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At least 91 records · Page 5

A study of the effect of solid particle impact and particle shape on the erosion morphology of ductile metals

Impulsive versus steady jet impingement of spherical glass bead particles on metal surfaces was studied using a gas gun facility and a commercial sand blasting apparatus. Crushed glass particles were also used in the sand blasting apparatus as well as glass beads. Comparisons of the different types of erosion patterns were made. Scanning electron microscopy, surface profilometry and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis were used to characterize erosion patterns. The nature of the wear can be divided into cutting and deformation, each with its own characteristic features. Surface chemistry analysis indicates the possiblity of complex chemical and/or mechanical interactions between erodants and target materials.

Rao, P. V.↗

The reliability of macroscopic identification of lunar coarse fines particles and the petrogenesis of 2-4 mm particles in Apennine Front sample 15243

Particles from the 15243 Apennine Front sample (Station 6) were studied using macroscopic, neutron activation, and petrographic methods. It was found that macroscopic identifications allow for good identification of the particles. It was shown that the Station 6 regolith must consist of a fine-grained, comparatively KREEP-poor material and a coarser component consisting of Apollo 15 KREEP basalts and KREEP-like impact melt fragments.

Ryder, Graham↗

Trajectory-capture cell instrumentation for measurement of dust particle mass, velocity and trajectory, and particle capture

The development of the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) dust detector for space missions--such as the Halley Comet Missions where the impact velocity was very high as well as for missions where the impact velocity is low was extended to include: (1) the capability for impact position determination - i.e., x,y coordinate of impact; and (2) the capability for particle velocity determination using two thin PVDF sensors spaced a given distance apart - i.e., by time-of-flight. These developments have led to space flight instrumentation for recovery-type missions, which will measure the masses (sizes), fluxes and trajectories of incoming dust particles and will capture the dust material in a form suitable for later Earth-based laboratory measurements. These laboratory measurements would determine the elemental, isotopic and mineralogical properties of the captured dust and relate these to possible sources of the dust material (i.e., comets, asteroids), using the trajectory information. The instrumentation described here has the unique advantages of providing both orbital characteristics and physical and chemical properties--as well as possible origin--of incoming dust.

Simpson, J. A.↗

Response characteristics of the phase Doppler particle analyzer for sizing spherical particles larger than the light wavelength

A theoretical model, based on the geometrical optics approach, has been developed to simulate various aspects of the phase Doppler particle analyzer (PDPA). The model has taken into consideration the nonuniform (Gaussian) illumination of the particles as they pass through the measurement probe volume. Instrument response curves have been generated for various scattering angles by performing spatial and temporal integration of the scattered intensity distribution over the receiver surface. Experimental and theoretical investigations have established the applicability of this instrument to both forward scattered and backscattered angles.

Sankar, Subramanian V.↗

Prediction of Particle Number Density and Particle Properties in the Flow Field Observed by the Nephelometer Experiment on the Galileo Probe

This report summarizes the work performed to assist in the analysis of data returned from the Galileo Probe's Nephelometer instrument. A computation of the flow field around the Galileo Probe during its descent through the Jovian atmosphere was simulated. The behavior of cloud particles that passed around the Galileo probe was then computed and the number density in the vicinity of the Nephelometer instrument was predicted. The results of our analysis support the finding that the number density of cloud particles was not the same in each of the four sampling volumes of the Nephelometer instrument. The number densities calculated in this study are currently being used to assist in the reanalysis of the data returned from the Galileo Probe.

Naughton, Jonathan W.↗

Prediction of Particle Number Density and Particle Properties in the Flow Field Observed by the Nephelometer Experiment on the Galileo Probe

This report summarizes the work performed to assist in the analysis of data returned from the Galileo Probe's Nephelometer instrument. A computation of the flow field around the Galileo Probe during its descent through the Jovian atmosphere was simulated. The behavior of cloud particles that passed around the Galileo probe was then computed and the number density in the vicinity of the Nephelometer instrument was predicted. The results of our analysis support the finding that the number density of cloud particles was not the same in each of the four sampling volumes of the Nephelometer instrument. The number densities calculated in this study are currently being used to assist in the reanalysis of the data returned from the Galileo Probe.

Naughton, Jonathan W.↗

Modeling the East-West Asymmetry of Energetic Particle Fluence in Large Solar Energetic Particle Events Using the iPATH Model

It has been noted that in large solar energetic particle (SEP) events, the peak intensities show an East-West asymmetry with respect to the source flare locations. Using the 2D improved Particle Acceleration and Transport in the Heliosphere (iPATH) model, we investigate the origin of this longitudinal trend. We consider multiple cases with different solar wind speeds and eruption speeds of the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and fit the longitudinal distributions of time-averaged fluence by symmetric/asymmetric Gaussian functions with three time intervals of 8, 24 and 48 hr after the flare onset time respectively. The simulation results are compared with a statistical study of three-spacecraft events. We suggest that the East-West asymmetry of SEP fluence and peak intensity can be primarily caused the combined effect of an extended shock acceleration process and the evolution of magnetic field connection to the shock front. Our simulations show that the solar wind speed and the CME speed are important factors determining the East-West fluence asymmetry.

Zheyi Ding↗

Comparison of the NAIRAS Trajectory Dose Model With ISS Measurements: Effects of Trapped Particles and Solar Energetic Particle Events.

The NAIRAS(Nowcast of Aerospace Ionizing RAdiation system) model was initially developed for fast computation of GCR and SEP events in the Earth's atmosphere. It was recently improved for computing the effects of trapped particles and its domain of validity was extended to the near space environments, which notably includes the international space station (ISS). To validate the new capabilities of the model, we compared its outputs with some measurements made in the ISS. Historical data contained several SEP events while newer measurements made with the ARMAS instrument flying in the experience bay of KIBO show the influence of trapped particles and GCR over the total dose received.

Guillaume Gronoff↗

Testing of the ISS’s Charcoal HEPA Integrated Particle Scrubber (CHIPS) Filters to Ascertain an Efficiency Curve and Most Penetrating Particle Size

High air quality is a top priority in hermetically sealed environments, such as the International Space Station (ISS). Aerosol particulate filtration on the ISS is achieved via 21 HEPA filters. Traditional HEPA filters have an efficiency of 99.97%, but HEPA filters aboard the ISS have been found to achieve 99.99% efficiency. This may be due to the flight-grade HEPA filters chosen or, less likely, that they are combined with activated charcoal filters for siloxane removal in a combination referred to as Charcoal HEPA Integrated Particle Scrubbers (CHIPS) filters. All filters have a Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS), but, until now, the MPPS and efficiency curve of the CHIPS filters was not known. The efficiency curve of the CHIPS filters was ascertained at NASA Glenn Research Center through standard salt crystal aerosolization. This method was selected over aerosolized oil droplets due to a desire to preserve the filter’s function for further testing. The CHIPS filters were tested as they are oriented on the ISS (activated charcoal filter followed by a flight-grade HEPA filter), with the HEPA portion alone, and with the activated charcoal portion alone. The results of this experiment are generally useful but can be especially useful for the microbiology and Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). This is due to microbial contamination being a potential concern in the air revitalization systems on the ISS. Knowing the MMPS of the CHIPS filters, in conjunction with levels of airborne microbes, is useful for predicting which and how many microbes are likely to get through the HEPA filters that sit in the beginning of the ISS airstream. It may also be useful to other groups at NASA to know how many particulates are able to pass through high-efficiency filtration, and even for healthcare cleanrooms and other air purification pursuits.

A Nicolas Whitlock↗

The dynamics of particle disks. III - Dense and spinning particle disks

The kinetic theory of planetary rings developed by Araki and Tremaine (1986) and Araki (1988) is extended and refined, with a focus on the implications of finite particle size: (1) nonlocal collisions and (2) finite filling factors. Consideration is given to the derivation of the equations for the local steady state, the low-optical-depth limit, and the steady state at finite filling factors (including the effects of collision inelasticity, spin degrees of freedom, and self-gravity). Numerical results are presented in extensive graphs and characterized in detail. The importance of distinguishing effects (1) and (2) at low optical depths is stressed, and the existence of vertical density profiles with layered structures at high filling factors is demonstrated.

Araki, Suguru↗

Particle-Displacement Tracking In Particle-Image Velocimetry

Particle images processed rapidly and automatically into velocity-vector maps. This technique requires no processing of photographic plates, no tedious visual recognition and manual designation of large numbers of image features for subsequent processing, little or no interruption by technician and is order of magnitude faster than any of prior techniques.

Wernet, Mark P.↗