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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 487 records · Page 27

Progress in secondary lithium batteries

The lithium/molybdenum trisulfide system is discussed. This system has a higher potential energy density than that of lithium/titanium disulfide. Possible energy densities and performance values for cells, projected from preliminary data obtained on small cells, are summarized. The electrode structure is emphasized as an important factor in the decreasing of capacity upon cycling.

Holleck, G. L.↗

Appropriateness in using LANDSAT in development energy related data bases

The use of automated classification systems in the field of resource management and resource inventory is discussed. Applications of LANDSAT classification are outlined and include: energy load forecasting based upon land use inventories and change analysis, impact analysis of activities related to energy extraction, capability/suitability mapping in support of generation and substation location and transmission line routing, and assessment of solar energy potential in a highly urbanized setting where land values are high. It is found that the use of LANDSAT data is adequate for general inventories where few data categories are required, where resolution of data to around 150 acres minimum is required, and where no other complete imagery set can be obtained.

Harnden, E.↗

Effect of cloud-radiation feedback on the climate of a general circulation model

Experiments are described which show significant changes in the simulated large-scale dynamical circulation of a global model. Fixed clouds acting as zonally asymmetric radiative heat sources increase the generation of eddy available potential energy (EAPE) and the energy's conversion to eddy kinetic energy. Generation of EAPE by net radiative heating increases by 50% (0.11 W/sq m) for the fixed cloud experiment. The increase caused by the stationary component is much larger (approximately 100%), but it is partially compensated by a decrease caused by the transient component. A substantial increase is found in the variances of the planetary-scale stationary waves and the medium-scale waves of 2.7 day period. Although the sea surface temperatures are prescribed identically in both integrations, the changes in evaporation and precipitation are found to be much larger over the oceans than over the land.

Shukla, J.↗

Time-dependent lunar density models

Simple models of the geochemical and geophysical evolution of the moon were constructed with the particular aim of investigating the mass density distribution within the moon as a function of time. The strongly inverted (densest material on top) density distribution resulting from fractional crystallization of the lunar magma ocean was found to rearrange itself into a highly stable stratification. Density stratification due to compositional variation dominated gravitational stability; thus, thermally driven convection was found to be suppressed in regions with relaxed (rearranged so as to minimize the gravitational potential energy) compositional density variation. The suppression of convection as a heat transfer process results in considerable modification of thermal evolution. The models produced sufficient density segregation from magma oceans of a few hundred km thickness, such that relaxation to the most stable rearrangement yielded a polar moment of inertia approximating that measured for the present-day moon. Thus, lunar models matching moment-of-inertia constraints but lacking a metallic core are motivated.

Herbert, F.↗

Theoretical study of IR band intensities and electronic transition moments for the beta and delta systems of NO

The variation of the electronic transition moment with internuclear separation has been calculated for the beta and delta systems of NO. Theoretical band intensities for the fundamental and first two overtones have also been calculated for the ground state. The results are based on the self-consistent-field plus configuration-interaction technique, and they are compared with the existing experimental data. Theoretical potential-energy curves and the spectroscopic constants for the X-squared Pi, B-squared Pi, and C-squared Pi electronic states of NO are also reported.

Cooper, D. M.↗

Properties of the X 1 Sigma state of BF

A perturbation theoretical approach for treating electron correlation has been used to calculate the potential energy curve and dipole moment function of BF near its equilibrium bond length. A dipole moment of 0.89 D (B- F+) is predicted at R sub e. When the bond is stretched by approximately 0.2 A the dipole reverses sign.

Kurtz, H. A.↗

On the failure of hyperbolicity in elasticity

The failure of hyperbolicity leading to the instability as an ill-posedness of the Cauchy problem is investigated for elasticity. The criteria for that instability are derived in terms of the potential energy as a function of the strain invariants. The theory is illustrated by examples.

Zak, M.↗

Optimal control of distributed parameter elastic systems

This paper presents an analytical solution to the Riccati equation for self-adjoint systems such as beams, plates, strings and membranes moving in space, and shows how the optimal control law can be implemented using the given solution. It is then shown that there always exists a self-adjoint operator describing the distribution of potential energy if the state space is appropriately augmented. A beam-like gravity-stabilized satellite moving in a circular orbit around the earth is used to illustrate the main results in this paper.

Juang, J.-N.↗

Convective accretion disks and the onset of dwarf nova outbursts

Vertically integrated, steady state convective models of accretion disks have been constructed to explore the mechanism of instability in dwarf novae. The models and observations of dwarf novae suggest a picture in which transferred matter piles up in an optically thin torus. The torus eventually becomes optically thick, and the resulting convective structure is thermally unstable. Matter then flows inward, and the sudden conversion of gravitational potential energy to radiation is identified as the dwarf nova outburst. At sufficiently high mass accretion rates, the inflow is continuous.

Cannizzo, J. K.↗

Multi-stage Depressed Collectors (MDC) for efficiency improvements of UHF broadcast klystrons

The consumed primary power is reduced and the efficiency of traveling wave tubes is raised through the use of depressed collectors which passively convert potential energy into electric energy. Efficiency was kept with constant within a 3 dB range while the output power varied by 10 dB. Aspects to be considered in transferring this technology to UHF klystrons are the electron energy spectrum of the klystron and the magnitude of the injection angle required.

Kosmahl, H. G.↗

Computer simulation of surface and film processes

A molecular dynamics technique based upon Lennard-Jones type pair interactions is used to investigate time-dependent as well as equilibrium properties. The case study deals with systems containing Si and O atoms. In this case a more involved potential energy function (PEF) is employed and the system is simulated via a Monte-Carlo procedure. This furnishes the equilibrium properties of the system at its interfaces and surfaces as well as in the bulk.

Tiller, W. A.↗

Molecular processes in comets

Potential energy curves for the two lowest 2 sigma- states of OH are computed at the configuration-interaction level using four different basis sets. Electronic transition dipole moments connecting the excited 1 2 sigma- and 2(D) 2 sigma- states with each other and with he ground X2pi state are presented as functions of internuclear distance. The theoretical absorption oscillator strengths for the D 2 sigma-(v prime=0) reverser to X 2pi (v prime prime=0) transition are in good agreement with the empirical value derived from astronomical measurements. The photodissociation cross sections for absorption rom the v prime prime=0,1, and levels of the ground state into the continuum of the 1 2 sigma- state are calculated, and the interstellar and cometary photodissociation rates are derived.

Dalgarno, A.↗

Stability analysis of flexible wind turbine blades using finite element method

Static vibration and flutter analysis of a straight elastic axis blade was performed based on a finite element method solution. The total potential energy functional was formulated according to linear beam theory. The inertia and aerodynamic loads were formulated according to the blade absolute acceleration and absolute velocity vectors. In vibration analysis, the direction of motion of the blade during the first out-of-lane and first in-plane modes was examined; numerical results involve NASA/DOE Mod-0, McCauley propeller, north wind turbine and flat plate behavior. In flutter analysis, comparison cases were examined involving several references. Vibration analysis of a nonstraight elastic axis blade based on a finite element method solution was performed in a similar manner with the straight elastic axis blade, since it was recognized that a curved blade can be approximated by an assembly of a sufficient number of straight blade elements at different inclinations with respect to common system of axes. Numerical results involve comparison between the behavior of a straight and a curved cantilever beam during the lowest two in-plane and out-of-plane modes.

Kamoulakos, A.↗

Alternative ways for formulation of hybrid stress elements

An element stiffness matrix can be derived by the conventional potential energy principle and, indirectly, also by generalized variational principles, such as the Hu-Washizu principle and the Hellinger-Reissner principle. The present investigation has the objective to show an approach which is concerned with the formulation of incompatible elements for solid continuum and for plate bending problems by the Hellinger-Reissner principle. It is found that the resulting scheme is equivalent to that considered by Tong (1982) for the construction of hybrid stress elements. In Tong's scheme the inversion of a large flexibility matrix can be avoided. It is concluded that the introduction of additional internal displacement modes in mixed finite element formulations by the Hellinger-Reissner principle and the Hu-Washizu principle can lead to element stiffness matrices which are equivalent to the assumed stress hybrid method.

Pian, T. H. H.↗

A new strategy for stress analysis using the finite element method

In the paper the authors examine the effectiveness of the Powell-Toint strategy for evaluating the Hessian of the potential energy surface of a finite element model that can be used for linear stress analysis and transient response predictions of structures. Cases for which the Powell-Toint strategy may be cost-effective with the conventional method of stress analysis are identified.

Kamat, M. P.↗

Diagnostic analysis and spectral energetics of a blocking event in the GLAS climate model simulation

A synoptic and spectral analysis of a blocking event is presented, with attention given to the temporal evolution, maintenance, and decay of the block. The GLAS numerical climate model was used to generate a blocking event by the introduction of SST anomalies. Wavenumbers 2 and 3 became stationary around their climatological locations, and their constructive interference produced persistent blocking ridges over the west coast of North America and the other over western Europe. Time variations of the kinetic and potential energies and energy conversions during the blocking were performed. Spectrally filtered Hovmoller diagrams were developed for the winter of 1976-77, and showed that long waves were stationary over most of the interval, which featured severe weather conditions.

Chen, T.-C.↗

Determination of accurate dissociation limits and interatomic interactions at large internuclear distances

This paper illustrates (using the molecules LiH, Li2 and Na2) how laser-induced fluorescence can be used to greatly expand the range of observed vibrational levels in ground electronic states. This expanded vibrational range leads to the determination of virtually the full well of the potential energy curve. This also leads to improved determination of the dissociation limit and serves as a severe test for highly accurate ab initio calculations now available for many small molecules.

Stwalley, W. C.↗

The low-lying 2-sigma-minus states of OH

The configuration-interaction method is used to determine the electronic wave functions of the two lowest 2-sigma-minus states of OH using four different atomic orbital basis sets. Potential energy curves, transition moments, oscillator strengths, and photodissociation cross sections are obtained. Electronic transition dipole moments connecting the excited 1 2-sigma-minus and 2(D)2-sigma-minus states with each other and with the ground chi-2-pi state are presented as functions of internuclear distance. The theoretical absorption oscillator strengths for the D-2-sigma-minus(v prime = 0) from chi-2-pi(v double prime = 0) transition are in good agreement with the empirical value derived from astronomical measurement. The photodissociation cross sections for absorption from the v prime = 0, 1, and 2 levels of the ground state into the continuum of the 1 2-sigma-minus state are calculated, and the interstellar and cometary photodissociation rates are derived.

Van Dishoeck, E. F.↗