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At least 397 records · Page 22

Effects of g-Jitter on Diffusion in Binary Liquids

The microgravity environment offers the potential to measure the binary diffusion coefficients in liquids without the masking effects introduced by buoyancy-induced flows due to Earth s gravity. However, the background g-jitter (vibrations from the shuttle, onboard machinery, and crew) normally encountered in many shuttle experiments may alter the benefits of the microgravity environment and introduce vibrations that could offset its intrinsic advantages. An experiment during STS-85 (August 1997) used the Microgravity Vibration Isolation Mount (MIM) to isolate and introduce controlled vibrations to two miscible liquids inside a cavity to study the effects of g-jitter on liquid diffusion. Diffusion in a nonhomogeneous liquid system is caused by a nonequilibrium condition that results in the transport of mass (dispersion of the different kinds of liquid molecules) to approach equilibrium. The dynamic state of the system tends toward equilibrium such that the system becomes homogeneous. An everyday example is the mixing of cream and coffee (a nonhomogeneous system) via stirring. The cream diffuses into the coffee, thus forming a homogeneous system. At equilibrium the system is said to be mixed. However, during stirring, simple observations show complex flow field dynamics-stretching and folding of material interfaces, thinning of striation thickness, self-similar patterns, and so on. This example illustrates that, even though mixing occurs via mass diffusion, stirring to enhance transport plays a major role. Stirring can be induced either by mechanical means (spoon or plastic stirrer) or via buoyancy-induced forces caused by Earth s gravity. Accurate measurements of binary diffusion coefficients are often inhibited by buoyancy-induced flows. The microgravity environment minimizes the effect of buoyancy-induced flows and allows the true diffusion limit to be achieved. One goal of this experiment was to show that the microgravity environment suppresses buoyancy-induced convection, thereby mass diffusion becomes the dominant mechanism for transport. Since g-jitter transmitted by the shuttle to the experiment can potentially excite buoyancy-induced flows, we also studied the effects of controlled vibrations on the system.

Duval, Walter M. B.↗

A programing system for research and applications in structural optimization

The paper describes a computer programming system designed to be used for methodology research as well as applications in structural optimization. The flexibility necessary for such diverse utilizations is achieved by combining, in a modular manner, a state-of-the-art optimization program, a production level structural analysis program, and user supplied and problem dependent interface programs. Standard utility capabilities existing in modern computer operating systems are used to integrate these programs. This approach results in flexibility of the optimization procedure organization and versatility in the formulation of contraints and design variables. Features shown in numerical examples include: (1) variability of structural layout and overall shape geometry, (2) static strength and stiffness constraints, (3) local buckling failure, and (4) vibration constraints. The paper concludes with a review of the further development trends of this programing system.

Sobieszczanski-Sobieski, J.↗

Second Harmonic Generation Electric Field Triplet Interferometry for Absolute Phasing

We report second harmonic generation (SHG) electric field triplet interferometry performed using three mutually coherent ultrafast pulses in a common path with controllable relative phases, namely, the light fields of a sample signal (SI), a reference oscillator (RO), and a local oscillator (LO). The ROLO phase determined from the interference of the light fields produced by two quartz wafers is subtracted from the phase determined from the SIROLO interferogram to yield the signal phase, ϕ SI . The new method also calibrates the measured SHG intensity from a given sample internally by sending the fundamental light field reflected from the sample into one of the quartz wafers in the ROLO element. The approach avoids having to exchange the sample against a reference material with a known χ(2) value or known phase and accounts on-the-fly for situations where the reflected fundamental light field intensity changes with experimental conditions. The new method is successfully benchmarked against z-cut α-quartz, fused silica held at its point of zero charge, and hematite nanolayers in air, across three different interferometers. Furthermore, the approach should be applicable for other second-order nonlinear spectroscopies, such as vibrational or electronic sum-frequency generation.

Interfaces↗

Impeller leakage flow modeling for mechanical vibration control

HPOTP and HPFTP vibration test results have exhibited transient and steady characteristics which may be due to impeller leakage path (ILP) related forces. For example, an axial shift in the rotor could suddenly change the ILP clearances and lengths yielding dynamic coefficient and subsequent vibration changes. ILP models are more complicated than conventional-single component-annular seal models due to their radial flow component (coriolis and centrifugal acceleration), complex geometry (axial/radial clearance coupling), internal boundary (transition) flow conditions between mechanical components along the ILP and longer length, requiring moment as well as force coefficients. Flow coupling between mechanical components results from mass and energy conservation applied at their interfaces. Typical components along the ILP include an inlet seal, curved shroud, and an exit seal, which may be a stepped labyrinth type. Von Pragenau (MSFC) has modeled labyrinth seals as a series of plain annular seals for leakage and dynamic coefficient prediction. These multi-tooth components increase the total number of 'flow coupled' components in the ILP. Childs developed an analysis for an ILP consisting of a single, constant clearance shroud with an exit seal represented by a lumped flow-loss coefficient. This same geometry was later extended to include compressible flow. The objective of the current work is to: supply ILP leakage-force impedance-dynamic coefficient modeling software to MSFC engineers, base on incompressible/compressible bulk flow theory; design the software to model a generic geometry ILP described by a series of components lying along an arbitrarily directed path; validate the software by comparison to available test data, CFD and bulk models; and develop a hybrid CFD-bulk flow model of an ILP to improve modeling accuracy within practical run time constraints.

Palazzolo, Alan B.↗

In Situ Infrared Spectroscopy of the Gaseous Species Present in a Diamond Chemical Vapor Deposition System

We interfaced a Hot-Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition (HFCVD) system to the emission port of an FT-IR spectrometer, in order to study the gas phase species present during the deposition of diamond thin films. The implementation of the infrared (IR) emission technique in situ allowed the study of various carbon-containing species believed to be crucial in diamond film growth. The two IR-active vibrational fundamentals of methane, v(3)(f2) and v(4)(f2), were observed at three different filament temperatures: 1000, 1500 and 2000 C. However, the net signal of v(3) was emission, while that of v(4) was absorption. These results indicate that the v(4) fundamental is excited beyond equilibrium, while the v(3) fundamental remains mostly in the ground state. This is due to the small concentration of methane, the low energy of v(4) compared to v(3) or to the Hz vibrational mode, and symmetry considerations that forbid interaction among the four fundamentals of methane. Thus, the excitation of v(3) is more likely than its decay under HFCVD conditions, producing a non-equilibrium population. At a filament temperature of 2000 C, the v(3) (sigma(+)(3)) fundamental of acetylene and a band at 1328 cm-l also ascribed to acetylene (v5 (pi(U)) + v4) appear in net absorption. This correlates well with the onset of molecular hydrogen breaking by the filament, which occurs at temperatures around 2000 C and above. The hydrogen atoms produced in this heterogeneous reaction give rise to a chain of reactions that lead to acetylene, among other carbonaceous species.

Morell, G.↗

Vibration Response Predictions for Heavy Panel Mounted Components from Panel Acreage Environment Specifications

The development of new launch vehicles in the Aerospace industry often relies on response measurements taken from previously developed vehicles during various stages of liftoff and ascent, and from wind tunnel models. These measurements include sound pressure levels, dynamic pressures in turbulent boundary layers and accelerations. Rigorous statistical scaling methods are applied to the data to derive new environments and estimate the performance of new skin panel structures. Scaling methods have proven to be reliable, particularly for designs similar to the vehicles used as the basis for scaling, and especially in regions of smooth acreage without exterior protuberances or heavy components mounted to the panel. To account for response attenuation of a panel-mounted component due to its apparent mass at higher frequencies, the vibroacoustics engineer often reduces the acreage vibration according to a weight ratio first suggested by Barrett. The accuracy of the reduction is reduced with increased weight of the panel-mounted component, and does not account for low-frequency amplification of the component/panel response as a system. A method is proposed that combines acreage vibration from scaling methods with finite element analysis to account for the frequency-dependent dynamics of heavy panel-mounted components. Since the acreage and mass-loaded skins respond to the same dynamic input pressure, such pressure may be eliminated in favor of a frequency-dependent scaling function applied to the acreage vibration to predict the mass-loaded panel response. The scaling function replaces the Barrett weight ratio, and contains all of the dynamic character of the loaded and unloaded skin panels. The solution simplifies for spatially uncorrelated and fully correlated input pressures. Since the prediction uses finite element models of the loaded and unloaded skins, a rich suite of response data are available to the design engineer, including interface forces, stress and strain, as well as acceleration and displacement. An extension of the method is also developed to incorporate the effect of a local protuberance near a heavy component. Acreage environments from traditional scaling methods with and without protuberance effects serve as the basis for the extension. Authors:

Harrison, Phillip↗

Prediction of Spacecraft Vibration using Acceleration and Force Envelopes

The base forces in the GLAST X- and Z-axis sine vibration tests were similar to those derived using generic inputs (from users guide and handbook), but the base forces in the sine test were generally greater than the flight data. Basedrive analyses using envelopes of flight acceleration data provided more accurate predictions of the base force than generic inputs, and as expected, using envelopes of both the flight acceleration and force provided even more accurate predictions The GLAST spacecraft interface accelerations and forces measured during the MECO transient were relatively low in the 60 to 150 Hz regime. One may expect the flight forces measured at the base of various spacecraft to be more dependent on the mass, frequencies, etc. of the spacecraft than are the corresponding interface acceleration data, which may depend more on the launch vehicle configuration.

Gordon, Scott↗

Propeller modelling effects on interior noise in cylindrical cavities with application to active control

The coupling of a vibrating finite elastic cylinder and its interior cavity, closed with rigid end caps, is examined. Results are presented for several types of excitation including a point force, a single external acoustic monopole, and an array of external monopoles. Modal spectra are examined for a frequency range typical of the harmonic noise produced by advanced turbo-props. The effect of frequency and source distribution on modal content is presented. Significant interface modal filtering, which would have a beneficial impact on an active system for reducing interior noise, was found to occur for all cases. Some preliminary experimental data for a stiffened, composite cylinder are presented and discussed.

Silcox, R. J.↗

Ruggedizing a Commercial Depth Camera for Novel Lunar Exploration.

The novel contribution of this instrument is to take the first depth images on the moon. A commercial Kinect camera from Microsoft has been ruggedized for a CLPS mission to the Lunar South Pole. The 12-megapixel color camera is combined with a 1-megapixel color time-of-flight (ToF) depth sensor. The solid-state depth sensor/LIDAR provides greater resolution, a wider field of view, pixel binning, and reduced power consumption. The high-resolution data collected from the mission can be used to construct a near-field virtual environment of the lunar surface for scientific applications. The depth camera can provide a 360-degree view of the target area by combining ToF data with RGB imagery and rover turning. The unit was evaluated for space flight compliant materials and parts at NASA Ames. The microphone array, RF shield, front face, and outer body parts were removed to reduce mass. Plastic parts were replaced with vacuum-compatible materials; manufactured cables were added to properly interface with the host rover, built by Lunar Outpost. The environmental testing was performed on the Kinect with Random Vibration/Sine Testing (Fig 1a), per GEVS (NASA’s General Environmental Verification Standard for spaceflight launch survival). Thermal Vacuum testing cycled the instrument between expected hot (+ 85 C) and cold survival temperatures, as well as +50 C and -25 C operational temps (Fig 1b). The instrument functioned nominally at the conclusion of vibration and thermal cycling tests. The Azure Kinect is manifested on the Nova-C lander which flies on the Intuitive Machines mission IM-2, landing at the lunar south pole for a mission duration of 14 days (one lunar daylight cycle). The unit will be integrated to the MAPP (Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform) rover at Lunar Outpost. The Azure Kinect with ToF feature will improve the resolution of lunar geology data near the south pole and enable ground-based VR experience of details of the lunar surface (Fig 1c).

V. Jha↗

Vibration and Acoustic Test Facility (VATF): User Test Planning Guide

Test process, milestones and inputs are unknowns to first-time users of the VATF. The User Test Planning Guide aids in establishing expectations for both NASA and non-NASA facility customers. The potential audience for this guide includes both internal and commercial spaceflight hardware/software developers. It is intended to assist their test engineering personnel in test planning and execution. Material covered includes a roadmap of the test process, roles and responsibilities of facility and user, major milestones, facility capabilities, and inputs required by the facility. Samples of deliverables, test article interfaces, and inputs necessary to define test scope, cost, and schedule are included as an appendix to the guide.

Fantasia, Peter M.↗

Miniaturized Airborne Imaging Central Server System

In recent years, some remote-sensing applications require advanced airborne multi-sensor systems to provide high performance reflective and emissive spectral imaging measurement rapidly over large areas. The key or unique problem of characteristics is associated with a black box back-end system that operates a suite of cutting-edge imaging sensors to collect simultaneously the high throughput reflective and emissive spectral imaging data with precision georeference. This back-end system needs to be portable, easy-to-use, and reliable with advanced onboard processing. The innovation of the black box backend is a miniaturized airborne imaging central server system (MAICSS). MAICSS integrates a complex embedded system of systems with dedicated power and signal electronic circuits inside to serve a suite of configurable cutting-edge electro- optical (EO), long-wave infrared (LWIR), and medium-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras, a hyperspectral imaging scanner, and a GPS and inertial measurement unit (IMU) for atmospheric and surface remote sensing. Its compatible sensor packages include NASA s 1,024 1,024 pixel LWIR quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) imager; a 60.5 megapixel BuckEye EO camera; and a fast (e.g. 200+ scanlines/s) and wide swath-width (e.g., 1,920+ pixels) CCD/InGaAs imager-based visible/near infrared reflectance (VNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging spectrometer. MAICSS records continuous precision georeferenced and time-tagged multisensor throughputs to mass storage devices at a high aggregate rate, typically 60 MB/s for its LWIR/EO payload. MAICSS is a complete stand-alone imaging server instrument with an easy-to-use software package for either autonomous data collection or interactive airborne operation. Advanced multisensor data acquisition and onboard processing software features have been implemented for MAICSS. With the onboard processing for real time image development, correction, histogram-equalization, compression, georeference, and data organization, fast aerial imaging applications, including the real time LWIR image mosaic for Google Earth, have been realized for NASA fs LWIR QWIP instrument. MAICSS is a significant improvement and miniaturization of current multisensor technologies. Structurally, it has a complete modular and solid-state design. Without rotating hard drives and other moving parts, it is operational at high altitudes and survivable in high-vibration environments. It is assembled from a suite of miniaturized, precision-machined, standardized, and stackable interchangeable embedded instrument modules. These stackable modules can be bolted together with the interconnection wires inside for the maximal simplicity and portability. Multiple modules are electronically interconnected as stacked. Alternatively, these dedicated modules can be flexibly distributed to fit the space constraints of a flying vehicle. As a flexibly configurable system, MAICSS can be tailored to interface a variety of multisensor packages. For example, with a 1,024x1,024 pixel LWIR and a 8,984x6,732 pixel EO payload, the complete MAICSS volume is approximately 7x9x11 in. (=18x23x28 cm), with a weight of 25 lb (=11.4 kg).

Sun, Xiuhong↗

Software For A Laser Vibrometer

Vibration Pattern Imager (VPI) system and software designed to control and acquire data from laser vibrometer sensors. Based on personal computer, includes digital signal-processing (DSP) board and analog input/output (I/O) circuit board to control sensors and process data. Originally developed for use with Ometron VPI Sensor, adapted to any commercially available sensor that provides analog output signal and requires analog inputs for control of mirror position. VPI system includes graphical user interface providing for interactive control through keyboard and mouse-selected menu options. Main menu controls all functions for setup, acquisition of data, display, file operations, and leaving program. Two types of data acquired with system: single point or "full field". Written in C language and Texas Instrument' TMS320C30 assembly language.

Rizzi, Stephen A.↗

g-LIMIT: A Vibration Isolation System for the Microgravity Science Glovebox

For many microgravity science experiments using the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), the ambient acceleration environment will exceed desirable levels. To provide a more quiescent acceleration environment, a vibration isolation system named g-LIMIT (GLovebox Integrated Microgravity Isolation Technology) is being designed. g-LIMIT is the next generation of technology developed for and demonstrated by STABLE on the USML-2 mission in October 1995. Although g-LIMIT is a sub-rack level isolation system that can be used in a variety of applications, g-LIMIT is uniquely optimized for MSG implementation. Standard MSG structural and umbilical interfaces will be used so that the isolation mount is transparent to the user with no additional accommodation requirements. g-LIMIT consists of three integrated isolator modules, each of which is comprised of a dual axis actuator, two axes of acceleration sensing, two axes of position sensing, control electronics, and data transmission capabilities in a minimum-volume package. In addition, this system provides the unique capability for measuring absolute acceleration of the experiment independent of accelerometers as a by-product of the control system and will have the capability of generating pristine accelerations to enhance experiment operations. g-LIMIT is scheduled for flight during the UF-2 mission and will be available to glovebox investigators immediately after characterization testing.

Whorton, Mark S.↗

Hybrid Residual Flexibility/Mass-Additive Method for Structural Dynamic Testing

A large fixture was designed and constructed for modal vibration testing of International Space Station elements. This fixed-base test fixture, which weighs thousands of pounds and is anchored to a massive concrete floor, initially utilized spherical bearings and pendulum mechanisms to simulate Shuttle orbiter boundary constraints for launch of the hardware. Many difficulties were encountered during a checkout test of the common module prototype structure, mainly due to undesirable friction and excessive clearances in the test-article-to-fixture interface bearings. Measured mode shapes and frequencies were not representative of orbiter-constrained modes due to the friction and clearance effects in the bearings. As a result, a major redesign effort for the interface mechanisms was undertaken. The total cost of the fixture design, construction and checkout, and redesign was over $2 million. Because of the problems experienced with fixed-base testing, alternative free-suspension methods were studied, including the residual flexibility and mass-additive approaches. Free-suspension structural dynamics test methods utilize soft elastic bungee cords and overhead frame suspension systems that are less complex and much less expensive than fixed-base systems. The cost of free-suspension fixturing is on the order of tens of thousands of dollars as opposed to millions, for large fixed-base fixturing. In addition, free-suspension test configurations are portable, allowing modal tests to be done at sites without modal test facilities. For example, a mass-additive modal test of the ASTRO-1 Shuttle payload was done at the Kennedy Space Center launch site. In this Technical Memorandum, the mass-additive and residual flexibility test methods are described in detail. A discussion of a hybrid approach that combines the best characteristics of each method follows and is the focus of the study.

Tinker, M. L.↗

CFD Model Development of a Cryogenic Storage Tank Self-Pressurization in Normal Gravity and Validation against SHIIVER Experiment

Two-Phase flow and heat transfer simulations with interfacial phase change of the Structural Heat Intercept, Insulation, and Vibration Evaluation Rig (SHIIVER) self-pressurization experiment were conducted using storage tank CFD model in the framework of the ANSYS Fluent CFD code. The simulations were performed for the 70% fill level case with MLI on domes and no vapor cooling. All the phase change calculations in these simulations were generated by in-house Schrage-based evaporation-condensation model. The calculations were performed using both the VOF and Sharp Interface multiphase 2Daxisymmetric models. A number of parametric and sensitivity studies were performed to check the various aspects of the CFD model. These studies helped to understand the effects of varying several parameters on the tank pressure and temperature during self-pressurization. These parameters include: the effect of turbulence modeling and turbulence damping at the interface; the effect of constant vs. temperature dependent fluid properties; the effect of accommodation coefficient; the effect of modeling phase change at the interface and the effect of the fill level.

Computational Fluid Dynamics↗

UNLOQ: UNderstanding coherence in Light-matter interfaces for Quantum Science (Final Technical Report)

The general goal of this project is to prepare next-generation quantum systems for novel quantum information science applications. Decades of research on quantum optics have provided revolutionary systems for manipulating atomic and photonic quantum coherence in transformative ways. Our hypothesis is that the next-generation quantum systems will come from nano-molecular quantum optics. Specifically, we are interested in coupling the electronic states of molecules or nanoparticles to the quantized radiation field inside an optical cavity to create a set of new photon-matter hybrid excitations, called polaritons. As opposed to atoms, the vibrational modes of molecules and nanoparticles provide new degrees of freedom to mediate the quantum transduction between electronic and photonic states, offering new ways to tune and ultimately control the quantum coherence of the integrated system. In this project we are interested in designing, fabricating, and characterizing the polaritons that arise from coupling CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs) to a Fabry-Pérot optical cavity. Specific attention was paid to parameters of the system (cavity mode volume, quality factor, etc.) that would maximize the collective coupling strength. Through a combined theoretical and experimental approach, we were able to make important contributions to understanding NPL exciton-polariton photophysics including how to use cavity loss as a tunable parameter in order to manipulate the populations of the upper and lower polariton states. Finally, using state-of-the-art theoretical methods, we were able to show how the collective coupling of many molecular excitons in a cavity can protect polariton coherence from vibrationally-induced decoherence. In particular, for NPL-cavity polaritonic systems, the quantum coherence can be extended by over an order of magnitude at room temperature.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Computational Study of Indium Oxide Photoelectrodes

Using a combination of first-principles molecular dynamics simulations and electronic structure calculations, we characterize the atomistic structure and vibrational properties of a photocatalytic surface of In 2 O 3 , a promising photoelectrode for the production of hydrogen peroxide. We then investigate the surface in contact with water and show that the electronic states of In 2 O 3 are appropriately positioned in energy to facilitate the two-electron water oxidation reaction (WOR) over the competing four-electron oxygen evolution reaction. In conclusion, we further propose that the use of strained thin films interfaced with water is beneficial in decreasing the optical gap of In 2 O 3 and thus in utilizing a wider portion of the solar spectrum for the WOR.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sloshing dynamics on rotating helium dewar tank

The generalized mathematical formulation of sloshing dynamics for partially filled liquid of cryogenic superfluid helium II in dewar containers driven by both the gravity gradient and jitter accelerations applicable to scientific spacecraft which is eligible to carry out spinning motion and/or slew motion for the purpose to perform scientific observation during the normal spacecraft operation are investigated. An example is given with Gravity Probe-B (GP-B) spacecraft which is responsible for the sloshing dynamics. The jitter accelerations include slew motion, spinning motion, atmospheric drag on the spacecraft, spacecraft attitude motions arising from machinery vibrations, thruster firing, pointing control of spacecraft, crew motion, etc. Explicit mathematical expressions to cover these forces acting on the spacecraft fluid systems are derived. The numerical computation of sloshing dynamics were based on the non-inertia frame spacecraft bound coordinate, and solve time dependent, three-dimensional formulations of partial differential equations subject to initial and boundary conditions. The explicit mathematical expressions of boundary conditions to cover capillary force effect on the liquid vapor interface in microgravity environments are also derived. The formulations of fluid moment and angular moment fluctuations in fluid profiles induced by the sloshing dynamics, together with fluid stress and moment fluctuations exerted on the spacecraft dewar containers were derived. Results were widely published in the open journals.

Hung, R. J.↗