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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

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NASA NTRS1994

Physics and evolution of constant opening angle jets using a quasi-one-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic model

We discuss the significance of the assumptions of infinite conductivity and time independence in the context of an ideal MHD model for constant opening angle jets. The model is developed by projecting the MHD equations onto the jet axis. We find that for initially sub-Alfvenic flows (i.e., flows emanating from active galactic nuclei and neutron stars) wind-type solutions exist only when the field lines at the origin are wound up in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the compact source. We discuss the possibility that the time evolution of these outflows may be a cycle between breeze- and wind-type solutions as a result of continuous changes in the boundary conditions at the origin due to accretion. We propose that such cycles may explain the apparent one-sideness of some jets, especially the ones for which we cannot use arguments of relativistic beaming. We examine the dependence of the wind-type solutions on the following parameters describing the outflow at the origin: the degree of winding of the field lines, the value of the gas pressure, the polytropic index, the strength of the magnetic field, the value of the rotational velocity, the gravitational potential of the compact object, and the injection velocity. We compare results with results obtained previously, and discuss briefly the qualitative features and physical interpretation of the solutions for outflows emanating from neutron stars and protostars.

Koupelis, Theodoros↗

NASA NTRS2002

Toward Understanding Pore Formation And Mobility During Controlled Directional Solidification In A Microgravity Environment Investigation (PFMI)

The generation and inclusion of detrimental porosity, e.g., "pipes" and "rattails" can occur during controlled directional solidification processing. The origin of these defects is generally attributed to gas evolution and entrapment during solidification of the melt. On Earth, owing to buoyancy, an initiated bubble can rapidly rise through the liquid melt and "pop" at the surface; this is obviously not ensured in a low gravity or microgravity environment. Clearly, porosity generation and inclusion is detrimental to conducting any meaningful solidification-science studies in microgravity. Thus it is essential that model experiments be conducted in microgravity, to understand the details of the generation and mobility of porosity, so that methods can be found to eliminate it. In hindsight, this is particularly relevant given the results of the previous directional solidification experiments conducted in Space. The current International Space Station (ISS) Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) investigation addresses the central issue of porosity formation and mobility during controlled directional solidification processing in microgravity. The study will be done using a transparent metal-analogue material, succinonitrile (SCN) and succinonitrile-water "alloys", so that direct observation and recording of pore generation and mobility can be made during the experiments. Succinonitrile is particularly well suited for the proposed investigation because it is transparent, it solidifies in a manner analogous to most metals, it has a convenient melting point, its material properties are well characterized and, it has been successfully used in previous microgravity experiments. The PFMI experiment will be launched on the UF-2, STS-111 flight. Highlighting the porosity development problem in metal alloys during microgravity processing, the poster will describe: (i) the intent of the proposed experiments, (ii) the theoretical rationale behind using SCN as the study material for porosity generation and migration and, (iii) the experimental protocol for the investigation of the effects of the processing parameters. Photographs of the flight experimental hardware, and the novel sample ampoule, will be exhibited. The experimental apparatus will be described in detail and a summary of the scientific objectives will be presented.

Grugel, R. N.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Toward Understanding Pore Formation and Mobility during Controlled Directional Solidification in a Microgravity Environment Investigation (PFMI)

The generation and inclusion of detrimental porosity, e.g., pipes and rattails can occur during controlled directional solidification processing. The origin of these defects is generally attributed to gas evolution and entrapment during solidification of the melt. On Earth, owing to buoyancy, an initiated bubble can rapidly rise through the liquid melt and pop at the surface; this is obviously not ensured in a low gravity or microgravity environment. Clearly, porosity generation and inclusion is detrimental to conducting any meaningful solidification-science studies in microgravity. Thus it is essential that model experiments be conducted in microgravity, to understand the details of the generation and mobility of porosity, so that methods can be found to eliminate it. In hindsight, this is particularly relevant given the results of the previous directional solidification experiments conducted in Space. The current International Space Station (ISS) Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) investigation addresses the central issue of porosity formation and mobility during controlled directional solidification processing in microgravity. The study will be done using a transparent metal-analogue material, succinonitrile (SCN) and succinonitrile-water 'alloys', so that direct observation and recording of pore generation and mobility can be made during the experiments. Succinonitrile is particularly well suited for the proposed investigation because it is transparent, it solidifies in a manner analogous to most metals, it has a convenient melting point, its material properties are well characterized and, it has been successfully used in previous microgravity experiments. The PFMI experiment will be launched on the UF-2, STS-111 flight. Highlighting the porosity development problem in metal alloys during microgravity processing, the poster will describe: (i) the intent of the proposed experiments, (ii) the theoretical rationale behind using SCN as the study material for porosity generation and migration and, (iii) the experimental protocol for the investigation of the effects of the processing parameters. Photographs of the flight experimental hardware, and the novel sample ampoule, will be exhibited. The experimental apparatus will be described in detail and a summary of the scientific objectives will be presented.

Grugel, Richard N.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Videomagnetograph studies of solar magnetic fields. II - Field changes in an active region

Using the Caltech videomagnetograph, we obtained a 6.5-hr movie of the magnetic fields in a young active region. The major contribution to the short term magnetic evolution of the region was provided by many discrete magnetic points which move in apparently random directions with typical velocities of 0.4 - 1.0 km/sec. The majority of these features appear to be footpoints of new EFR's, which emerge at an observed rate of one to two per hour. The pattern of the motions suggests that the magnetic evolution of a growing region cannot be principally due to photospheric convective cells.

Schoolman, S. A.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Morphology of solar wind fluctuations and structure in the vicinity of the Sun from radio propagation measurements

Radio propagation measurements represent a powerful means for remote probing of electron density and solar wind speed in the acceleration region of the solar wind not yet explored by in situ measurements. Recent investigations based on radio propagation measurements have led to considerable progress in our knowledge of the general morphology of solar wind fluctuations and structure, especially in terms of their relationship to solar wind properties that have been observed directly by fields and particles measurements, and to coronal features observed in white-light measurements. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the latest results on quasi-stationary structure covering the large scale variation of solar wind speed over the streamer belt and coronal hole regions, coronal streamers (source of slow solar wind) and their associated small-scale electron density structure, plumes, density and fractional or relative density fluctuations, and the spectral characteristics of the electron density fluctuations. The radio propagation measurements not only reveal new information on the structure near the Sun, but also show that the structure appears to undergo substantial evolution on its way to 0.3 AU, the closest radial distance for which direct in situ spacecraft measurements are available.

Woo, R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Numerical simulation of stability and stability control of high speed compressible rotating couette flow

The nonlinear temporal evolution of disturbances in compressible flow between infinitely long, concentric cylinders is investigated through direct numerical simulations of the full, three-dimensional Navier-Stokes and energy equations. Counter-rotating cylinders separated by wide gaps are considered with supersonic velocities of the inner cylinder. Initially, the primary disturbance grows exponentially in accordance with linear stability theory. As the disturbances evolve, higher harmonics and subharmonics are generated in a cascading order eventually reaching a saturation state. Subsequent highly nonlinear stages of the evolution are governed by the interaction of the disturbance modes, particularly the axial subharmonics. Nonlinear evolution of the disturbance field is characterized by the formation of high-shear layers extending from the inner cylinder towards the center of the gap in the form of jets similar to the ejection events in transitional and turbulent wall-bounded shear flows.

Biringen, Sedat↗

NASA NTRS1996

Linear Instability of a Uni-Directional Transversely Sheared Mean Flow

The effect of spanwise-periodic mean-flow distortions (i.e. streamwise-vortex structures) on the evolution of small-amplitude, single-frequency instability waves in an otherwise two-dimensional shear flow is investigated. The streamwise-vortex structures are taken to be just weak enough so that the spatially growing instability waves behave (locally) like linear perturbations about a uni-directional transversely sheared mean flow. Numerical solutions are computed and discussed for both the mean flow and the instability waves. The influence of the streamwise-vortex wavelength on the properties of the most rapidly growing instability wave is also discussed.

Wundrow, David W.↗

NASA NTRS2023

Modulation of the Seasonal Cycle of the Antarctic Sea Ice Extent By Sea Ice Processes and Feedbacks With the Ocean and the Atmosphere

The seasonal cycle of the Antarctic sea ice extent is strongly asymmetric, with a relatively slow increase after the summer minimum followed by a more rapid decrease after the winter maximum. This cycle is intimately linked to the seasonal cycle of the insolation received at the top of the atmosphere, but sea ice processes as well as the exchanges with the atmosphere and ocean may also play a role. To quantify these contributions, a series of idealized sensitivity experiments have been performed with an eddy-permitting (∘) NEMO-LIM3 (Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean–Louvain-la-Neuve sea ice model version 3) Southern Ocean configuration, including a representation of ice shelf cavities, in which the model was either driven by an atmospheric reanalysis or coupled to the COSMO-CLM2 regional atmospheric model. In those experiments, sea ice thermodynamics and dynamics as well as the exchanges with the ocean and atmosphere are strongly perturbed. This perturbation is achieved by modifying snow and ice thermal conductivities, the vertical mixing in the ocean top layers, the effect of freshwater uptake and release upon sea ice growth and melt, ice dynamics, and surface albedo. We find that the evolution of sea ice extent during the ice advance season is largely independent of the direct effect of the perturbation and appears thus mainly controlled by initial state in summer and subsequent insolation changes. In contrast, the melting rate varies strongly between the experiments during the retreat, in particular if the surface albedo or sea ice transport are modified, demonstrating a strong contribution of those elements to the evolution of ice coverage through spring and summer. As with the advance phase, the retreat is also influenced by conditions at the beginning of the melt season in September. Atmospheric feedbacks enhance the model winter ice extent response to any of the perturbed processes, and the enhancement is strongest when the albedo is modified. The response of sea ice volume and extent to changes in entrainment of subsurface warm waters to the ocean surface is also greatly amplified by the coupling with the atmosphere.

regional atmosphere ocean sea ice model↗

NASA NTRS1977

Adiabatic evolution of trapped particle pitch angle distributions during a storm main phase

Equatorial pitch angle distributions of over 200-keV ions obtained near L = 4 by Explorer 45 during a storm main phase show the development of marked minima at 90 deg pitch angle in direct association with a greater-than-a-factor-of-2 reduction in the equatorial magnetic field magnitude. The evolution of these pitch angle distributions can be quantitatively explained as a result of conservation of the first two adiabatic invariants provided the magnitude of the magnetic field decrease was approximately constant along field lines.

Lyons, L. R.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Compositional vs. thermal buoyancy and the evolution of subducted lithosphere

We formulate 2-D Cartesian finite element models that explore the fate of compositionally defined lithosphere as it encounters a viscosity increase at the boundary between the upper and lower mantle. Subducted lithosphere is represented as a cold, stiff, layered composite of denser eclogite underlain by more buoyant harzburgite. Slabs impinging on a lower mantle 30 and 100 times more viscous than the upper mantle thicken and fold strongly as they penetrate the lower mantle. Approximately a factor of two thickening occurs via pure shear just above the discontinuity, with additional enhancement due to folding by over a factor of two. No separation of the individual slab components occurs at the discontinuity, and direct comparison with models in which compositional buoyancy is explicitly ignored indicates that slab evolution is largely controlled by the thermal buoyancy. These results are at odds with hypotheses about slab evolution in which the compositional buoyancy contributions lead to component separation and the formation of slab megaliths or a compositionally layered upper mantle.

Gaherty, James B.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Temporal and Spatial Evolution of Nanoflare Heating in Solar AR

Nanoflares are thought to be prime candidates to heat the solar non-flaring active regions. However, their direct individual detection with current instrumentation remains challenging. Understanding the frequency and magnitude of nanoflares is crucial for understanding their role in coronal heating. In this study, we employ a field-aligned hydrodynamic model to simulate the evolution of an active region (AR) under nanoflare heating scenarios. By comparing the simulated emission with EUV and X-ray observations, we determine the frequency of heating events and investigate how it evolves with the AR evolution. Additionally, we analyze the impact of observational parameters, such as instrument spatial resolution and energy band, on estimating nanoflare properties. Our findings contribute to advancing our understanding of the role of nanoflares in coronal heating and refining observational parameters for detecting these events.

nano flare↗

DOE OSTI2025

Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis Using a Catalyst-Coated Membrane Cathode

A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) approach to electrode fabrication for high pH water electrolysis offers enhanced interfacial contact between the catalyst layer and the membrane surface in comparison to the catalyst-coated substrate (CCS) electrode configuration. The CCM facilitates enhanced ionic and water transport between the cathode and the anion exchange membrane (AEM). This advantage is particularly significant with AEM water electrolysis (compared to proton exchange membrane water electrolysis) because the cathode typically operates under dry conditions and relies solely on diffusive water transport across the AEM from the liquid-fed anode. This study presents a direct performance comparison between CCS and CCM cathode configurations using identical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts and other components. The use of a pseudo-reference electrode integrated into the membrane electrode assembly enabled detailed analysis of the CCM cathode polarization behavior. Surface characterization provided insight into the degradation mechanisms associated with the CCM configuration. Optimization of the cathode ionomer cross-link density improved both the cathode polarization performance and the electrolysis device durability. Further optimization of the HER catalyst loading in the CCM cathode resulted in additional gains in the electrolysis efficiency. Collectively, these findings offer valuable guidance for the design and fabrication of high-performance, durable AEM electrolysis CCMs.

Water electrolysis↗

DOE OSTI2025

Integrating Intermediate Traits in Phylogenetic Genotype-to-Phenotype Studies

A major goal of research in evolution and genetics is linking genotype to phenotype. This work could be direct, such as determining the genetic basis of a phenotype by leveraging genetic variation or divergence in a developmental, physiological, or behavioral trait. The work could also involve studying the evolutionary phenomena (e.g., reproductive isolation, adaptation, sexual dimorphism, behavior) that reveal an indirect link between genotype and a trait of interest. When the phenotype diverges across evolutionarily distinct lineages, this genotype-to-phenotype problem can be addressed using phylogenetic genotype-to-phenotype (PhyloG2P) mapping, which uses genetic signatures and convergent phenotypes on a phylogeny to infer the genetic bases of traits. The PhyloG2P approach has proven powerful in revealing key genetic changes associated with diverse traits, including the mammalian transition to marine environments and transitions between major mechanisms of photosynthesis. However, there are several intermediate traits layered in between genotype and the phenotype of interest, including but not limited to transcriptional profiles, chromatin states, protein abundances, structures, modifications, metabolites, and physiological parameters. Each intermediate trait is interesting and informative in its own right, but synthesis across data types has great promise for providing a deep, integrated, and predictive understanding of how genotypes drive phenotypic differences and convergence. We argue that an expanded PhyloG2P framework (the PhyloG2P matrix) that explicitly considers intermediate traits, and imputes those that are prohibitive to obtain, will allow a better mechanistic understanding of any trait of interest. Furthermore, this approach provides a proxy for functional validation and mechanistic understanding in organisms where laboratory manipulation is impractical.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

History and State of the Art in Advanced Thermal Protection Systems

This report documents the current state of the art of thermal protection systems (TPS) relevant to missile application materials and MTCR control language. The information is intended to provide data on current TPS for determining the current state of development and identifying potential research directions. Various vehicle configurations and types of TPS are described, including the evolution of materials and systems. Vehicle configurations such as high drag rocket and capsule systems and low-drag air-breathers are discussed. TPS are complex, transitioning from often very low temperatures to temperatures exceeding 3000°C and heat fluxes of up to 30,000 W/cm 2 . They can take the form of blankets, sheets, tiles and fabricated rigid structures, and can be made from high temperature capable alloys, refractory metals, ceramics, ceramic matrix composites, ultra-high temperature ceramics, carbon-carbon composites or ablative carbonaceous materials. Current state of the art in TPS is based on materials any systems developed for the initial space program. TPS was upgraded to the point of the Space Shuttle development and has stagnated since them.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2025

Establishing defect-property relationships for 2D-nanomaterials (Final technical report)

Studies of new families of two-dimensional nanomaterials (2DNMs) have established that they possess unique properties that diverge from those of their bulk counterparts. This project aimed to determine how tolerant 2DNMs are to extreme photon and particle fluxes and to identify the mechanisms governing their radiation response. Early work indicated that graphene is not as representative of other 2DNMs as previously assumed; however, the origin of this difference remained unclear. To address these knowledge gaps, this project investigated the physical processes occurring at multiple length scales in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and quantified their structural stability and property evolution under far-from-equilibrium conditions. In-situ and ex-situ ion and electron irradiations were performed to directly control and monitor defect formation in TMDs. Complementary density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to elucidate the mechanisms of defect generation and evolution. The outcomes of this work established mechanistic understanding of irradiation-induced defect formation in 2DNMs, quantified the radiation tolerance of TMDs, and built a fundamental knowledge base for correlating defect structures with material properties. Collectively, these results provide new insights into the stability of low-dimensional materials in extreme environments and enable the predictive design of radiation-tolerant 2DNMs.

2D materials↗

NASA NTRS1974

Microbial detection method based on sensing molecular hydrogen

A simple method for detecting bacteria, based on the time of hydrogen evolution, was developed and tested against various members of the Enterobacteriaceae group. The test system consisted of (1) two electrodes, platinum and a reference electrode, (2) a buffer amplifier, and (3) a strip-chart recorder. Hydrogen evolution was measured by an increase in voltage in the negative (cathodic) direction. A linear relationship was established between inoculum size and the time hydrogen was detected (lag period). Lag times ranged from 1 h for 1 million cells/ml to 7 h for 1 cell/ml. For each 10-fold decrease in inoculum, length of the lag period increased 60 to 70 min. Based on the linear relationship between inoculum and lag period, these results indicate the potential application of the hydrogen-sensing method for rapidly detecting coliforms and other gas-producing microorganisms in a variety of clinical, food, and other samples.

Wilkins, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Review of cometary spectra

The spectra of comet Kohoutek, comet Bradfield, and comet Mrkos are reviewed and compared in relation to stellar spectroscopy and evolution. The possibility of observing the absorption spectrum of a comet and direct measurement of Doppler shifts due to expansion or streaming motions in comets are considered along with the spectra of giant comets, such as, comet Minkowski, comet Baade, and comet Lovas. A speculative explanation for possible intrinsic abundance differences between comets is given.

Herbig, G. H.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Transient nucleation in condensed systems

Using classical nucleation theory we consider transient nucleation occurring in a one-component, condensed system under isothermal conditions. We obtain an exact closed-form expression for the time dependent cluster populations. In addition, a more versatile approach is developed: a numerical simulation technique which models directly the reactions by which clusters are produced. This simulation demonstrates the evolution of cluster populations and nucleation rate in the transient regime. Results from the simulation are verified by comparison with exact analytical solutions for the steady state. Experimental methods for measuring transient nucleation are assessed, and it is demonstrated that the observed behavior depends on the method used. The effect of preexisting cluster distributions is studied. Previous analytical and numerical treatments of transient nucleation are compared to the solutions obtained from the simulation. The simple expressions of Kashchiev are shown to give good descriptions of the nucleation behavior.

Kelton, K. F.↗