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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 451 records · Page 25

Verifying and Validating Proposed Models for FSW Process Optimization

This slide presentation reviews Friction Stir Welding (FSW) and the attempts to model the process in order to optimize and improve the process. The studies are ongoing to validate and refine the model of metal flow in the FSW process. There are slides showing the conventional FSW process, a couple of weld tool designs and how the design interacts with the metal flow path. The two basic components of the weld tool are shown, along with geometries of the shoulder design. Modeling of the FSW process is reviewed. Other topics include (1) Microstructure features, (2) Flow Streamlines, (3) Steady-state Nature, and (4) Grain Refinement Mechanisms

Schneider, Judith↗

Component-Level Electronic-Assembly Repair (CLEAR) Operational Concept

This Component-Level Electronic-Assembly Repair (CLEAR) Operational Concept document was developed as a first step in developing the Component-Level Electronic-Assembly Repair (CLEAR) System Architecture (NASA/TM-2011-216956). The CLEAR operational concept defines how the system will be used by the Constellation Program and what needs it meets. The document creates scenarios for major elements of the CLEAR architecture. These scenarios are generic enough to apply to near-Earth, Moon, and Mars missions. The CLEAR operational concept involves basic assumptions about the overall program architecture and interactions with the CLEAR system architecture. The assumptions include spacecraft and operational constraints for near-Earth orbit, Moon, and Mars missions. This document addresses an incremental development strategy where capabilities evolve over time, but it is structured to prevent obsolescence. The approach minimizes flight hardware by exploiting Internet-like telecommunications that enables CLEAR capabilities to remain on Earth and to be uplinked as needed. To minimize crew time and operational cost, CLEAR exploits offline development and validation to support online teleoperations. Operational concept scenarios are developed for diagnostics, repair, and functional test operations. Many of the supporting functions defined in these operational scenarios are further defined as technologies in NASA/TM-2011-216956.

Oeftering, Richard C.↗

General Tool for Evaluating High-Contrast Coronagraphic Telescope Performance Error Budgets

The Coronagraph Performance Error Budget (CPEB) tool automates many of the key steps required to evaluate the scattered starlight contrast in the dark hole of a space-based coronagraph. The tool uses a Code V prescription of the optical train, and uses MATLAB programs to call ray-trace code that generates linear beam-walk and aberration sensitivity matrices for motions of the optical elements and line-of-sight pointing, with and without controlled fine-steering mirrors (FSMs). The sensitivity matrices are imported by macros into Excel 2007, where the error budget is evaluated. The user specifies the particular optics of interest, and chooses the quality of each optic from a predefined set of PSDs. The spreadsheet creates a nominal set of thermal and jitter motions, and combines that with the sensitivity matrices to generate an error budget for the system. CPEB also contains a combination of form and ActiveX controls with Visual Basic for Applications code to allow for user interaction in which the user can perform trade studies such as changing engineering requirements, and identifying and isolating stringent requirements. It contains summary tables and graphics that can be instantly used for reporting results in view graphs. The entire process to obtain a coronagraphic telescope performance error budget has been automated into three stages: conversion of optical prescription from Zemax or Code V to MACOS (in-house optical modeling and analysis tool), a linear models process, and an error budget tool process. The first process was improved by developing a MATLAB package based on the Class Constructor Method with a number of user-defined functions that allow the user to modify the MACOS optical prescription. The second process was modified by creating a MATLAB package that contains user-defined functions that automate the process. The user interfaces with the process by utilizing an initialization file where the user defines the parameters of the linear model computations. Other than this, the process is fully automated. The third process was developed based on the Terrestrial Planet Finder coronagraph Error Budget Tool, but was fully automated by using VBA code, form, and ActiveX controls.

Marchen, Luis F.↗

Granular Mechanics and Surface Systems Lab

The cratering of sand under gas jets is observed to further understanding of soil in hopes to further understand lunar soil. Lunar soil is important to understand because it is causing problems with the materials taken into space including the shuttle. Lunar soil is not rounded like beach sand. Lunar soil is sharp like little particles of glass, and some times when blown they can hook on to one another and become bigger particles. The experiments are designed to help to understand some of the basic physics in how the shuttle jets will interact with lunar soil and how to control the lunar soil. These experiments investigate the diameter of the gas jet and the size of the sand grains to determine how these parameters affect the erosion rate and the cratering processes. Therefore, the experiments preformed will point out what is dependent and what is independent.

Randle, Leah↗

VISAGE - A Visualization and Exploration Framework for Environmental Data

Diverse airborne and ground-based environmental observations are important technologies for disaster assessment and response, as well as for the validation of environmental satellite observations and atmospheric models which can improve forecasts. The VISAGE (Visualization for Integrated Satellite, Airborne and Ground-based data Exploration) project is working to provide three-dimensional visualization and basic analytics capabilities for such datasets in an interactive user interface. The use of cloud-native, server less technologies for analysis optimized data storage will position VISAGE for integration with other technologies into a Data Analytic Center Framework.

Conover, Helen↗

Parametric optics with whispering-gallery modes

We propose to fabricate a dielectric cavity sustaining high-Q whispering gallery modes from a periodically poled material possessing a quadratic nonlinearity to achieve an efficient interaction among the modes. We show that the periodical poling allows for compensation of both the material and the cavity dispersions that prohibits the nonlinear interaction otherwise. Such a cavity might be a basics element of a family of efficient nonlinear devices operating at a broad range of optical wavelengths.

Maleki, Lute↗

Ab-Initio Hamiltonian Approach to Light Nuclei And to Quantum Field Theory

Nuclear structure physics is on the threshold of confronting several long-standing problems such as the origin of shell structure from basic nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon interactions. At the same time those interactions are being developed with increasing contact to QCD, the underlying theory of the strong interactions, using effective field theory. The motivation is clear - QCD offers the promise of great predictive power spanning phenomena on multiple scales from quarks and gluons to nuclear structure. However, new tools that involve non-perturbative methods are required to build bridges from one scale to the next. We present an overview of recent theoretical and computational progress with a Hamiltonian approach to build these bridges and provide illustrative results for the nuclear structure of light nuclei and quantum field theory.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Investigations of Bubbly Flows using Direct Numerical Simulations

Direct numerical simulations are used to examine the behavior of relatively high void fraction bubbly flows. The full Navier-Stokes equations are solved for both the bubbles and the ambient liquid and the flow near the moving and deforming phase boundaries is resolved fully. This yields detailed data for the evolution of the system that can be used to extract information about the basic bubble-bubble and bubble-flow interactions as well as about the averaged properties of the system. Such information are critical for the generation of averaged engineering models of industrial size systems as well as for novel applications of bubbly flows where experiments are difficult. The project has yielded detailed information about many aspects of bubbly flows. The results for flows in vertical channels are particularly significant and have yielded an essentially complete understanding of many aspects of the flows. The important insight is that the flow has a particularly simple structure, consisting of a homogeneous core in hydrostatic balance and a wall layer whose composition depends of whether the liquid is flowing upward or downward. These results hold for both laminar and turbulent flows and have allowed us to derive an analytical model to predict the flow. We have also shown that bubble deformability results in a completely different flow structure, but also giving rise to relatively simple predictive models. Preliminary studies of transient migration of a non-homogeneous bubble distribution and coalescence induced flow regime transitions in vertical channels were also done.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Electrostatics-Driven Hierarchical Buckling of Charged Flexible Ribbons

In this work, we investigate the rich morphologies of an electrically charged flexible ribbon, which is a prototype for many beltlike structures in biology and nanomaterials. Long-range electrostatic repulsion is found to govern the hierarchical buckling of the ribbon from its initially flat shape to its undulated and out-of-plane twisted conformations. In this process, the screening length is the key controlling parameter, suggesting that a convenient way to manipulate the ribbon morphology is simply to change the salt concentration. We find that these shapes originate from the geometric effect of the electrostatic interaction, which fundamentally changes the metric over the ribbon surface. We also identify the basic modes by which the ribbon reshapes itself in order to lower the energy. Finally, the geometric effect of the physical interaction revealed in this Letter has implications for the shape design of extensive ribbonlike materials in nano- and biomaterials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Model Communities Hint at Promiscuous Metabolic Linkages between Ubiquitous Free-Living Freshwater Bacteria

Genome streamlining is frequently observed in free-living aquatic microorganisms and results in physiological dependencies between microorganisms. However, we know little about the specificity of these microbial associations. In order to examine the specificity and extent of these associations, we established mixed cultures from three different freshwater environments and analyzed the cooccurrence of organisms using a metagenomic time series. Free-living microorganisms with streamlined genomes lacking multiple biosynthetic pathways showed no clear recurring pattern in their interaction partners. Free-living freshwater bacteria form promiscuous cooperative associations. This notion contrasts with the well-documented high specificities of interaction partners in host-associated bacteria. Considering all data together, we suggest that highly abundant free-living bacterial lineages are functionally versatile in their interactions despite their distinct streamlining tendencies at the single-cell level. This metabolic versatility facilitates interactions with a variable set of community members.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Structural studies of antiviral inhibitor with HIV-1 protease bearing drug resistant substitutions of V32I, I47V and V82I

HIV-1 protease inhibitors are effective in HIV/AIDS therapy, although drug resistance is a severe problem. This study examines the effects of four investigational inhibitors against HIV-1 protease with drug resistant mutations of V32I, I47V and V82I (PR Tri ) that model the inhibitor-binding site of HIV-2 protease. These inhibitors contain diverse chemical modifications on the darunavir scaffold and form new interactions with wild type protease, however, the measured inhibition constants for PR Tri mutant range from 17 to 40 nM or significantly worse than picomolar values reported for wild type enzyme. The X-ray crystal structure of PR Tri mutant in complex with inhibitor 1 at 1.5 Å resolution shows minor changes in interactions with inhibitor compared with the corresponding wild type PR complex. Instead, the basic amine at P2 of inhibitor together with mutation V82I induces two alternate conformations for the side chain of Arg8 with new interactions with inhibitor and Leu10. Hence, inhibition is influenced by small coordinated changes in hydrophobic interactions.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Interactions between stationary planetary waves in the stratosphere

The interactions between stationary planetary waves 1 and 2 are investigated using a truncated quasi-geostrophic model in a midlatitude beta channel. The model includes eight interacting horizontal modes with three zonal wave numbers and two meridional scales in a quasi-geostrophic beta channel 40 deg wide; all wave-wave interactions in the model are a result of dissipation. The procedures for solving the model equations are examined. The theory of dissipation-induced interactions is discussed in terms of interactions between weak waves under severe truncation. The behavior of small amplitude waves 1 and 2 in basic states is discussed; it is observed that wave 1 is amplified in a wave 2 basic state, and a wave 2 disturbance in a wave 1 basic state is affected by the relative phases of the waves. The dynamics of these wave interactions are analyzed using potential enstrophy budgets of the waves. The relevance of the waves to the atmosphere is studied. It is noted that the wave behavior is a combination of the linear results with an amplification of wave 1 and a strong dependence on the relative phases of waves 1 and 2 in the stratosphere.

Robinson, W. A.↗

Quantum Correlated Multi-Fragment Reaction Imaging

This grant supported research in basic atomic, molecular and optical physics related to the interactions of atoms with particles and fields. This report will focus on the 12 year period from 2004 to 2017, although the DOE–BES has supported my research every year since 1986. All of the support from the grant was used to pay summer salaries of the PI and students and travel to conferences and meetings. The results were in the form of publications in peer reviewed journals as well as conference invited talks and colloquiums. There were 12 peer reviewed publications in these 12+ years. Innovations in few-body science at molecular and nano levels are a critical component of on- going efforts to establish sustainable environmental and energy resources. The varied research paths taken will require the development of basic science on broad fronts with increasing flexi- bility to crossover technologies. We thus worked to extract understanding and quantum control of few-body microscopic systems based on our long-time experience with more conventional studies of correlated electrons and ions. Given the enormous advances over the past 20 years to our understanding of quantum cor- relations with photon interferometry, AMO collision science generally is ready to move beyond the one-particle, single-port momentum detection that has dominated collision physics since Rutherford. Nevertheless, our familiar theoretical tools for collision theory need to be up- graded to incorporate these more generalized measurement formalisms and ultimately to give incentive for a new generation of experiments. Our interest in these topics remains motivated by the recent surge in and success of exper- iments involving few-body atomic and molecular fragmentation and the detection of all the fragments. The research described here thus involved two parallel efforts with (i) emphasis on reaction imaging while (ii) pursuing longtime work on quantum correlated collective excitations.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

EFRC-MUSE: Multi-Scale Fluid-Solid Interactions in Architected and Natural Materials

Phase interactions and fluid properties in geological and other environments are critical in applications ranging from hydrogen production and geologic storage and recovery, carbon dioxide storage and sequestration, and the sustainable use of water resources. The four goals of EFRC-MUSE: Multi-Scale Fluid-Solid Interactions in Architected and Natural Materials were based on the priority directions articulated in the Basic Research Needs documents, and the scientific needs in nanoscience. 1. Develop a fundamental understanding of confinement and surface interactions in mesoscale media with nanometer-sized pores on the phase behavior, thermodynamic and multiphase flow properties of multicomponent fluid mixtures. 2. Examine the impact of mineralogy and material heterogeneity on mechanical properties to better understand chemo-mechanical interactions in material failure. 3. Determine in-operando cross-scale structural and nanostructural material properties with fluids in confinement and flow under realistic condi

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

EVIDENCE OF LANDAU AND CYCLOTRON RESONANCE BETWEEN PROTONS AND KINETIC WAVES IN SOLAR WIND TURBULENCE

The wave–particle interaction processes occurring in the solar wind provide crucial information to understand the wave dissipation and simultaneous particle heating in plasma turbulence. One requires observations of both wave fluctuations and particle kinetics near the dissipation range, which have, however, not yet been analyzed simultaneously. Here we show new evidence of wave–particle interactions by combining the diagnosis of wave modes with the analysis of particle kinetics on the basis of measurements from the WIND spacecraft with a high cadence of about 3 s. Solar wind protons appear to be highly dynamic in their velocity distribution consisting of varying anisotropic core and beam components. The basic scenario of solar wind proton heating through wave–particle interaction is suggested to be the following. Left-handed cyclotron resonance occurs continuously, and is evident from the observed proton core velocity distribution and the concurrent quasi-parallel left-handed Alfvén cyclotron waves. Landau and right-handed cyclotron resonances are persistent and indicated by the observed drifting anisotropic beam and the simultaneous quasi-perpendicular right-handed kinetic Alfvén waves in a general sense. The persistence of non-gyrotropic proton distributions may cast new light on the nature of the interaction between particles and waves near and beyond the proton gyro-frequency.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Interaction of atomic oxygen with solid surfaces at orbital altitudes (A0114)

The basic approach to this experiment is to expose a wide variety of material surfaces to the atomic flux in orbit. The experiment is passive and depends on preflight and postflight measurements of the test surfaces in the laboratory. The experiment will also include a reflectometer device to measure atomic beam reflection angles and thus momentum accommodations, and a unique passive spacecraft attitude sensor. Samples consisting of solid disks or thin film coatings on substrate disks will be mounted in a panel. The face of this panel will be flown on Long Duration Exposure Facility normal to the incident stream of oxygen atoms. Each disk will have part of its front surface masked so exposure to the atomic-oxygen reaction will be limited to selected areas, the shadowed areas being used as control surfaces in the measurements. A typical sample is an optically flat quartz disk overcoated with a film of the material of interest. These include Ag, Au, Pt, Nb, Ni, Al, C, Si, Ge, LiF, and a few engineering materials. Some materials for which the expected removal rate is high, such as carbon, will be solid disks rather than thin films.

Gregory, J. C.↗

Advanced interactive display formats for terminal area traffic control

This report describes the basic design considerations for perspective air traffic control displays. A software framework has been developed for manual viewing parameter setting (MVPS) in preparation for continued, ongoing developments on automated viewing parameter setting (AVPS) schemes. Two distinct modes of MVPS operations are considered, both of which utilize manipulation pointers imbedded in the three-dimensional scene: (1) direct manipulation of the viewing parameters -- in this mode the manipulation pointers act like the control-input device, through which the viewing parameter changes are made. Part of the parameters are rate controlled, and part of them position controlled. This mode is intended for making fast, iterative small changes in the parameters. (2) Indirect manipulation of the viewing parameters -- this mode is intended primarily for introducing large, predetermined changes in the parameters. Requests for changes in viewing parameter setting are entered manually by the operator by moving viewing parameter manipulation pointers on the screen. The motion of these pointers, which are an integral part of the 3-D scene, is limited to the boundaries of the screen. This arrangement has been chosen in order to preserve the correspondence between the spatial lay-outs of the new and the old viewing parameter setting, a feature which contributes to preventing spatial disorientation of the operator. For all viewing operations, e.g. rotation, translation and ranging, the actual change is executed automatically by the system, through gradual transitions with an exponentially damped, sinusoidal velocity profile, in this work referred to as 'slewing' motions. The slewing functions, which eliminate discontinuities in the viewing parameter changes, are designed primarily for enhancing the operator's impression that he, or she, is dealing with an actually existing physical system, rather than an abstract computer-generated scene. The proposed, continued research efforts will deal with the development of automated viewing parameter setting schemes. These schemes employ an optimization strategy, aimed at identifying the best possible vantage point, from which the air traffic control scene can be viewed for a given traffic situation. They determine whether a change in viewing parameter setting is required and determine the dynamic path along which the change to the new viewing parameter setting should take place.

Grunwald, Arthur J.↗