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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

The three-dimensional structure of cumulus clouds over the ocean. 1: Structural analysis

Thermal channel (channel 6, 10.4-12.5 micrometers) images of five Landsat thematic mapper cumulus scenes over the ocean are examined. These images are thresholded using the standard International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) thermal threshold algorithm. The individual clouds in the cloud fields are segmented to obtain their structural statistics which include size distribution, orientation angle, horizontal aspect ratio, and perimeter-to-area (PtA) relationship. The cloud size distributions exhibit a double power law with the smaller clouds having a smaller absolute exponent. The cloud orientation angles, horizontal aspect ratios, and PtA exponents are found in good agreement with earlier studies. A technique also is developed to recognize individual cells within a cloud so that statistics of cloud cellular structure can be obtained. Cell structural statistics are computed for each cloud. Unicellular clouds are generally smaller (less than or equal to 1 km) and have smaller PtA exponents, while multicellular clouds are larger (greater than or equal to 1 km) and have larger PtA exponents. Cell structural statistics are similar to those of the smaller clouds. When each cell is approximated as a quadric surface using a linear least squares fit, most cells have the shape of a hyperboloid of one sheet, but about 15% of the cells are best modeled by a hyperboloid of two sheets. Less than 1% of the clouds are ellipsoidal. The number of cells in a cloud increases slightly faster than linearly with increasing cloud size. The mean nearest neighbor distance between cells in a cloud, however, appears to increase linearly with increasing cloud size and to reach a maximum when the cloud effective diameter is about 10 km; then it decreases with increasing cloud size. Sensitivity studies of threshold and lapse rate show that neither has a significant impact upon the results. A goodness-of-fit ratio is used to provide a quantitative measure of the individual cloud results. Significantly improved results are obtained after applying a smoothing operator, suggesting the eliminating subresolution scale variations with higher spatial resolution may yield even better shape analyses.

Kuo, Kwo-Sen↗
DOE OSTI2025

A structural analysis of ordered Cs3Sb films grown on single crystal graphene and silicon carbide substrates

Alkali antimonides are well established as high efficiency, low intrinsic emittance photocathodes for accelerators and photon detectors. However, conventionally grown alkali antimonide films are polycrystalline with surface disorder and roughness that can limit achievable beam brightness. Ordering the crystalline structure of alkali antimonides has the potential to deliver higher brightness electron beams by reducing surface disorder and enabling the engineering of material properties at the level of atomic layers. In this report, we demonstrate the growth of ordered Cs3Sb films on single crystal substrates 3C-SiC and graphene-coated 4H-SiC using pulsed laser deposition and conventional thermal evaporation growth techniques. The crystalline structures of the Cs3Sb films were examined using reflection high energy electron diffraction and x-ray diffraction diagnostics, while film thickness and roughness estimates were made using x-ray reflectivity. With these tools, we observed ordered domains in less than 10 nm thick films with quantum efficiencies greater than 1% at 530 nm. Moreover, we identify structural features such as Laue oscillations indicative of highly ordered films. We found that Cs3Sb films grew with flat, fiber-textured surfaces on 3C-SiC and with multiple ordered domains and sub-nanometer surface roughness on graphene-coated 4H-SiC under our growth conditions. We identify the crystallographic orientations of Cs3Sb grown on graphene-coated 4H-SiC substrates and discuss the significance of examining the crystal structure of these films for growing epitaxial heterostructures in future experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Mass spectrometry structural analysis of intrinsically disordered phosphoproteins

Phosphorylation is a ubiquitous protein modification that is known to play important roles in many biological phenomena including cell signaling, the opening and closing of membrane protein channels, and even triggering of amyloid protein aggregation. Despite the effects phosphorylation has on protein function, the impact phosphorylation has on the structure of proteins is not well understood. Here, to determine how phosphorylation affects the structure of proteins, top-down mass spectrometry (TD-MS) and ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) were performed on various phosphorylated proteins and their dephosphorylated proteoforms. TD-MS with collision- and electron-based fragmentation techniques was utilized to locate phosphorylation sites on the intrinsically disordered amyloid proteins β-casein and α-synuclein. TD-MS also provided evidence that alkaline phosphatase dephosphorylates β-casein from the N-terminus to the C-terminus. Furthermore, IM-MS of common phosphorylated proteins such as β-casein, α-casein, ovalbumin, and phosvitin indicates that phosphorylation promotes compaction of protein structure in denaturing as well as native conditions. Increases in abundance of more compact conformers are also observed when the disease related amyloid protein α-synuclein is phosphorylated at serine 129. We interpret the increased abundance of more compact conformers when proteins are phosphorylated as evidence that salt bridges form between negatively charged phosphates and positively charged residues, which alters protein structure. Salt bridge formation due to phosphorylation could be a mechanism for regulating protein function and be responsible for many of the phenomena observed in nature.

Amyloid proteins↗
NASA NTRS2019

Structural Analysis Methods for the Roll-Out Solar Array Flight Experiment

The Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) flight experiment was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 3rd, 2017. ROSA is an innovative, lightweight solar array with a flexible substrate that makes use of the stored strain energy in its composite structural members to provide deployment without the use of motors. This paper discusses the effort to model the structural dynamics of ROSA using finite element modeling. Two distinct and agnostic approaches were used by separate teams to assess the structural dynamics of the solar array prior to ground vibrational testing and flight testing. Results from each approach are compared to measured dynamics from accelerometers and photogrammetry data gathered on orbit. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach are discussed as are preliminary efforts to calibrate the models to the empirical data for the benefit of future modeling efforts on similar space structures.

Chamberlain, Matthew K.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Structural Analysis and Performance-Based Validation of a Composite Wing Spar

Electric-motor powered aircraft possess the ability to operate with efficient energy delivery, but lack the operational range of internal combustion engine powered aircraft. This range limitation requires the use of high aspect ratio, thin-chord wings to minimize aerodynamic drag losses, which results in highly loaded composite spar structures. High aspect ratio wings are required to increase mission durations for a NASA-developed experimental multi-rotor electric powered aircraft denoted as the Scalable Convergent Electric Propulsion Technology and Operations Research (SCEPTOR) or “X-57”. This paper examines the structural performance of the composite main wing spars to validate spar strength using ply-based laminate finite element methods. Geometric scaling of a main spar test-section was initially proposed for proof-testing but sacrificed stability. Ply-based structures modeling with local structural features was implemented as a risk-reduction methodology. Ply-based modeling was selected to augment the conventional “building block” approach to reduce risk, and leverage a “performance-based” approval processes encouraged in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design guidance. Therefore, ply-based laminate modeling of the full-scale main spar and forward spar shear-web attachments were subsequently undertaken to determine load path complexity with predicted flight loads. Ply-based modeling included stress concentrations and interlaminate behavior at interface locations that can be obscured in traditional finite element sizing models. Analysis of the wing spar laminate ply-based models compared with bearing test coupon performance was used to reduce future wing assembly proof-testing burden and facilitate performance-based flight hardware safety for the X-57 experimental aircraft.

Moore, James B.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Structural analysis of extracellular ATP-independent chaperones of streptococcal species and protein substrate interactions

ABSTRACT During infection, bacterial pathogens rely on secreted virulence factors to manipulate the host cell. However, in gram-positive bacteria, the molecular mechanisms underlying the folding and activity of these virulence factors after membrane translocation are not clear. Here, we solved the protein structures of two secreted parvulin and two secreted cyclophilin-like peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) ATP-independent chaperones found in gram-positive streptococcal species. The extracellular parvulin-type PPIase, PrsA inStreptococcus pneumoniaeandStreptococcus mutansmaintain dimeric crystal structures reminiscent of folding catalysts that consist of two domains, a PPIase and foldase domain. Structural comparison of the two cyclophilin-like extracellular chaperones fromS. pneumoniaeandStreptococcus pyogeneswith other cyclophilins demonstrates that this group of cyclophilin-like chaperones has novel structural appendages formed by 9- and 24-residue insertions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that deletion ofprsAandslrAgenes impairs the secretion of the cholesterol-dependent pore-forming toxin, pneumolysin inS. pneumoniae. Using protein pull-down and biophysical assays, we demonstrate a direct interaction between PrsA and SlrA with Ply. Then, we developed chaperone-assisted folding assays that show that theS. pneumoniaePrsA and SlrA extracellular chaperones accelerate pneumolysin folding. In addition, we demonstrate that SlrA and, for the first time,S. pyogenes PpiA exhibit PPIase activity and can bind the immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporine A. Altogether, these findings suggest a mechanistic role for streptococcal PPIase chaperones in the activity and folding of secreted virulence factors such as pneumolysin. IMPORTANCE Streptococcal species are a leading cause of lower respiratory infections that annually affect millions of people worldwide. During infection, streptococcal species secrete a medley of virulence factors that allow the bacteria to colonize and translocate to deeper tissues. In many gram-positive bacteria, virulence factors are secreted from the cytosol across the bacterial membrane in an unfolded state. The bacterial membrane-cell wall interface is exposed to the potentially harsh extracellular environment, making it difficult for native virulence factors to fold before being released into the host. ATP-independent PPIase-type chaperones, PrsA and SlrA, are thought to facilitate folding and stabilization of several unfolded proteins to promote the colonization and spread of streptococci. Here, we present crystal structures of the molecular chaperones of PrsA and SlrA homologs from streptococcal species. We provide evidence that theStreptococcus pyogenesSlrA homolog, PpiA, has PPIase activity and binds to cyclosporine A. In addition, we show thatStreptococcus pneumoniaePrsA and SlrA directly interact and fold the cholesterol-dependent pore-forming toxin and critical virulence determinant, pneumolysin.

Microbiology↗
NASA NTRS1989

Development of higher-order modal methods for transient thermal and structural analysis

A force-derivative method which produces higher-order modal solutions to transient problems is evaluated. These higher-order solutions converge to an accurate response using fewer degrees-of-freedom (eigenmodes) than lower-order methods such as the mode-displacement or mode-acceleration methods. Results are presented for non-proportionally damped structural problems as well as thermal problems modeled by finite elements.

Camarda, Charles J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Structural analysis of low-speed composite propfan blades for the LRCSW wind tunnel model

The Naval Weapons Center at China Lake, CA, is currently in the process of evaluating propulsion systems for the Long Range Conventional Standoff Weapons (LRCSW). At present, the Advanced Counter-Rotating Propfan system is being considered. The methodologies are documented which were used to structurally analyze the 0.55 scale CM1 composite propfan blades for the LRCSW with COBSTRAN and MSC/NASTRAN. Significant results are also reported.

Ernst, Michael A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Water vapor weathering of Taurus-Littrow orange soil - A pore-structure analysis

A pore-volume analysis was performed on water vapor adsorption data previously obtained on a fresh sample of Taurus-Littrow orange soil, and the analysis was repeated on the same sample after its exposure to moist air for a period of approximately six months. The results indicate that exposure of an outgassed sample to high relative pressures of water vapor can result in the formation of substantial micropore structure, the precise amount being dependent on the sample pretreatment, particularly the outgassing temperature. Micropore formation is explained in terms of water penetration into surface defects. In contrast, long-term exposure to moist air at low relative pressures appears to reverse the process with the elimination of micropores and enlargement of mesopores possibly through surface diffusion of metastable adsorbent material. The results are considered with reference to the storage of lunar samples.

Cadenhead, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Thermal and Structural Analysis of Helicopter Transmission Housings Using NASTRAN

The application of NASTRAN to improve the design of helicopter transmission housings is described. A finite element model of the complete forward rotor transmission housing for the Boeing Vertol CH-47C helicopter was used to study thermal distortion and stress, stress and deflection due to static and dynamic loads, load paths, and design optimization by the control of structural energy distribution. The analytical results are correlated with test data and used to reduce weight and to improve strength, service life, failsafety, and reliability. The techniques presented, although applied herein to helicopter transmissions, are sufficiently general to be applicable to any power transmission system.

Howells, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Structural analysis of stratocumulus convection

The 1 and 20 Hz data are examined from the Electra flights made on July 5, 1987. The flight legs consisted of seven horizontal turbulent legs at the inversion, midcloud, and below clouds, plus 4 soundings made within the same period. The Rosemont temperature sensor and the top and bottom dewpoint sensors were used to measure temperature and humidity at 1 Hz. Inversion structure and entrainment; local dynamics and large scale forcing; convective elements; and decoupling of cloud and subcloud are discussed in relationship to the results of the Electra flight.

Siems, S. T.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Massive compression for high data rate macromolecular crystallography (HDRMX): impact on diffraction data and subsequent structural analysis

New higher-count-rate, integrating, large-area X-ray detectors with framing rates as high as 17400 images per second are beginning to be available. These will soon be used for specialized macromolecular crystallography experiments but will require optimal lossy compression algorithms to enable systems to keep up with data throughput. Some information may be lost. Can we minimize this loss with acceptable impact on structural information? To explore this question, we have considered several approaches: summing short sequences of images, binning to create the effect of larger pixels, use of JPEG-2000 lossy wavelet-based compression, and use of Hcompress, which is a Haar-wavelet-based lossy compression borrowed from astronomy. We also explore the effect of the combination of summing, binning, and Hcompress or JPEG-2000. In each of these last two methods one can specify approximately how much one wants the result to be compressed from the starting file size. These provide particularly effective lossy compressions that retain essential information for structure solution from Bragg reflections.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1990

Thermal structural analysis of the RCC chin panel

This paper presents the design constraints, flight environments, conceptual design iterations and analytical methods used in the design and flight certification of the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) chin panel for the Space Shuttle Orbiter. A discussion of the thermal/structural response of the chin panel to the imposed environments is presented. As with all critical airframe components, it was desirable to conduct a structural test to verify design adequacy. However, with the chin panel, a meaningful test to simulate the critical thermal stresses was not considered feasible.

Bohlmann, Frank J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Finite-Element Modeling For Structural Analysis

Report presents study of finite-element mathematical modeling as used in analyzing stresses and strains at joints between thin, shell-like components (e.g., ducts) and thicker components (e.g., flanges or engine blocks). First approach uses global/local model to evaluate system. Provides correct total response and correct representation of stresses away from any discontinuities. Second approach involves development of special transition finite elements to model transitions between shells and thicker structural components.

Min, J. B.↗
DOE OSTI2024

High throughput, accurate gene annotation through AI and HPC-enabled structural analysis

With the advances in next generation sequencing technologies, the number of sequenced genomes is growing exponentially, resulting in a technology bottleneck for the translation of sequence information into usable hypotheses about the function of each gene. We have proposed leveraging our leadership high-performance computing (HPC) resources to help break this annotation bottleneck. Here we design an HPC-based framework to infer gene function from gene sequence by incorporating information about protein structure and interactions predicted by deep learning approaches. Accurate functional prediction and gene annotation using computational methods will facilitate breakthroughs in the genomic sciences essential to understanding and harnessing life processes in bacteria, fungi and plants. The development and applications of the state-of-the-art deep neural networks to protein structural modeling, interaction prediction, sequence comparison, and quality assessment of protein structural models will be made possible by leadership computational resources. These HPC-enabled bioinformatics and molecular modeling tools will provide powerful insights into molecular functions of genes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2020

Structural Analysis of Wind Tunnel Blades for the National Transonic Facility

NASA has a significant maintenance challenge with the agency’s aging wind tunnel infrastructure. Wind tunnel blades, such as the ones in the National Transonic Facility at NASA Langley Research Center, have been subjected to damage from impacts and fatigue. Accurate analytical models of these blades are necessary to either recertify replacement blades to be built or for redesign of these blades. In this paper a process for generating structural finite element models of these wind tunnel blades is presented. The model developed in this paper was analyzed under loading conditions from tests conducted on the original blades and the results are compared with legacy strain gage data.

Brian H Mason↗
NASA NTRS2005

Safe Affordable Fission Engine-(SAFE-) 100a Heat Exchanger Thermal and Structural Analysis

A potential fission power system for in-space missions is a heat pipe-cooled reactor coupled to a Brayton cycle. In this system, a heat exchanger (HX) transfers the heat of the reactor core to the Brayton gas. The Safe Affordable Fission Engine- (SAFE-) 100a is a test program designed to thermally and hydraulically simulate a 95 Btu/s prototypic heat pipe-cooled reactor using electrical resistance heaters on the ground. This Technical Memorandum documents the thermal and structural assessment of the HX used in the SAFE-100a program.

Steeve, B. E.↗