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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

Modeling the growth and interaction of fractures

The research objectives are to develop accurate, efficient numerical tool for fracture mechanics analysis with the capabilities of the method including the modeling of multiple site damage and the simulation of crack propagation. The fracture is modeled using a distribution of edge dislocations. Fundamental solutions for dislocations in an infinite medium, in the neighborhood of a circular inhomogeneity, and near a bi-material interface are incorporated into the procedure to allow exceptionally accurate modeling of fracture geometries involving these types of inhomogeneities. To model arbitrary (finite) domains under general boundary conditions, a combination of the dislocation methodology and boundary element techniques is used. The dislocation scheme is a natural means to model the crack(s), and the boundary element method is an effective way to model the region in which the crack is embedded. The hybrid scheme is relatively easy to use and is very accurate. The research accomplishments are presented.

Mear, Mark E.↗

Closed-form analytical solutions of high-temperature heat pipe startup and frozen startup limitation

Previous numerical and experimental studies indicate that the high-temperature heat pipe startup process is characterized by a moving hot zone with relatively sharp fronts. Based on the above observation, a flat-front model for an approximate analytical solution is proposed. A closed-form solution related to the temperature distribution in the hot zone and the hot zone length as a function of time are obtained. The analytical results agree well with the corresponding experimental data, and provide a quick prediction method for the heat pipe startup performance. Finally, a heat pipe limitation related to the frozen startup process is identified, and an explicit criterion for the high-temperature heat pipe startup is derived. The frozen startup limit identified in this paper provides a fundamental guidance for high-temperature heat pipe design.

Cao, Y.↗

Some principles governing the establishment of meteorological stations along air routes

The organization of a meteorological service for an air route involves the solution of two distinct problems: distribution and grouping of meteorological stations and communications. Experience gained in the establishment of two lines, Paris-Warsaw and Constantinople-Bucharest enables us to establish certain principles, which may be of interest to note here.

Aujames, P↗

Evaporation and combustion of LOX under supercritical and subcritical conditions

The objective is to study the evaporation and combustion of LOX under supercritical and subcritical conditions both experimentally and theoretically. In the evaporation studies, evaporation rate and surface temperature were measured when LOX vaporizing in helium environments at pressures ranging from 5 to 68 atm. A Varian 3700 gas chromatograph was employed to measure the oxygen concentration above the LOX surface. For the combustion tests, high-magnification video photography was used to record direct images of the flame shape of a LOX/H2/He laminar diffusion flame. The gas composition in the post-flame region is also being measured with the gas sampling and chromatography analysis. These data are being used to validate the theoretical model. A comprehensive theoretical model with the consideration of the solubility of ambient gases as well as variable thermophysical properties was formulated and solved numerically to study the gasification and burning of LOX at elevated pressures. The calculated flame shape agreed reasonably well with the edge of the observed luminous flame surface. The effect of gravity on the flame structure of laminar diffusion flames was found to be significant. In addition, the predicted results using the flame-sheet model were compared with those based upon full equilibrium calculations (which considered the formation of intermediate species) at supercritical pressures. Except at the flame front where temperature exceeded 2,800 K, the flame-sheet and equilibrium solutions in terms of temperature distributions were in very close agreement. The temperature deviation in the neighborhood of the flame front is caused by the effect of high-temperature dissociation.

Yang, A. S.↗

A new determination of radii and limb parameters for Pluto and Charon from mutual event lightcurves

Over the past several years Pluto-Charon mutual events have yielded progressively more accurate estimates of Charon's orbital elements and the radii of Pluto and Charon (e.g., Buie, Tholen, and Horne, 1992). Analysis of the 1988 stellar occultation by Pluto indicates a radius for Pluto that is about 4%, or 50 km, larger than the mutual event radius of 1151 km. One possible explanation for the discrepancy is that the mutual event modeling treats Pluto and Charon as uniformly bright disks. If they are limb-darkened, the mutual event fits could underestimate their radii. In this paper we use an independent mutual event data set (Young and Binzel, 1992) to fit for Pluto and Charon's radii in a manner independent of either object's limb profile or albedo distribution. Our least-squares solution indicates that Pluto's radius is 1164 +/- 22.9 km and Charon's radius is 621 +/- 20.6 km.

Young, Eliot F.↗

Program Classifies Multiple-Frequency Polarimetric SAR Data

POLMAP computer program classifies multifrequency, polarimetric synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) data into homogeneous classes of radar back-scatter. Software implements maximum-a-posteriori classification scheme. Performs by use of simulated-annealing procedure, takes much longer to compute than ICM solution, but it maximizes posteriori distribution of classes for whole scene. Input statistics of image classes must be created by some independent means, and supplied as input to POLMAP. Used as input to image processing application program. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Rignot, Eric↗

Towards Distributed Fluids/Controls Simulations

Computational prototyping of aircraft in nonlinear regimes will require the coupling of high-order disciplines on high performance computers. This effort investigates the coupling of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with six degree-of-freedom nonlinear body dynamics and controls on distributed architectures. Towards this goal, solutions obtained on a wide-node IBM SP-2, an Ethernet-linked cluster of workstations, and a Cray C90 are compared in terms of accuracy and throughput.

Atwood, Christopher A.↗

An Approach to Simulation of Extreme Conditions for a Planetary Lander

A "Monte Carlo-like" design analysis tool is developed and applied to an aeromaneuvering Mars entry vehicle. This tool provides realistic but challenging design cases using many fewer cases than a full Monte Carlo analysis. The problem of random input variables that are provided a priori (as opposed to being drawn from a given distribution) is addressed and a solution is found that shows prospects for future improvement.

Queen, Eric M.↗

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2009

Topics covered include: Dual Cryogenic Capacitive Density Sensor; Hail Monitor Sensor; Miniature Six-Axis Load Sensor for Robotic Fingertip; Improved Blackbody Temperature Sensors for a Vacuum Furnace; Wrap-Around Out-the-Window Sensor Fusion System; Wide-Range Temperature Sensors with High-Level Pulse Train Output; Terminal Descent Sensor Simulation; A Robust Mechanical Sensing System for Unmanned Sea Surface Vehicles; Additive for Low-Temperature Operation of Li-(CF)n Cells; Li/CFx Cells Optimized for Low-Temperature Operation; Number Codes Readable by Magnetic-Field-Response Recorders; Determining Locations by Use of Networks of Passive Beacons; Superconducting Hot-Electron Submillimeter-Wave Detector; Large-Aperture Membrane Active Phased-Array Antennas; Optical Injection Locking of a VCSEL in an OEO; Measuring Multiple Resistances Using Single-Point Excitation; Improved-Bandwidth Transimpedance Amplifier; Inter-Symbol Guard Time for Synchronizing Optical PPM; Novel Materials Containing Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Wrapped in Polymer Molecules; Light-Curing Adhesive Repair Tapes; Thin-Film Solid Oxide Fuel Cells; Zinc Alloys for the Fabrication of Semiconductor Devices; Small, Lightweight, Collapsible Glove Box; Radial Halbach Magnetic Bearings; Aerial Deployment and Inflation System for Mars Helium Balloons; Steel Primer Chamber Assemblies for Dual Initiated Pyrovalves; Voice Coil Percussive Mechanism Concept for Hammer Drill; Inherently Ducted Propfans and Bi-Props; Silicon Nanowire Growth at Chosen Positions and Orientations; Detecting Airborne Mercury by Use of Gold Nanowires; Detecting Airborne Mercury by Use of Palladium Chloride; Micro Electron MicroProbe and Sample Analyzer; Nanowire Electron Scattering Spectroscopy; Electron-Spin Filters Would Offer Spin Polarization Greater than 1; Subcritical-Water Extraction of Organics from Solid Matrices; A Model for Predicting Thermoelectric Properties of Bi2Te3; Integrated Miniature Arrays of Optical Biomolecule Detectors; A Software Rejuvenation Framework for Distributed Computing; Kurtosis Approach to Solution of a Nonlinear ICA Problem; Robust Software Architecture for Robots; R4SA for Controlling Robots; Bio-Inspired Neural Model for Learning Dynamic Models; Evolutionary Computing Methods for Spectral Retrieval; Monitoring Disasters by Use of Instrumented Robotic Aircraft; Complexity for Survival of Living Systems; Using Drained Spacecraft Propellant Tanks for Habitation; Connecting Node; and Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Operation of Li-CFx Cells.

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Promoting Collaborative Open Science through the Stakeholder Engagement Program

Since 2016, the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG), an initiative of the U.S. Group on Earth Observations (USGEO), has surveyed federal agencies biennially to identify their satellite Earth observation needs. Coordinating with the agencies, NASA-led assessment teams work to identify solutions for each expressed need. Solutions to a need can involve existing data products or even the formation of new data products and technologies, such as the Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) product and the Catalog of Archived Sub-Orbital Earth Science Investigations (CASEI). To enhance community engagement with these new data products and technologies, the SNWG Management Office’s Stakeholder Engagement Program (SEP) was established. The SEP within NASA’s Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) at Marshall Space Flight Center has three goals: to increase awareness of the SNWG survey and its outcomes, to ensure training coordination and outreach efforts supporting integration and use of SNWG solutions, and to enhance coordination among solution development teams, NASA’s Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs), SNWG stakeholders, and end user communities. These goals align with NASA Earth Science Data System’s (ESDS) Open Science initiative by establishing a collaborative community focused on enhancing scientific research at diverse levels of understanding. This presentation will highlight SEP’s facilitation of these open science goals through its support in SNWG’s past and current survey cycles as well as its plans for future involvement.

Jenny Wood↗

Fast Iterative Multi-site Hosting Capacity Analysis for Distribution Systems With Search Space Pruning

Interconnection studies for distributed energy resources (DERs) is a time-intensive process, primarily due to the necessity of solving large number of power flow scenarios. Hosting capacity analysis (HCA) is a time-consuming aspect of interconnection studies that is divided into single-site HCA (SHCA) and multi-site HCA (MHCA). From a computational and understandable standpoint, the industry seeks iteration-based solutions for SHCA, although it doesn't maximize the total DER hosting capacity (DERHC) of the grid, as MHCA does. While non-iterative solutions are available for MHCA, they involve a trade-off between the modeling accuracy of the distribution system, solution quality, and ease of understanding. In this work, we present a fast iterative solution for MHCA, reducing computational complexity by eliminating the need to solve power flows for a large amount of search space, thus making iterative solutions feasible. This iterative approach guarantees both a global optimal solution with sufficient time and a fast, close-to-optimal solution through efficient search space pruning. It also easily integrates with existing utility HCA tools. The results are demonstrated on select locations in the IEEE-123 bus system for community-scale interconnection studies. We highlight the benefits of skipping the need to solve millions of power flows, all while maximizing the grid's total DERHC.

Guddanti, Kishan Prudhvi↗

Oscillator response to nonstationary excitation

Analytical solutions are presented regarding probability density distributions of various response parameters of a lightly damped oscillator. The oscillator is subjected to a broad-band stochastic excitation which possesses a time-variant power spectrum. The analytical solutions are derived by utilizing appropriate Fokker-Planck equations which govern Markovian approximations of the response parameters considered. The reliability of the approximate analytical solution is tested by using pertinent data generated by a digital Monte Carlo study.

Spanos, P.-T. D.↗

MAG3D and its application to internal flowfield analysis

MAG3D (multiblock adaptive grid, 3D) is a 3D solution-adaptive grid generation code which redistributes grid points to improve the accuracy of a flow solution without increasing the number of grid points. The code is applicable to structured grids with a multiblock topology. It is independent of the original grid generator and the flow solver. The code uses the coordinates of an initial grid and the flow solution interpolated onto the new grid. MAG3D uses a numerical mapping and potential theory to modify the grid distribution based on properties of the flow solution on the initial grid. The adaptation technique is discussed, and the capability of MAG3D is demonstrated with several internal flow examples. Advantages of using solution-adaptive grids are also shown by comparing flow solutions on adaptive grids with those on initial grids.

Lee, K. D.↗

Recommendations for numerical solution of reinforced-panel and fuselage-ring problems

Procedures are recommended for solving the equations of equilibrium of reinforced panels and isolated fuselage rings as represented by the external loads and the operations table established according to Southwell's method. From the solution of these equations the stress distribution can be easily determined. The method of systematic relaxations, the matrix-calculus method, and several other methods applicable in special cases are discussed. Definite recommendations are made for obtaining the solution of reinforced-panel problems which are generally designated as shear lag problems. The procedures recommended are demonstrated in the analysis of a number of panels. In the case of fuselage rings it is not possible to make definite recommendations for the solution of the equilibrium equations for all rings and loadings. However, suggestions based on the latest experience are made and demonstrated on several rings.

Hoff, N J↗

Analytical inversions in remote sensing of particle size distributions. I - Multispectral extinctions in the anomalous diffraction approximation. II Angular and spectral scattering in diffraction approximations

Consideration is given to analytical inversions in the remote sensing of particle size distributions, noting multispectral extinctions in anomalous diffraction approximation and angular and spectral scattering in diffraction approximation. A closed-form analytical inverse solution is derived in order to reconstruct the size distribution of atmospheric aerosols. The anomalous diffraction approximation to Mie's solution is used to describe the particles. Experimental data yield the geometrical area of aerosol polydispersion. Size distribution is thus found from a set of multispectral extinction measurements. In terms of the angular and spectral scattering of light in a narrow forward cone, it is shown that an analytical inverse solution may also be found for the Fraunhofer approximation to the Kirchhoff diffraction, and for an improved expression of this approximation due to Penndorf (1962) and Shifrin-Punina (1968).

Fymat, A. L.↗

Predicting propulsion system drag

DONBOL computer program analytically predicts axisymmetric nozzle afterbody pressure distributions and drag. Predictions are based on Neumann solution for inviscid external flow coupled with modified Reshotko-Tucker integral boundary layer technique, control volume method of Presz for calculating flow in separated region, and inviscid one dimensional solution for jet exhaust flow. Comparisons with experimental data indicate program accurately predicts pressure distributions of boattail afterbodies for which jet exhaust plume can be simulated by solid body. For other configurations, nozzle pressure drag seems to be significantly underpredicted. Method is limited to subsonic free stream mach numbers below those for which flow over body becomes sonic.

Putnam, L. E.↗

Numerical Analysis of Incipient Separation on 53 Deg Swept Diamond Wing

A systematic analysis of incipient separation and subsequent vortex formation from moderately swept blunt leading edges is presented for a 53 deg swept diamond wing. This work contributes to a collective body of knowledge generated within the NATO/STO AVT-183 Task Group titled 'Reliable Prediction of Separated Flow Onset and Progression for Air and Sea Vehicles'. The objective is to extract insights from the experimentally measured and numerically computed flow fields that might enable turbulence experts to further improve their models for predicting swept blunt leading-edge flow separation. Details of vortex formation are inferred from numerical solutions after establishing a good correlation of the global flow field and surface pressure distributions between wind tunnel measurements and computed flow solutions. From this, significant and sometimes surprising insights into the nature of incipient separation and part-span vortex formation are derived from the wealth of information available in the computational solutions.

Frink, Neal T.↗

Generation of Bubbly Suspensions in Low Gravity

Generation of a uniform monodisperse bubbly suspension in low gravity is a rather difficult task because bubbles do not detach as easily as on Earth. Under microgravity, the buoyancy force is not present to detach the bubbles as they are formed from the nozzles. One way to detach the bubbles is to establish a detaching force that helps their detachment from the orifice. The drag force, established by flowing a liquid in a cross or co-flow configuration with respect to the nozzle direction, provides this additional force and helps detach the bubbles as they are being formed. This paper is concerned with studying the generation of a bubbly suspension in low gravity in support of a flight definition experiment titled "Behavior of Rapidly Sheared Bubbly Suspension." Generation of a bubbly suspension, composed of 2 and 3 mm diameter bubbles with a standard deviation <10% of the bubble diameter, was identified as one of the most important engineering/science issues associated with the flight definition experiment. This paper summarizes the low gravity experiments that were conducted to explore various ways of making the suspension. Two approaches were investigated. The first was to generate the suspension via a chemical reaction between the continuous and dispersed phases using effervescent material, whereas the second considered the direct injection of air into the continuous phase. The results showed that the reaction method did not produce the desired bubble size distribution compared to the direct injection of bubbles. However, direct injection of air into the continuous phase (aqueous salt solution) resulted in uniform bubble-diameter distribution with acceptable bubble-diameter standard deviation.

Nahra, Henry K.↗