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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 577 records · Page 32

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DOE OSTI2021

Tuning the electronic structure of Ag-Pd alloys to enhance performance for alkaline oxygen reduction

Alloying is a powerful tool that can improve the electrocatalytic performance and viability of diverse electrochemical renewable energy technologies. Herein, we enhance the activity of Pd-based electrocatalysts via Ag-Pd alloying while simultaneously lowering precious metal content in a broad-range compositional study focusing on highly comparable Ag-Pd thin films synthesized systematically via electron-beam physical vapor co-deposition. Cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M KOH shows enhancements across a wide range of alloys; even slight alloying with Ag (e.g. Ag 0.1 Pd 0.9 ) leads to intrinsic activity enhancements up to 5-fold at 0.9 V vs. RHE compared to pure Pd. Based on density functional theory and x-ray absorption, we hypothesize that these enhancements arise mainly from ligand effects that optimize adsorbate–metal binding energies with enhanced Ag-Pd hybridization. This work shows the versatility of coupled experimental-theoretical methods in designing materials with specific and tunable properties and aids the development of highly active electrocatalysts with decreased precious-metal content.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Empirical Evaluation of GPS Clock Accuracy for Isochronous Droop-based Inverters

Grid-forming inverters rely upon an internal reference to regulate the grid 's voltage and frequency. Without a reliable reference, issues such as loss of synchronism, frequency instability, and unequal power sharing can occur. One proposed internal phase reference for grid-forming inverters is generated by the controller's clock, but this is affected by nonidealities in the crystal oscillator leading to time drift in the phase reference. To improve the controller's clock accuracy, the Global Positioning System (GPS) can be used to calibrate the internal clock. Previously, GPS-based clock calibration was explored theoretically and various methods were developed for mitigating frequency/phase drift at the power system level. This paper experimentally validates the direct performance of GPS time-calibration at the controller level and justifies its use in maintaining an accurate phase reference for droop-based grid-forming inverters.

clock drift↗

DOE OSTI2022

The importance of phonon spectrum measurements for accurate prediction of thermal scattering laws [Slides]

Although approximate phonon spectra (e.g. Debye model) are sufficient to reproduce integral quantities (e.g. total INS cross section) in reasonable agreement with the measured data, more accurate phonon spectra are needed to achieve agreement with the differential data. SANS component is essential for reproducing the total scattering cross section; this is the case for nanodiamonds and other materials where SANS components are present (such as porous materials like nuclear graphite). A format proposal for SANS data in ENDF or GNDS is needed. Therefore, differential (e.g. phonon spectrum) and integral (e.g. total cross section) measurements are necessary in the process of creating an ENDF evaluation. We have successfully developed a method by which ENDF evaluations can be directly compared to the relevant experimentally measured quantities. INS experiments at SNS, ILL, ISIS, and, in the future, ESS, as well as total cross section measurements at the VESUVIO instrument at ISIS, are accessible through user programs.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1976

Time-dependent MOS breakdown

A general model for time-dependent breakdown in metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) structures is developed and related to experimental measurements on samples deliberately contaminated with Na. A statistical method is used for measuring the breakdown probability as a function of log time and applied field. It is shown that three time regions of breakdown can be explained respectively in terms of silicon surface defects, ion emission from the metal interface, and lateral ion diffusion at the silicon interface.

Li, S. P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

A study of multiple-shaker modal survey testing

The principal objective was to examine and to assess the practical value of a method of multiple-shaker sinusoidal modal vibration testing known as Asher's method. Numerical studies which simulate the application of Asher's method and a unique experimental implementation of the method were completed. Another objective of the research was to develop and to demonstrate with numerical simulation a quantitative method for determining from transfer function data the number of dominant modes of vibration in sinusoidal structural response.

Hallauer, W. L., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Vehicle concepts and technology requirements for buoyant heavy-lift systems

Several buoyant-vehicle (airship) concepts proposed for short hauls of heavy payloads are described. Numerous studies identified operating cost and payload capacity advantages relative to existing or proposed heavy-lift helicopters for such vehicles. Applications involving payloads of from 15 tons up to 800 tons were identified. The buoyant quad-rotor concept is discussed in detail, including the history of its development, current estimates of performance and economics, currently perceived technology requirements, and recent research and technology development. It is concluded that the buoyant quad-rotor, and possibly other buoyant vehicle concepts, has the potential of satisfying the market for very heavy vertical lift but that additional research and technology development are necessary. Because of uncertainties in analytical prediction methods and small-scale experimental measurements, there is a strong need for large or full-scale experiments in ground test facilities and, ultimately, with a flight research vehicle.

Ardema, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Computation of transonic viscous-inviscid interacting flow

Transonic viscous-inviscid interaction is considered using the Euler and inverse compressible turbulent boundary-layer equations. Certain improvements in the inverse boundary-layer method are mentioned, along with experiences in using various Runge-Kutta schemes to solve the Euler equations. Numerical conditions imposed on the Euler equations at a surface for viscous-inviscid interaction using the method of equivalent sources are developed, and numerical solutions are presented and compared with experimental data to illustrate essential points.

Whitfield, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Experimental measurements of material damping in free fall with tuneable excitation

An experimental method of measuring material damping of a specimen in free fall has been developed. An initially simply-supported test specimen was simultaneously excited and lofted into free fall with a spring-mass launcher. The launcher could be tuned to produce varying initial stress amplitude levels in the specimens. Damping information was obtained from the transient response of the specimens while in free fall in a vacuum. A dynamic model of the launch process was developed which indicates the range of frequency and initial specimen stress amplitude over which tests can be performed. To verify the facility, material damping was measured in 2024-T3 aluminum, and (+ or - 45)2s AS1/3501-6 graphite/epoxy. Free-free frequencies ranged from 20-357 Hz in aluminum, and from 18-171 Hz in the (+ or - 45)2s specimens. Damping values in aluminum were found to be close to theoretical values and independent of stress levels below 130 MPa (18.7 Ksi). Damping ratios in the (+ or - 45)2s graphite/epoxy specimens were found to be largely independent of stress levels below 43.8 MPa (6.35 Ksi) and only slightly dependent on frequency. A small dependence of the frequency of free vibration on specimen stress amplitude was also noted.

Crawley, E. F.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Computation of transonic viscous-inviscid interacting flow

Whitfield, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Some experience with Barnwell-Sewall type correction to two-dimensional airfoil data

A series of airfoils were tested in the Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (TCT) at Reynolds numbers from 2 to 50 million. The 0.3-m TCT is equipped with Barnwell slots designed to minimize blockage due to the tunnel flow and ceiling. This design suggests that sidewall corrections for blockage is needed, and that a lifting airfoil produces a change in angle of attack. Sidewall correction methods were developed for subsonic and subsonic-transonic flow. Comparisons of theory with experimental data obtained in the 0.3-m TCT for two airfoils, the British NPL 9510 and the German R-4 are presented. The NPL 9510 was tested as part of the NASA/United Kingdom Joint Aeronautical Program and R-4 was tested as part f the DFVLR/NASA Advanced Airfoil Research Program. For the NPL 9510 airfoil, only those test points that one would anticipate being difficult to predict theoretically are presented.

Jenkins, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Simulation model for plant growth in controlled environment systems

The role of the mathematical model is to relate the individual processes to environmental conditions and the behavior of the whole plant. Using the controlled-environment facilities of the phytotron at North Carolina State University for experimentation at the whole-plant level and methods for handling complex models, researchers developed a plant growth model to describe the relationships between hierarchial levels of the crop production system. The fundamental processes that are considered are: (1) interception of photosynthetically active radiation by leaves, (2) absorption of photosynthetically active radiation, (3) photosynthetic transformation of absorbed radiation into chemical energy of carbon bonding in solube carbohydrates in the leaves, (4) translocation between carbohydrate pools in leaves, stems, and roots, (5) flow of energy from carbohydrate pools for respiration, (6) flow from carbohydrate pools for growth, and (7) aging of tissues. These processes are described at the level of organ structure and of elementary function processes. The driving variables of incident photosynthetically active radiation and ambient temperature as inputs pertain to characterization at the whole-plant level. The output of the model is accumulated dry matter partitioned among leaves, stems, and roots; thus, the elementary processes clearly operate under the constraints of the plant structure which is itself the output of the model.

Raper, C. D., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Vortex lift research: Early contributions and some current challenges

The trend towards slender wing aircraft for supersonic cruise and the early chronology of research directed towards their vortex-lift characteristics are briefly reviewed. An overview of the development of vortex-lift theoretical methods is presented, and some current computational and experimental challenges related to the viscous flow aspects of this vortex flow are discussed.

Polhamus, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Friction factor data for flat plate tests of smooth and honeycomb surfaces

Friction factors for honeycomb surfaces were measured with a flat plate tester. The flat plate test apparatus was described and a method was discussed for determining the friction factor experimentally. The friction factor model was developed for the flat plate test based on the Fanno Line Flow. The comparisons of the friction factor were plotted for smooth surfaces and six-honeycomb surfaces with three-clearances, 6.9 bar to 17.9 bar range of inlet pressures, and 5,000 to 100,000 range of the Reynolds number. The optimum geometries for the maximum friction factor were found as a function of cell width to cell depth and cell width to clearance ratios.

Ha, Tae Woong↗

NASA NTRS1991

Thermomechanical and bithermal fatigue behavior of cast B1900 + Hf and wrought Haynes 188

High temperature thermomechanical and bithermal fatigue behavior was investigated for two superalloys: cast nickel-base B1900+Hf and wrought cobalt-base Haynes 188. Experimental results were generated to support development of an advanced thermal fatigue life prediction method. Strain controlled thermomechanical and load-controlled, strain-limited, bithermal fatigue tests were used to determine the fatigue crack initiation and cyclic stress-strain response characteristics of superalloys. Bithermal temperatures of 483 and 871 C were used for B1900+Hf, and 316 and 760 C for Haynes 188. Thermomechanical fatigue tests were conducted by using maximum and minimum temperatures corresponding to those for the bithermal experiments. Lives cover the range from about 10 to 3000 cycles to failure. Isothermal fatigue results obtained previously are also discussed.

Halford, Gary R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Friction-factor data for flat-plate tests of smooth and honeycomb surfaces

Ha, T. W.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Rapid Technology Assessment via Unified Deployment of Global Optical and Virtual Diagnostics

This paper discusses recent developments in rapid technology assessment resulting from an active collaboration between researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) and the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). This program targets the unified development and deployment of global measurement technologies coupled with a virtual diagnostic interface to enable the comparative evaluation of experimental and computational results. Continuing efforts focus on the development of seamless data translation methods to enable integration of data sets of disparate file format in a common platform. Results from a successful low-speed wind tunnel test at WPAFB in which global surface pressure distributions were acquired simultaneously with model deformation and geometry measurements are discussed and comparatively evaluated with numerical simulations. Intensity- and lifetime-based pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) and projection moire interferometry (PMI) results are presented within the context of rapid technology assessment to enable simulation-based R&D.

Jordan, Jeffrey D.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Jet-Surface Interaction Test: Far-Field Noise Results

Many configurations proposed for the next generation of aircraft rely on the wing or other aircraft surfaces to shield the engine noise from the observers on the ground. However, the ability to predict the shielding effect and any new noise sources that arise from the high-speed jet flow interacting with a hard surface is currently limited. Furthermore, quality experimental data from jets with surfaces nearby suitable for developing and validating noise prediction methods are usually tied to a particular vehicle concept and, therefore, very complicated. The Jet/Surface Interaction Test was intended to supply a high quality set of data covering a wide range of surface geometries and positions and jet flows to researchers developing aircraft noise prediction tools. During phase one, the goal was to measure the noise of a jet near a simple planar surface while varying the surface length and location in order to: (1) validate noise prediction schemes when the surface is acting only as a jet noise shield and when the jet/surface interaction is creating additional noise, and (2) determine regions of interest for more detailed tests in phase two. To meet these phase one objectives, a flat plate was mounted on a two-axis traverse in two distinct configurations: (1) as a shield between the jet and the observer (microphone array) and (2) as a reflecting surface on the opposite side of the jet from the observer.

Brown, Clifford A.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Empirical Evaluation of GPS Clock Accuracy for Isochronous Droop-Based Inverters: Preprint

Grid-forming inverters rely upon an internal reference to regulate the grid’s voltage and frequency. Without a reliable reference, issues such as loss of synchronism, frequency instability, and unequal power sharing can occur. One proposed internal phase reference for grid-forming inverters is generated by the controller’s clock, but this is affected by nonidealities in the crystal oscillator leading to time drift in the phase reference. To improve the controller’s clock accuracy, the Global Positioning System (GPS) can be used to calibrate the internal clock. Previously, GPS-based clock calibration was explored theoretically and various methods were developed for mitigating frequency/phase drift at the power system level. This paper experimentally validates the direct performance of GPS time-calibration at the controller level and justifies its use in maintaining an accurate phase reference for droop-based grid-forming inverters.

clock drift↗