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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 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Pool-Based Tow System for Testing Tethered Hydrokinetic Devices Being Developed to Harvest Energy From Ocean Currents

Abstract The immense potential for ocean current energy harvesting is being actively explored as the push for renewable energy becomes more urgent. This paper demonstrates a tow testing platform built to examine and validate mathematical models related to the performance of tethered, underwater, hydrokinetic devices in development to harvest energy from ocean currents, and presents experimental results illustrating how such a system can be used. The platform has been modularly designed to allow for the testing of various tethered, underwater energy-generation systems, including kite-based systems, coaxial turbines, and duct sails. Previous research on tethered energy-generating systems has primarily been focused on airborne systems. Additionally, the limited experimental research on tethered, underwater energy-generation systems has relied on a rigid rod for mechanical and electrical connections between the test articles and instrumentation. The tow testing platform presented in this paper accomplishes the mechanical and electrical connection through a dual-function tether, featuring internal conductors and an external sheath to support towing loads. The goal of this platform was to enable the emulation of ocean currents, which are largely unidirectional, and to retrofit a regular pool into a cost-effective, adaptable, small-scale tow tank test bed. The capabilities of the system include two-way communication with tethered devices, multiple towing profiles in order to emulate different flow regimes, real-time control, and differential velocities via dual winch operation.

Engineering↗
NASA NTRS1974

Fracture and contact problems for an elastic wedge

The plane elastostatic contact problem for an infinite elastic wedge of arbitrary angle is discussed. The medium is loaded through a frictionless rigid wedge of a given symmetric profile. Using the Mellin transform formulation the mixed boundary value problem is reduced to a singular integral equation with the contact stress as the unknown function. With the application of the results to the fracture of the medium in mind, the main emphasis in the study has been on the investigation of the singular nature of the stress state around the apex of the wedge and on the determination of the contact pressure.

Erdogan, F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Fracture and contact problems for an elastic wedge

The paper deals with the plane elastostatic contact problem for an infinite elastic wedge of arbitrary angle. The medium is loaded through a frictionless rigid wedge of a given symmetric profile. Using the Mellin transform formulation the mixed boundary value problem is reduced to a singular integral equation with the contact stress as the unknown function. With the application of the results to the fracture of the medium in mind, the main emphasis in the study has been on the investigation of the singular nature of the stress state around the apex of the wedge and on the determination of the contact pressure.

Erdogan, F.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Web-dendritic growth

The effects of various machine design parameters on the growth of web dendritic silicon ribbon were investigated. Ribbons were grown up to lengths of one meter, with widths increasing linearly up to one cm at the point of termination of growth. Thermal data were collected and evaluated for actual seeding and growth with variations in parameters affecting heat loss. It was found that for suitable growth, the mechanical system should be very rigid and stable, and the tolerances and specifications of the quartz crucibles must be far tighter than normal quartz tolerances. The widening rates of the ribbons were found to be a function of the temperature gradient rather than the temperature differences alone. A twin spacing in the seed of 3 microns to 2 microns was found to be unfavorable for growth; whereas spacing of 0.9 microns to 2 microns and 8 microns to 2 microns were favorable. Thermal modeling studies of the effects of furnace design parameters on the temperature distributions in melt and the growth of the dendritic web ribbon showed that the pull rate of the ribbon is strongly dependent on the temperature of the top thermal shield, the spacing between this shield and the melt, and the thickness of the growing web.

Hilborn, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The abundances of hydrogen, helium, oxygen, and iron accelerated in large solar particle events

Energy spectra measured in 10 large flares with the University of Maryland/Max-Planck-Institut sensors on ISEE I and Goddard Space Flight Center sensors on IMP 8 allowed us to determine the average H, He, O, and Fe abundances as functions of energy in the range of about 0.3-80 MeV/nucleon. Model fits to the spectra of individual events using the predictions of a steady state stochastic acceleration model with rigidity-dependent diffusion provided a means of interpolating small portions of the energy spectra not measured with the instrumentation. Particles with larger mass-to-charge ratios were relatively less abundant at higher energies in the flare-averaged composition. The Fe/O enhancement at low SEP energies was less than the Fe/O ratios observed in He-3-rich flares. Unlike the SEP composition averaged above 5 MeV/nucleon, the average SEP abundances above 0.3 MeV/nucleon were similar to the average solar wind.

Mazur, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Ergonomic Evaluations of Microgravity Workstations

Various gloveboxes (GBXs) have been used aboard the Shuttle and ISS. Though the overall technical specifications are similar, each GBX's crew interface is unique. JSC conducted a series of ergonomic evaluations of the various glovebox designs to identify human factors requirements for new designs to provide operator commonality across different designs. We conducted 2 0g evaluations aboard the Shuttle to evaluate the material sciences GBX and the General Purpose Workstation (GPWS), and a KC-135 evaluation to compare combinations of arm hole interfaces and foot restraints (flexible arm holes were better than rigid ports for repetitive fine manipulation tasks). Posture analysis revealed that the smallest and tallest subjects assumed similar postures at all four configurations, suggesting that problematic postures are not necessarily a function of the operator s height but a function of the task characteristics. There was concern that the subjects were using the restrictive nature of the GBX s cuffs as an upper-body restraint to achieve such high forces, which might lead to neck/shoulder discomfort. EMG data revealed more consistent muscle performance at the GBX; the variability in the EMG profiles observed at the GPWS was attributed to the subjects attempts to provide more stabilization for themselves in the loose, flexible gauntlets. Tests revealed that the GBX should be designed for a 95 percentile American male to accommodate a neutral working posture. In addition, the foot restraint with knee support appeared beneficial for GBX operations. Crew comments were to provide 2 foot restraint mechanical modes, loose and lock-down, to accommodate a wide range of tasks without egressing the restraint system. Thus far, we have developed preliminary design guidelines for GBXs and foot.

Whitmore, Mihriban↗
NASA NTRS2005

AOCS Performance and Stability Validation for a 160-m Solar Sail with Control-Structure Interactions

Future solar sail missions, such as NASA's Solar Polar Imager Vision, will require sails with dimensions on the order of 50-500 m. We are examining a square sail design with moving mass (trim control mass, TCM) and quadrant rotation primary actuators plus pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs) at the mast tips for backup attitude control. Quadrant rotation is achieved via roll stabilizer bars (RSB) at the mast tips. At these sizes, given the gossamer nature of the sail supporting structures, flexible modes may be low enough to interact with the control system, especially as these actuators are located on the flexible structure itself and not on the rigid core. This paper develops a practical analysis of the flexible interactions using state-space systems and modal data from finite element models of the system. Torsion and bending of the masts during maneuvers could significantly affect the function of the actuators while activation of the membrane modes could adversely affect the thrust vector direction and magnitude. Analysis of the RSB and TCM dynamics for developing high-fidelity simulations is included. For control analysis of the flexible system, standard finite-element models of the flexible sail body are loaded and the modal data is used to create a modal coordinate state-space system. Key parameters include which modes to include, which nodes are of interest for force inputs and displacement outputs, connecting nodes through which external forces and torques are applied from the flex body to the core, any nominal momentum in the system, and any steady rates. The system is linearized about the nominal attitude and rate. The state-space plant can then be analyzed with a state-space controller, and Bode, Nyquist, step and impulse responses generated. The approach is general for any rigid core with a flexible appendage. This paper develops a compensator for a simple two-mass flex system and extrapolates the results to the solar sail. A finite element model of the 20 m solar sail by ATK Space Systems, recently validated in ground tests, is used to demonstrate the sail analysis approach.

Wie, Bong↗
NASA NTRS1978

A method for predicting full scale buffet response with rigid wind tunnel model fluctuating pressure data. Volume 1: Prediction method development and assessment

The method requires unsteady aerodynamic forces, natural airplane modes, and the measured pressure data as input. A gust response computer program is used to calculate buffet response due to the forcing function posed by the measured pressure data. By calculating both symmetric and antisymmetric solutions, upper and lower bounds on full-scale buffet response are formed. Comparisons of predictions with flight test results are made and the effects of horizontal tail loads and static aeroelasticity are shown. Discussions are also presented on the effects of primary wing torsion modes, chordwise and spanwise phase angles, and altitude.

Cunningham, A. M., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Single Ru Atoms Stabilized by Hybrid Amorphous/Crystalline FeCoNi Layered Double Hydroxide for Ultraefficient Oxygen Evolution

Abstract In view of the sluggish kinetics suppressing the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), developing efficient and robust OER catalysts is urgent and essential for developing efficient energy conversion technologies. Herein, hybrid amorphous/crystalline FeCoNi layered double hydroxide (LDH)‐supported single Ru atoms (Ru SAs/AC‐FeCoNi) are developed for enabling a highly efficient electrocatalytic OER. The amorphous outer layer in Ru SAs/AC‐FeCoNi is composed of abundant defect sites and unsaturated coordination sites, which can serve as anchoring sites to stabilize single Ru atoms. The crystalline inner has a highly symmetric rigid structure, thereby strengthening the stability of support for a long‐lasting OER. The synergistic effects endow this hybrid catalyst with extremely low overpotential (205 mV at 10 mA cm −2 ). Density functional theory calculation indicates that single Ru atoms stabilized by hybrid amorphous/crystalline FeCoNi LDH facilitate the formation of Ru–O* (rate‐determining step), thus accelerating the OER process.

Hu, Yidong↗
DOE OSTI2017

Integrable Motions of a Pendulum in a Two-Dimensional Plane

In this paper, we examine new cases of integrability of dynamical systems on the tangent bundle to a low-dimensional sphere, including flat dynamical systems that describe a rigid body in a nonconservative force field. The problems studied are described by dynamical systems with variable dissipation with zero mean. We detect cases of integrability of equations of motion in transcendental functions (in terms of classification of singularity) that are expressed through finite combinations of elementary functions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Low-Dimensional and Multi-Dimensional Pendulums in Nonconservative Fields. Part 1

In this review, we discuss new cases of integrable systems on the tangent bundles of finitedimensional spheres. Such systems appear in the dynamics of multidimensional rigid bodies in nonconservative fields. These problems are described by systems with variable dissipation with zero mean. We found several new cases of integrability of equations of motion in terms of transcendental functions (in the sense of the classification of singularities) that can be expressed as finite combinations of elementary functions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

Hydrokinetic Power Conversion Using Vortex-Induced Oscillation with Cubic Restoring Force

A cubic-spring restoring function with high-deformation stiffening is introduced to passively improve the harnessed marine hydrokinetic power by using flow-induced oscillations/vibrations (FIO/V) of a cylinder. In these FIO/V experiments, a smooth, rigid, single-cylinder on elastic end-supports is tested at Reynolds numbers ranging from 24,000 < Re < 120,000. The parameters of the tested current energy converter (CEC) are cubic stiffness and linear damping. Using the second generation of digital virtual spring-damping (Vck) controller developed by the Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory (MRELab), the cubic modeling of the oscillator stiffness is tested. Experimental results show the influence of the parameter variation on the amplitude, frequency, energy conversion, energy efficiency, and power of the converter. All experiments are conducted in the low turbulence-free surface water (LTFSW) channel of the MRELab of the University of Michigan. The main conclusions are: (1) The nonlinearity in the cubic oscillator is an effective way to extend the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) upper branch, which results in higher harnessing power and efficiency compared to the linear stiffness cylinder converter. (2) Compared to the linear converter, the overall power increase is substantial. The nonlinear power optimum, occurring at the end of the VIV upper branch, is 63% higher than its linear counterpart. (3) The cubic stiffness converter with low harnessing damping achieves consistently good performance in all the VIV regions because of the hardening restoring force, especially at higher flow velocity.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1974

The modulation of low energy galactic cosmic rays

It has been clearly established by several different experiments that following the last solar maximum (about 1969), there was a significant phase lag or hysteresis effect between changes in the low rigidity galactic cosmic rays and the high rigidity components. It was possible to explain this in terms of the diffusion-convection-modulation theory by varying either the diffusion coefficient or the size of the modulation region as a function of time. During the ensuing recovery phase of the solar modulated spectra, at the mid point toward the minimum of the solar activity, new striking features have been observed, and these new observations are discussed.

Van Hollebeke, M. A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Hydrogen interactions with metals

Review of the literature on the nature and extent of hydrogen interactions with metals and the role of hydrogen in metal failure. The classification of hydrogen-containing systems is discussed, including such categories as covalent hydrides, volatile hydrides, polymeric hydrides, and transition metal hydride complexes. The use of electronegativity as a correlating parameter in determining hydride type is evaluated. A detailed study is made of the thermodynamics of metal-hydrogen systems, touching upon such aspects as hydrogen solubility, the positions occupied by hydrogen atoms within the solvent metal lattice, the derivation of thermodynamic functions of solid solutions from solubility data, and the construction of statistical models for hydrogen-metal solutions. A number of theories of hydrogen-metal bonding are reviewed, including the rigid-band model, the screened-proton model, and an approach employing the augmented plane wave method to solve the one-electron energy band problem. Finally, the mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement is investigated on the basis of literature data concerning stress effects and the kinetics of hydrogen transport to critical sites.

Mclellan, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Stability Analysis for Constrained Principal Axis Slew Maneuvers

This paper addresses the problem of reorienting a rigid spacecraft from arbitrary initial conditions to prescribed final conditions with zero angular velocity. The control law analyzed is based on quaternion feedback and leaves the user to choose two gains as functions of position, angular rate, and time. For arbitrary initial states, conditions on the controller gains are identified that guarantee global asymptotic stability. For the special case of rest-to-rest reorientations, the control law reduces to earlier results involving a principal axis rotation. The paper also addresses slew rate constraints, both, in terms of the two and infinity norms.

Seywald, Hans↗
NASA NTRS1989

Cross correlation and length scales in turbulent flows near surfaces

Two kinds of length scales are used in turbulent flows; 'functional length scales' such as mixing length, dissipation length L(sub epsilon), etc., and 'flow-field length scales' derived from cross correlations of velocity, pressure, etc. in the flow. Some connection between these scales are derived here. We first consider the cross correlation R(sub vv)(y,y(sub 1)) of the normal components u at two heights y, y(sub 1) above a rigid surface, normalized by the velocity y(sub 1) (greater than y). For shear-free boundary layers it is found theoretically, and in field and numerical experiments that R(sub vv) approximately equals y/y(sub 1). For shear layers it is also found that R(sub vv) approximately equals f(y/y(sub 1)) less than or equal to y,y(sub 1). This function f differs slightly between low Reynolds number numerical simulations and field experiments. The lateral structure defined by R(sub vv)(y,r(sub 3); y(sub 1),0) is also self similar and shows that the eddies centered at about y(sub 1) appear to have constant lateral width a(sub 3) above and below y(sub 1), where a(sub 3, sup +) approximately equals 7+1/(1.4dU(sup +)/dy(sup +)), when normalized on u(sub *) and v, where U is the mean velocity. Results for L(sub epsilon, sup -1) from direct numerical simulation are found to compare well with the formula L(sub epsilon, sup -1) = A(sub B)/y + A(sub S)dU/dy/v, for unidirectional and reversing turbulent boundary layers and channel flow, except near where dU/dy approximately equals 0. The conclusion is that the large-scale eddy structure and length scales in these flows are determined by a combination of shear and blocking, and that the vertical component of turbulence has a self-similar structure in both kinds of boundary layer.

Hunt, J. C. R.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Enhancing Electrophoretic Display Lifetime: Thiol-Polybutadiene Evaporation Barrier Property Response to Network Microstructure

An evaporation barrier is required to enhance the lifetime of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) displays. As EPD functions on the basis of reversible deposition and resuspension of colloids suspended in a solvent, evaporation of the solvent ultimately leads to device failure. Incorporation of a thiol-polybutadiene elastomer into EPD displays enabled display lifetime surpassing six months in counting and catalyzed rigid display transition into a flexible package. Final flexible display transition to mass production compels an electronic-ink approach to encapsulate display suspension within an elastomer shell. Final thiol-polybutadiene photosensitive resin network microstructure was idealized to be dense, homogeneous, and expose an elastic response to deformation. Research at hand details an approach to understanding microstructural change within display elastomers. Polybutadiene-based resin properties are modified via polymer chain structure, with and without added aromatic urethane methacrylate difunctionality, and in measuring network response to variation in thiol and initiator concentration. Dynamic mechanical analysis results signify that cross-linked segments within a difunctionalized polybutadiene network were on average eight times more elastically active than that of linked segments within a non-functionalized polybutadiene network. Difunctionalized polybutadiene samples also showed a 2.5 times greater maximum elastic modulus than non-functionalized samples. Hybrid polymer composed of both polybutadiene chains encompassed TE-2000 stiffness and B-1000 elasticity for use in encapsulating display suspension. Later experiments measured kinetic and rheological response due to alteration in dithiol cross-linker chain length via real time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and real-time dynamic rheology. Distinct differences were discovered between dithiol resin systems, as maximum thiol conversion achieved in short and long chain length dithiols was 86% and 11%, respectively. Oscillatory real-time rheological experiments confirmed a more uniform network to better dissipate applied shear in short chain length dithiol systems, as long chain length dithiols relayed a steep internal stress build-up due to less cross-links and chain entanglements. Thorough understanding of network formation aids the production of a stronger and impermeable elastomeric barrier for preservation of EPD displays.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Six Degrees of Freedom (6DOF) Simulations of Supersonic Fragment Trajectories

In this report a process using existing technologies at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to simulate the six degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) trajectories of explosive fragments is described and tested. First, aerodynamic forces and moments as functions of orientation are computed using the SIERRA/Aero supersonic flow solver. The forces and moments are normalized and tabulated in a database. Second, this the aerodynamic coefficient database is imported into a 6DOF rigid body dynamics solver in order to compute the resulting trajectories. The supersonic flow simulations are tested for simple geometries and show good agreement with literature values. The simulation procedure is then demonstrated for an example fragment. The results of the example fragment indicate that the distance traveled in the early ight (from 2.5 km/s until decreasing down to 1 km/s) varies widely depending on the initial orientations. The fragment trajectory distribution and steady tumbling rate is explored. The study indicates that a 6DOF analysis will yield information about a spread of possible trajectories, while using an average drag coefficient can only represent the most likely trajectory.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗