Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “developments”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 757 records · Page 42

Overview of Advanced Stirling and Gas Turbine Engine Development Programs and Implications for Solar Thermal Electrical Applications

The DOE automotive advanced engine development projects managed by the NASA Lewis Research Center were described. These included one Stirling cycle engine development and two air Brayton cycle development. Other engine research activities included: (1) an air Brayton engine development sponsored by the Gas Research Institute, and (2) plans for development of a Stirling cycle engine for space use. Current and potential use of these various engines with solar parabolic dishes were discussed.

Alger, D.↗

Brayton Module Development Overview

The Advanced Gas Turbine (AGT) and the Subatmospheric Brayton Cycle (SABC) engines are under development. The AGT is developed for automotive applications while the SABC is developed for a gas fired heat pump application. Trade studies of the AGT, the SABC and other existing gas turbins are conducted in combination with various concentrators. The recommendation from these studies is to use the SABC for near term module development while following the AGT development for later advanced application. A preliminary design is completed at the module.

Holbeck, H. J.↗

An initial model for estimating soybean development stages from spectral data

A model, utilizing a direct relationship between remotely sensed spectral data and soybean development stage, has been proposed. The model is based upon transforming the spectral data in Landsat bands to greenness values over time and relating the area of this curve to soybean development stage. Soybean development stages were estimated from data acquired in 1978 from research plots at the Purdue University Agronomy Farm as well as Landsat data acquired over sample areas of the U.S. Corn Belt in 1978 and 1979. Analysis of spectral data from research plots revealed that the model works well with reasonable variation in planting date, row spacing, and soil background. The R-squared of calculated U.S. observed development stage exceeded 0.91 for all treatment variables. Using Landsat data the calculated U.S. observed development stage gave an R-squared of 0.89 in 1978 and 0.87 in 1979. No difference in the models performance could be detected between early and late planted fields, small and large fields, or high and low yielding fields.

Henderson, K. E.↗

NASA Redox Storage System Development Project

The Redox Storage System Technology Project was jointly supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and NASA. The objectives of the project were to develop the Redox flow battery concept and to probe its technical and economic viability. The iron and chromium redox couples were selected as the reactants. Membranes and electrodes were developed for the original mode of operating at 25 C with the reactants separated by an ion-exchange membrane. Analytical capabilities and system-level operating concepts were developed and verified in a 1-kW, 13-kWh preprototype system. A subsequent change was made in operating mode, going to 65 C and using mixed reactants. New membranes and a new electrode catalyst were developed, resulting in single cell operation as high as 80 mA/sq cm with energy efficiencies greater than 80 percent. Studies indicate a likely system cost of about $75/kWh. Standard Oil of Ohio (Sohio) has undertaken further development of the Redox system. An exclusive patent license was obtained from NASA by Sohio. Transfer of Redox technology to Sohio is supported by the NASA Technology Utilization Office.

Hagedorn, N. H.↗

Long term technology development program

In the Advanced Adiabatic Development program, the following technology were identified as critical: piston development for oil-less, adiabatic engine; positive displacement compounding and charge system; experimental evaluation of the preheat concept; combustion system with positive ignition assist; and ceramic manufacturing technology. Of these five areas, ceramic manufacturing technology is the pacing item, and is already being addressed by several organizations. Therefore the four remaining areas need immediate attention. Since the lead time involved in engine development and production is long, this technology development should be done concurrently with the AAD engine development. A four year program is outlined which will simultaneously study these first four areas. This program requires two test rigs; one single cylinder adiabatic engine; and one multicylinder adiabatic turbocompound engine.

Sekar, R.↗

Daylily as a System to Study Effects of Space Flight on Plant Development

The intent of the protoplast experimentation was to develop a system which would permit work with wall less counterparts of totipotent free cells as a model for a fertilized egg cell. It is clear that the daylily system is becoming a valuable tool with which to study any number of basic phases of higher plant development. The system can now be studied from a number of perspectives. A system amenable to rigorous experimentation was developed and can be used as a point of departure for studying problems of development in the space environment. This will be a prelude to the studying of the effect of hypogravity on higher plant development.

Krikorian, A. D.↗

Gravitational Effects on Reproduction, Growth, and Development of Mammals

The broad objective of this research program is to determine the role which gravity plays in the growth and development of mammalian animals. Current studies are focused on the effects of graded hypergravitatinal field intensities on mice, rats and other small sized laboratory animals using the chronic centrifugation technique. They include studies on reproduction and prenatal and postnatel growth and development. Among the important questions addressed are: (1) what stage or stages in animal development are affected by hypergravity and what are the effects? (2) is there a minimum or critical body size for hypergravity to produce a significant effect on growth and development? (3) are there field intensity thresholds for the preceding questions? From analysis of the body masses at birth of rats conceived and allowed to undergo gestation under 2.1G and under normal gravity (1G), it was found that there was no significant difference between the two groups. Futhermore, their growth rates postnatally were the same until they reached a body mass of approximately 50 grams when the 2.1G group showed a significantly slower rate. Results from these studies support the conclusion that prenatal as well as the early postnatal stages of growth and development of the rat are refractory to hyper-G.

Oyama, J.↗

Report of the Insect Development Group

Drosophila metanogaster was chosen as the insect species of choice, in regard to gravity response experiments involving normal reproduction and develop different strains. The specific gravity responses which might be affected by microgravity and are exhibited in normal reproduction and development include normal flight for courtship, mating and oviposition, tropisms for pupating or emergency of the adult, and crawling for gettering food by the larval instars at the organismic level. At the suborganismic elevel, it is believed that maturation of developing eggs in the virgin female and embryonic development of the developing egg could be affected by microgravity and warrant study.

Rockstein, M.↗

Comparison of big event with calculations of the air shower development

The incidence of high energy hadrons and electron-photons in air showers at various stages of development is calculated. Numerical calculation is used to solve the diffusion equation for a nuclear cascade and analytical calculation for cascade shower induced gamma rays. From these calculations, one can get the longitudinal development of the high energy hadron and electron-photon components, and the energy spectra of these components at various depths of air shower development. The total number of hadrons (N sub H) and electron-photon components (N sub gamma) are related according to stages of the air shower development and primary energy. The relation of the total energy of hadron and electron-photon component above the threshold energy is given. The energy balance between both components is also a useful parameter to study high energy events accompanying air showers. The relation of N sub H and fractional hadronic energy E (sum E sub H sup gamma/sum E sub H sup gamma + Sum E sub gamma) is calculated. This relation is helpful to understand the stage of air shower development(t) and primary energy (E sub p).

Niwa, M.↗

Application of Thematic Mapper data to corn and soybean development stage estimation

A model, utilizing direct relationship between remotely sensed spectral data and the development stage of both corn and soybeans has been proposed and published previously (Badhwar and Henderson, 1981; and Henderson and Badhwar, 1984). This model was developed using data acquired by instruments mounted on trucks over field plots of corn and soybeans as well as satellite data from Landsat. In all cases, the data was analyzed in the spectral bands equivalent to the four bands of Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS). In this study the same model has been applied to corn and soybeans using Landsat-4 Thematic Mapper (TM) data combined with simulated TM data to provide a multitemporal data set in TM band intervals. All data (five total acquisitions) were acquired over a test site in Webster County, Iowa from June to October 1982. The use of TM data for determining development state is as accurate as with Landsat MSS and field plot data in MSS bands. The maximum deviation of 0.6 development stage for corn and 0.8 development stage for soybeans is well within the uncertainty with which a field can be estimated with procedures used by observers on the ground in 1982.

Badhwar, G. D.↗

Monitoring software development through dynamic variables

Research conducted by the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) on the use of dynamic variables as a tool to monitor software development is described. Project independent measures which may be used in a management tool for monitoring software development are identified. Several FORTRAN projects with similar profiles are examined. The staff was experienced in developing these types of projects. The projects developed serve similar functions. Because these projects are similar some underlying relationships exist that are invariant between the projects. These relationships, once well defined, may be used to compare the development of different projects to determine whether they are evolving the same way previous projects in this environment evolved.

Doerflinger, C. W.↗

Development of Materials Processing Systems for Use in Space on Low-g Simulation Devices

Advanced furnace systems are being developed for use in space. Systems are being tested for current experiment applications and modified for future experiment requirements. Future projects are: (1) fabrication and testing of the Advanced Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (AADSF) flight hardware; (2) development of a Heat Pipe Furnace (HPF) for use in space. Heat pipes will be tested for space flight qualification in conjunction with the furnace development. The HPF design will be based on the AADSF development and will be of modular design including capabilities of operating with or without heat pipes; and (3) the AADSF furnace will be modified and tested to operate at temperatures up to 1700 C in the heated cavity. This will be accomplished by developing a new hot end heating module and insulation package for the existing AADSF. Refurbishment of the Drop Tower Furnace (DTF) is under way. The DTF can operate at temperatures up to 1700 C. The sample size will be approximately 3/8 in. dia. x 5/8 in. long. Design improvements for the General Purpose Rocket Furnace (GPRF) for use in the Material Experiment Assembly (MEA) are to be accomplished.

Aldrich, B. R.↗

MMIC antenna technology development in the 30/20 gigahertz band

This paper presents a progress summary of NASA's efforts in developing 20 and 30 GHz GaAs MMIC devices and an advanced satellite communications antenna system using these devices. In the interest of preserving resources such as frequency spectrum and orbital space the antenna system is being developed with multiple fixed spot beams and multiple scanning spot beams. NASA set high goals for the MMIC development to pushc GaAs technology. These goals and the main features of the MMIC devices are discussed. Some packaging and characterization considerations are also discussed. The 20 GHz transmit antenna and 30 GHz receive antenna are being developed separately. The approach selected is to perform contractual configuration studies, purchase a 20-GHz experimental antenna system (EAS) and perform in-house evaluation. The features and key specifications of the EAS are discussed. Additional supporting technologies such as effects of coupling on modest sized arrays, MMIC matching techniques, in-house analytical capability, wideband and dual frequency microstrip patch array development, and MMIC packaging techniques are described. Some plans for future are also discussed.

Smetana, J.↗

MMIC antenna technology development in the 30/20 gigahertz band

This paper presents a progress summary of NASA's efforts in developing 20 and 30 GHz GaAs MMIC devices and an advanced satellite communications antenna system using these devices. In the interest of preserving resources such as frequency spectrum and orbital space the antenna system is being developed with multiple fixed spot beams and multiple scanning spot beams. NASA set high goals for the MMIC development to push GaAs technology. These goals and the main features of the MMIC devices are discussed. Some packaging and characterization considerations are also discussed. The 20 GHz transmit antenna and 30 GHz receive antenna are being developed separately. The approach selected is to perform contractual configuration studies, purchase a 20-GHz experimental antenna system (EAS) and perform in-house evaluation. The features and key specifications of the EAS are discussed. Additional supporting technologies such as effects of coupling on modest sized arrays, MMIC matching techniques, in-house analytical capability, wideband and dual frequency microstrip patch array development, and MMIC packaging techniques are described. Some plans for future work are also discussed.

Smetana, J.↗

Space Station Advanced Development Program

The Space Station Advanced Development Program has the objective to transform promising new techniques into mature proven concepts to enable design options for the initial Space Station. It is pointed out that the options should improve system performance and reduce operational costs. Attention is given to the approach employed in the implementation of the program, the technology issues, aspects of Space Station evolution and growth, a Space Station technology overview, and subsystem technologies. The Advanced Development Power Program is considered along with the advanced development of auxiliary propulsion, the program dealing with attitude control and stabilization, and developments related to data management. Other developments are concerned with communication, system operation, manned systems technology, structures, and environmental control and life support.

Carlisle, R. F.↗

Equipment concept design and development plans for microgravity science and applications research on space station: Combustion tunnel, laser diagnostic system, advanced modular furnace, integrated electronics laboratory

Taking advantage of the microgravity environment of space NASA has initiated the preliminary design of a permanently manned space station that will support technological advances in process science and stimulate the development of new and improved materials having applications across the commercial spectrum. Previous studies have been performed to define from the researcher's perspective, the requirements for laboratory equipment to accommodate microgravity experiments on the space station. Functional requirements for the identified experimental apparatus and support equipment were determined. From these hardware requirements, several items were selected for concept designs and subsequent formulation of development plans. This report documents the concept designs and development plans for two items of experiment apparatus - the Combustion Tunnel and the Advanced Modular Furnace, and two items of support equipment the Laser Diagnostic System and the Integrated Electronics Laboratory. For each concept design, key technology developments were identified that are required to enable or enhance the development of the respective hardware.

Uhran, M. L.↗

Software development for the VLA-GDSCC telemetry array project

Software for the VLA-GDSCC Telemetry Array (VGTA) Project is being developed in a new manner. Within the Radio Frequency and Microwave Subsystems Section, most microprocessor software has been developed using Intel hardware and software development systems. The VGTA software, however, is being developed using IBM PCs running consumer-oriented software. Utility software and procedures have been generated which allow the software developed on the IBM PCs to be transferred and run on a multibus 8086 computer.

Cooper, H. W.↗

The fully nonlinear development of Goertler vortices in growing boundary layers

The fully nonlinear development of small wavelength Goertler vortices in a growing boundary layer is investigated using a combination of asymptotic and numerical methods. The starting point for the analysis is the weakly nonlinear theory of Hall (1982b) who discussed the initial development of small amplitude vortices in a neighborhood of the location where they first become linearly unstable. That development is unusual in the context of nonlinear stability theory in that it is not described by the Stuart-Watson approach. In fact the development is governed by a pair of coupled nonlinear partial differential evolution equations for the vortex flow and the mean flow correction. Here the further development of this interaction is considered for vortices so large that the mean flow correction driven by them is as large as the basic state. Surprisingly it is found that such a nonlinear interaction can still be described by asymptotic means. It is shown that the vortices spread out across the boundary layer and effectively drive the boundary layer. In fact the system obtained by writing down the equations for the fundamental component of the vortex generate a differential equation for the basic state. Thus the mean flow adjusts so as to make these large amplitude vortices locally neutral. Moreover in the region where the vortices exist the mean flow has a square-root profile and the vortex velocity field can be written down in closed form. The upper and lower boundaries of the region of vortex activity are determined by a free-boundary problem involving the boundary layer equations. In general it is found that this region ultimately includes almost all of the original boundary layer and much of the free-stream. In this situation the mean flow has essentially no relationship to the flow which exists in the absence of the vortices.

Hall, Philip↗