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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 91 records · Page 5

Recovery Temperature, Transition, and Heat Transfer Measurements at Mach 5

Schlieren, recovery temperature, and heat-transfer measurements were made on a hollow cylinder and a cone with axes alined parallel to the stream. Both the cone and cylinder were equipped with various bluntnesses, and the tests covered a Reynolds number range up to 20 x 10(exp 6) at a free-stream Mach number of 4.95 and wall to free-stream temperature ratios from 1.8 to 5.2 (adiabatic). A substantial transition delay due to bluntness was found for both the cylinder and the cone. For the present tests (Mach 4.95), transition was delayed by a factor of 3 on the cylinder and about 2 on the cone, these delays being somewhat larger than those observed in earlier tests at Mach 3.1. Heat-transfer tests on the cylinder showed only slight effects of wall temperature level on transition location; this is to be contrasted to the large transition delays observed on conical-type bodies at low surface temperatures at Mach 3.1. The schlieren and the peak-recovery-temperature methods of detecting transition were compared with the heat-transfer results. The comparison showed that the first two methods identified a transition point which occurred just beyond the end of the laminar run as seen in the heat-transfer data.

Brinich, Paul F.↗

Magnetic properties of equiatomic CrMnFeCoNi

Magnetic, specific heat, and structural properties of the equiatomic Cantor alloy system are reported for temperatures between 5 and 300 K, and up to fields of 70 kOe. Here magnetization measurements performed on as-cast, annealed, and cold-worked samples reveal a strong processing history dependence and that high-temperature annealing after cold working does not restore the alloy to a “pristine” state. Measurements on known precipitates show that the two transitions, detected at 43 and 85 K, are intrinsic to the Cantor alloy and not the result of an impurity phase. Experimental and ab initio density functional theory computational results suggest that these transitions are a weak ferrimagnetic transition and a spin-glass-like transition, respectively, and magnetic and specific heat measurements provide evidence of significant Stoner enhancement and electron-electron interactions within the material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Boundary Layer Transition on Slender Cones in Conventional and Low Disturbance Mach 6 Wind Tunnels

An experimental investigation was conducted on a 5-degree half-angle cone and a 5-degree half-angle flared cone in a conventional Mach 6 wind tunnel to examine the effects of facility noise on boundary layer transition. The influence of tunnel noise was inferred by comparing transition onset locations determined from the present test to that previously obtained in a Mach 6 low disturbance quiet tunnel. Together, the two sets of experiments are believed to represent the first direct comparison of transition onset between a conventional and a low disturbance wind tunnel using a common test model and transition detection technique. In the present conventional hypersonic tunnel experiment, separate measurements of heat transfer and adiabatic wall temperatures were obtained on the conical models at small angles of attack over a range of Reynolds numbers, which resulted in laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow. Smooth model turbulent heating distributions are compared to that obtained with transition forced via discrete surface roughness. The model nosetip radius was varied to examine the effects of bluntness on transition onset. Despite wall to total temperature differences between the transient heating measurements and the adiabatic wall temperature measurement, the two methods for determining sharp cone transition onset generally yielded equivalent locations. In the 'noisy' mode of the hypersonic low disturbance tunnel, transition onset occurred earlier than that measured in the conventional hypersonic tunnel, suggesting higher levels of freestream acoustic radiation relative to the conventional tunnel. At comparable freestream conditions, the transition onset Reynolds number under low disturbance conditions was a factor of 1.3 greater than that measured on flared cone in the LaRC conventional hypersonic tunnel and a factor of 1.6 greater that the flared cone run in the low disturbance tunnel run 'noisy'. Navier-Stokes mean flow computations and linear stability analysis were conducted to assess the experimental results and have indicated N factors associated with sharp flared cone transition onset to be approximately a factor of 2 lower than that inferred from the corresponding low disturbance tunnel measurements.

Horvath, Thomas J.↗

Experimental study of free-shear layer transition above a cavity at Mach 3.5

The transition behavior of a free-shear layer above a cavity with high and low levels of freestream acoustic disturbances has been studied at Mach 3.5. Optical techniques, mean pitot pressure measurements, and hot-wire measurements were employed to detect transition locations. Transition Reynolds numbers of between 363,000 and 530,000 were found, in agreement with previous results. It is suggested that upstream convected disturbances may be at least partially responsible for the insensitivity of transition Reynolds numbers to the freestream acoustic disturbance field.

King, Rudolph A.↗

β − decay of exotic P and S isotopes with neutron number near 28

β - decay of very neutron-rich isotopes of P and S, studied at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) using the Beta Counting Station (BCS) consisting of a Double Sided Strip Detector surrounded by clovers detectors for observing delayed γ transitions is reported here. β-decay half-lifes and delayed neutron emission probabilities were extracted for 42,43,44 P and 44,46 S by analyzing spatial and temporal correlations between implants and decay events in the Si detector with further coincidence with γ transitions. Detection of delayed γ rays allowed for the identification of negative parity 1p1h states in 42 S for the first time, also constraining the parent ( 42 P) spin/parity to 2 - or 3 - . For the most exotic isotope studied, 46 S, no strong γ transition was observed unlike lighter even-even S isotopes, thus implying the shift of Gamow Teller (GT) strength distribution to higher energies. In conclusion, comparison of experimental observations to detailed shell-model calculations using the SDPFSDG-MU interaction allowed us to infer the importance and role of First Forbidden (FF) β transitions as the neutron number approaches and then exceeds N = 28.

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗

Test techniques for cryogenic wind tunnels

Some of the testing techniques developed for transonic cryogenic tunnels are presented. Techniques are emphasized which required special development or were unique because of the opportunities offered by cryogenic operation. Measuring the static aerodynamic coefficients normally used to determine component efficiency is discussed. The first topic is testing of two dimensional airfoils at transonic Mach numbers and flight values of Reynolds number. Three dimensional tests of complete configurations and sidewall mounted wings are also described. Since flight Reynolds numbers are of interest, free transition must be allowed. A discussion is given of wind tunnel and model construction effects on transition location. Time dependent phenomena, fluid mechanics, and measurement techniques are examined. The time dependent, or unsteady, aerodynamic test techniques described include testing for flutter, buffet, and oscillating airfoil characteristics. In describing non-intrusive laser techniques, discussions are given regarding optical access, seeding, forward scatter lasers, two-spot lasers, and laser holography. Methods of detecting transition and separation are reported and a new type of skin friction balance is described.

Lawing, Pierce L.↗

Photometric Observations of 6000 Stars in the Cygnus Field

A small photometer to detect transits by extrasolar planets has been assembled and is being tested at Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton, California. The Vulcan photometer is constructed from a 30 cm focal length, F/2.5 AeroEktar reconnaissance lens and Photometrics PXL16800 CCD camera. A spectral filter is used to confine the pass band from 480 to 763 mn. It simultaneously monitors 6000 stars brighter than 12th magnitude within a single star field in the galactic plane. When the data are folded and phased to discover low amplitude transits, the relative precision of one-hour samples is about 1 part per thousand (10 x l0(exp -3)) for many of the brighter stars. This precision is sufficient to find jovian-size planets orbiting solar-like stars, which have signal amplitudes from 5 to 30 x l0(exp -3) depending on the inflation of the planet and the size of the star. Based on the frequency of giant inner-planets discovered by Doppler-velocity method, one or two planets should be detectable in a rich star field. The goal of the observations is to obtain the sizes of giant extrasolar planets in short-period orbits and to combine these with masses determined from Doppler velocity measurements to determine the densities of these planets. A further goal is to compare the measured planetary diameters with those predicted from theoretical models. From August 10 through September 30 of 1998, a forty nine square degree field in the Cygnus constellation centered at RA and DEC of 19 hr 47 min, +36 deg 55 min was observed. Useful data were obtained on twenty-nine nights. Nearly fifty stars showed some evidence of transits with periods between 0.3 and 8 days. Most had amplitudes too large to be associated with planetary transits. However, several stars showed low amplitude transits. The data for several transits of each of these two stars have been folded and been folded into 30 minute periods. Only Cygl433 shows any evidence of a flattened bottom that is expected when a small object transits a much larger primary. However when high-resolution spectra were obtained for both stars, the stars were found to be double-lined binaries so similar in size as to have indistinguishable transit depths. The low amplitude of the transits is explained if the stellar orbital planes are tipped approximately 5 degrees from the line of sight causing both binaries to show grazing transits. The two absorption lines, due to the H(sub beta) feature in each star, are apparent and indicate the presence of a binary system with similar components.

Borucki, W.↗

Characterizing skyrmion flow phases with principal component analysis

Principal component analysis (PCA) is a powerful method that can identify patterns in large, complex data sets by constructing low-dimensional order parameters from higher-dimensional feature vectors. There are increasing efforts to use space-and-time-dependent PCA to detect transitions in nonequilibrium systems that are difficult to characterize with equilibrium methods. Here, we demonstrate that feature vectors incorporating the position and velocity information of driven skyrmions moving through random disorder permit PCA to resolve different types of disordered skyrmion motion as a function of driving force and the ratio of the Magnus force to the dissipation. Since the Magnus force creates gyroscopic motion and a finite Hall angle, skyrmions can exhibit a greater range of flow phases than what is observed in overdamped driven systems with quenched disorder. We show that in addition to identifying previously known skyrmion flow phases, PCA detects several additional phases, including different types of channel flow, moving fluids, and partially ordered states. Guided by the PCA analysis, we further characterize the disordered flow phases to elucidate the different microscopic dynamics and show that the changes in the PCA-derived order parameters can be connected to features in bulk transport measures, including the transverse and longitudinal velocity-force curves, differential conductivity, topological defect density, and changes in the skyrmion Hall angle as a function of drive. We discuss how asymmetric feature vectors can be used to improve the resolution of the PCA analysis, and how this technique can be extended to find disordered phases in other nonequilibrium systems with time-dependent dynamics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Monitoring the Intrinsic Absorption Complex Toward RXJ123.8+0115

The main focus of this study was changed after it became clear that the object to be observed by the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) could not be observed because of spacecraft attitude control system limitations. Therefore, we replaced the prime object for the program (RXJ1230.8+0115) with a secondary object (H1821+643) and began an analysis of a similar quasar spectrum for comparison with the extant RXJ1230.8+0115 spectrum obtained previously by FUSE. Using high-resolution spectra of the radio-quiet, X-ray bright quasar HE0226-4110 obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and FUSE, we have examined the remarkable associated absorption line system. The redshift of the quasar is roughly 0.5 so the FUSE+HST spectra cover the rest-frame wavelength in the extreme ultraviolet range 610-1 160A. In this range, we detect transitions from a wide range of ionization species, including the H I Lyman series, Ne VIII, and, for the first time at this resolution, four adjacent stages of oxygen O III-VI. The high quality of these spectra allow us to disentangle the structure of the gas using the complex kinematics to guide the assessments of the multi-component and multi-phase nature of the system. The kinematics of the absorber indicate that all the H I, C 111, and 0 III reside in a single component, while higher ionization species largely arise in a separate, more kinematically complex structure. An analysis of a ground-based spectrum of the quasar covering the H-beta and [0 III] 5007 emission lines reveal excellent agreement in redshift between the 0 III absorption and emission. Thus, for the first time, we are able to use absorption line diagnostics to place interesting constraints on the location and structure of the narrow emission line region around a quasar. In addition, we detect a narrow absorption line that is only seen O VI and lies roughly 50 km/s redward of the narrow emission line component. Absorption from 0 V, and Ne VIII is also detected at this velocity, but as part of broader, more redshifted, component. The line width of this narrow component imply a maximum temperature that is too small to produce O VI through collisional process, suggesting instead that photoionization from the quasar is the dominant ionization mechanism. The photoionization constraints imply that O VII should be the dominant ionization stage in the component.

Sembach, Kenneth↗

A semi–automatic analytical methodology for characterizing the energy consumption of MRI systems using load duration curves

Background and purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions from the healthcare sector, and efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption rely on quantification of the characteristics of energy consumption. The purpose of this work was to develop a semi-automatic analytical methodology for the characterization of the energy consumption of MRI systems using only the load duration curve (LDC). LDCs are a fundamental tool used across various fields to analyze and understand the behavior of loads over time. Methods: An electric current transformer sensor and data logger were installed on two 3T MRI scanners from two vendors, termed M1 (outpatient scanner) and M2 (inpatient/emergency scanner). Data was collected for 1 month (7/11/2023 to 8/11/2023). Active power was calculated, assuming a balanced three-phase system, using the average current measured across all three phases, a 480 V reference voltage for both machines, and vendor-provided power factors. An LDC was constructed for each system by sorting the active power values in descending order and computing the cumulative time (in units of percentage) for each data point. The first derivative of the LDC was then computed (LDC’), smoothed by convolution with a window function (sLDC’), and used to detect transitions between different system modes including (in descending power levels): scan, prepared-to-scan, idle, low-power, and off. The final, segmented LDC was used to measure time (% total time), total energy (kWh), and mean power (kW) for each system mode on both scanners. The method was validated by comparing mean power values, computed using the segmented 1-month LDC, for each nonproductive system mode (i.e., prepared-to-scan, idle, lower-power, and off) against power levels measured after a deliberate system shutdown was performed for each scanner (1 day worth of data). Results: The validation revealed differences in mean power values <1.4% for all nonproductive modes and both scanners. In the scan system mode, the mean power values ranged from 29.8 to 37.2 kW and the total energy consumed for 1 month ranged from 11 106 to 14 466 kWh depending on the scanner. Over the course of 1 month, the portion of time the scanners were in nonproductive modes ranged from 76% to 80% across scanners and the nonproductive energy consumption ranged from 8010 to 6722 kWh depending on the scanner. The M1 (outpatient) scanner consumed 99.9 and 183.9 kWh/day in idle mode for weekdays and weekends, respectively, because the scanner spent 23% more time proportionally in idle mode on the weekends. Conclusions: A semi-automatic method for quantifying energy consumption characteristics of MRI scanners was introduced and validated. This method is relatively simple to implement as it requires only power data from the scanners and avoids the technical challenges associated with extracting and processing scanner log files. Finally, the methodology enables quantitative evaluation of the power, time, and energy characteristics of MRI scanners in scan and nonproductive system modes, providing baseline data and the capability of identifying potential opportunities for enhancing the energy efficiency of MRI scanners.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Field-tunable BKT and quantum phase transitions in spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ triangular lattice antiferromagnet

Quantum magnetism is one of the most active fields for exploring exotic phases and phase transitions. The recently synthesized Na 2 BaCo(PO 4 ) 2 (NBCP) is an ideal material incarnation of the spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ easy-axis triangular lattice antiferromagnet (TLAF). Experimental evidence shows that NBCP hosts the spin supersolid state with a giant magnetocaloric effect. Theory further predicts that magnetic fields can drive NBCP through Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) and other richer quantum phase transitions. However, detecting these transitions is challenging, as they onset at ultralow temperatures near 60 mK and require high magnetization sensitivity. Using a newly developed gradient force magnetometer in a dilution refrigerator, we mapped the magnetic susceptibility phase diagram down to 30 mK. Our results provide a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of BKT melting of spin supersolidity and several field-tunable quantum phase transitions, which establish NBCP as a model platform for frustrated magnetism and highlight potential applications of its giant magnetocaloric effects.

BKT transition↗

Spatially inhomogeneous superconductivity in UTe 2

The newly discovered superconductor UTe 2 is a strong contender for a topological spin-triplet state wherein a multicomponent order parameter arises from two nearly degenerate superconducting states. A key issue is whether both of these states intrinsically exist at ambient pressure. Through thermal expansion and calorimetry, we show that UTe 2 at ambient conditions exhibits two detectable transitions only in some samples, and the size of the thermal expansion jump at each transition varies when the measurement is performed in different regions of the sample. This result indicates that the two transitions arise from two spatially separated regions that are inhomogeneously mixed throughout the volume of the sample, each with a discrete superconducting transition temperature (T c ). Notably, samples with higher T c only show a single transition at ambient pressure. Above 0.3 GPa, however, two transitions are invariably observed in ac calorimetry. Our results not only point to a nearly vertical line (constant pressure) in the pressure-temperature phase diagram but also provide a consistent scenario for the sample dependence of UTe 2 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Flight investigation of insect contamination and its alleviation

An investigation of leading edge contamination by insects was conducted with a JetStar airplane instrumented to detect transition on the outboard leading edge flap and equipped with a system to spray the leading edge in flight. The results of airline type flights with the JetStar indicated that insects can contaminate the leading edge during takeoff and climbout. The results also showed that the insects collected on the leading edges at 180 knots did not erode at cruise conditions for a laminar flow control airplane and caused premature transition of the laminar boundary layer. None of the superslick and hydrophobic surfaces tested showed any significant advantages in alleviating the insect contamination problem. While there may be other solutions to the insect contamination problem, the results of these tests with a spray system showed that a continouous water spray while encountering the insects is effective in preventing insect contamination of the leading edges.

Peterson, J. B., Jr.↗

Flight experience on the need and use of inflight leading edge washing for a laminar flow airfoil

An investigation of leading-edge contamination by insects was conducted at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center with a JetStar airplane instrumented to detect transition on the outboard leading-edge flap and equipped with a system to wash the leading edge in flight. The results of airline-type flights with the JetStar indicated that insects can contaminate the leading edge during take-off and climbout at large jet airports in the United States. The results also showed that the insects collected on the leading edges at 180 knots did not erode at cruise conditions for a laminar flow control airplane and caused premature transition of the laminar boundary layer. None of the superslick and hydrophobic surfaces tested showed any significant advantages in alleviating the insect contamination problem. While there may be other solutions to the insect contamination problem, the results of these tests with a washer system showed that a continuous water spray while encountering the insects is effective in preventing insect contamination of the leading edges.

Fisher, D. F.↗

Planetary detection techniques - An overview

Interest in the search for planets around other stars is due to its connection with SETI, the desire to understand the formation of stars and planetary systems, and curiosity about the earth's place in the cosmic neighborhood. Proposed techniques include direct imaging, detection of transits, and detection of stellar radial velocity and positional perturbations. Each method has advantages and is effective at detecting different kinds of planets. It is concluded that the fundamental questions in this field should be answered during the next decade.

Scargle, J. D.↗

A new multipoint thin-film diagnostic technique for fluid dynamic studies

A multielement hot-film sensor has been developed with closely-spaced elements (2.5 mm) in the streamwise direction. In addition to boundary-layer transition detection, the output of these sensors can reveal the locations of boundary-layer separation and reattachment by a 180 deg phase difference in the 0-200-Hz frequency bandwidth between sensor elements on each side of either the separation or reattachment point. This paper describes the features of multielement hot-film sensor arrays and discusses results from their application to a number of low-speed and transonic airfoil tests.

Sewall, W. G.↗

Use of piezoelectric foil for flow diagnostics

A laboratory investigation was conducted to characterize two piezoelectric-film sensor configurations, a rigidly mounted sensor and a sensor mounted over an air cavity. The sensors are evaluated for sensitivity and frequency response, and methods to optimize data are presented. The cavity-mounted sensor exhibited a superior frequency response and was more sensitive to normal pressure fluctuations and less sensitive to vibrations through the structure. Both configurations were sensitive to large-scale structural vibrations. Flight-test data are shown for cavity-mounted sensors, illustrating practical aspects to consider when designing sensors for application in such harsh environments. The relation of the data to skin friction and maximum shear stress, transition detection, and turbulent viscous layers is derived through analysis of the flight data.

Carraway, Debra L.↗