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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 829 records · Page 46
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Review of V/STOL lift/cruise fan technology

This paper presents an overview of supporting technology programs conducted to reduce the risk in the joint NASA/Navy Lift/Cruise Fan Research and Technology Aircraft Program. The aeronautical community has endeavored to combine the low-speed and lifting capabilities of the helicopter with the high-speed capabilities of the jet aircraft; recent developments have indicated a lift/cruise fan propulsion system may provide these desired characteristics. NASA and the Navy have formulated a program that will provide a research and technology aircraft to furnish viability of the lift/cruise fan aircraft through flight experiences and obtain data on designs for future naval and civil V/STOL aircraft. The supporting technology programs discussed include: (1) design studies for operational aircraft, a research and technology aircraft, and associated propulsion systems; (2) wind-tunnel tests of several configurations; (3) propulsion-system thrust vectoring tests; and (4) simulation. These supporting technology programs have indicated that a satisfactory research and technology aircraft program can be accomplished within the current level of technology.

Rolls, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Equatorial spacecraft-plasma interaction phenomenon observed with DE 2

Data from the retarding potential analyzer and ion drift meter on Dynamics Explorer 2 indicate that an unusual spacecraft-plasma interaction phenomemon occurs at times when the spacecraft velocity vector becomes nearly aligned with the local geomagnetic field lines. The primary signature of the interaction is a transient increase in the ion collection currents obtained with these instruments, up to approximately 15% in magnitude and typically a few tens of seconds duration. This signature is indicative of an increase in the net ion and electron currents to the satellite and is accompanied by a small positive increase in the spacecraft potential relative to the plasma. We present here a case study covering six of the strongest such events observed with DE 2 and discuss a possible physical mechanism. We suggest in particular that what might be called a collisional electron 'snowplow' effect may be occurring, and we derive a simple numerical model based on this scenario. Least squares fitting is employed to test the model and to derive new estimates of the ambient ion concentration at times when the measurements are being perturbed by the interaction.

Cragin, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Equatorial Spacecraft-Plasma Interaction Phenomenon Observed With DE 2

Data from the retarding potential analyzer and ion drift meter on Dynamics Explorer 2 indicate that an unusual spacecraft-plasma interaction phenomenon occurs at times when the spacecraft velocity vector becomes nearly aligned with the local geomagnetic field lines. The primary signature of the interaction is a transient increase in the ion collection currents obtained with these instruments, up to approximately 15% in magnitude and typically a few tens of seconds duration. This signature is indicative of an increase in the net ion and electron currents to the satellite and is accompanied by a small positive increase in the spacecraft potential relative to the plasma. We present here a case study covering six of the strongest such events observed with DE 2 and discuss a possible physical mechanism. We suggest in particular that what might be called a collisional electron snowplow effect may be occurring, and we derive a simple numerical model based on this scenario. Least squares fitting is employed to test the model and to derive new estimates of the ambient ion concentration at times when the measurements are being perturbed by the interaction.

Cragin, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A Spectral Algorithm for Envelope Reduction of Sparse Matrices

The problem of reordering a sparse symmetric matrix to reduce its envelope size is considered. A new spectral algorithm for computing an envelope-reducing reordering is obtained by associating a Laplacian matrix with the given matrix and then sorting the components of a specified eigenvector of the Laplacian. This Laplacian eigenvector solves a continuous relaxation of a discrete problem related to envelope minimization called the minimum 2-sum problem. The permutation vector computed by the spectral algorithm is a closest permutation vector to the specified Laplacian eigenvector. Numerical results show that the new reordering algorithm usually computes smaller envelope sizes than those obtained from the current standard algorithms such as Gibbs-Poole-Stockmeyer (GPS) or SPARSPAK reverse Cuthill-McKee (RCM), in some cases reducing the envelope by more than a factor of two.

Barnard, Stephen T.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Concept Designed and Developed for Distortion- Tolerant, High-Stability Engine Control

Engine Control Future aircraft turbine engines, both commercial and military, must be able to successfully accommodate expected increased levels of steady-state and dynamic engine-face distortion. Advanced tactical aircraft are likely to use thrust vectoring to enhance their maneuverability. As a result, the engines will see more extreme aircraft angles-of-attack and sideslip levels than are currently encountered with present-day aircraft. Also, the mixed-compression inlets needed for the High Speed Civil Transport will likely encounter disturbances similar to those seen by tactical aircraft, in addition to planar pulse, inlet buzz, and high distortion levels at low flight speed and off-design operation. The current approach of incorporating a sufficient component design stall margin to tolerate these increased levels of distortion would significantly reduce performance. The objective of the High Stability Engine Control (HISTEC) program is to design, develop, and flight demonstrate an advanced, high-stability, integrated engine-control system that uses measurement-based, real-time estimates of distortion to enhance engine stability. The resulting distortion-tolerant control reduces the required design stall margin, with a corresponding increase in performance and decrease in fuel burn. The HISTEC concept has been designed and developed, and the software implementing the concept has successfully accommodated time-varying distortion. The NASA Lewis Research Center is currently overseeing the development and validation of the hardware and software necessary to flight test the HISTEC concept. HISTEC is a contracted effort with Pratt & Whitney of West Palm Beach, Florida. The HISTEC approach includes two major systems: A Distortion Estimation System (DES) and Stability Management Control (SMC). DES is an aircraft-mounted, high-speed processor that estimates the amount and type of distortion present and its effect on the engine. It uses high-response pressure measurements at the engine face to calculate indicators of the type and extent of distortion in real time. From these indicators, DES determines the effects of distortion on the propulsion systems and the corresponding engine match point necessary to accommodate it. DES output consists of fan and compressor pressure ratio trim commands that are passed to the SMC. In addition, DES uses maneuver information, consisting of angle-of-attack and sideslip from the flight control, to anticipate high inlet distortion conditions. The SMC, which is contained in the engine-mounted, Improved Digital Electronic Engine Control (IDEEC), includes advanced control laws to directly control the fan and compressor transient operating line (pressure ratio). These advanced control laws, with a multivariable design, have the potential for higher bandwidth and the resulting more precise control of engine match. The ability to measure and assess the distortion effects in real time coupled with a high-response controller improves engine stability at high levels of distortion. The software algorithms implementing DES have been designed, developed, and demonstrated, and integration testing of the DES and SMC software has been completed. The results show that the HISTEC system will be able to sense inlet distortion, determine the effect on engine stability, and accommodate distortion by maintaining an adequate margin for engine surge. The Pratt &Whitney Comprehensive Engine Diagnostic Unit was chosen as the DES processor. An instrumented inlet case for sensing distortion was designed and fabricated. HISTEC is scheduled for flight test on the ACTIVE F-15 aircraft at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, in late 1996.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2014

MAGNETIC HELICITY AND ENERGY SPECTRA OF A SOLAR ACTIVE REGION

We compute for the first time the magnetic helicity and energy spectra of the solar active region NOAA 11158 during 2011 February 11-15 at 20° southern heliographic latitude using observational photospheric vector magnetograms. We adopt the isotropic representation of the Fourier-transformed two-point correlation tensor of the magnetic field. The sign of the magnetic helicity turns out to be predominantly positive at all wavenumbers. This sign is consistent with what is theoretically expected for the southern hemisphere. The magnetic helicity normalized to its theoretical maximum value, here referred to as relative helicity, is around 4% and strongest at intermediate wavenumbers of k ≈ 0.4 Mm{sup –1}, corresponding to a scale of 2π/k ≈ 16 Mm. The same sign and a similar value are also found for the relative current helicity evaluated in real space based on the vertical components of magnetic field and current density. The modulus of the magnetic helicity spectrum shows a k {sup –11/3} power law at large wavenumbers, which implies a k {sup –5/3} spectrum for the modulus of the current helicity. A k {sup –5/3} spectrum is also obtained for the magnetic energy. The energy spectra evaluated separately from the horizontal and vertical fields agree for wavenumbers below 3 Mm{sup –1}, corresponding to scales above 2 Mm. This gives some justification to our assumption of isotropy and places limits resulting from possible instrumental artifacts at small scales.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2003

Production regimes in four eastern boundary current systems

High productivity (maxima ~3 g C m(sup -2)day(sup -1)) of the Eastern Boundary Currents (EBCs), i.e. the California, Peru-Humboldt, Canary and Benguela Currents, is driven by a combination of local forcing and large-scale circulation. The characteristics of the deep water brought to the surface by upwelling favorable winds depend on the large-scale circulation patterns. Here we use a new hydrographic and nutrient climatology together with satellite measurements ofthe wind vector, sea-surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll concentration, and primary production modeled from ocean color to quantify the meridional and seasonal patterns of upwelling dynamics and biological response. The unprecedented combination of data sets allows us to describe objectively the variability for small regions within each current and to characterize the governing factors for biological production. The temporal and spatial environmental variability was due in most regions to large-scale circulation, alone or in combination with offshore transport (local forcing). The observed meridional and seasonal patterns of biomass and primary production were most highlycorrelated to components representing large-scale circulation. The biomass sustained by a given nutrient concentration in the Atlantic EBCs was twice as large as that of the Pacific EBCs. This apparent greater efficiency may be due toavailability of iron, physical retention, or differences in planktonic community structure.

circulation patternsoceans↗
DOE OSTI2015

Tunable surface plasmon instability leading to emission of radiation

We propose a new approach for energy conversion from a dc electric field to tunable terahertz emission based on hybrid semiconductors by combining two-dimensional (2D) crystalline layers and a thick conducting material with possible applications for chemical analysis, security scanning, medical (single-molecule) imaging, and telecommunications. The hybrid nano-structure may consist of a single or pair of sheets of graphene, silicene, or a 2D electron gas. When an electric current is passed through a 2D layer, we discover that two low-energy plasmon branches exhibit a characteristic loop in their dispersion before they merge into an unstable region beyond a critical wave vector q{sub c}. This finite q{sub c} gives rise to a wavenumber cutoff in the emission dispersion of the surface plasmon induced instability and emission of radiation (spiler). However, there is no instability for a single driven layer far from the conductor, and the instability of an isolated pair of 2D layers occurs without a wavenumber cutoff. The wavenumber cutoff is found to depend on the conductor electron density, layer separation, distances of layers from the conductor surface, and the driving-current strength.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Physical properties, crystal and magnetic structure of layered Fe[subscript 1.11]Te[subscript 1;#8722;x]Se[subscript x] superconductors

The physical and structural properties of Fe1.11Te and Fe1.11Te0.5Se0.5 have been investigated by means of X-ray and neutron diffraction as well as physical property measurements. For the Fe1.11Te compound, the structure distortion from a tetragonal to monoclinic phase takes place at 64 K accompanied with the onset of antiferromagnetic order upon cooling. The magnetic structure of the monoclinic phase was confirmed to be of antiferromagnetic configuration with a propagation vector k = (1/2, 0, 1/2) based on Rietveld refinement of neutron powder diffraction data. The structural/magnetic transitions are also clearly visible in magnetic, electronic and thermodynamic measurements. For superconducting Fe1.11Te0.5Se0.5 compound, the superconducting transition with T c = 13.4 K is observed in the resistivity and ac susceptibility measurements. The upper critical field H c2 is obtained by measuring the resistivity under different magnetic fields. The Kim's critical state model is adopted to analyze the temperature dependence of the ac susceptibility and the intergranular critical current density is calculated as a function of both field amplitude and temperature. Neutron diffraction results show that Fe1.11Te0.5Se0.5 crystalizes in tetragonal structure at 300 K as in the parent compound Fe1.11Te and no structural distortion is detected upon cooling to 2 K. However an anisotropic thermal expansion anomaly is observed around 100 K.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS2012

Application of the NASCAP Spacecraft Simulation Tool to Investigate Electrodynamic Tether Current Collection in LEO

Recent interest in using electrodynamic tethers (EDTs) for orbital maneuvering in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has prompted the development of the Marshall ElectroDynamic Tether Orbit Propagator (MEDTOP) model. The model is comprised of several modules which address various aspects of EDT propulsion, including calculation of state vectors using a standard orbit propagator (e.g., J2), an atmospheric drag model, realistic ionospheric and magnetic field models, space weather effects, and tether librations. The natural electromotive force (EMF) attained during a radially-aligned conductive tether results in electrons flowing down the tether and accumulating on the lower-altitude spacecraft. The energy that drives this EMF is sourced from the orbital energy of the system; thus, EDTs are often proposed as de-orbiting systems. However, when the current is reversed using satellite charged particle sources, then propulsion is possible. One of the most difficult challenges of the modeling effort is to ascertain the equivalent circuit between the spacecraft and the ionospheric plasma. The present study investigates the use of the NASA Charging Analyzer Program (NASCAP) to calculate currents to and from the tethered satellites and the ionospheric plasma. NASCAP is a sophisticated set of computational tools to model the surface charging of three-dimensional (3D) spacecraft surfaces in a time-varying space environment. The model's surface is tessellated into a collection of facets, and NASCAP calculates currents and potentials for each one. Additionally, NASCAP provides for the construction of one or more nested grids to calculate space potential and time-varying electric fields. This provides for the capability to track individual particles orbits, to model charged particle wakes, and to incorporate external charged particle sources. With this study, we have developed a model of calculating currents incident onto an electrodynamic tethered satellite system, and first results are shown here.

Adams, Mitzi↗
DOE OSTI2015

Plasmoid instability in double current sheets

The linear behavior of plasmoid instability in double current sheet configurations, namely, double plasmoid mode (DPM), is analytically and numerically investigated within the framework of a reduced magnetohydrodynamic model. Analytical analysis shows that if the separation of double current sheets is sufficiently small [κx{sub s}≪κ{sup 2/9}S{sub L}{sup 1/3}], the growth rate of DPMs scales as κ{sup 2/3}S{sub L}{sup 0} in the non-constant-ψ regime, where κ=kL{sub CS}/2 is the wave vector measured by the half length of the system L{sub CS}/2, 2x{sub s} is the separation between two resonant surfaces, and S{sub L}=L{sub CS}V{sub A}/2η is Lundquist number with V{sub A} and η being Alfven velocity and resistivity, respectively. If the separation is very large [κx{sub s}≫κ{sup 2/9}S{sub L}{sup 1/3}], the growth rate scales as κ{sup −2/5}S{sub L}{sup 2/5} in the constant-ψ regime. Furthermore, it is also analytically found that the maximum wave number scales as x{sub s}{sup −9/7}S{sub L}{sup 3/7} at the transition position between these two regimes, and the corresponding maximum growth rate scales as x{sub s}{sup −6/7}S{sub L}{sup 2/7} there. The analytically predicted scalings are verified in some limits through direct numerical calculations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Three axis vector magnet set-up for cryogenic scanning probe microscopy

We describe a three axis vector magnet system for cryogenic scanning probe microscopy measurements. We discuss the magnet support system and the power supply, consisting of a compact three way 100 A current source. We obtain tilted magnetic fields in all directions with maximum value of 5T along z-axis and of 1.2T for XY-plane magnetic fields. We describe a scanning tunneling microscopy-spectroscopy (STM-STS) set-up, operating in a dilution refrigerator, which includes a new high voltage ultralow noise piezodrive electronics and discuss the noise level due to vibrations. STM images and STS maps show atomic resolution and the tilted vortex lattice at 150 mK in the superconductor β-Bi{sub 2}Pd. We observe a strongly elongated hexagonal lattice, which corresponds to the projection of the tilted hexagonal vortex lattice on the surface. We also discuss Magnetic Force Microscopy images in a variable temperature insert.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1999

Education and Public Outreach to Support the HESSI Mission: Raising Public Awareness

The current upswing in solar activity bodies well for accomplishing the goals of the upcoming HESSI mission. The solar community is making good use of the increased activity through coordinated observations, both in space and on the ground. Ground-based measurements will provide crucial context observations and complementary measurements of the high-energy p,,ocesses which HESSI will observe; vector magnetographs will provide information on the morphology and strength of active region magnetic fields. At the time of the launch of HESSI, we will provide scientific data to the community with the MSFC vector magnetograph and will use the facilities to enhance the educational experience of the local community. In the meantime, to raise public consciousness about the solar cycle and to prepare for HESSI observations, we have prepared lesson plans and activities which are currently being distributed via the internet. Further, to inform the educational community about our activities, our teacher partners disseminate the information by attending teacher conferences. This poster will review what we have already accomplished and what we plan for the next, few pre-launch months.

Adams, M. L.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Targeted nonviral delivery of genome editors in vivo

Cell-type-specific in vivo delivery of genome editing molecules is the next breakthrough that will drive biological discovery and transform the field of cell and gene therapy. Here, we discuss recent advances in the delivery of CRISPR-Cas genome editors either as preassembled ribonucleoproteins or encoded in mRNA. Both strategies avoid pitfalls of viral vector-mediated delivery and offer advantages including transient editor lifetime and potentially streamlined manufacturing capability that are already proving valuable for clinical use. We review current applications and future opportunities of these emerging delivery approaches that could make genome editing more efficacious and accessible in the future.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Real-Time Cyber-Physical False Data Attack Detection in Smart Grids Using Neural Networks

Attacks on cyber-physical systems have recently increased in frequency, impact, and publicity. In this paper, a cyber-physical false data attack detection mechanism is proposed to protect the operation of power transmission and distribution systems by automatically inferring underlying physical relationships using cross-sensor analytics in order to detect sensor failures, replay attacks, and other data integrity issues in real-time. We investigate a neural network based mechanism acting on voltage and current readings resulting from a wide variety of load conditions on the IEEE 30-bus power system standard and compare its performance with a support vector machine based mechanism. Experiments showed that 99% detection accuracy of replay attacks was achieved using the proposed neural network mechanism. More importantly, we showed that the best approach was to not create physics-based features using what we knew about the system, but rather to use a neural network to automatically learn the laws, and then use the outputs of that to build a classifier to identify whether and where data spoofing occurs. Thus, it is preferable to infer and exploit the physics using a single machine learning solution

Ferragut, Erik M.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Simulating Tunneling Electron Transport in the Semiconductor–Crystalline Insulator–Si(111) System

Tunneling carrier transport through a thin insulator (e.g., CaF{sub 2}) layer between a Si(111) substrate and a semiconductor gate is theoretically investigated. Along with the conservation of a large transverse wave vector of tunneling particles, the limitation imposed on the availability of states in the gate is taken into account. Due to this limitation, the tunneling currents at low insulator bias are weaker than in an analogous structure with a metal gate electrode. The same feature leads to a change in the shape of the energy distribution of tunneling electrons, both in transport between the substrate and gate conduction bands and during the Si(111) conduction band–gate valence band transfer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1982

Investigation of Antarctic crust and upper mantle using MAGSAT and other geophysical data

Plans to create an improved version of the MAGSAT magnetic anomaly map by more carefully scrutinizing the accepted data for field-aligned current effects are discussed. Data are continued to a 300 km surface for the compilation of a final map. Based on this set of data, vector anomaly maps over Antarctica are planned. A high-pass anomaly map with a cut-off wavelength of approximately 1500 km is also envisioned. It is suspected that longer-wavelength features have their origin outside the crust.

Bentley, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The digital autopilot for thrust vector control of the Shuttle Orbital maneuvering system

This paper describes the requirements for and the design, development and performance of the digital autopilots (DAPs) for thrust vector control, utilizing the orbital maneuvering system (OMS) of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. The hardware and software requirements which caused the design to assume its current form are described. Also, the design synthesis, which considered rigid body stability margins, bending and slosh stabilization, guidance loop compensation, off-nominal performance and hardware and software limitations is presented. The performance of the OMS control system is summarized utilizing flight data from the first three Space Transportation System (STS) flights.

Penchuk, A.↗