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At least 793 records · Page 44

Experimental investigation of elastic mode control on a model of a transport aircraft

A 4.5 percent DC-10 derivative flexible model with active controls is fabricated, developed, and tested to investigate the ability to suppress flutter and reduce gust loads with active controlled surfaces. The model is analyzed and tested in both semispan and complete model configuration. Analytical methods are refined and control laws are developed and successfully tested on both versions of the model. A 15 to 25 percent increase in flutter speed due to the active system is demonstrated. The capability of an active control system to significantly reduce wing bending moments due to turbulence is demonstrated. Good correlation is obtained between test and analytical prediction.

Abramovitz, M.↗

Comparison of Computational Approaches for Rapid Aerodynamic Assessment of Small UAVs

Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) methods were used to determine the basic aerodynamic, performance, and stability and control characteristics of the unmanned air vehicle (UAV), Kahu. Accurate and timely prediction of the aerodynamic characteristics of small UAVs is an essential part of military system acquisition and air-worthiness evaluations. The forces and moments of the UAV were predicted using a variety of analytical methods for a range of configurations and conditions. The methods included Navier Stokes (N-S) flow solvers (USM3D, Kestrel and Cobalt) that take days to set up and hours to converge on a single solution; potential flow methods (PMARC, LSAERO, and XFLR5) that take hours to set up and minutes to compute; empirical methods (Datcom) that involve table lookups and produce a solution quickly; and handbook calculations. A preliminary aerodynamic database can be developed very efficiently by using a combination of computational tools. The database can be generated with low-order and empirical methods in linear regions, then replacing or adjusting the data as predictions from higher order methods are obtained. A comparison of results from all the data sources as well as experimental data obtained from a wind-tunnel test will be shown and the methods will be evaluated on their utility during each portion of the flight envelope.

Shafer, Theresa C.↗

A study of prediction methods for the high angle-of-attack aerodynamics of straight wings and fighter aircraft

Work is described dealing with two areas which are dominated by the nonlinear effects of vortex flows. The first area concerns the stall/spin characteristics of a general aviation wing with a modified leading edge. The second area concerns the high-angle-of-attack characteristics of high performance military aircraft. For each area, the governing phenomena are described as identified with the aid of existing experimental data. Existing analytical methods are reviewed, and the most promising method for each area used to perform some preliminary calculations. Based on these results, the strengths and weaknesses of the methods are defined, and research programs recommended to improve the methods as a result of better understanding of the flow mechanisms involved.

Mcmillan, O. J.↗

Quantification of Native Lignin Structural Features with Gel–Phase 2D–HSQC 0 Reveals Lignin Structural Changes During Extraction

Our ability to study and valorize the lignin fraction of biomass is hampered by the fundamental and still unmet challenge of precisely quantifying native lignin's structural features. Here, we developed a rapid elevated-temperature 1 H– 13 C Heteronuclear Single-Quantum Coherence Zero (HSQC 0 ) NMR method that enables this precise quantification of native lignin structural characteristics even with whole plant cell wall (WPCW) NMR spectroscopy, overcoming fast spin relaxation in the gel phase. We also formulated a Gaussian fitting algorithm to perform automatic and reliable spectral integration. By combining HSQC 0 measurements with yield measurements following depolymerisation, we can confirm the combinatorial nature of radical coupling reactions during biosynthesis leading to a random sequential organization of linkages within a largely linear lignin chain. Such analyses illustrate how this analytical method can greatly facilitate the study of native lignin structure, which can then be used for fundamental studies or to understand lignin depolymerization methods like reductive catalytic fractionation or aldehyde-assisted fractionation.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Defect and satellite characteristics of additive manufacturing metal powders

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) requires high-quality metal powders to three-dimensionally (3D) print metallic components with complex and customizable geometries. The lack of quantification of AM metal powders creates quality control challenges for 3D printed components, increases the uncertainty of printing reliability and net cost of inspected and certified printed components, and reduces the recyclability of used powders. However, critical characteristics of AM metal powders that are decisive factors for the 3D printing process, such as internal porosity, contamination, and satellite feature, remain ambiguous. In this work, we developed a novel approach to 3D quantify key characteristics of AM metal powders down to individual particles by using high-resolution synchrotron x-ray computed tomography. Empowered by the penetrative capability of high-energy x-ray, internal porosity and contamination within as-atomized metal powders from high-entropy alloys to nickel-based superalloys were evaluated. Additionally, the newly-developed dispersion method enables the homogeneous separation of individual particles, and consequently, results in the implementation of 3D particle shape analysis. To resolve a major challenge of identification and quantification of satellite-feature particles in as-atomized AM metal powders, the satellite features were quantitated by modeling and analyzing the shape parameter of local thickness variance. Furthermore, the 3D analytical methods of particle assessment in this study can be applied to other materials systems like rock, food, and pharmaceutical particles, and provide insights for process optimization across powder metallurgy, concrete, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and AM industries.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Assumed non-persistent environmental chemicals in human adipose tissue; matrix stability and correlation with levels measured in urine and serum

The aim of this study was to (1) optimize a method for the measurement of parabens and phenols in adipose tissue, (2) evaluate the stability of chemical residues in adipose tissue samples, and (3) study correlations of these compounds in urine, serum, and adipose tissue. Samples were obtained from adults undergoing trauma surgery. Nine phenols and seven parabens were determined by isotope diluted TurboFlow-LC-MS/MS. The analytical method showed good accuracy and precision. Limits of detection (LOD) for parabens and phenols ranged from 0.05 to 1.83 ng/g tissue. Good recovery rates were found, even when biological samples remained defrosted up to 24 h. Benzophenone-3 (BP-3; range of values: 70% of adipose tissue samples, while bisphenol-A (BPA; 40% of adipose tissue samples. In general, levels were similar between adipose tissue and serum, while a correlation between adipose tissue and urine was only found for BP-3. In conclusion, adipose tissue samples in this study were found to contain environmental chemicals considered to be non-persistent, whose levels were weakly or not at all correlated with the urine burden. Therefore, adipose tissue may potentially provide additional information to that obtained from other biological matrices. Further investigations are warranted to explore whether adipose tissue might be a suitable matrix for assessment of the consequences for human health of mid/long-term exposure to these chemicals. - Highlights: • We analyzed levels of endocrine disruptors in adipose tissue, serum and urine. • We found BPA, TCS, BP-3, 2-PP and MeP in >40% of the adipose tissue samples. • Adipose tissue levels of npEDCs did not correlate with those in urine or serum. • Adipose tissue levels may have a different biological meaning.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Determination of a suitable molar absorption coefficient (ε) for lignin analysis of fibrous plants using the CASA method

In this study, the benchmarking and applicability of the CASA method for the analysis of fibrous plants, such as flax, hemp, and jute, is evaluated. Lignin is a phenolic biopolymer present in plant cell walls and is composed of three primary monomeric units, designated G, S, and H. Various factors, such as the genetic variability, influence the relative proportions of these units in plant samples. Recently, the cysteine-assisted sulfuric acid (CASA) method has been introduced as a rapid method for the quantification of lignin in wood samples. The aim of this study is to establish a suitable molar absorption coefficient (ε, L·g –1 ·cm –1 ) to adapt the CASA method for use with annual plant fibers. This investigation was motivated by the technical advantages of the CASA method, including higher throughput, lower reaction temperatures, and ecological benefits due to the absence of carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic (CMR) substances and the need for minimal sample quantities. In this method, lignin solubilization is facilitated by cysteine, which is an amino acid that enhances the reaction kinetics, using a one-hour incubation period. However, as with any spectrophotometric technique, the CASA method depends on a molar absorption coefficient (ε) that varies according to the ratio of the aromatic units within the polymer. To evaluate the suitability of CASA for quantifying lignin in economically significant plant fibers, we investigate the impact of the unit ratios on the accuracy of ε. The results are compared with those of two widely recognized lignin analytical methods: the Klason method, which is a gravimetric reference method, and the acetyl bromide soluble lignin method, which is the most commonly used spectrophotometric approach. The final ε obtained in this study reveals a relative difference in lignin content ranging from –8 % to +9 % based on a comparison between the CASA and Klason methods across different industrial hemp varieties. As a result, using known G:S ratios in annual fibrous plants, ε can be estimated from our results.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Dislocation dynamics in polycrystalline materials

An extension of the dislocation dynamics method to polycrystalline materials is presented with emphasis on handling interactions between dislocations and grain boundaries. The key new features of the method include: (1) a grain boundary detection algorithm, (2) new dislocation emission criteria based on power dissipation and area growth, (3) mobility of dislocations at grain boundaries, and (4) extension of topological operations e.g. mesh adaption, collision, and dissociation to handle dislocations interacting with grain boundaries. Furthermore, verification and validation examples are executed to compare our calculations with existing analytic methods, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental observations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Bridging the Gap between Analytical and Microbial Sciences in Microbiome Research

Metabolites from the microbiome influence human, animal, and environmental health, but the diversity and functional roles of these compounds have only begun to be elucidated. Comprehensively characterizing these molecules are significant challenges, as it requires expertise in analytical methods, such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, skills that not many traditional microbiologists or microbial ecologists possess. This creates a gap between microbiome scientists that want to understand the role of microbial metabolites in microbiome systems and the skills required to generate and interpret complex metabolomics data sets. To bridge this gap, microbiome scientists should engage analytical chemists to best understand the underlying chemical principles of the data. Conversely, analytical scientists are encouraged to engage with microbiome scientists to better understand the biological questions being asked with metabolomics and to best communicate its intricacies. Better communication across the chemistry/biology disciplines will further reveal the “dark matter” within microbiomes that maintain healthy humans and environments.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Stress concentration in a cylindrical shell containing a circular hole.

The state of stress in a cylindrical shell containing a circular cutout was determined for axial tension, torsion, and internal pressure loading. The solution was obtained for the shallow shell equations by a variational method. The results were expressed in terms of a nondimensional curvature parameter which was a function of shell radius, shell thickness, and hole radius. The function chosen for the solution was such that when the radius of the cylindrical shell approaches infinity, the flat-plate solution was obtained. The results are compared with solutions obtained by more rigorous analytical methods, and with some experimental results. For small values of the curvature parameter, the agreement is good. For higher values of the curvature parameter, the present solutions indicate a limiting value of stress concentration, which is in contrast to previous results.

Adams, N. J. I.↗

Solvent Hold Tank Sample Results for MCU-19-366- 367-368 (April 2019), MCU-19-469-470-471 (May 2019), MCU-19-524-525-526 (June 2019): Quarterly Report

A trend summary of three sets of Solvent Hold Tank (SHT) monthly samples MCU-19-366-367-368 (April), MCU-19-469-470-471 (May), and MCU-19-524-525-526 (June) are reported. Most of the conclusions are based on the June SHT sample (MCU-19-524-525-526). Analyses of the June SHT sample (MCU-19-524- 525-526) indicated that the Modifier (Cs-7SB) and the Extractant (MaxCalix) concentrations were below their nominal recommended concentrations (169,000 mg/L and 46,900 mg/L respectively) by 4% and 2% respectively but consistent with previously observed levels during normal runs. The Suppressor (N,N’,N”– tris(3,7-dimethyloctyl)guanidine or TiDG) concentration has decreased since the March 2019 measurement to 793 mg/L, which is above the minimum recommended concentration (479 mg/L). The Semi-Volatile Organic Analysis (SVOA) did not detect any impurities. However, the Fourier Transform Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (FT-HNMR) analysis detected presence of phthalates at a few ppm. The impurity concentration was highest in the April sample and consistently detected in the May and June samples (but always registered as a few ppm or less). Another impurity observed in the samples was mercury. Based on the June SHT sample, up to 25 ± 5 micrograms of mercury per mL of solvent was detected (as the average of the Direct Mercury Analysis (DMA) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) methods). The higher mercury concentration in the solvent (as determined in the last three-monthly samples) is possibly due to the higher mercury concentration in Salt Batches 9 and 10. The gamma concentration (~2.90E4 dpm/mL) measured in the June 2019 SHT samples was consistent with previous values observed when the Modular Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction Unit (MCU) was operating continuously (for example, between December 2016 and January 2017). Statistical analysis of the different analytical methods detected a bias between the FT-HNMR and the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methods when measuring the MaxCalix and Modifier concentrations; the FT-HNMR gave a higher concentration possibly due to peak overlapping in the measured data. A bias was detected when measuring total mercury by the DMA method versus the XRF method with the XRF method reported higher mercury concentrations. The laboratory will continue to monitor the quality of the solvent for any new impurities or degradation of the solvent components.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Quasiparticle conductance in spin valve Josephson structures

We study the quasiparticle current in clean ferromagnetic Josephson structures of the form $S_1/F_1/N/F_2/S_2$, where $\textit{S, F,}$ and $\textit{N}$ denote superconducting, ferromagnetic, or normal layers, respectively. Our focus is on the structure of the conductance $\textit{G}$ as a function of bias $\textit{V$, emphasizing the subgap region. We use a fully self-consistent numerical method, coupled to a transfer matrix procedure to extract $\textit{G(V)}$. We choose material parameters appropriate to experimentally realized Co Cu Nb structures. In this work, we find a resonance peak structure as a function of the intermediate layer thickness and of the misalignment angle $\phi$ between $\textit{F}$ layers. To understand this resonance structure, we develop an approximate analytic method. For experimentally relevant thicknesses, the conductance has multiple subgap peaks, which oscillate in position between low and critical bias positions. These oscillations occur in both $\phi$ and the layer thicknesses. We compare our results with those obtained for the spin valve structures ($F_1/N/F_2/S_2$) and discuss the implications of our results for the fabrication of spin Josephson devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Space Shuttle Orbiter nose cap thermal analysis

The results of a Space Shuttle Orbiter nose cap entry aeroheating assessment, thermal analysis, and correlation of flight data using multidimensional thermal math models (TMM's) and a chemically reacting boundary-layer program are described in this paper. The object of this study was to verify and revise, if required, the nose cap design heating methods and the TMM's used for flight certification. Flight temperature measurements from two Orbiter vehicles, Columbia and Challenger, have been used in this analysis and provide the basis for verification and correlation of the aerothermodynamic environment. Nose cap thermal response predictions, using TMM's verified from certification tests, show that the aerothermodynamic environment can be satisfactorily predicted using accepted analytical methods.

Curry, D. M.↗

Joint nonlinearity effects in the design of a flexible truss structure control system

Nonlinear effects are introduced in the dynamics of large space truss structures by the connecting joints which are designed with rather important tolerances to facilitate the assembly of the structures in space. The purpose was to develop means to investigate the nonlinear dynamics of the structures, particularly the limit cycles that might occur when active control is applied to the structures. An analytical method was sought and derived to predict the occurrence of limit cycles and to determine their stability. This method is mainly based on the quasi-linearization of every joint using describing functions. This approach was proven successful when simple dynamical systems were tested. Its applicability to larger systems depends on the amount of computations it requires, and estimates of the computational task tend to indicate that the number of individual sources of nonlinearity should be limited. Alternate analytical approaches, which do not account for every single nonlinearity, or the simulation of a simplified model of the dynamical system should, therefore, be investigated to determine a more effective way to predict limit cycles in large dynamical systems with an important number of distributed nonlinearities.

Mercadal, Mathieu↗

Advanced Methods for Aircraft Engine Thrust and Noise Benefits: Nozzle-Inlet Flow Analysis

In this project on the first stage (2000-Ol), we continued to develop the previous joint research between the Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics Laboratory (FM&AL) at Hampton University (HU) and the Jet Noise Team (JNT) at the NASA Langley Research Center (NASA LaRC). At the second stage (2001-03), FM&AL team concentrated its efforts on solving of problems of interest to Glenn Research Center (NASA GRC), especially in the field of propulsion system enhancement. The NASA GRC R&D Directorate and LaRC Hyper-X Program specialists in a hypersonic technology jointly with the FM&AL staff conducted research on a wide region of problems in the propulsion field as well as in experimental testing and theoretical and numerical simulation analyses for advanced aircraft and rocket engines. The last year the Hampton University School of Engineering & Technology was awarded the NASA grant, for creation of the Aeropropulsion Center, and the FM&AL is a key team of the project fulfillment responsible for research in Aeropropulsion and Acoustics (Pillar I). This work is supported by joint research between the NASA GRC/ FM&AL and the Institute of Mechanics at Moscow State University (IMMSU) in Russia under a CRDF grant. The main areas of current scientific interest of the FM&AL include an investigation of the proposed and patented advanced methods for aircraft engine thrust and noise benefits. This is the main subject of our other projects, of which one is presented. The last year we concentrated our efforts to analyze three main problems: (a) new effective methods fuel injection into the flow stream in air-breathing engines; (b) new re-circulation method for mixing, heat transfer and combustion enhancement in propulsion systems and domestic industry application; (c) covexity flow The research is focused on a wide regime of problems in the propulsion field as well as in experimental testing and theoretical and numerical simulation analyses for advanced aircraft and rocket engines (see, for example, Figures 4). The FM&AL Team uses analytical methods, numerical simulations and experimental tests at the Hampton University campus, NASA and IM/MSU.

Morgan, Morris H., III↗

Liquid Metering Centrifuge Sticks (LMCS): A Centrifugal Approach to Metering Known Sample Volumes for Colorimetric Solid Phase Extraction (C-SPE)

Phase separation is one of the most significant obstacles encountered during the development of analytical methods for water quality monitoring in spacecraft environments. Removing air bubbles from water samples prior to analysis is a routine task on earth; however, in the absence of gravity, this routine task becomes extremely difficult. This paper details the development and initial ground testing of liquid metering centrifuge sticks (LMCS), devices designed to collect and meter a known volume of bubble-free water in microgravity. The LMCS uses centrifugal force to eliminate entrapped air and reproducibly meter liquid sample volumes for analysis with Colorimetric Solid Phase Extraction (C-SPE). C-SPE is a sorption-spectrophotometric platform that is being developed as a potential spacecraft water quality monitoring system. C-SPE utilizes solid phase extraction membranes impregnated with analyte-specific colorimetric reagents to concentrate and complex target analytes in spacecraft water samples. The mass of analyte extracted from the water sample is determined using diffuse reflectance (DR) data collected from the membrane surface and an analyte-specific calibration curve. The analyte concentration can then be calculated from the mass of extracted analyte and the volume of the sample analyzed. Previous flight experiments conducted in microgravity conditions aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft demonstrated that the inability to collect and meter a known volume of water using a syringe was a limiting factor in the accuracy of C-SPE measurements. Herein, results obtained from ground based C-SPE experiments using ionic silver as a test analyte and either the LMCS or syringes for sample metering are compared to evaluate the performance of the LMCS. These results indicate very good agreement between the two sample metering methods and clearly illustrate the potential of utilizing centrifugal forces to achieve phase separation and metering of water samples in microgravity.

Gazda, Daniel B.↗

Thermal desorption of metals from tungsten single crystal surfaces

After a short review of experimental methods used to determine desorption energies and frequencies the assumptions underlying the theoretical analysis of experimental data are discussed. Recent experimental results on the flash desorption of Cu, Ag, and Au from clean, well characterized W (110) and (100) surfaces are presented and analyzed in detail with respect to the coverage dependence. The results obtained clearly reveal the limitations of previous analytical methods and of the experimental technique per se (such as structure and phase changes below and in the temperature region in which desorption occurs).

Bauer, E.↗