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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 433 records · Page 24
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Pore size engineering applied to the design of separators for nickel-hydrogen cells and batteries

Pore size engineering in starved alkaline multiplate cells involves adopting techniques to widen the volume tolerance of individual cells. Separators with appropriate pore size distributions and wettability characteristics (capillary pressure considerations) to have wider volume tolerances and an ability to resist dimensional changes in the electrodes were designed. The separators studied for potential use in nickel-hydrogen cells consist of polymeric membranes as well as inorganic microporous mats. In addition to standard measurements, the resistance and distribution of electrolyte as a function of total cell electrolyte content were determined. New composite separators consisting of fibers, particles and/or binders deposited on Zircar cloth were developed in order to engineer the proper capillary pressure characteristics in the separator. These asymmetric separators were prepared from a variety of fibers, particles and binders. Previously announced in STAR as N83-24571

Abbey, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Fluid surface behavior in low gravity. Center discretionary fund no. 83-21

Measurements of rotating equilibrium bubble shapes in the low-gravity environment of a free-falling aircraft are presented. Emphasis is placed on bubbles which intersect the container boundaries. These data are compared with theoretical profiles derived from Laplace's formula and are in good agreement with the measurements. Two types of instability are explored. The first occurs when the baffle spacing is too large for the bubble to intersect both the top and bottom boundaries. The second occurs when the hydrostatic pressure beneath a displaced free surface does not compensate for pressure change due to capillary forces. The interface shape depends on the contact angle, the radius of intersection with container, and the parameter F which is a measure of the relative importance of centrifugal force to surface tension. For isolated bubbles, F has a maximum value of 1/2. A further increase in F causes the bubble to break contact with the axis of rotation. For large values of F, the bubble becomes more cylindrical and the capillary rise occurs over a thinner layer so that the small radius of curvature can generate enough pressure drop to balance the increased hydrostatic contribution.

Leslie, F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Studies related to ocean dynamics. Task 3.2: Aircraft Field Test Program to investigate the ability of remote sensing methods to measure current/wind-wave interactions

The feasibility of remote sensing of current flows in the ocean and the remote sensing of ocean currents by backscattering cross section techniques was studied. It was established that for capillary waves, small scale currents could be accurately measured through observation of wave kinematics. Drastic modifications of waves by changing currents were noted. The development of new methods for the measurement of capillary waves are discussed. Improvement methods to resolve data processing problems are suggested.

Huang, N. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Multi-leg heat pipe evaporator

A multileg heat pipe evaporator facilitates the use and application of a monogroove heat pipe by providing an evaporation section which is compact in area and structurally more compatible with certain heat exchangers or heat input apparatus. The evaporation section of a monogroove heat pipe is formed by a series of parallel legs having a liquid and a vapor channel and a communicating capillary slot therebetween. The liquid and vapor channels and interconnecting capillary slots of the evaporating section are connected to the condensing section of the heat pipe by a manifold connecting liquid and vapor channels of the parallel evaporation section legs with the corresponding liquid and vapor channels of the condensing section.

Alario, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Measuring Viscosities of Gases at Atmospheric Pressure

Variant of general capillary method for measuring viscosities of unknown gases based on use of thermal mass-flowmeter section for direct measurement of pressure drops. In technique, flowmeter serves dual role, providing data for determining volume flow rates and serving as well-characterized capillary-tube section for measurement of differential pressures across it. New method simple, sensitive, and adaptable for absolute or relative viscosity measurements of low-pressure gases. Suited for very complex hydrocarbon mixtures where limitations of classical theory and compositional errors make theoretical calculations less reliable.

Singh, Jag J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Use of hydrophilic polymer coatings for control of electroosmosis and protein adsorption

The purpose of this project was to examine the utility of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran coatings for control of electroosmosis and protein adsorption; electroosmosis is an important, deleterious process affecting electrophoretic separations, and protein adsorption is a factor which needs to be controlled during protein crystal growth to avoid multiple nucleation sites. Performance of the project required use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to refine previously developed synthetic methods. The results of this spectroscopic examination are reported. Measurements of electroosmotic mobility of charged particles in appropriately coated capillaries reveals that a new, one-step route to coating capillaries gives a surface in which electroosmosis is dramatically reduced. Similarly, both PEG and dextran coatings were shown by protein adsorption measurements to be highly effective at reducing protein adsorption on solid surfaces. These results should have impact on future low-g electrophoretic and protein crystal growth experiments.

Harris, J. Milton↗
NASA NTRS1988

Polymeric heat pipe wick

A wick for use in a capillary loop pump heat pipe is described. The wick material is an essentially uniformly porous, permeable, open-cell, polyethylene thermoplastic foam having an ultrahigh average molecular weight of from approximately 1 to 5 million, and an average pore size of about 10 to 12 microns. A representative material having these characteristics is POREX UF, which has an average molecular weight of about 3 million. This material is fully compatible with the FREONs and anhydrous ammonia and allows for the use of these very efficient working fluids in capillary loops.

Seidenberg, Benjamin↗
NASA NTRS1987

Characteristics of fluid flow in the combustion synthesis of TiC from the elements

The results of a numerical investigation of finite reservoir effects on capillary spreading at small reservoir dimensions are presently related to wave propagation phenomena in the combustion synthesis of TiC from its two elemental constituents. It is noted that gravitational forces can affect bubble coalescence by nonbuoyant means under the suitable conditions, although these conditions are expected to be rare in combustion synthesis. Finite-curved reservoirs can drive capillary flow due to surface tension and wall contact forces; these cause the wall and the metal to be completely reconfigured during combustion synthesis.

Valone, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Simulation of water vapor condensation on LOX droplet surface using liquid nitrogen

The formation of ice or water layers on liquid oxygen (LOX) droplets in the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) environment was investigated. Formulation of such ice/water layers is indicated by phase-equilibrium considerations under conditions of high partial pressure of water vapor (steam) and low LOX droplet temperature prevailing in the SSME preburner or main chamber. An experimental investigation was begun using liquid nitrogen as a LOX simulant. A monodisperse liquid nitrogen droplet generator was developed which uses an acoustic driver to force the stream of liquid emerging from a capillary tube to break up into a stream of regularly space uniformly sized spherical droplets. The atmospheric pressure liquid nitrogen in the droplet generator reservoir was cooled below its boiling point to prevent two phase flow from occurring in the capillary tube. An existing steam chamber was modified for injection of liquid nitrogen droplets into atmospheric pressure superheated steam. The droplets were imaged using a stroboscopic video system and a laser shadowgraphy system. Several tests were conducted in which liquid nitrogen droplets were injected into the steam chamber. Under conditions of periodic droplet formation, images of 600 micron diameter liquid nitrogen droplets were obtained with the stroboscopic video systems.

Powell, Eugene A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Internally drained condenser for spacecraft thermal management

This paper presents the results obtained to date in a program to develop a high heat flux condenser for use in two-phase spacecraft thermal management loops. The objective is to obtain a several fold increase in condensation heat transfer coefficient over those which can be achieved with shear-controlled or capillary-wick condensers. The internally drained condenser relies on shaped fins to develop a capillary pressure gradient over the surface of the fins and drive the condensate toward narrow drainage grooves separating the fins. The condensate then flows through a drainage network embedded in the condenser walls. Heat transfer coefficients of up to 8 W/sq cm C were measured in steam, providing a heat transfer enhancement ratio greater than a factor of 8. In the paper the proof-of-concept experiments are described and simplified models to predict the performance of the internally drained condenser are presented.

Valenzuela, Javier A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Vibration isolation technology: Sensitivity of selected classes of space experiments to residual accelerations

Progress performed on each task is described. Order of magnitude analyses related to liquid zone sensitivity and thermo-capillary flow sensitivity are covered. Progress with numerical models of the sensitivity of isothermal liquid zones is described. Progress towards a numerical model of coupled buoyancy-driven and thermo-capillary convection experiments is also described. Interaction with NASA personnel is covered. Results to date are summarized and they are discussed in terms of the predicted space station acceleration environment. Work planned for the second year is also discussed.

Alexander, J. Iwan D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

On the temperature of surfaces

The concept of the temperature of a surface is introduced from the viewpoint of the physical chemistry of surfaces. The surface, near surface and microlayer regions of the interface are defined. Most methods measure the temperature of the microlayer or at best the near surface region and may err in representing the surface temperature. Methods based on capillary ripples actually measure the surface temperature since surface tension (or surface tension tensor when a monolayer has been spread or absorbed at the interface) is the main restoring force that controls their propagation. Light scattering methods are described for determining the elevation of very small amplitude capillary waves through the computation of various correlation functions from which the surface tension can be estimated. Procedures for estimating the surface temperature are described.

Mann, J. Adin, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Ceramic heat pipe wick

A wick for use in a capillary loop pump heat pipe is disclosed. The wick material is an essentially uniformly porous, permeable, open-cell, silicon dioxide/aluminum oxide inorganic ceramic foam having a silica fiber ratio, by weight, of about 78 to 22, respectively, a density of 6 lbs/cu ft, and an average pore size of less than 5 microns. A representative material having these characteristics is Lockheed Missile and Space Company, Inc.'s HTP 6-22. This material is fully compatible with the freons and anhydrous ammonia and allows for the use of these very efficient working fluids, and others, in capillary loops.

Seidenberg, Benjamin↗
NASA NTRS1990

Low-gravity fluid physics: A program overview

An overview is presented of the microgravity fluid physics program at Lewis Research Center. One of the main reasons for conducting low gravity research in fluid physics is to study phenomena such as surface tension, interfacial contact angles, and diffusion independent of such gravitationally induced effects as buoyant convection. Fluid physics is at the heart of many space-based technologies including power systems, thermal control systems, and life support systems. Fundamental understanding of fluid physics is a key ingredient to successful space systems design. In addition to describing ground-based and space-based low-gravity facilities, selected experiments are presented which highlight Lewis work in fluid physics. These experiments can be categorized into five theme areas which summarize the work being conducted at Lewis for OSSA: (1) isothermal/iso-solutal capillary phenomena; (2) capillary phenomena with thermal/solutal gradients; (3) thermal-solutal convection; (4) first- and second-order phase transitions in a static fluid; and (5) multiphase flow.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1991

Vibration isolation technology: Sensitivity of selected classes of experiments to residual accelerations

Work was completed on all aspects of the following tasks: order of magnitude estimates; thermo-capillary convection - two-dimensional (fixed planar surface); thermo-capillary convection - three-dimensional and axisymmetric; liquid bridge/floating zone sensitivity; transport in closed containers; interaction: design and development stages; interaction: testing flight hardware; and reporting. Results are included in the Appendices.

Alexander, J. Iwan D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Melt migration in a silicate liquid-olivine system - An experimental test of compaction theory

An experimentally derived melt migration profile is compared with those obtained from compaction theory. A couple is prepared in which a source-for-melt (a disk composed of a silicate glass and olivine) was placed in contact with a sink-for-melt (a disk of polycrystalline olivine) in order to induce melt migration under laboratory conditions. It is noted that melt infiltrates into the sink disk along triple junctions driven by capillary forces. In order to analyze the melt migration profile in terms of compaction theory, the equations developed by McKenzie (1984) to describe porous flow of a liquid in a deformable matrix were modified. The bouyancy force term is replaced with a capillary force term and governing equations are then solved numerically with the initial boundary conditions specified by the experimental design. Also, it is determined that compaction theory provides a good description of the experimental results provided that the permeability of these solid-liquid materials increases linearly with increasing liquid fraction.

Riley, G. N., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Atrial natriuretic factor increases vascular permeability

An increase in central blood volume in microgravity may result in increased plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). In this study, it was determined whether ANF increases capillary permeability to plasma protein. Conscious, bilaterally nephrectomized male rats were infused with either saline, ANF + saline, or hexamethonium + saline over 2 h following bolus injections of (I-125)-albumin and (C-14)-dextran of similar molecular size. Blood pressure was monitored, and serial determinations of hematocrits were made. Animals infused with 1.0 microg/kg per min ANF had significantly higher hematocrits than animals infused with saline vehicle. Infusion of ANF increased the extravasation of (I-125)-albumin, but not (C-14)-dextran from the intravascular compartment. ANF also induced a depressor response in rats, but the change in blood pressure did not account for changes in capillary permeability to albumin; similar depressor responses induced by hexamethonium were not accompanied by increased extravasation of albumin from the intravascular compartment. ANF may decrease plasma volume by increasing permeability to albumin, and this effect of ANF may account for some of the signs and symptoms of space motion sickness.

Lockette, Warren↗
NASA NTRS1990

Analytic theory for the selection of Saffman-Taylor fingers in the presence of thin film effects

The present analytic theory for the width selection of Saffman-Taylor (1958) fingers in the presence of the thin film effect establishes that, in the limit of a small capillary number and a small gap-to-width ratio, fingers whose relative width is smaller than 1/2 are possible. It is established that a fully nonlinear analysis is required for this problem in order to obtain even the correct (and rather preliminary) scaling law. The way in which the selection rule for arbitrary small capillary number is obtainable is also presented.

Tanveer, S.↗