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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

An alternative interpretation of Jupiter's 'plasmapause'

It has recently been suggested that Io is an important source of ions for the plasma detected by Pioneer 10 in the inner magnetosphere of Jupiter. Assuming this to be true, we show that near the orbit of Io the central collector of the Pioneer-10 plasma instrument could detect only inwardly diffusing ions created at a radial distance greater than that of the spacecraft. The rapid decrease in ion density observed beyond Io's orbit is attributed, at least partially, to this effect and thus may not represent a real plasma boundary such as a 'plasmapause'. Instead, the drop in observed ion density could correspond to a decrease in the density of Io-associated neutral particles orbiting Jupiter.

Neugebauer, M.↗

Experimental study of low aspect ratio compressor blading

The paper presents a study of low aspect blading for the inlet stages of a high pressure ratio, high-speed core compressor. The basic overall design variables were stage pressure ratio and blade aspect ratio; these four stages represent two levels of total pressure ratio, two levels of rotor blade aspect ratio, and two levels of stator vane aspect ratios. Comparisons of the overall performance, radial distributions of performance parameters, diffusion factors at the near-stall conditions, blade element data, and the axial distribution of rotor tip static pressures yielded the following results: (1) higher peak pressure ratio, high stage and rotor efficiencies, and greater stall margin were obtained with the lower aspect ratio blading, (2) the lower aspect ratio blading showed improved performance over the entire blade span, and (3) the lower aspect ratio rotors operated at higher diffusion factors and higher incidence angles over the entire blade span.

Reid, L.↗

Constraints of solar flare particle transport models from anisotropy observations at Voyager 1

In general a particle transport model for energetic solar flare particles contains a number of free parameters which are determined by fitting various features of observed particle events. Frequently the parameter values are not uniquely determined. In order to place tighter constraints on the models, the anisotropy of 1 and 25 MeV/nuc protons and helium nuclei were examined during the 22 November 1977 solar particle event using data from the LECP experiment on Voyager 1 at 1.6 AU. These observations were combined with the time intensity profiles at Voyager 1 and at 1 AU from ISEE-1 and IMP-8 to determine the magnitude and radial dependence of the interplanetary diffusion coefficient and the required injection duration at the sun. The first order anisotropy amplitudes for both 1 MeV and 25 MeV protons are observed to decrease from maximum values (approx. 1) during the event onset at Voyager 1 to values consistent with convection in the solar wind at about 3 days into the event decay phase. The intensity and anisotropy profiles at 1.6 AU are consistent with predictions of diffusive transport with a modest mean free path (lambda = approx. 0.1 AU).

Hamilton, D. C.↗

Collision-induced transport processes in planetary rings

The physics of collision-dominated particle disks around planets is analyzed from both the analytical and numerical point of view. The existence of Saturn's ringlet structure is analyzed in terms of a radial instability induced by viscous diffusion. The detailed model described is based on the assumption of uniform particle size. Modifications caused by finite particle size, gravitational effects, and a distribution of particle sizes are discussed.

Stewart, G. R.↗

Model structure of a cosmic-ray mediated stellar or solar wind

An idealized hydrodynamic model is presented for the mediation of a free-streaming stellar wind by galactic cosmic rays or energetic particles accelerated at the stellar wind termination shock. The spherically-symmetric stellar wind is taken to be cold; the only body force is the cosmic ray pressure gradient. The cosmic rays are treated as a massless fluid with an effective mean diffusion coefficient k proportional to radial distance r. The structure of the governing equations is investigated both analytically and numerically. Solutions for a range of values of k are presented which describe the deceleration of the stellar wind and a transition to nearly incompressible flow and constant cosmic ray pressure at large r. In the limit of small k the transition steepens to a strong stellar wind termination shock. For large k the stellar wind is decelerated gradually with no shock transition. It is argued that the solutions provide a simple model for the mediation of the solar wind by interstellar ions as both pickup ions and the cosmic ray anomalous component which together dominate the pressure of the solar wind at large r.

Lee, M. A.↗

Self-organized spiral and circular waves in premixed gas flames

A diffusive-thermal high Lewis number (Le) gas-phase oscillator has been observed in premixed flames using a lean mixture of butane and oxygen diluted with helium (Le approximately equals 3.0). This reactive-diffusive system exhibits both propagating radial pulsations and rotating spiral waves perhaps analogous to those observed in other excitable media such as the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction.

Pearlman, Howard G.↗

Self-organized Spiral and Circular Waves in Premixed Gas Flames

A diffusive-thermal high Lewis number (Le) gas-phase oscillator has been observed in premixed flames using a lean mixture of butane and oxygen diluted with helium (Le approx. 3.0). This reactive-diffusive system exhibits both propagating radial pulsations and rotating spiral waves perhaps,analogous to those observed in other excitable media such as the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction.

Pealman, Howard G.↗

Magneto-Hydrodynamic Damping of Convection During Vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger Growth of HgCdTe

In order to quantify the effects of convection on segregation, Hg(0.8)Cd(0.2)Te crystals were grown by the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger method in the presence of an applied axial magnetic field of 50 kG. The influence of convection, by magneto-hydrodynamic damping, on mass transfer in the melt and segregation at the solid-liquid interface was investigated by measuring the axial and radial compositional variations in the grown samples. The reduction of convective mixing in the melt through the application of the magnetic field is found to decrease radial segregation to the diffusion-limited regime. It was also found that the suppression of the convective cell near the solid-liquid interface results in an increase in the slope of the diffusion-controlled solute boundary layer, which can lead to constitutional supercooling.

Watring, D. A.↗

Laser Velocimeter Measurements of the Flow Within a Vane-Island Diffuser

A series of detailed non-intrusive laser velocimeter flow field surveys were performed to validate computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes for rotating pump components. Three component laser-2-focus (L2F) laser velocimetry was used to acquire data within a flow passage of a diffuser at design flow conditions. The thirteen vane-island type diffuser was designed to allow diffusion in the axial direction. Multiple laser velocimeter surveys were performed throughout several diffuser passages and at multiple diffuser depths (hub to shroud). The axial (3D) component of the velocity at all locations was small. The radial and meridional velocity components nearest the diffuser hub increased in magnitude relative to the flow nearest the shroud as the flow progressed through the diffuser. A continuity check across the diffuser throat and based on the meridional velocity component yielded a match with a facility flow meter of 98.0%.

Ferguson, Thomas V.↗

Rotary Blood Pump

A rotary blood pump includes a pump housing for receiving a flow straightener, a rotor mounted on rotor bearings and having an inducer portion and an impeller portion, and a diffuser. The entrance angle, outlet angle, axial and radial clearances of blades associated with the flow straightener, inducer portion, impeller portion and diffuser are optimized to minimize hemolysis while maintaining pump efficiency. The rotor bearing includes a bearing chamber that is filled with cross-linked blood or other bio-compatible material. A back emf integrated circuit regulates rotor operation and a microcomputer may be used to control one or more back emf integrated circuits. A plurality of magnets are disposed in each of a plurality of impeller blades with a small air gap. A stator may be axially adjusted on the pump housing to absorb bearing load and maximize pump efficiency.

Bozeman, Richard J., Jr.↗

Axial Pump

A rotary blood pump includes a pump housing for receiving a flow straightener, a rotor mounted on rotor bearings and having an inducer portion and an impeller portion, and a diffuser. The entrance angle, outlet angle, axial and radial clearances of blades associated with the flow straightener, inducer portion, impeller portion and diffuser are optimized to minimize hemolysis while maintaining pump efficiency. The rotor bearing includes a bearing chamber that is filled with cross-linked blood or other bio-compatible material. A back emf integrated circuit regulates rotor operation and a microcomputer may be used to control one or more back emf integrated circuits. A plurality of magnets are disposed in each of a plurality of impeller blades with a small air gap. A stator may be axially adjusted on the pump housing to absorb bearing load and maximize pump efficiency.

Bozeman, Richard J., Jr.↗

Hydraulically opened cone vertical tube diffuser with slanted anti-siphon hole

A diffuser for a water heater fill tubes having a tube wall with an outside diameter. The diffuser includes an elongated flexible diffuser body for positioning at the outlet end of the fill tube. The diffuser body has a sealing end for sealing with an outside surface of the fill tube wall closest to the inlet end of the fill tube, and an open end for positioning at an end closest to the outlet end of the fill tube. The open end has a diameter larger than an outside diameter of the tube wall, thereby creating an diffuser water outlet opening between the diffuser body and the tube wall for redirecting radial water flow emanating from the fill tube water outlet opening(s) toward the diffuser outlet opening. A fill tube assembly for a water heater, a water heater, and a method for heating water are also disclosed.

Rendall, Joseph D.↗

Rotary blood pump

A rotary blood pump is presented. The pump includes a pump housing for receiving a flow straightener, a rotor mounted on rotor bearings and having an inducer portion and an impeller portion, and a diffuser. The entrance angle, outlet angle, axial, and radial clearances of the blades associated with the flow straightener, inducer portion, impeller portion, and diffuser are optimized to minimize hemolysis while maintaining pump efficiency. The rotor bearing includes a bearing chamber that is filled with crosslinked blood or other bio-compatible material. A back emf integrated circuit regulates rotor operation and a microcomputer may be used to control one or more back emf integrated circuits. A plurality of magnets are disposed in each of a plurality of impeller blades with a small air gap. A stator may be axially adjusted on the pump housing to absorb bearing load and maximize pump efficiency.

Bozeman, Richard J.↗

High Aspect Ratio Semiconductor Heterojunction Solar Cells

The project focused on the development of high aspect ratio silicon heterojunction (HARSH) solar cells. The solar cells developed in this study consisted of high density vertical arrays of radial junction silicon microwires/pillars formed on Si substrates. Prior studies have demonstrated that vertical Si wire/pillar arrays enable reduced reflectivity and improved light trapping characteristics compared to planar solar cells. In addition, the radial junction structure offers the possibility of increased carrier collection in solar cells fabricated using material with short carrier diffusion lengths. However, the high junction and surface area of radial junction Si wire/pillar array devices can be problematic and lead to increased diode leakage and enhanced surface recombination. This study investigated the use of amorphous hydrogenated Si in the form of a heterojunction-intrinsic-thin layer (HIT) structure as a junction formation method for these devices. The HIT layer structure has widely been employed to reduce surface recombination in planar crystalline Si solar cells. Consequently, it was anticipated that it would also provide significant benefits to the performance of radial junction Si wire/pillar array devices. The overall goals of the project were to demonstrate a HARSH cell with a HIT-type structure in the radial junction Si wire/pillar array configuration and to develop potentially low cost pathways to fabricate these devices. Our studies demonstrated that the HIT structure lead to significant improvements in the open circuit voltage (V oc >0.5) of radial junction Si pillar array devices compared to devices fabricated using junctions formed by thermal diffusion or low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). In addition, our work experimentally demonstrated that the radial junction structure lead to improvements in efficiency compared to comparable planar devices for devices fabricated using heavily doped Si that had reduced carrier diffusion lengths. Furthermore, we made significant advances in employing the bottom-up vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth technique for the fabrication of the Si wire arrays. Our work elucidated the effects of growth conditions and substrate pattern geometry on the growth of large area Si microwire arrays grown with SiCl4. In addition, we also developed a process to grow p-type Si nanowire arrays using aluminum as the catalyst metal instead of gold. Finally, our work demonstrated the feasibility of growing vertical arrays of Si wires on non-crystalline glass substrates using polycrystalline Si template layers. The accomplishments demonstrated in this project will pave the way for future advances in radial junction wire array solar cells.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Microtearing turbulence: Magnetic braiding and disruption limit

A realistic reduced model involving a large poloidal spectrum of microtearing modes is used to probe the existence of some stochasticity of magnetic field lines. Stochasticity is shown to occur even for the low values of the magnetic perturbation δB/B devoted to magnetic turbulence that have been experimentally measured. Because the diffusion coefficient may strongly depend on the radial (or magnetic-flux) coordinate, being very low near some resonant surfaces, and because its evaluation implicitly makes a normal diffusion hypothesis, one turns to another indicator appropriate to diagnose the confinement: the mean residence time of magnetic field lines. Their computation in the microturbulence frame points to the existence of a disruption limit, namely of a critical order of magnitude of δB/B above which stochasticity is no longer benign yet, leads to a macroscopic loss of confinement in some tens to hundred of electron toroidal excursions. Since the level of magnetic turbulence δB/B has been measured to grow with the plasma electron density, this would also be a density limit.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Vertical group III-V nanowires on si, heterostructures, flexible arrays and fabrication

Embodiments of the invention provide a method for direct heteroepitaxial growth of vertical III-V semiconductor nanowires on a silicon substrate. The silicon substrate is etched to substantially completely remove native oxide. It is promptly placed in a reaction chamber. The substrate is heated and maintained at a growth temperature. Group III-V precursors are flowed for a growth time. Preferred embodiment vertical Group III-V nanowires on silicon have a core-shell structure, which provides a radial homojunction or heterojunction. A doped nanowire core is surrounded by a shell with complementary doping. Such can provide high optical absorption due to the long optical path in the axial direction of the vertical nanowires, while reducing considerably the distance over which carriers must diffuse before being collected in the radial direction. Alloy composition can also be varied. Radial and axial homojunctions and heterojunctions can be realized. Embodiments provide for flexible Group III-V nanowire structures. An array of Group III-V nanowire structures is embedded in polymer. A fabrication method forms the vertical nanowires on a substrate, e.g., a silicon substrate. Preferably, the nanowires are formed by the preferred methods for fabrication of Group III-V nanowires on silicon. Devices can be formed with core/shell and core/multi-shell nanowires and the devices are released from the substrate upon which the nanowires were formed to create a flexible structure that includes an array of vertical nanowires embedded in polymer.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Propagation of Solar Energetic Particles in Three-dimensional Interplanetary Magnetic Fields: Radial Dependence of Peak Intensities

A functional form I{sub max}(R)=kR{sup −α}, where R is the radial distance of a spacecraft, was usually used to model the radial dependence of peak intensities I{sub max}(R) of solar energetic particles (SEPs). In this work, the five-dimensional Fokker–Planck transport equation incorporating perpendicular diffusion is numerically solved to investigate the radial dependence of SEP peak intensities. We consider two different scenarios for the distribution of a spacecraft fleet: (1) along the radial direction line and (2) along the Parker magnetic field line. We find that the index α in the above expression varies in a wide range, primarily depending on the properties (e.g., location and coverage) of SEP sources and on the longitudinal and latitudinal separations between the sources and the magnetic foot points of the observers. Particularly, whether the magnetic foot point of the observer is located inside or outside the SEP source is a crucial factor determining the values of index α. A two-phase phenomenon is found in the radial dependence of peak intensities. The “position” of the break point (transition point/critical point) is determined by the magnetic connection status of the observers. This finding suggests that a very careful examination of the magnetic connection between the SEP source and each spacecraft should be taken in the observational studies. We obtain a lower limit of R{sup −1.7±0.1} for empirically modeling the radial dependence of SEP peak intensities. Our findings in this work can be used to explain the majority of the previous multispacecraft survey results, and especially to reconcile the different or conflicting empirical values of the index α in the literature.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗