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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Influence of Idealized Heterogeneity on Wet and Dry Planetary Boundary Layers Coupled to the Land Surface

We examine the influence of surface heterogeneity on boundary layers using a large-eddy simulation coupled to a land-surface model. Heterogeneity, imposed in strips varying from 2-30 km (1 less than lambda/z(sub i) less than 18), is found to dramatically alter the structure of the free convective boundary layer by inducing significant organized circulations. A conditional sampling technique, based on the scale of the surface heterogeneity (phase averaging), is used to identify and quantify the organized surface fluxes and motions in the atmospheric boundary layer. The impact of the organized motions on turbulent transport depends critically on the scale of the heterogeneity lambda, the boundary layer height zi and the initial moisture state of the boundary layer. Dynamical and scalar fields respond differently as the scale of the heterogeneity varies. Surface heterogeneity of scale 4 less than lamba/z(sub i) less than 9 induces the strongest organized flow fields (up, wp) while heterogeneity with smaller or larger lambda/z(sub i) induces little organized motion. However, the organized components of the scalar fields (virtual potential temperature and mixing ratio) grow continuously in magnitude and horizontal scale, as lambda/z(sub i) increases. For some cases, the organized motions can contribute nearly 100% of the total vertical moisture flux. Patch-induced fluxes are shown to dramatically impact point measurements that assume the time-average vertical velocity to be zero. The magnitude and sign of this impact depends on the location of the measurement within the region of heterogeneity.

Houser, Paul↗
NASA NTRS2004

Design/Analysis of Metal/Composite Bonded Joints for Survivability at Cryogenic Temperatures

A major design and analysis challenge for the JWST ISM structure is the metal/composite bonded joints that will be required to survive down to an operational ultra-low temperature of 30K (-405 F). The initial and current baseline design for the plug-type joint consists of a titanium thin walled fitting (1-3mm thick) bonded to the interior surface of an M555/954-6 composite truss square tube with an axially stiff biased lay-up. Metallic fittings are required at various nodes of the truss structure to accommodate instrument and lift-point bolted interfaces. Analytical experience and design work done on metal/composite bonded joints at temperatures below liquid nitrogen are limited and important analysis tools, material properties, and failure criteria for composites at cryogenic temperatures are virtually nonexistent. Increasing the challenge is the difficulty in testing for these required tools and parameters at 30K. A preliminary finite element analysis shows that failure due to CTE mismatch between the biased composite and titanium or aluminum is likely. Failure is less likely with Invar, however an initial mass estimate of Invar fittings demonstrates that Invar is not an automatic alternative. In order to gain confidence in analyzing and designing the ISM joints, a comprehensive joint development testing program has been planned and is currently running. The test program is designed for the correlation of the analysis methodology, including tuning finite element model parameters, and developing a composite failure criterion for the effect of multi-axial composite stresses on the strength of a bonded joint at 30K. The testing program will also consider stress mitigation using compliant composite layers and potential strength degradation due to multiple thermal cycles. Not only will the finite element analysis be correlated to the test data, but the FEA will be used to guide the design of the test. The first phase of the test program has been completed and the preliminary analysis has been revisited based on the test data In this work, we present an overview of the test plan, results today, and resulting design improvements.

Bartoszyk, Andrew E.↗
NASA NTRS2006

An Analytical Thermal Model for Autonomous Soaring Research

A viewgraph presentation describing an analytical thermal model used to enable research on autonomous soaring for a small UAV aircraft is given. The topics include: 1) Purpose; 2) Approach; 3) SURFRAD Data; 4) Convective Layer Thickness; 5) Surface Heat Budget; 6) Surface Virtual Potential Temperature Flux; 7) Convective Scaling Velocity; 8) Other Calculations; 9) Yearly trends; 10) Scale Factors; 11) Scale Factor Test Matrix; 12) Statistical Model; 13) Updraft Strength Calculation; 14) Updraft Diameter; 15) Updraft Shape; 16) Smoothed Updraft Shape; 17) Updraft Spacing; 18) Environment Sink; 19) Updraft Lifespan; 20) Autonomous Soaring Research; 21) Planned Flight Test; and 22) Mixing Ratio.

Allen, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2013

Spontaneous Hot Flow Anomalies at Quasi-Parallel Shocks: 2. Hybrid Simulations

Motivated by recent THEMIS observations, this paper uses 2.5-D electromagnetic hybrid simulations to investigate the formation of Spontaneous Hot Flow Anomalies (SHFA) upstream of quasi-parallel bow shocks during steady solar wind conditions and in the absence of discontinuities. The results show the formation of a large number of structures along and upstream of the quasi-parallel bow shock. Their outer edges exhibit density and magnetic field enhancements, while their cores exhibit drops in density, magnetic field, solar wind velocity and enhancements in ion temperature. Using virtual spacecraft in the simulation, we show that the signatures of these structures in the time series data are very similar to those of SHFAs seen in THEMIS data and conclude that they correspond to SHFAs. Examination of the simulation data shows that SHFAs form as the result of foreshock cavitons interacting with the bow shock. Foreshock cavitons in turn form due to the nonlinear evolution of ULF waves generated by the interaction of the solar wind with the backstreaming ions. Because foreshock cavitons are an inherent part of the shock dissipation process, the formation of SHFAs is also an inherent part of the dissipation process leading to a highly non-uniform plasma in the quasi-parallel magnetosheath including large scale density and magnetic field cavities.

Quasi-Parallel↗
NASA NTRS1994

Thermal feedback in virtual reality and telerobotic systems

A new concept has been developed that allows temperature to be part of the virtual world. The Displaced Temperature Sensing System (DTSS) can 'display' temperature in a virtual reality system.The DTSS can also serve as a feedback device for telerobotics. For virtual reality applications the virtual world software would be required to have a temperature map of its world. By whatever means (magnetic tracker, ultrasound tracker, etc.) the hand and fingers, which have been instrumented with thermodes, would be tracked. The temperature associated with the current position would be transmitted to the DRSS via a serial data link. The DTSS would provide that temperature to the fingers. For telerobotic operation the function of the DTSS is to transmit a temperature from a remote location to the fingers where the temperature can be felt.

Zerkus, Mike↗
NASA NTRS2008

Titan's Surface Temperatures Measured by Cassini CIRS

A large fraction of 19-micron thermal radiation from the surface of Titan reaches space through a spectral window of low atmospheric opacity. The emergent radiance, after removing the effect of the atmosphere, gives the brightness temperature of the surface. This atmospheric window is covered by the far-infrared channel of the Composite Infrared spectrometer1 (CIRS) on Cassini. In mapping Titan surface temperatures, CIRS is able to improve upon results of Voyager IRIS, by taking advantage of improved latitude coverage and a much larger dataset. Observations are from a wide range of emission angles and thereby provide constraints on the atmospheric opacity and radiance that are used to derive the surface temperature. CIRS finds an average equatorial surface brightness temperature of 93.7+/-0.6 K, virtually identical to the HASI temperature at the Huygens landing site. Mapping in latitude shows that the surface temperature decreases toward the poles by about 2 K in the south and 3 K in the north. This surface temperature distribution is consistent with the formation of lakes seen at high latitudes on Titan.

Jennings, Donald E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Evidence for a ubiquitous, sub-microscopic 'magnetite-like' constituent in the lunar soils

Electron spin resonance (ESR) has been employed in a study of the ferromagnetic constituents of a wide variety of soils from six sampled regions of the moon as well as glasses made to simulate lunar compositions. A significant result has been that magnetite-like phases (magnetic iron spinel) precipitated in and on simulated lunar glasses as a result of sub-solidus oxidation yield room-temperature ESR spectra virtually identical with the line shape predicted for spherical, single domain particles of metallic Fe. It is shown that such magnetite-like phases can nevertheless be distinguished from metallic iron on the basis of the temperature dependence of the ESR intensity.

Griscom, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Very low threshold-current temperature sensitivity in constricted double-heterojunction AlGaAs lasers

The temperature dependence of threshold currents in constricted double-heterojunction diode lasers with strong lateral mode confinement is found to be significantly milder than for other types of lasers. The threshold-current relative variations with ambient temperature are typically two to three times less than for other devices of CW-operation capability. Over the interval 10-70 C the threshold currents fit the empirical exponential law exp/(T2-T1)/T0/ with T0 values in the 240-375 C range in pulsed operation, and in the 200-310 C range in CW operation. The external differential quantum efficiency and the mode far-field pattern near threshold are virtually invariant with temperature. The possible causes of high-T0 behavior are analyzed, and a new phenomenon - temperature-dependent current focusing - is presented to explain the results.

Botez, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Adiabatic thermal models for planetary bodies

In a number of recent experiments it was found that the logarithmic derivative with respect to volume of the adiabatic temperature increase with pressure P to be an approximately constant quantity n. It was found that n decreases slightly with temperature, to be virtually unaffected by increasing pressure and to take values between 4 and 8 for a wide variety of materials. It is shown that these findings can be substantiated from thermodynamic arguments, finite strain theory, atomic potential theory and experimental data on the thermal expansion coefficient and the bulk modulus B. It will be shown that n is independent of pressure if it is exactly equal to dB/dP + 1. For these materials d log gamma/d log v = -1, where gamma is the thermodynamic Gruneisenparameter. It will increase with P during an isothermal transformation if n dB/dP + 1 and decrease of n dB/dP + 1. For most materials n is close to dB/dP and the changes will be slight if pressures do not become too extreme. During an adiabatic transformation n is virtually constant. Adiabatic thermal models for planetary bodies were calculated and are presented.

Spohn, T.↗
NASA NTRS1999

High-Temperature Solid Lubricants Developed by NASA Lewis Offer Virtually "Unlimited Life" for Oil-Free Turbomachinery

The NASA Lewis Research Center is capitalizing on breakthroughs in foil air bearing performance, tribological coatings, and computer analyses to formulate the Oil-free Turbomachinery Program. The program s long-term goal is to develop an innovative, yet practical, oil-free aeropropulsion gas turbine engine that floats on advanced air bearings. This type of engine would operate at higher speeds and temperatures with lower weight and friction than conventional oil-lubricated engines. During startup and shutdown, solid lubricant coatings are required to prevent wear in such engines before the self-generating air-lubrication film develops. NASA s Tribology Branch has created PS304, a chrome-oxide-based plasma spray coating specifically tailored for shafts run against foil bearings. PS304 contains silver and barium fluoride/calcium fluoride eutectic (BaF2/CaF2) lubricant additives that, together, provide lubrication from cold start temperatures to over 650 C, the maximum use temperature for foil bearings. Recent lab tests show that bearings lubricated with PS304 survive over 100 000 start-stop cycles without experiencing any degradation in performance due to wear. The accompanying photograph shows a test bearing after it was run at 650 C. The rubbing process created a "polished" surface that enhances bearing load capacity.

DellaCorte, Christopher↗
DOE OSTI2025

CHELAX-BNF: Fast Response Temperature by airborne measurements

The original data were collected on board the ARM Aerial Facility ArcticShark uncrewed aerial system (UAS; https://www.arm.gov/capabilities/observatories/aaf/uas ) during the “Characterizing HEterogeneous Land-Atmosphere eXchanges at BNF” field campaign (CHEAX-BNF; https://arm.gov/research/campaigns/aaf2025CHELAX-BNF ). The ARM Aerial Facility ArcticShark UAS was based at the public-use airport of Posey Field, AL (FAA LID: 1M4, 34.28027778° N, 87.60055556° W, 283m MSL) from May 28 to June 23, 2025. The ArcticShark UAS performed 5 flights, including 4 research flights over the BNF Main Site (ARM Mobile Facility 3, https://arm.gov/capabilities/observatories/amf ) and Supplemental Facilities to measure atmospheric state, turbulence, surface IR temperature and imagery, aerosol number concentration, and aerosol size distribution. The current data set presents fast response temperature in the atmospheric boundary layer and lower free troposphere measured on the airborne platform throughout the field campaign. The primary instruments used to create the current data set were the fine wire thermocouple probe, the Aircraft Integrated Meteorological Measurement System (AIMMS-30), the Pitot-static system (part of UAS flight control), and the infrared gas analyzer sensor for H2O and CO2 (LI-840). All parameters used in temperature calculations (static pressure, True Air Speed, and absolute humidity in the form of dew point temperature) were included in the data set. For user convenience, one additional parameter was also included: the type of flight flag (level, up, down, turn, and combination of thereof).

Air temperature, fast response↗
NASA NTRS1976

Preliminary results from screening tests of commercial catalysts with potential use in gas turbine combustors. II - Combustion test rig evaluation

Several commercial monolithic catalysts were tested in a combustion test rig to determine their suitability for use in a gas-turbine combustor primary zone. The catalyst test bed consisted of two to four elements of 12-centimeter diameter by 2.5-centimeter long monolith. Results are presented of the measured combustion efficiency and catalyst bed temperature history for an inlet propane-air mixture temperature of 800 K, a pressure of 300,000 newtons per square meter, inlet velocities of 10 to 25 meters per second and equivalence ratios of 0.1 to 0.3. The best catalysts tested gave combustion efficiencies of virtually 100% for reaction temperatures ranging from 1325 K at 10 meters per second to 1400 K at 25 meters per second. This performance was only possible with fresh catalysts. The catalysts tested were not specifically developed for use at these conditions and showed some loss in activity after about 3 hours' testing.

Anderson, D. N.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Temperature adaptation of active sodium-potassium transport and of passive permeability in erythrocytes of ground squirrels.

Unidirectional active and passive fluxes of K-42 and Na-24 were measured in red blood cells of ground squirrels (hibernators) and guinea pigs (nonhibernators). As the temperature was lowered, ?active' (ouabain-sensitive) K influx and Na efflux were more considerably diminished in guinea pig cells than in those of ground squirrels. The fraction of total K influx which is ouabain-sensitive in red blood cells of ground squirrels was virtually constant at all temperatures, whereas it decreased abruptly in guinea pig cells as temperature was lowered.

Kimzey, S. L.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Polar Heat Flow on Io

Recently, Galileo spacecraft data have revealed Io's polar regions to be much warmer than previously expected. This unexpected development came from Photo-Polarimeter Radiometer (PPR) data which show that the minimum night temperatures are in the range of 90-95 K virtually everywhere on Io. The minimum night temperatures show no dependence upon latitude and, when away from the sunset terminator, they show no dependence upon time of night. This is indeed bizarre behavior for surface units which generally had been assumed to be passive with respect to Io's pervasive volcanism. Night temperatures of 90-95 K at high, polar latitudes are particularly hard to explain. Even assuming infinite thermal inertia, at these latitudes there is insufficient sunlight to support these warm night temperatures. Thus, through the process of elimination of other possibilities, we come to the conclusion that these surfaces are volcanically heated. Taking previously passive units and turning them into new sources of heat flow is a radical departure from previous thermophysical model paradigms. However, the geological interpretation is straight forward. We are simply seeing the effect of old, cool lava flows which cover most of the surface of Io but yet have some heat to radiate. Under these new constraints, we have taken on the challenge of formulating a physical model which quantitatively reproduces all of the observations of Io's thermal emission. In the following we introduce a new parametric model which suffices to identify a previously unrecognized polar component of Io's heat flow.

Veeder, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Two Color Interferometry with Nonlinear Refractive Properties

Using nonlinear refractive properties of salt-water solution at two wavelengths, numerical analysis has been performed to extract temperature and concentration from virtual interferometric fringe data. The theoretical study, using a commercially available equation solving tool, starts with critical fringe counting needs and the role of nonlinear refractive properties in such measurements. Finally, methodology of the analysis, developed codes, and fringe counting accuracy needs are described in detail.

Vikram, Chandra S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

High-temperature thermal storage systems for advanced solar receivers materials selections

Advanced space power systems that use solar energy and Brayton or Stirling heat engines require thermal energy storage (TES) systems to operate continuously through periods of shade. The receiver storage units, key elements in both Brayton and Stirling systems, are designed to use the latent heat of fusion of phase-change materials (PCMs). The power systems under current consideration for near-future National Aeronautics and Space Administration space missions require working fluid temperatures in the 1100 to 1400 K range. The PCMs under current investigation that gave liquid temperatures within this range are the fluoride family of salts. However, these salts have low thermal conductivity, which causes large temperature gradients in the storage systems. Improvements can be obtained, however, with the use of thermal conductivity enhancements or metallic PCMs. In fact, if suitable containment materials can be found, the use of metallic PCMs would virtually eliminate the orbit associated temperature variations in TES systems. The high thermal conductivity and generally low volume change on melting of germanium and alloys based on silicon make them attractive for storage of thermal energy in space power systems. An approach to solving the containment problem, involving both chemical and physical compatibility, preparation of NiSi/NiSi2, and initial results for containment of germanium and NiSi/NiSi2, are presented.

Wilson, D. F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Preliminary results from screening tests of commercial catalysts with potential use in gas turbine combustors. Part 2: Combustion test rig evaluation

Several commercial monolithic catalysts were tested in a combustion test rig to determine their suitability for use in a gas turbine combuster primary zone. The catalyst test bed consisted of two to four elements of 12-centimeter diameter by 2.5-centimeter long monolith. Results are presented of the measured combustion efficiency and catalyst bed temperature history for an inlet propane-air mixture temperature of 800 K, a pressure of 300,000 newtons per square meter, inlet velocities of 10 to 25 meters per second and equivalence ratios of 0.1 to 0.3. The best catalysts tested gave combustion efficiencies of virtually 100 percent for reaction temperatures ranging from 1,325 K at 10 meters per second to 1,400 K at 25 meters per second. This performance was only possible with fresh catalysts. The catalysts tested were not specifically developed for use at these conditions and showed some loss in activity after about 3 hours' testing.

Anderson, D. N.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Development of a static feed water electrolysis system

A one person level oxygen generation subsystem was developed and production of the one person oxygen metabolic requirements, 0.82 kg, per day was demonstrated without the need for condenser/separators or electrolyte pumps. During 650 hours of shakedown, design verification, and endurance testing, cell voltages averaged 1.62 V at 206 mA/sq cm and at average operating temperature as low as 326 K, virtually corresponding to the state of the art performance previously established for single cells. This high efficiency and low waste heat generation prevented maintenance of the 339 K design temperature without supplemental heating. Improved water electrolysis cell frames were designed, new injection molds were fabricated, and a series of frames was molded. A modified three fluid pressure controller was developed and a static feed water electrolysis that requires no electrolyte in the static feed compartment was developed and successfully evaluated.

Schubert, F. H.↗