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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 541 records · Page 30

Detailed Comparison of Observed Dose-Time Profile of October 19-20, 1989 SPE on Mir with Model Calculations

The dose rate dynamics of the October 19-20,1989 solar energetic particle (SPE) event as observed by the Liulin instrument onboard the Mir orbital station was analyzed in light of new calculations of the geomagnetic cutoff and improved estimates of the less than 100 MeV energy spectra from the GOES satellite instrument. The new calculations were performed using the as-flown Mir orbital trajectory and includes time variations of the cutoff rigidity due to changes in the kappa (sub p) index. Although the agreement of total event integrated calculated dose to the measured dose is good, it results from some measured dose-time profile been higher and some lower than model calculations. They point to the need to include the diurnal variation of the geomagnetic cutoff and modifications of the cutoffs to variations in kappa (sub p) in model calculations. Understanding of such events in light of the upcoming construction of the International Space Station during the period of maximum solar activity needs to be vigorously pursued.

Badhwar, Gautam D.↗

The Impact of Detailed Snow Physics on the Simulation of Snow Cover and Subsurface Thermodynamics at Continental Scales

The three-layer snow model is coupled to the global catchment-based Land Surface Model (LSM) of the NASA Seasonal to Interannual Prediction Project (NSIPP) project, and the combined models are used to simulate the growth and ablation of snow cover over the North American continent for the period 1987-1988. The various snow processes included in the three-layer model, such as snow melting and re-freezing, dynamic changes in snow density, and snow insulating properties, are shown (through a comparison with the corresponding simulation using a much simpler snow model) to lead to an improved simulation of ground thermodynamics on the continental scale.

Stieglitz, Marc↗

Brown Dwarfs: Discovery and Detailed Studies

We obtained the optical and IR spectra of Gliese 229B and identified Cs, I, and CO features - as expected in theoretical models. Our optical IR spectrum showed that most of the refractory metals have condensed out of the atmosphere and the presence of Cs, I and CO shows evidence for disequilibrium chemistry. We reported orbital evidence for Gliese 229B. The HST measured optical magnitudes provide additional evidence for the absence of dust in the atmosphere of this cool object. The luminosity of brown dwarfs depend on their masses and ages and in order to interpret the results of the survey we have carried out an extensive Monte Carlo analysis. Our conclusion is that warm brown dwarfs are rare, as companions in the orbital period range beyond approximately 30 - 50 AU. The Palomer survey poses no constraint for brown dwarfs in planetary orbits similar to those of the outer planets. We have just started a program of imaging nearby stars with the newly commissioned AO system at Palomar and Keck and have already found a brown dwarf candidate.

Kulkarni, Shrinivas R.↗

Brown Dwarfs: Discovery and Detailed Studies

The grant supported my research and that of my student (Ben Lane) and post-doctoral fellow (Zapatero Osorio). We were productive as can be seen from the list of publications below. In particular, we note three firsts. Using the exquisite angular resolution provided by the AO system at Keck we were able to directly determine the masses of two objects and show that one was a brown dwarf -- the first direct determination of the mass of a brown dwarf. Next, Mr. Lane reported the first direct demonstration of pulsations of a Cepheid star (this report received attention in the popular press). Finally, Dr. Zapatero Osorio continued her work on the search for young brown dwarfs and planets in young clusters with considerable success -- namely the detection of objects with mass below 10 M_J (these can be plausibly argued to be freely floating planets). Mr. Lane graduated and is now a Pappalardo Fellow at MIT and Dr. Zapatero Osorio obtained a position back in her home country.

Kulkarni, Shrinivas R.↗

Detailed Studies of the Quick Mixing Region in Rich Burn Low-NO(x) Combustion

NO(x) reduction is a driving force in combustor design today. The fuel-air mixing process can have a significant effect on NO(x) production. This report describes a set of experiments carried out to assess fuel-air mixing sensitivities to geometric variation in the Rich-Burn/Quick-Mix/Lean-Burn (RQL) combustor concept utilized in stationary gas turbine engine applications and proposed for advanced transport aircraft engines. Specifically, three (3) parameters in the quick-mix zone were examined: jet injection angle, jet-to-expansion distance, and jet count (number of jets).

Samuelsen, G. S.↗

Detailed Microstructural Characterization of the Disk Alloy ME3

The advanced powder metallurgy disk alloy ME3 was designed using statistical screening and optimization of composition and processing variables in the NASA/General Electric/Pratt & Whitney HSR/EPM disk program to have extended durability for large disks at maximum temperatures of 600 to 700 C. Scaled-up disks of this alloy were then produced at the conclusion of that program to demonstrate these properties in realistic disk shapes. The objective of the present study was to assess the microstructural characteristics of these ME3 disks at two consistent locations, in order to enable estimation of the variations in microstructure across each disk and across several disks of this advanced alloy. Scaled-up disks processed in the HSR/EPM Compressor/Turbine Disk program had been sectioned, machined into specimens, and tested in tensile, creep, fatigue, and fatigue crack growth tests by NASA Glenn Research Center, in cooperation with General Electric Engine Company and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engines. For this study, microstructures of grip sections from tensile specimens in the bore and rim were evaluated from these disks. The major and minor phases were identified and quantified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Particular attention was directed to the .' precipitates, which along with grain size can predominantly control the mechanical properties of superalloy disks.

Gabb, Timothy P.↗

Measurements of the Ice Water Content of Cirrus in the Tropics and Subtropics: Instrument Details and Validation - I

We describe an instrument mounted in a pallet on the NASA WB-57 aircraft that is designed to measure the sum of gas phase and solid phase water, or total water, in cirrus clouds. Using an isokinetic inlet, a 600-watt heater mounted directly in the flow, and Lyman-alpha photofragment fluorescence technique for detection, accurate measurements of total water have been made over almost three orders of magnitude. Isokinetic flow is achieved with an actively controlled roots pump by referencing aircraft pressure, temperature, and true air speed, together with instrument flow velocity, temperature, and pressure. During CRYSTAL FACE, the instrument operated at duct temperatures sufficiently warm to completely evaporate particles up to 150 microns diameter. In flight diagnostics, intercomparison with water measured by absorption in flight, as well as intercomparisons in clear air with water vapor measured by the Harvard water vapor instrument and the JPL infrared tunable diode laser hygrometer validate the detection sensitivity of the instrument and illustrate minimal hysteresis from instrument surfaces. The simultaneous measurement of total water and water vapor in cirrus clouds yields their ice water content.

Weinstock, E. M.↗

Applications of a detailed model of cardiac conduction to ventricular dysrhythmogenesis

In order to study transitions from normal patterns of electrical activity to abnormal patterns, such as ventricular activation, one requires a means to represent the state of myocardial electrical activation in a few parameters. Two parameters are presented here: 1) the net vorticity index (NVI) which is a measure of the net vorticity in a given region, and 2) the wavefront fractionation index (WFI), which is a measure of perturbations in the propagation of the electrical activation through the myocardium. Both parameters are topological measures in that normal propagation is condensed to a zero state, irrespective of smooth changes in wavefront orientation or shape. Several examples are demonstrated using a computer simulation of cardiac conduction. Potential applications to clinical diagnosis using experimentally obtainable data are discussed.

NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary↗

A Detailed Study of Two Narrow-Line Seyfert 1s

Spectral modeling and variability studies are reported in this paper, including fitting with relativistically blurred ionized-disk models designed to reproduce the radiation spectrum from the inner accretion disk around a black hole. PG 1404+226 is highly variable in flux and has a steep X-ray spectrum that varies over the course of the observation. Its strong observed soft X-ray excess can be well fitted with an ionized-disk model. The parameters derived from this model indicate that the central black hole is rotating, since the inner radius of the accretion disk lies within the last stable orbit for a non-rotating black hole. The harder spectrum of PG 1244426 also shows a soft X-ray excess, but it is better represented by a more conventional two-component phenomenonological model of a power-law and thermal emission.

Brandt, Niel↗

Microscale Heaters Detailed Boiling Behavior in Normal Gravity and Microgravity

Pool boiling in microgravity is an area of both scientific and practical interest. Conducting tests in microgravity, as well as lunar and Martian gravity, makes it possible to assess the effect of the density difference between the vapor and liquid phases on the overall boiling process and to assess the relative magnitude of these effects in comparison to other "forces" and phenomena, such as surface tension forces, liquid momentum forces, and microlayer evaporation. The microscale heater developed under a NASA Glenn Research Center grant serves as a unique tool to probe the fundamental mechanisms associated with pool boiling. An experimental package was designed and built by the University of Maryland and tested on the NASA Johnson Space Center KC-135 experimental aircraft and a NASA WFF Terrier Orion Sounding Rocket under NASA Grants NAG3-2228 and NCC3-783. A square array of 96 microscale heaters was constructed and installed into a special boiling chamber. A fluorinert, FC-72, was used as the test fluid. A variety of tests were conducted at different pressures, heater wall temperatures, bulk fluid temperatures, and gravity levels.

McQuillen, John B.↗

The Importance of Detailed Component Simulations in the Feedsystem Development for a Two-Stage-to Orbit Reusable Launch Vehicle

To meet the requirements for the 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), a unique propulsion feed system concept was identified using crossfeed between the booster and orbiter stages that could reduce the Two-Stage-to-Orbit (TSTO) vehicle weight and development cost by approximately 25%. A Main Propulsion System (MPS) crossfeed water demonstration test program was configured to address all the activities required to reduce the risks for the MPS crossfeed system. A transient, one-dimensional system simulation was developed for the subscale crossfeed water flow tests. To ensure accurate representation of the crossfeed valve's dynamics in the system model, a high-fidelity, three-dimensional, computational fluid-dynamics (CFD) model was employed. The results from the CFD model were used to specify the valve's flow characteristics in the system simulation. This yielded a crossfeed system model that was anchored to the specific valve hardware and achieved good agreement with the measured test data. These results allowed the transient models to be correlated and validated and used for full scale mission predictions. The full scale model simulations indicate crossfeed is ' viable with the system pressure disturbances at the crossfeed transition being less than experienced by the propulsion system during engine start and shutdown transients.

Mazurkivich, Pete↗