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Results for “MOLECULAR PHYSICS”

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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Warm neutral halos around molecular clouds. VI - Physical and chemical modeling

A combined physical and chemical modeling of the halos around molecular clouds is presented, with special emphasis on the H-to-H2 transition. On the basis of H I 21 cm observations, it is shown that the halos are extended. A physical model is employed in conjunction with a chemistry code to provide a self-consistent description of the gas. The radiative transfer code provides a check with H I, CO, and OH observations. It is concluded that the warm neutral halos are not gravitationally bound to the underlying molecular clouds and are isobaric. It is inferred from the observed extent of the H I envelopes and the large observed abundance of OH in them that the generally accepted rate for H2 information on grains is too large by a factor of two to three.

Andersson, B.-G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Spatial variation of the physical conditions of molecular gas in galaxies

Multi-line studies of CO-12, CO-13, C-18O, HCN, and HCO(+) at 3 mm, 1.3 mm, and 0.8 mm using the Institute for Radio Astronomy in the Millimeter range (IRAM) 30 m telescope, with the IRAM superconductor insulator superconductor (SIS) receivers and the Max Planck Institute for External Physics (MPE) 350 GHz SIS receiver, show that the densities and temperatures of molecular gas in external galaxies change significantly with position. CO-12 measures the densities and temperature of diffuse interclump molecular gas, but not the bulk of the molecular gas. Simple one-component models, with or without external heating, cannot account for the weakness of the CO-12 J = 3 to 2 line relative to J = 2 to 1 and J = 1 to 0. CO-12 does not trace the bulk of the molecular gas, and optical depth effects obviate a straightforward interpretation of CO-12 data. Instead, researchers turned to the optically thin CO isotopes and other molecular species. Isotopic CO lines measure the bulk of the molecular gas, and HCN and HCO(+) pick out denser regions. Researchers find a warm ridge of gas in IC 342 (Eckart et al. 1989), denser gas in the starburst nucleus of IC 342, and a possible hot-spot in NGC 2903. In IC 342, NGC 2146, and NGC 6764, the CO-13 J = 2 to 1 line is subthermally populated, implying gas densities less than or equal to 10(exp 4) cm(-3).

Jackson, James M.↗
NASA NTRS1952

Correlation of physical properties with molecular structure for some dicyclic hydrocarbons having high thermal-energy release per unit volume -- 2-alkylbiphenyl and the two isomeric 2-alkylbicyclohexyl series

Three homologous series of related dicyclic hydrocarbons are presented for comparison on the basis of their physical properties, which include net heat of combustion, density, melting point, boiling point, and kinematic viscosity. The three series investigated include the 2-n-alkylbiphenyl, 2-n-alkylbicyclohexyl (high boiling), and 2-n-alkylbiphenyls (low boiling) series through c sub 16, in addition to three branched-chain (isopropyl, sec-butyl, and isobutyl) 2-alkylbiphenyls and their corresponding 2-alkylbicyclohexyls. The physical properties of the low-boiling and high-boiling isomers of 2-sec-butylbicyclohexyl and 2-isobutylbicyclohexyl are reported herein for the first time.

Goodman, Irving A↗
NASA NTRS1986

Comprehensive models of diffuse interstellar clouds - Physical conditions and molecular abundances

The limitations of steady state models of interstellar clouds are explored by means of comparison with observational data corresponding to clouds in front of Zeta Per, Zeta Oph, Chi Oph, and Omicron Per. The improved cloud models were constructed to reproduce the observed H and H2(J) column densities for several lines of sight. The main difference from previous models is the treatment of self-shielding in the H2 lines. Other improvements over previous models are discussed as well.

Van Dishoeck, E. F.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Collisional rate coefficients of C3H2 and the determination of physical conditions in molecular clouds

Collisional excitation rates for C3H2, calculated using the coupled states approximation at temperatures of 10-30 K, are presented. C3H2 produces a number of spectral line pairs whose members are close together in frequency but arise from levels with different excitation energies. The rates are used in statistical equilibrium calculations to illustrate the excitation properties and density-dependent behavior of various C3H2 line ratios.

Avery, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics: Optical Excitation Function of H(1s-2p) Produced by electron Impact from Threshold to 1.8 keV

The optical excitation function of prompt Lyman-Alpha radiation, produced by electron impact on atomic hydrogen, has been measured over the extended energy range from threshold to 1.8 keV. Measurements were obtained in a crossed-beams experiment using both magnetically confined and electrostatically focused electrons in collision with atomic hydrogen produced by an intense discharge source. A vacuum-ultraviolet mono- chromator system was used to measure the emitted Lyman-Alpha radiation. The absolute H(1s-2p) electron impact excitation cross section was obtained from the experimental optical excitation function by normalizing to the accepted optical oscillator strength, with corrections for polarization and cascade. Statistical and known systematic uncertainties in our data range from +/- 4% near threshold to +/- 2% at 1.8 keV. Multistate coupling affecting the shape of the excitation function up to 1 keV impact energy is apparent in both the present experimental data and present theoretical results obtained with convergent close- coupling (CCC) theory. This shape function effect leads to an uncertainty in absolute cross sections at the 10% level in the analysis of the experimental data. The derived optimized absolute cross sections are within 7% of the CCC calculations over the 14 eV-1.8 keV range. The present CCC calculations converge on the Bethe- Fano profile for H(1s-2p) excitation at high energy. For this reason agreement with the CCC values to within 3% is achieved in a nonoptimal normalization of the experimental data to the Bethe-Fano profile. The fundamental H(1s-2p) electron impact cross section is thereby determined to an unprecedented accuracy over the 14 eV - 1.8 keV energy range.

James, G. K.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The physical properties of giant molecular cloud complexes in the outer Galaxy - Implications for the ratio of H2 column density to (C-12)O intensity

The physical properties of 35 giant molecular cloud complexes in the outer Galaxy were derived from the Goddard-Columbia surveys of the Galactic plane region (Dame et al., 1987). The spatial and radial velocity boundaries for the individual cloud complexes were estimated by analyzing the spatial and velocity structure of emission features in the (C-12)O surveys, and the distance to each cmplex was determined kinematically on the assumption of a flat rotation curve. The ratio of the H2 column density to the (C-12)O intensity for the outer Galaxy complexes was found to be about 6.0 x 10 to the 20th molecules/sq cm K per km/sec, which is by a factor of 2-3 greater than the value derived by other auhtors for the inner Galaxy complexes. This increase in the H2 column density/(C-12)O intensity with the distance from with the Galactic center is consistent with predictions of the optically thick cloudlet model of giant molecular cloud complexes.

Sodroski, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Skeletal muscle plasticity: cellular and molecular responses to altered physical activity paradigms

The goal of this article is to examine our current understanding of the chain of events known to be involved in the adaptive process whereby specific genes and their protein products undergo altered expression; specifically, skeletal muscle adaptation in response to altered loading states will be discussed, with a special focus on the regulation of the contractile protein, myosin heavy chain gene expression. This protein, which is both an important structural and regulatory protein comprising the contractile apparatus, can be expressed as different isoforms, thereby having an impact on the functional diversity of the muscle. Because the regulation of the myosin gene family is under the control of a complex set of processes including, but not limited to, activity, hormonal, and metabolic factors, this protein will serve as a cellular "marker" for studies of muscle plasticity in response to various mechanical perturbations in which the quantity and type of myosin isoform, along with other important cellular proteins, are altered in expression.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS2018

Semiclassical Calculations of Stark Broadening Parameters of He I Lines Revisited

Stark broadening parameters for spectral lines of He I lines, calculated using numerically improved semiclassical formalism of Griem are reported and favorably compared with the original results of Griem. The comparison with other sets of data is carried out and results presented also. In addition, new Stark broadening parameters are available now in extended electron temperature range from 2500 K to 80000 K.

Physics↗
NASA NTRS2017

Ionic Polyimides: New High Performance Polymers for Additive Manufacturing

There is currently a very limited set of engineering polymers that have been demonstrated as viable for use in 3-D printing. Additive manufacturing of custom components will require a much larger array of polymers, especially those with physical, thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties that can be tailor-made. The development of ‘Ionic Polyimides’ offers a solution to this shortage by combining the well understood and widely accepted properties of conventional polyimides, with a new approach to polymer synthesis. Polyimides and polymeric ionic liquids (poly(ILs)) are at the forefront of advanced polymer materials, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. While it is clear that more types of polymer materials are needed for fused deposition modeling (FDM) additive manufacturing, there is a need to explore these classes of materials. The synthesis process developed by the Bara Research Group at the University of Alabama allows full control over polymer structure, nanostructure, thermal, electrical, and physical properties making them a prime candidate for use in the additive manufacturing process. Furthermore, the new process allows us to tailor-make a high strength polymer that can be used to fabricate filament feedstock instead of pellets for 3D printing. The primary objective of this proposal is to determine the relationship between molecular structure, physical properties, and performance of ionic polyimides. Further, we seek to determine their utility as materials suitable for additive manufacturing of components used in aerospace vehicles, with an emphasis on characterizing and simulating their thermal behaviors and properties. This proposal addresses the need for fundamental research on a customizable polymer filament feedstock for 3-D printing with tailor-made properties potentially making it superior to the commercial blends offered in industry today. The deliverables for this project are the creation of a database that will detail the relationships between the molecular structure and physical properties for the ionic polyimide of interest (e.g. Tg/Tm (Glass Transition Temperature divided by Melting Point)) relative to different ionic polyimide structures). This new database will provide a “road map” to the development of the first generation of materials and ultimately proof-of-concept.

Jackson, Enrique↗
NASA NTRS1969

Molecular radiation - Its application in physical measurements and analyses

Specialists Conference held at Marshall Space Flight Center reviewed work in molecular radiation to evaluate research possibilities in this field. Topics included spectral-line studies in the labortory, application to practical heat transfer calculations of radiative transfer models, and use of measured radiation properties of gases.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2004

Exotic Molecules in Space: A Coordinated Astronomical Laboratory and Theoretical Study

The final report covers the two year of a grant which represents a direct continuation of NASA NAG5-4050, with the same title as before. It is dedicated as before to the discovery and characterization of new astrophysical molecules. The four years (two of the original grant plus two years extension) have been extremely productive, yielding many new discoveries of astronomical interest at both radio and optical wavelengths, and the publication or submission of the 49 papers listed below. These articles have appeared or will soon appear in the leading refereed journals of astrophysics, chemical physics, physics, or molecular spectroscopy. One is a major invited review (#27) for Moleculur Physics. One of our other invited reviews published in Spectrochimica Acta in 2001 was recently awarded the Sir Harold Thompson Memorial Award, annually given to the best paper in that journal. Michael McCarthy has recently been awarded the Broida Prize.

Stringfellow, Guy↗