge node capability of ThermalDesktop while maintaining the centroid node approach used by ESARAD. In essence, two separate meshes were used: one for conduction and one for radiation. The conduction calculations were eliminated from the radiation surfaces and the capacitance and radiative calculations were eliminated from the conduction surfaces. The resulting conduction surface nodes were coincident with all nodes of the radiation surface and were subsequently merged, while the nodes along the edges remained free. Merging of nodes on the edges of adjacent surfaces provided the conductive links between surfaces. Lastly, all nodes along edges were placed into the subnetwork and the resulting supernetwork included only the nodes associated with radiation surfaces. This approach had both benefits and disadvantages. The use of centroid, surface based radiation reduces the overall size of the radiation network, which is often the most computationally intensive part of the modeling process. Furthermore, using the conduction surfaces and allowing ThermalDesktop to calculate the conduction network can save significant time by not having to manually generate the couplings. Lastly, the resulting GMM/TMM models can be exported to formats which do not support edge nodes. One drawback, however, is the necessity to maintain two sets of surfaces. This requires additional care on the part of the analyst to ensure communication between the conductive and radiative surfaces in the resulting overall network. However, with more frequent use of this technique, the benefits of this approach can far outweigh the additional effort.

Peabody, Hume L.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Use of a Hybrid Edge Node-Centroid Node Approach to Thermal Modeling

A recent proposal submitted for an ESA mission required that models be delivered in ESARAD/ESAT AN formats. ThermalDesktop was the preferable analysis code to be used for model development with a conversion done as the final step before delivery. However, due to some differences between the capabilities of the two codes, a unique approach was developed to take advantage of the edge node capability of ThermalDesktop while maintaining the centroid node approach used by ESARAD. In essence, two separate meshes were used: one for conduction and one for radiation. The conduction calculations were eliminated from the radiation surfaces and the capacitance and radiative calculations were eliminated from the conduction surfaces. The resulting conduction surface nodes were coincident with all nodes of the radiation surface and were subsequently merged, while the nodes along the edges remained free. Merging of nodes on the edges of adjacent surfaces provided the conductive links between surfaces. Lastly, all nodes along edges were placed into the subnetwork and the resulting supernetwork included only the nodes associated with radiation surfaces. This approach had both benefits and disadvantages. The use of centroid, surface based radiation reduces the overall size of the radiation network, which is often the most computationally intensive part of the modeling process. Furthermore, using the conduction surfaces and allowing ThermalDesktop to calculate the conduction network can save significant time by not having to manually generate the couplings. Lastly, the resulting GMM/TMM models can be exported to formats which do not support edge nodes. One drawback, however, is the necessity to maintain two sets of surfaces. This requires additional care on the part of the analyst to ensure communication between the conductive and radiative surfaces in the resulting overall network. However, with more frequent use of this technique, the benefits of this approach can far outweigh the additional effort.

Peabody, Hume L.↗