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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 1,063 records · Page 59

The microwave phase effect of Mercury.

Mercury brightness temperatures from contact conduction and radiative transfer equation solutions, noting dependence on heliocentric longitude and phase angle

Morrison, D.↗

Heat pipe dynamic behavior

The vapor flow in a heat pipe was mathematically modeled and the equations governing the transient behavior of the core were solved numerically. The modeled vapor flow is transient, axisymmetric (or two-dimensional) compressible viscous flow in a closed chamber. The two methods of solution are described. The more promising method failed (a mixed Galerkin finite difference method) whereas a more common finite difference method was successful. Preliminary results are presented showing that multi-dimensional flows need to be treated. A model of the liquid phase of a high temperature heat pipe was developed. The model is intended to be coupled to a vapor phase model for the complete solution of the heat pipe problem. The mathematical equations are formulated consistent with physical processes while allowing a computationally efficient solution. The model simulates time dependent characteristics of concern to the liquid phase including input phase change, output heat fluxes, liquid temperatures, container temperatures, liquid velocities, and liquid pressure. Preliminary results were obtained for two heat pipe startup cases. The heat pipe studied used lithium as the working fluid and an annular wick configuration. Recommendations for implementation based on the results obtained are presented. Experimental studies were initiated using a rectangular heat pipe. Both twin beam laser holography and laser Doppler anemometry were investigated. Preliminary experiments were completed and results are reported.

Issacci, F.↗

Composition and automated crystal orientation mapping of rapid solidification products in hypoeutectic Al-4 at.%Cu alloys

Rapid solidification can produce metastable phases and unusual microstructure modifications in multi-component alloys during additive manufacturing or laser beam welding. Composition and phase mapping by transmission electron microscopy have been used in this paper to characterize the morphologically distinct zones developing in hypoeutectic Al-4 at.% Cu alloy after pulsed laser melting for different crystal growth rate regimes. Deviations of the compositions of the alloy phases from equilibrium predictions and unique orientation relationships between the solidification transformation products have been determined. Specifically, for the columnar growth zone at solidification rates of 0.8 m s - 1 < v < v a = 1.8 m s - 1 , two distinct orientation relationships were established between the concomitantly forming non-equilibrium phases, supersaturated α-Al solid solution and the discontinuously distributed α-Al 2 Cu-based θ'-phase, which can be described as {110} θ ∥ {001} α , [001] θ ∥ [110] α and {001} θ ∥ {001} α , [100] θ ∥ [100] α . These orientation relationships permit formation of coherent interphase interfaces with low interfacial free energy. Finally, this endows a kinetic advantage to the thermodynamically less stable θ'-Al 2 Cu phase relative to the more stable equilibrium θ-Al 2 Cu phase during formation of the morphologically modified eutectic of the columnar growth zone grains, since repeated nucleation is required to establish the discontinuous distribution of θ'-Al 2 Cu phase.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

End-to-End Performance Optimization of a Crewed Lunar Landing Mission Staged from a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit

A crewed lunar landing mission staged from a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) presents a unique set of challenges not considered before for the Apollo-type direct missions. The NRHO does not have a fixed orbital plane and its period also changes with time, due to which the mission performance is very sensitive to the timing and location of the NRHO departure and arrival burns for a near-polar surface landing site. For such type of mission staged from the NRHO, an end-to-end optimization approach for the entire mission, from the NRHO departure to surface landing and from surface lift-off to the NRHO insertion, is well-suited for extracting the maximum performance out of this design. In this paper, an integrated approach for performing end-to-end optimization of a NRHO-staged crewed lunar landing mission is proposed that optimizes the in-space and powered flight segments simultaneously using Copernicus trajectory optimization tool. Copernicus is augmented with analytical approximations for the in-space, powered descent, and powered ascent segments in this work to improve the convergence of its multiple-shooting based direct optimization method. New analytical solutions are derived for the different phases of the powered flight segments by solving associated guidance problems. These analytical solutions act as initial guesses for starting the numerical optimization of the integrated mission in Copernicus. An example lunar landing mission is simulated to validate the proposed end-to-end optimization approach and the results are compared with the conventional patched trajectory approach.

Bharat Mahajan↗

Acceleration of OPC by CAC in binary and ternary systems: The role of pore solution chemistry

In dry-mortar-formulations calcium aluminate cement (CAC) is often used as a set accelerator for ordinary Portland cement (OPC). However, a critical amount of CAC is able to delay not only the silicate reaction but also the renewed C{sub 3}A dissolution of an OPC. This delay can be counteracted by adding an appropriate amount of calcium sulfate (C$) to the mix OPC/CAC. The initial hydration period is dominated by fast ettringite formation from CA (CAC) and CaSO{sub 4} from OPC generating early strength. High aluminum and low calcium concentrations in the pore solution probably hinder C-S-H seeding and precipitation, thus preventing alite dissolution. Aluminum has to be initially removed by precipitating hydrate phases to change the pore solution chemistry. The start of the silicate reaction is then induced by increasing the calcium concentration in the pore solution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dissolution kinetics of iron-, manganese-, and copper-containing synthetic hydroxyapatites

Micronutrient-substituted synthetic hydroxyapatite (SHA) is being evaluated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program for crop production on long-duration human missions to the International Space Station or for future Lunar or Martian outposts. The stirred-flow technique was utilized to characterize Ca, P, Fe, Mn, and Cu release characteristics from Fe-, Mn-, and Cu-containing SHA in deionized (DI) water, citric acid, and diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA). Initially, Ca and P release rates decreased rapidly with time and were controlled by a non-SHA calcium phosphate phase(s) with low Ca/P solution molar ratios (0.91-1.51) relative to solid SHA ratios (1.56-1.64). At later times, Ca/P solution molar ratios (1.47-1.79) were near solid SHA ratios and release rates decreased slowly indicating that SHA controlled Ca and P release. Substituted SHA materials had faster dissolution rates relative to unsubstituted SHA. The initial metal release rate order was Mn >> Cu > Fe which followed metal-oxide/phosphate solubility suggesting that poorly crystalline metal-oxides/phosphates were dominating metal release. Similar metal release rates for all substituted SHA (approximately 0.01 cmol kg-1 min-1) at the end of the DTPA experiment indicated that SHA dissolution was supplying the metals into solution and that poorly crystalline metal-oxide/phosphates were not controlling metal release. Results indicate that non-SHA Ca-phosphate phases and poorly crystalline metal-oxide/phosphates will contribute Ca, P, and metals. After these phases have dissolved, substituted SHA will be the source of Ca, P, and metals for plants.

NASA Discipline Life Support Systems↗

Superomniphobic coatings and methods of preparation

A composition useful for producing a superomniphobic coating on a substrate, the composition comprising a colloidal suspension of a fluorinated siloxane in a non-silicon-containing fluorinated solvent. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises particles of a hydrophobized metal oxide, e.g., silicon oxide, wherein the hydrophobized metal oxide may be fluorinated. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a non-silicon-containing fluorinated polymer. The invention is also directed to methods for making the above composition. The invention is also directed to methods for using the above-described composition for rendering a substrate superomniphobic. The aforesaid method comprises depositing a liquid coating solution onto a substrate to form a coated substrate, followed by subjecting the coated substrate to a drying step to remove a liquid phase of the liquid coating solution, wherein the liquid coating solution comprises a colloidal suspension of a fluorinated siloxane in a non-silicon-containing fluorinated solvent.

Lewis, Linda P.↗

Randomized probe imaging through deep k-learning

Randomized probe imaging (RPI) is a single-frame diffractive imaging method that uses highly randomized light to reconstruct the spatial features of a scattering object. The reconstruction process, known as phase retrieval, aims to recover a unique solution for the object without measuring the far-field phase information. Typically, reconstruction is done via time-consuming iterative algorithms. In this work, we propose a fast and efficient deep learning based method to reconstruct phase objects from RPI data. The method, which we call deep k-learning, applies the physical propagation operator to generate an approximation of the object as an input to the neural network. This way, the network no longer needs to parametrize the far-field diffraction physics, dramatically improving the results. Deep k-learning is shown to be computationally efficient and robust to Poisson noise. The advantages provided by our method may enable the analysis of far larger datasets in photon starved conditions, with important applications to the study of dynamic phenomena in physical science and biological engineering.

Guo, Zhen (ORCID:0000000213473451)↗

Geochemical Modeling Using OLI Systems Mixed Solvent Electrolyte Model in Support of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Aqueous electrolyte thermodynamic models were developed for synthetic Salado (GWB) and Castile (ERDA-6) brines to inform the experimental design and to facilitate laboratory data interpretation in geochemical studies supporting disposal in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The thermodynamic models, which include the relevant vapor-liquid-solid equilibria for the oxidation-reduction conditions of interest, enable computation of system parameters such as activity-based pH, E h [vs. standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)], ionic strength, total dissolved solids, and solution density; the chemical speciation of all phases; saturation tendencies for thermodynamically feasible solids; and changes in brine chemistry because of the addition of H 2 (g), argon, MgO, Fe(0), and other waste form components. The impacts of oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and pH on aqueous speciation and dominant solid phases were also assessed with the aid of real-solution Pourbaix diagrams for key elements of interest. In addition to the OLI modeling results, limited measurement data for pH and ORP standards are provided, analyzed, and discussed.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Bridgman crystal growth

The primary focus was on completing a simulation of thermosolutal convection. The configuration employed was based on some MIT experiments using a Germanium-Silicon charge in a quartz ampoule with an aspect ratio of 8 and a rather large adiabatic zone. Two thermally stable cases were investigated: solutally unstable and solutally stable. Both use the same equilibrium phase diagram and thermophysical properties except the sign of the solutal coefficient of volume expansion is reversed. The results are discussed.

Carlson, Frederick M.↗

Estimating Transmitted-Signal Phase Variations for Uplink Array Antennas

A method of estimating phase drifts of microwave signals distributed to, and transmitted by, antennas in an array involves the use of the signals themselves as phase references. The method was conceived as part of the solution of the problem of maintaining precise phase calibration required for proper operation of an array of Deep Space Network (DSN) antennas on Earth used for communicating with distant spacecraft at frequencies between 7 and 8 GHz. The method could also be applied to purely terrestrial phased-array radar and other radio antenna array systems. In the DSN application, the electrical lengths (effective signal-propagation path lengths) of the various branches of the system for distributing the transmitted signals to the antennas are not precisely known, and they vary with time. The variations are attributable mostly to thermal expansion and contraction of fiber-optic and electrical signal cables and to a variety of causes associated with aging of signal-handling components. The variations are large enough to introduce large phase drifts at the signal frequency. It is necessary to measure and correct for these phase drifts in order to maintain phase calibration of the antennas. A prior method of measuring phase drifts involves the use of reference-frequency signals separate from the transmitted signals. A major impediment to accurate measurement of phase drifts over time by the prior method is the fact that although DSN reference-frequency sources separate from the transmitting signal sources are stable and accurate enough for most DSN purposes, they are not stable enough for use in maintaining phase calibrations, as required, to within a few degrees over times as long as days or possibly even weeks. By eliminating reliance on the reference-frequency subsystem, the present method overcomes this impediment. In a DSN array to which the present method applies (see figure), the microwave signals to be transmitted are generated by exciters in a signal-processing center, then distributed to the antennas via optical fibers. At each antenna, the signals are used to drive a microwave power-amplifier train, the output of which is coupled to the antenna for transmission. A small fraction of the power-amplifier-train output is sent back to the signal-processing center along another optical fiber that is part of the same fiber-optic cable used to distribute the transmitted signal to the antenna. In the signal-processing center, the signal thus returned from each antenna is detected and its phase is compared with the phase of the signal sampled directly from the corresponding exciter. It is known, from other measurements, that the signal-propagation path length from the power-amplifier-train output port to the phase center of each antenna is sufficiently stable and, hence, that sampling the signal at the power-amplifier-train output port suffices for the purpose of characterizing the phase drift of the transmitted signal at the phase center of the antenna

Paal, Leslie↗

High-fidelity holographic beam shaping with optimal transport and phase diversity

A phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM) provides a powerful way to shape laser beams into arbitrary intensity patterns but at the cost of a hard computational problem of determining an appropriate SLM phase. Here, we show that optimal transport methods can generate approximate solutions to this problem that serve as excellent initializations for iterative phase retrieval algorithms, yielding vortex-free solutions with superior accuracy and efficiency. Additionally, we show that analogous algorithms can be used to measure the intensity and phase of the input beam incident upon the SLM via phase diversity imaging. These techniques furnish flexible and convenient solutions to the computational challenges of beam shaping with an SLM.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Crystal Chemistry and Electrochemistry of Li x Mn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 Solid Solution Cathode Materials

For ordered high-voltage spinel LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 (LMNO) with the P4 3 2 1 symmetry, the two consecutive two-phase transformations at ~4.7 V (vs Li + /Li), involving three cubic phases of LMNO, Li 0.5 Mn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 (L 0.5 MNO), and Mn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 (MNO), have been well-established. Such a mechanism is traditionally associated with poor kinetics due to the slow movement of the phase boundaries and the large mechanical strain resulting from the volume changes among the phases, yet ordered LMNO has been shown to have excellent rate capability. In this paper, we show the ability of the phases to dissolve into each other and determine their solubility limit. We characterized the properties of the formed solid solutions and investigated the role of non-equilibrium single-phase redox processes during the charge and discharge of LMNO. Finally, by using an array of advanced analytical techniques, such as soft and hard X-ray spectroscopy, transmission X-ray microscopy, and neutron/X-ray diffraction, as well as bond valence sum analysis, the present study examines the metastable nature of solid-solution phases and provides new insights in enabling cathode materials that are thermodynamically unstable.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The classical solution of a definite integral occurring in the satellite theory in the extended phase space

A method of integrating the functions defined by Scheifele and Graf (1974), arising in the elimination of time from the arguments of satellite theory using Delaunay elements in the extended phase space, is proposed. By repeated applications of an identity of Stiefel and Scheifele (1971), neglecting certain terms, and assuming a solution in the form of a product of Bessel functions, a solution expanded in the eccentricity is obtained.

Bond, V. R.↗

Experimental investigation on phase change material–based finned tube heat exchanger for thermal energy storage and building envelope thermal management

Phase change materials (PCMs) are attractive solutions for thermal energy storage (TES) applications by absorbing and releasing large amounts of latent heat during solid–liquid phase transitions. However, their relatively low thermal conductivity requires novel heat exchanger–based solutions to improve the power density and overall energy storage efficiency of the TES system. This work presents the design and experimental results of a finned tube heat exchanger to store collected natural thermal energy from a building envelope in a latent-based TES and to release it later for building heating/cooling applications. We experimentally evaluate the finned tube heat exchanger and evaluate the performance of TES in reducing building heating and cooling loads over 3–4 h of desired time of operation (e.g., peak load). The optimized design allows for maximum energy density by minimizing the heat exchanger volume, and the system is evaluated experimentally using commercially available heat exchanger materials and an organic PCM. Here, the experimental results reveal that the TES system is able to charge and discharge stored latent energy within 3–4 h, matching peak building electricity demand duration under an average fluid flow rate of 0.136 kg/s and temperature difference of 5.55 °C. Importantly, such optimized designs illuminate a path toward TES designs that are low-cost, scalable, and optimized for thermal energy and power availability under the desired time of operation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

An Innovative Solution to NASA's NEO Impact Threat Mitigation Grand Challenge and Flight Validation Mission Architecture Development

This final technical report describes the results of a NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) Phase 2 study entitled "An Innovative Solution to NASA's NEO Impact Threat Mitigation Grand Challenge and Flight Validation Mission Architecture Development." This NIAC Phase 2 study was conducted at the Asteroid Deflection Research Center (ADRC) of Iowa State University in 2012-2014. The study objective was to develop an innovative yet practically implementable solution to the most probable impact threat of an asteroid or comet with short warning time (less than 5 years). The technical materials contained in this final report are based on numerous technical papers, which have been previously published by the project team of the NIAC Phase 1 and 2 studies during the past three years. Those technical papers as well as a NIAC Phase 2 Executive Summary report can be downloaded from the ADRC website (www.adrc.iastate.edu).

NEO↗