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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 703 records · Page 39
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

The Effect of Stochastic Perturbation of Fuel Distribution on the Criticality of a One Speed Reactor and the Development of Multi-Material Multinomial Line Statistics

The effect of random fuel redistribution on the eigenvalue of a one-speed reactor is investigated. An ensemble of such reactors that are identical to a homogeneous reference critical reactor except for the fissile isotope density distribution is constructed such that it meets a set of well-posed redistribution requirements. The average eigenvalue, , is evaluated when the total fissile loading per ensemble element, or realization, is conserved. The perturbation is proven to increase the reactor criticality on average when it is uniformly distributed. The various causes of the change in reactivity, and their relative effects are identified and ranked. From this, a path towards identifying the causes. and relative effects of reactivity fluctuations for the energy dependent problem is pointed to. The perturbation method of using multinomial distributions for representing the perturbed reactor is developed. This method has some advantages that can be of use in other stochastic problems. Finally, some of the features of this perturbation problem are related to other techniques that have been used for addressing similar problems.

Jahshan, S. N.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Detection of the hot white dwarf in the magnetic nova V1500 Cygni with the Hubble Space Telescope

A comprehensive investigation of the AM Herculis-like nova system V1500 Cyg is presented, featuring time-resolved spectrophotometry with the Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), coeval optical circular spectropolarimetry and spectrophotometry, and new broadband polarimetry. A revised ephemeris for the rotating white dwarf refines our knowledge of the timescale for synchronization with the orbital period -- and for becoming a bona fide AM Herculis system -- to 170 +/- 8 yrs. Three features of the orbital-phase-dependent spectral energy distribution are keys for understanding the relative contributions of several radiation sources in this system: (1) the brightness and shape of the ultraviolet continuum, which rises abruptly at short wavelengths and shows no significant phase dependence for lambda less than 2200 A, (2) the greater than or equal to 1 mag variations in the optical continuum and emission-line fluxes, and (3) a spectral slope in the optical which is reddest when brightest. These data lead us to conclude that the hot, postnova white dwarf is the dominant source of ultraviolet flux and of the unusually large bolometric luminosity of the system, compared with typical active AM Herculis binaries. The flat mid-ultraviolet spectrum requires a radiation component in addition to the white dwarf photosphere. We consider three possible origins: (1) cyclotron emission, (2) relatively broad, optically thick accretion columns with lumps of dense gas, and/or (3) orbiting debris in a disklike geometry. Observational tests are suggested to distinguish among these alternatives.

Schmidt, Gary D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Unsteady turbulent boundary layers with flow reversal

A theoretical study is carried out to search for the appearance of a singularity in a family of time-dependent turbulent boundary layers with embedded reverse-flow regions and determine the conditions necessary for its appearance. Further insight is gained into the development of unsteady turbulent boundary layers. The calculations performed for a family of prescribed external velocity distributions in which the relative importance of the effects of time-dependence, compared to those of spatial diffusion, are controlled by a given parameter. The conditions necessary for the appearance of a singularity appears to involve the existence of an appropriate relationship between the dominant velocities in the reversed-flow region and the rate of forward movement of the flow reversal point. The results support the hypothesis that a singularity will exist in the flow if and only if the typical reversed-flow velocities exceed the rate of penetration of the reversed flow into the oncoming boundary layer.

Patel, V. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Static and dynamic loop models and their observational signatures

The magnetically closed regions of the outer solar atmosphere can be studied in terms of one dimensional hydrodynamic loops models. These regions include the bright plasma loops that are readily visible in EUV and X-ray images as well as the fainter, more diffuse-appearing plasma that surrounds them. The basic theoretical properties of static, steady state, and time dependent loop models are discussed, and these properties are related to observations of emission measure distributions and Doppler shifts. Both existing observations and future observations from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) are considered. In particular, the dependence of the models on the form of the energy input (coronal heating) is emphasized.

Klimchuk, James A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Multiplicity dependence of transverse momentum in hadronic collisions

The process of secondary-particle emission in hadron-hadron collisions is analytically studied using a simple model of hadron structure. The model neglects the 'size' of the hadron constituents, considering a hadron as a continuous distribution of matter according to a step function of radius R. A version of the eikonal approximation is applied to derive the relative probability for interaction and emission of secondaries when the impact parameter b is smaller than 2R. On the basis of these assumptions, and using the uncertainty relation, an empirical parameterization is obtained for the dependence of the transverse momentum of charged secondaries on their multiplicity in the case of high-energy proton-proton collisions. Comparison with experimental data at 28 GeV/c yields agreement to within about 3%. The analysis shows that at a fixed beam momentum, the transverse momentum decreases with increasing multiplicity, and that for a given multiplicity, the transverse momentum exhibits a slow increase with beam momentum.

Saint Amand, J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

On the feasibility of quantitative ultrasonic determination of fracture toughness: A literature review

The three main topics covered are: (1) fracture toughness and microstructure, (2) quantitative ultrasonic and microstructure; and (3) scattering and related mathematical methods. Literature in these areas is reviewed to give insight to the search of a theoretical foundation for quantitative ultrasonic measurement of fracture toughness. The literature review shows that fracture toughness is inherently related to the microstructure and in particular, it depends upon the spacing of inclusions or second particles and the aspect ratio of second phase particles. There are indications that ultrasonic velocity attenuation measurements can be used to determine fracture toughness. The leads to a review of the mathematical models available in solving boundary value problems related to microstructural factors that govern facture toughness and wave motion. A framework towards the theoretical study for the quantitative determination of fracture toughness is described and suggestions for future research are proposed.

Fu, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Three-dimensional organization of vestibular related eye movements to rotational motion in pigeons

During rotational motions, compensatory eye movement adjustments must continually occur in order to maintain objects of visual interest as stable images on the retina. In the present study, the three-dimensional organization of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in pigeons was quantitatively examined. Rotations about different head axes produced horizontal, vertical, and torsional eye movements, whose component magnitude was dependent upon the cosine of the stimulus axis relative to the animal's visual axis. Thus, the three-dimensional organization of the VOR in pigeons appears to be compensatory for any direction of head rotation. Frequency responses of the horizontal, vertical, and torsional slow phase components exhibited high pass filter properties with dominant time constants of approximately 3 s.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗
NASA NTRS1984

A laboratory investigation of a physical mechanism for the extended infrared absorption ('red shift') in wheat

Laboratory spectral measurements, on the components of both greenhouse and field grown winter wheat, were performed to identify the component and its appropriate response which gave rise to the extended infrared absorption or 'red shift' reported by Collins. Results of this study indicated that inherent intraplant adaxial (upper) leaf reflectances were of sufficient variability to suggest that an admixture of mechanisms may have utility on identifying the booting and head emergence stages in the life cycle of wheat. The physical mechanism for the shift was found to be relatively independent of the inherent variability in leaf spectra, and to be dependent upon the difference in the mode of deposition of cuticle upon the abaxial (lower) surface relative to that of the adaxial (upper) surface, the position of the flag leaf, and thus the surface exposed to the incident light during heading and after emergence of the head.

Schutt, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Dependence of Atmospheric Transport into the Arctic on the Extent of the Hadley Cell

Recent studies have shown a large spread in the transport of atmospheric tracers into the Arctic among a suite of chemistry climate models, and have suggested that this is related to the multi–model spread in the meridional extent of the Hadley Cell (HC). Here we examine the HC–transport relationship using an idealized model, where we can vary the mean circulation and isolate its impact on transport to the Arctic. It is shown that the poleward transport depends on the relative position between the northern edge of the HC and the tracer source, with maximum poleward transport occurring when the HC edge lies near the middle of the source region. Such dependence highlights the critical role of near–surface transport by Eulerian mean circulation rather than eddy mixing in the free troposphere. These results suggest that variations in the HC extent and the tracer source region are both important for modeling Arctic composition.

Atmospheric transport↗
NASA NTRS1990

Elevated temperature crack growth in aluminum alloys: Tensile deformation of 2618 and FVS0812 aluminum alloys

Understanding the damage tolerance of aluminum alloys at elevated temperatures is essential for safe applications of advanced materials. The objective of this project is to investigate the time dependent subcritical cracking behavior of powder metallurgy FVS0812 and ingot metallurgy 2618 aluminum alloys at elevated temperatures. The fracture mechanics approach was applied. Sidegrooved compact tension specimens were tested at 175, 250, and 316 C under constant load. Subcritical crack growth occurred in each alloy at applied stress intensity levels (K) of between about 14 and 25 MPa/m, well below K (sub IC). Measured load, crack opening displacement and displacement rate, and crack length and growth rate (da/dt) were analyzed with several continuum fracture parameters including, the C-integral, C (sub t), and K. Elevated temperature growth rate data suggest that K is a controlling parameter during time dependent cracking. For FVS0812, da/dt is highest at 175 C when rates are expressed as a function of K. While crack growth rate is not controlled by C (sub t) at 175 C, da/dt appears to better correlate with C (sub t) at higher temperatures. Creep brittle cracking at intermediate temperatures, and perhaps related to strain aging, is augmented by time dependent transient creep plasticity at higher temperatures. The C (sub t) analysis is, however, complicated by the necessity to measure small differences in the elastic crack growth and creep contributions to the crack opening displacement rate. A microstructural study indicates that 2618 and FVS0812 are likely to be creep brittle materials, consistent with the results obtained from the fracture mechanics study. Time dependent crack growth of 2618 at 175 C is characterized by mixed transgranular and intergranular fracture. Delamination along the ribbon powder particle boundaries occurs in FVS0812 at all temperatures. The fracture mode of FVS0812 changes with temperature. At 175 C, it is characterized as dimpled rupture, and at 316 C as mixed matrix superplastic rupture and matrix-dipersoid debonding.

Leng, Yang↗
NASA NTRS2001

TRMM Data Assimilation at NASA

We give an overview of the research at NASA in assimilating tropical rainfall and total precipitable water (TPW) retrievals derived from the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and the Special Sensor Microwave/ Imager (SSM/I) instruments. Global analyses currently contain order-one errors in the primary fields of the hydrological cycle such as precipitation, evaporation, moisture, and the related cloud fields, especially in the tropics. We show that an effective strategy to assimilate tropical rainfall data is to use observations to compensate for errors in moisture tendencies produced by the assimilation model. Results show that assimilating TMI and SSM/I surface rainrates and TPW estimates improves shortrange forecasts and reduces state-dependent systematic errors in the hydrological cycle and related climate parameters such as cloud, radiation, and the large-scale circulation in the tropics. The study provides a demonstration of the potential of using rainfall and moisture observations derived from passive microwave instruments to improve the quality of 4-dimensional global datasets for climate analysis and weather forecasting applications.

Hou, Arthur Y.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The Occurence Rate, Polarization Character, and Intensity of Broadband Jovian Kilometric Radiation

The major observational features of one new component of Jupiter's radio emission spectrum, the broadband kilometer-wavelenth radiation or bKOM are described. The Voyager planetary radio astronomy experiments reveal that the overall occurrence morphology, total power, and polarization character of bKOM are strong functions of the latitude and/or local time geometry of the observations. The post-encounter data show a decline in the mean occurrence rates and power level of bKOM and, in particular, a depletion in the occurrence rate at those same longitudes where the detection rate is a maximum before encounter. Additionally, the polarization sense undergoes a permanent reversal in sign after encounter, whereas the time-averaged wave axial ratio and degrees of polarization remain relatively unchanged. No evidence of any control by Io is found. The strong dependence of the morphology on local time suggests a source whose beam is nearly fixed relative to the Jupiter-sun line.

Desch, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Interactive orbital proximity operations planning system

An interactive, graphical proximity operations planning system was developed which allows on-site design of efficient, complex, multiburn maneuvers in the dynamic multispacecraft environment about the space station. Maneuvering takes place in, as well as out of, the orbital plane. The difficulty in planning such missions results from the unusual and counterintuitive character of relative orbital motion trajectories and complex operational constraints, which are both time varying and highly dependent on the mission scenario. This difficulty is greatly overcome by visualizing the relative trajectories and the relative constraints in an easily interpretable, graphical format, which provides the operator with immediate feedback on design actions. The display shows a perspective bird's-eye view of the space station and co-orbiting spacecraft on the background of the station's orbital plane. The operator has control over two modes of operation: (1) a viewing system mode, which enables him or her to explore the spatial situation about the space station and thus choose and frame in on areas of interest; and (2) a trajectory design mode, which allows the interactive editing of a series of way-points and maneuvering burns to obtain a trajectory which complies with all operational constraints. Through a graphical interactive process, the operator will continue to modify the trajectory design until all operational constraints are met. The effectiveness of this display format in complex trajectory design is presently being evaluated in an ongoing experimental program.

Grunwald, Arthur J.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Temperature Stabilization Requirements for Unchopped Thermal Detectors

The temperature stabilization requirements of unchopped thermistor bolometers and thermopile detectors are analyzed. The detector temperature, on which the bolometer output signal depends, is quite sensitive to changes in instrument temperature but relatively insensitive to changes in scene temperature. In contrast, the difference in temperature between detector and substrate (instrument), on which the thermopile signal depends, is equally sensitive to changes in instrument and scene temperature. Expressions for these dependencies are derived based on a simplified instrument model. It is shown that for a typical uncooled thermal imager, the temperature stabilization requirements for a bolometer are two orders of magnitude more stringent than those for a thermopile detector. Keywords: thermistor, bolometer, thermopile, detector, IR, thermal, temperature stabilization

Foote, Marc C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Initial-value problems for Rossby waves in a shear flow with critical level

The time-dependent evolution of sheared Rossby waves starting from an initial disturbance is studied for the simple case in which the shear is uniform. The uniform-shear assumption allows explicit solutions to be obtained which are useful in addressing the issue of the long-time asymptotic approach to normal modes and in assessing the relative importance of viscosity, nonlinearity and time-dependence in the evolution of Rossby waves in the presence of critical layers.

Tung, K. K.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Post-workshop models of Jupiter's radiation belts

Models for the charged particle populations of Jupiter's trapped radiation belts were derived at the Jupiter Radiation Belt Workshop on the basis of several assumptions which represented a consensus of opinion. It was possible to improve the models on the basis of work performed after the workshop concluded. These improvements affect the models in two ways. The effects of special relativity on the particle energy and flux dependences in the magnetosphere were included in a derivation based on L-shell diffusion with conservation of the magnetic moment. Quantitative conclusions are available for the limit which ion cyclotron instability places on the proton population. A set of models which incorporates these developments in a way consistent with the original workshop assumptions and conclusions is described.

Divine, N.↗