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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 469 records · Page 26
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NASA NTRS2024

Hybrid Kinetic Modeling of the Magnetosheath Impulsive Plasma Cloud Penetration Through the Magnetopause and Comparison with MMS and Other Spacecraft Observations

This research examines the plasma processes under penetration of the plasma clouds (plasmoids) across the magnetopause which is modeled as a tangential discontinuity (TD). Cases with the parallel magnetic field in both sides out of the TD are under investigation. Plasma parameters and magnetic field were chosen from the MMS mission and other spacecraft observations. The results are important for understanding the following basic space plasma physics problems: (a) plasma cloud deformation and strong phase mixing with magnetospheric plasma; (b) the transfer of mass, momentum and energy of magnetosheath and magnetic cloud plasma into magnetospheric plasmas; (c) necessary conditions for plasma cloud penetration via the magnetopause; (d) wave generation by plasma clouds inside the magnetopause.

A S Lipatov↗
NASA NTRS1984

Observations of plasma bulk parameters and the energy balance of the solar wind between 1 and 10 AU

The solar wind bulk velocity, the product of the mass flux and the square of the heliocentric distance, and the product of the density and the square of the heliocentric distance, are all found not to vary with heliocentric distance in spacecraft observations of the radial evolutions of several solar wind bulk parameters in the 1-10 AU range. Density's anticorrelation with velocity vanishes at greater distances from the sun than 1 AU, while solar wind bulk velocity and thermal speed are correlated over the entire 1-10 AU range. Thermal process heating, bulk kinetic energy conversion to thermal energy, and electron heat conduction, are considered as mechanisms accounting for the radial variation of the solar wind proton temperature over 1-10 AU. It is found that the addition of a heat flux due to heat conduction is a persuasive alternative.

Gazis, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Constraints on molecular gas in cooling flows and powerful radio galaxies

We searched for molecular gas in a heterogeneous sample of five radio-loud galaxies (three of which are inferred to be in cooling flow clusters) using the Swedish-European Southern Observatory (Swedish-ESO) Submillimeter Telescope. We do not detect CO in emission in any of the cluster sources at a 3 sigma level of typically 15 mK. White et al. (1991) have suggested column densities of N(sub H) approximately 10(exp 21)/sq cm in these clusters with a spatial covering factor of order unity and a total mass of M approximately 10(exp 12) solar mass. Our limits are inconsistent with these column densities and spatial covering factor unless the molecular gas is very cold (kinetic temperature close to 2.7 K) or there only a few clouds along each line of sight. We estimate minimum temperatures in the range approximately 20-30 K. We find that clouds of atomic and molecular hydrogen require strict fine-tuning of parameter space in order to satisfy the requirements for the large column densities N(sub H) approximately 10(exp 21)/sq cm, unit covering factor, and a small number of clouds along the line of sight. Currently the only way molecular gas can be responsible for the X-ray absorption and still be consistent with our observations is if (1) there is of order one cloud along the line of sight and (2) the optical depth in C-12 1 to 0 is less than 10. In addition, we present a Very Large Array (VLA) image of NGC 4696 which suggests this object is a member of the class of 'amorphous cooling flow radio sources.' The C-12 1 to 0 line is detected in emission in PKS 0634-206, a classical double radio galaxy which is rich in extended optical emission line gas. The estimated molecular gas mass is M(sub mol) approximately 3 x 10(exp 9) solar mass and is much larger than that of the ionized component detected in hydrogen alpha suggesting that the emission-line nebula is radiation bounded.

O'Dea, Christopher P.↗
NASA NTRS1995

GRO: Black hole models for gamma-ray bursts

The Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on board the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) has established that the distribution of gamma-ray bursts (GRB's) is isotropic but is bound radially. This finding suggests that the bursts are either cosmological or they originate from an extended Galactic halo. The implied luminosities and the observed variability of the GRB's on time scales as short as one millisecond suggest that they originate from compact objects. We are presently studying black hole models for GRB's. Any such model must produce a non-thermal photon spectrum to agree with the observed properties. For a wide range of burst parameters the assumed bursting source consists of a non-thermal electron-positron-photon plasma of very high density. It seems possible to produce such a plasma in accretion onto black holes. In our on-going work, we are developing the kinetic theory for a non-equilibrium pair plasma. The main new features of our work are as follows: (1) We do not assume the presence of a thermal electron bath. (2) Non-thermal, high-energy pairs are allowed to have an arbitrary concentration and energy distribution. (3) There is no soft photon source in our model; initially all the photons in the plasma are either energetic X-rays or gamma-rays. (4) The initial energy distribution of the pairs as well as photons is arbitrary. (5) We collect the analytical expressions for the kinetic kernels for all relevant processes. And (6) we present a different approach to finding the time-evolution of pair and photon spectra, which is a combination of the kinetic-theory and the non-linear Monte-Carlo schemes. We have developed many Monte-Carlo programs to model various process, to take into account the time evolution, and to incorporate various physical effects which are unique to non-thermal plasmas. The hydrodynamics of fireballs in GRB's was studied before. Applying results from kinetic theory will improve our understanding of these systems.

Ruderman, Malvin↗
NASA NTRS2011

Merging for Particle-Mesh Complex Particle Kinetic Modeling of the Multiple Plasma Beams

We suggest a merging procedure for the Particle-Mesh Complex Particle Kinetic (PMCPK) method in case of inter-penetrating flow (multiple plasma beams). We examine the standard particle-in-cell (PIC) and the PMCPK methods in the case of particle acceleration by shock surfing for a wide range of the control numerical parameters. The plasma dynamics is described by a hybrid (particle-ion-fluid-electron) model. Note that one may need a mesh if modeling with the computation of an electromagnetic field. Our calculations use specified, time-independent electromagnetic fields for the shock, rather than self-consistently generated fields. While a particle-mesh method is a well-verified approach, the CPK method seems to be a good approach for multiscale modeling that includes multiple regions with various particle/fluid plasma behavior. However, the CPK method is still in need of a verification for studying the basic plasma phenomena: particle heating and acceleration by collisionless shocks, magnetic field reconnection, beam dynamics, etc.

Lipatov, Alexander S.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Scaling of Magnetic Reconnection in Relativistic Collisionless Pair Plasmas

Using fully kinetic simulations, we study the scaling of the inflow speed of collisionless magnetic reconnection in electron-positron plasmas from the non-relativistic to ultra-relativistic limit. In the anti-parallel configuration, the inflow speed increases with the upstream magnetization parameter sigma and approaches the speed of light when sigma is greater than O(100), leading to an enhanced reconnection rate. In all regimes, the divergence of the pressure tensor is the dominant term responsible for breaking the frozen-in condition at the x-line. The observed scaling agrees well with a simple model that accounts for the Lorentz contraction of the plasma passing through the diffusion region. The results demonstrate that the aspect ratio of the diffusion region, modified by the compression factor of proper density, remains approximately 0.1 in both the non-relativistic and relativistic limits.

plasma↗
NASA NTRS1997

A model for the kinetics of homotypic cellular aggregation under static conditions

We present the formulation and testing of a mathematical model for the kinetics of homotypic cellular aggregation. The model considers cellular aggregation under no-flow conditions as a two-step process. Individual cells and cell aggregates 1) move on the tissue culture surface and 2) collide with other cells (or aggregates). These collisions lead to the formation of intercellular bonds. The aggregation kinetics are described by a system of coupled, nonlinear ordinary differential equations, and the collision frequency kernel is derived by extending Smoluchowski's colloidal flocculation theory to cell migration and aggregation on a two-dimensional surface. Our results indicate that aggregation rates strongly depend upon the motility of cells and cell aggregates, the frequency of cell-cell collisions, and the strength of intercellular bonds. Model predictions agree well with data from homotypic lymphocyte aggregation experiments using Jurkat cells activated by 33B6, an antibody to the beta 1 integrin. Since cell migration speeds and all the other model parameters can be independently measured, the aggregation model provides a quantitative methodology by which we can accurately evaluate the adhesivity and aggregation behavior of cells.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1981

An extended classical solution of the droplet growth problem

Problems of applying the classical kinetic theory to the growth of small droplets from vapor are examined. A solution for the droplet growth equation is derived which is based on the assumption of a diffusive field extending to the drop surface. The method accounts for partial thermal and mass accommodation at the interface and the kinetic limit to the mass and heat fluxes, and it avoids introducing the artifact of a discontinuity in the thermal and vapor field near the droplet. Consideration of the environmental fields in spherical geometry utilizing directional fluxes yields boundary values in terms of known parameters and a new Laplace transform integral.

Anderson, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Contributions of divergent and nondivergent winds to the kinetic energy balance of a severe storm environment

Divergent and rotational components of the synoptic scale kinetic energy balance are presented using rawinsonde data at 3 and 6 h intervals from the Atmospheric Variability Experiment (AVE 4). Two intense thunderstorm complexes occurred during the period. Energy budgets are described for the entire computational region and for limited volumes that enclose and move with the convection. Although small in magnitude, the divergent wind component played an important role in the cross contour generation and horizontal flux divergence of kinetic energy. The importance of V sub D appears directly to the presence and intensity of convection within the area. Although K sub D usually comprised less than 10 percent of the total kinetic energy content within the storm environment, as much as 87 percent of the total horizontal flux divergence and 68 percent of the total cross contour generation was due to the divergent component in the upper atmosphere. Generation of kinetic energy by the divergent component appears to be a major factor in the creation of an upper level wind maximum on the poleward side of one of the complexes. A random error analysis is presented to assess confidence limits in the various energy parameters.

Browning, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Observations of the magnetopause current layer: Cases with no boundary layer and tests of recent models

Evidence for the probable existence of magnetospheric boundary layers was first presented by Hones, et al. (1972), based on VELA satellite plasma observations (no magnetic field measurements were obtained). This magnetotail boundary layer is now known to be the tailward extension of the high-latitude boundary layer or plasma mantle (first uniquely identified using HEOS 2 plasma and field observations by Rosenbauer et al., 1975) and the low-latitude boundary layer (first uniquely identified using IMP 6 plasma and field observations by Eastman et al., 1976). The magnetospheric boundary layer is the region of magnetosheath-like plasma located Earthward of, but generally contiguous with the magnetopause. This boundary layer is typically identified by comparing low-energy (less than 10 keV) ion spectra across the magnetopause. Low-energy electron measurements are also useful for identifying the boundary layer because the shocked solar wind or magnetosheath has a characteristic spectral signature for electrons as well. However, there are magnetopause crossings where low-energy electrons might suggest a depletion layer outside the magnetopause even though the traditional field-rotation signature indicates that this same region is a boundary layer Earthward of the current layer. Our analyses avoided crossings which exhibit such ambiguities. Pristine magnetopause crossings are magnetopause crossings for which the current layer is well defined and for which there is no adjoining magnetospheric boundary layer as defined above. Although most magnetopause models to date apply to such crossings, few comparisons between such theory and observations of pristine magnetopause crossings have been made because most crossings have an associated magnetospheric boundary layer which significantly affects the applicable boundary conditions for the magnetopause current layer. Furthermore, almost no observational studies of magnetopause microstructure have been done even though key theoretical issues have been discussed for over two decades. This is because plasma instruments deployed prior to the ISEE and AMPTE missions did not have the required time resolution and most ISEE investigations to-date have focused on tests of MHD plasma models, especially reconnection. More recently, many phenomenological and theoretical models have been developed to explain the existence and characteristics of the magnetospheric boundary layers with only limited success to date. The cases with no boundary layer treated in this study provide a contrary set of conditions to those observed with a boundary layer. For the measured parameters of such cases, a successful boundary layer model should predict no plasma penetration across the magnetopause. Thus, this research project provides the first direct observational tests of magnetopause models using pristine magnetopause crossings and provides important new results on magnetopause microstructure and associated kinetic processes.

Eastman, Timothy E.↗
NASA NTRS2000

X-Ray Line Spectroscopy of Massive X-Ray Binaries

Spectra from ASCA have provided the most, detailed view to date of the X-ray spectral properties of stellar winds in massive X-ray binaries. Using detailed atomic models that account for recombination cascade kinetics, we have reexamined archival data from Vela X-1 and Cen X-3 in the context of simple models of their wind geometries and velocity distributions. Our approach emphasizes apparent differential emission measure (DEM) distributions, and their dependence on orbital phase and wind parameters. A grid of theoretical DEM distributions is used to generate model spectra, which are compared to the data. We obtain good fits, and derive constraints oil the stellar wind parameters. We provide a summary of the method, and show that, even though the companion stars in Vela X-1 and Cen X-3 have comparable mass-loss rates, the winds in these two systems are dramatically different, in character.

Liedahl, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Isothermal Analysis of the Crystallization Kinetics in Lithium Disilicate Glass using Trans Temp Furnace

Crystallization kinetics for lithium disilicate, Li2O2SiO2, (LS2) glass has been studied extensively by nonisothermal methods, but only a few studies on the isothermal crystallization kinetics of LS2 are available. In the present research, isothermal crystallization experiments or the LS2 glass were conducted in a Trans Temp furnace between 600 and 635 C, and selected properties such as the activation energy for crystallization (E), crystal growth index or Avrami parameter (n), the concentration of quenched-in nuclei in the starting glass (Ni) and the crystal nucleation rate (I) were measured. The crystal nucleation rate (I) was measured at only one selected temperature of 452 C, at this time. This commercial furnace has a 13 cm long isothermal heating zone (+/- 1 C) that allows precise heat treatment of relatively large samples. By placing a thermocouple within approx. 2 mm of the sample, it was possible to detect the heat of crystallization in the form of an isothermal crystallization exotherm during isothermal heat treatment of the sample. The values of E (318 plus or minus 10 kJ/mol), n (3.6 plus or minus 0.l), and N(sub i) (1.6 x 10(exp l2) m(sup -3)) calculated by analyzing these isotherms using the standard Johnson-Mehl-Avrami (JMA) equation were reproducible and in agreement with the literature values. The value of I, 1.9 x 10(exp 10) m(sup -3) s(sup -1) at 452 C, is an order of magnitude higher than the reported value for LS2.

Fuss, T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Determination of meteor parameters using laboratory simulation techniques

Atmospheric entry of meteoritic bodies is conveniently and accurately simulated in the laboratory by techniques which employ the charging and electrostatic acceleration of macroscopic solid particles. Velocities from below 10 to above 50 km/s are achieved for particle materials which are elemental meteoroid constituents or mineral compounds with characteristics similar to those of meteoritic stone. The velocity, mass, and kinetic energy of each particle are measured nondestructively, after which the particle enters a target gas region. Because of the small particle size, free molecule flow is obtained. At typical operating pressures (0.1 to 0.5 torr), complete particle ablation occurs over distances of 25 to 50 cm; the spatial extent of the atmospheric interaction phenomena is correspondingly small. Procedures have been developed for measuring the spectrum of light from luminous trails and the values of fundamental quantities defined in meteor theory. It is shown that laboratory values for iron are in excellent agreement with those for 9 to 11 km/s artificial meteors produced by rocket injection of iron bodies into the atmosphere.

Friichtenicht, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Fluorescent Approaches to High Throughput Crystallography

We have shown that by covalently modifying a subpopulation, less than or equal to 1%, of a macromolecule with a fluorescent probe, the labeled material will add to a growing crystal as a microheterogeneous growth unit. Labeling procedures can be readily incorporated into the final stages of purification, and the presence of the probe at low concentrations does not affect the X-ray data quality or the crystallization behavior. The presence of the trace fluorescent label gives a number of advantages when used with high throughput crystallizations. The covalently attached probe will concentrate in the crystal relative to the solution, and under fluorescent illumination crystals show up as bright objects against a dark background. Non-protein structures, such as salt crystals, will not incorporate the probe and will not show up under fluorescent illumination. Brightly fluorescent crystals are readily found against less bright precipitated phases, which under white light illumination may obscure the crystals. Automated image analysis to find crystals should be greatly facilitated, without having to first define crystallization drop boundaries as the protein or protein structures is all that shows up. Fluorescence intensity is a faster search parameter, whether visually or by automated methods, than looking for crystalline features. We are now testing the use of high fluorescence intensity regions, in the absence of clear crystalline features or "hits", as a means for determining potential lead conditions. A working hypothesis is that kinetics leading to non-structured phases may overwhelm and trap more slowly formed ordered assemblies, which subsequently show up as regions of brighter fluorescence intensity. Preliminary experiments with test proteins have resulted in the extraction of a number of crystallization conditions from screening outcomes based solely on the presence of bright fluorescent regions. Subsequent experiments will test this approach using a wider range of proteins. The trace fluorescently labeled crystals will also emit with sufficient intensity to aid in the automation of crystal alignment using relatively low cost optics, further increasing throughput at synchrotrons.

Pusey, Marc L.↗
NASA NTRS2010

A Biomathematical Model of Lymphopoiesis and Its Application to Acute and Chronic Irradiation Assessment

After the events of September 11, 2001, there is an increasing concern of the occurrence of radiological terrorism that may result in significant casualties in densely populated areas. Much effort has been made to establish various biomarkers to rapidly assess radiation dose in mass-casualty and population-monitoring scenarios, which are demanded for effective medical management and treatment of the exposed victims. Among these the count of lymphocytes in peripheral blood and their depletion kinetics are the most important early indicators of the severity of the radiation injury. In this study, we examine a biomathematical model of lymphopoiesis which has been successfully utilized to simulate and interpret experimental data of acute and chronic irradiations on rodents [1]. With revised parameters for humans, we find this model can reproduce several sets of clinical lymphocyte data of accident victims over a wide range of absorbed doses. In addition, the absolute lymphocyte counts and the depletion rate constants calculated by this model also show good correlation with the Guskova formula and the Goans model, the two empirical tools which have been widely recognized for early estimation of the exposed dose after radiation accidents [2]. We also use the model to analyze the hematological data of the Techa River residents which were exposed to chronic low-dose irradiation during 1950-1956 [3]. This model can serve as a computational tool in radiation accident management, military operations involving nuclear warfare, radiation therapy, and space radiation risk assessment.

Hu, Shaowen↗
NASA NTRS1972

Dynamics of plankton populations in upwelling areas

There are no author-identified significant results in this report. Repeated coverage over the test site along the northwest coast of Africa showed that the structure of chlorophyll distribution is much more complicated than expected from continuous recordings. ERTS-1 data showed a very fast change in the chlorophyll distribution and it seems that also the concentration changes quickly. ERTS-1 showed on some frames offshore transportation of dust from the Sahara. All frames from Channel 7 will be arranged as a montage to derive the transportation pattern of dust. This step is important in biological aspects of interpreting ERTS-1 data, because the dissolution kinetics of eolian dust particles may influence significantly the chemistry of the surface water. Since visibility and the biochemistry of the test site off Africa are influenced by the dust transport, dust collection will be included in the ground truth program. Besides chlorophyll and other hydrographical parameters, the dust load in the test area will be measured. The collection plan is discussed along with a description of the high volume air sampler and the Anderson particle sizing head sampler to be used for the dust measurements.

Szekielda, K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Pressure and temperature dependence of the reaction NO2 + NO3 + M yields N2O5 + M

The pressure and temperature dependences of the reaction NO2 + NO3 + M which yields N2O5 + M are investigated by using the flash photolysis/visible absorption technique in which the pseudo-first-order decay of NO3 is monitored as a function of total pressure (20-700 torr), diluent gas (M = He and N2), and temperature (236-358 K). The reaction is found to be in the falloff region in the 20-700 torr pressure range with collision efficiencies increasing in the order He less than N2. Falloff parameters are obtained by fitting the experimental data to the falloff equation of Troe and co-workers. The expression for k1(N2 concentration, T) is obtained and compared with the evaluations presented in the NASA (DeMore, 1983) and CODATA (Baulch et al., 1982) reviews of kinetic data for atmospheric chemistry. Both evaluations are based on N2O5 thermal decomposition data coupled with estimates of the equilibrium constant. The significance of the reactions for atmospheric chemistry rests not only on their rates but on the extent to which they result in a permanent sink for NOX.

Kircher, C. C.↗