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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Cryogenic wind tunnels. I

The basic principles of cryogenic wind-tunnel operation are presented, and a typical cryogenic wind tunnel is described. Low-speed cryogenic wind tunnels are considered, along with some experiments conducted in these tunnels. Focus is placed on real-gas effects including condensation and thermal and caloric imperfections. The operating limits set by the saturation boundaries of nitrogen and air are analyzed, and the consequences of thermal and caloric imperfections on both isentropic and normal-shock flow in nitrogen are considered. The extension of analytical real-gas studies, including both laminar and turbulent boundary layers is covered. It is concluded that the deviation of the nitrogen boundary-layer parameters from their ideal-gas values are small, and that large real-gas effects will not be a factor in cryogenic tunnel simulation of the complex flows met in flight.

Kilgore, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The use of Antarctic analogs for the Space Exploration Initiative

Potential approaches to the use of the Antarctic as an analog to the lunar and Mars planetary surface segments of the SEI are reviewed. It is concluded that a well-planned and sustained program of ground-based research and testing in environments analogous to the moon and Mars is a rational method for reducing the risks associated with human space missions. Antarctica may provide an ideal setting for testing critical technologies (habitat design, life support, and advanced scientific instrumentation), studying human factors and physiology, and conducting basic scientific research similar to and directly relevant to that planned for the SEI.

Roberts, Barney↗
NASA NTRS1993

Parallel spatial direct numerical simulations on the Intel iPSC/860 hypercube

The implementation and performance of a parallel spatial direct numerical simulation (PSDNS) approach on the Intel iPSC/860 hypercube is documented. The direct numerical simulation approach is used to compute spatially evolving disturbances associated with the laminar-to-turbulent transition in boundary-layer flows. The feasibility of using the PSDNS on the hypercube to perform transition studies is examined. The results indicate that the direct numerical simulation approach can effectively be parallelized on a distributed-memory parallel machine. By increasing the number of processors nearly ideal linear speedups are achieved with nonoptimized routines; slower than linear speedups are achieved with optimized (machine dependent library) routines. This slower than linear speedup results because the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) routine dominates the computational cost and because the routine indicates less than ideal speedups. However with the machine-dependent routines the total computational cost decreases by a factor of 4 to 5 compared with standard FORTRAN routines. The computational cost increases linearly with spanwise wall-normal and streamwise grid refinements. The hypercube with 32 processors was estimated to require approximately twice the amount of Cray supercomputer single processor time to complete a comparable simulation; however it is estimated that a subgrid-scale model which reduces the required number of grid points and becomes a large-eddy simulation (PSLES) would reduce the computational cost and memory requirements by a factor of 10 over the PSDNS. This PSLES implementation would enable transition simulations on the hypercube at a reasonable computational cost.

Joslin, Ronald D.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Computational investigation on the combined effect of pore attributes on strain concentrators in metal additively manufactured materials

Metal additive manufacturing provides a pathway for creating highly optimized components. However, porosity continues to be a prevalent issue for fatigue performance despite best efforts in optimizing process parameters and postprocessing techniques. This work uses finite element analysis to conduct a parametric study to link various pore attributes (i.e., aspect ratio, orientation, and location) to strain concentration factors (SCF) under elastic/plastic deformation during uniaxial loading. Keyhole and lack-of-fusion pores are idealized by prolate and oblate ellipsoids, respectively. Each simulation of the parametric study assumes a single isolated pore in a Ti-6Al-4V material, modeled with J2-plasticity. A reduced-order model is developed to relate pore attributes to SCF, and then used to quantify the variability in SCF for a given experimentally characterized probability distribution of pore attributes. This reduced-order model can be used in a production environment to provide a first-order evaluation to rapidly screen sub-optimally performing components.

Additive Manufacturing↗
NASA NTRS1986

Optical observations of very low ionization HII regions in the large Magellanic cloud

Several very low ionization isolated HII regions were detected on a prism-objective plate of the Large Magellanic Cloud. Most of the objects show a very weak (OIII) lambda 5007 emission line and, on the other hand the (OII) lambda 6584 doublets are very intense. This kind of objects seem to be ideal in order to determine accurate N and O abundance, avoiding the use of large ionization correction factors in the N abundance determination. Spectrophotometric observations of these regions were carried out with the 4 m telescope and the 2-D Frutti spectrograph at Cerro Tololo, and with the 1.52 m and the Image Dissector Scanner (IDS) at La Silla, ESO. The wavelength range lambda lambda 3700 to 7000 A was covered. Calibrated fluxes of the emission lines detected were measured, and from these data preliminary results of physical conditions of the gas as well as some ionic abundances were derived. Comparisons of the observations with ionization structure models show that the effective temperatures of the ionizing stars are less than 35,000 K. Possible abundances gradients across the large megallanic cloud are discussed.

Pena, M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Surface forcing of the infrared cooling profile over the Tibetan Plateau. I - Influence of relative longwave radiative heating at high altitude. II - Cooling-rate variation over large-scale plateau domain during summer monsoon transition

The role of the Tibetan Plateau on the behavior of the surface longwave radiation budget is investigated, and the behavior of the vertical profile of longwave cooling over the plateau, including its diurnal variation, is quantified. A medium spectral-resolution IR radiative transfer model utilizing a simple modification for applications in idealized complex (valley) terrain is developed for the investigation. An understanding of how surface and elevation biophysical factors, which are highly variable over the large-scale plateau domain, regulate the spatial distribution of clear-sky IR cooling during the transition phase of the summer monsoon, is described.

Smith, Eric A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Multipurpose Crew Restraints for Long Duration Space Flights

With permanent human presence onboard the International Space Station (ISS), a crew will be living and working in microgravity, interfacing with their physical environment. Without optimum restraints and mobility aids (R&MA' s), the crewmembers may be handicapped for perfonning some of the on-orbit tasks. In addition to weightlessness, the confined nature of a spacecraft environment results in ergonomic challenges such as limited visibility and access to the activity area and may cause prolonged periods of unnatural postures. Thus, determining the right set of human factors requirements and providing an ergonomically designed environment are crucial to astronauts' well-being and productivity. The purpose of this project is to develop requirements and guidelines, and conceptual designs, for an ergonomically designed multi-purpose crew restraint. In order to achieve this goal, the project would involve development of functional and human factors requirements, design concept prototype development, analytical and computer modeling evaluations of concepts, two sets of micro gravity evaluations and preparation of an implementation plan. It is anticipated that developing functional and design requirements for a multi-purpose restraint would facilitate development of ergonomically designed restraints to accommodate the off-nominal but repetitive tasks, and minimize the performance degradation due to lack of optimum setup for onboard task performance. In addition, development of an ergonomically designed restraint concept prototype would allow verification and validation of the requirements defined. To date, we have identified "unique" tasks and areas of need, determine characteristics of "ideal" restraints, and solicit ideas for restraint and mobility aid concepts. Focus group meetings with representatives from training, safety, crew, human factors, engineering, payload developers, and analog environment representatives were key to assist in the development of a restraint concept based on previous flight experiences, the needs of future tasks, and crewmembers' preferences. Also, a catalog with existing IVA/EVA restraint and mobility aids has been developed. Other efforts included the ISS crew debrief data on restraints, compilation of data from MIR, Skylab and ISS on restraints, and investigating possibility of an in-flight evaluation of current restraint systems. Preliminary restraint concepts were developed and presented to long duration crewmembers and focus groups for feedback. Currently, a selection criterion is being refined for prioritizing the candidate concepts. Next steps include analytical and computer modeling evaluations of the selected candidate concepts, prototype development, and microgravity evaluations.

Whitmore, Mihriban↗
NASA NTRS2007

Robust Fuzzy Controllers Using FPGAs

Electro-mechanical device controllers typically come in one of three forms, proportional (P), Proportional Derivative (PD), and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID). Two methods of control are discussed in this paper; they are (1) the classical technique that requires an in-depth mathematical use of poles and zeros, and (2) the fuzzy logic (FL) technique that is similar to the way humans think and make decisions. FL controllers are used in multiple industries; examples include control engineering, computer vision, pattern recognition, statistics, and data analysis. Presented is a study on the development of a PD motor controller written in very high speed hardware description language (VHDL), and implemented in FL. Four distinct abstractions compose the FL controller, they are the fuzzifier, the rule-base, the fuzzy inference system (FIS), and the defuzzifier. FL is similar to, but different from, Boolean logic; where the output value may be equal to 0 or 1, but it could also be equal to any decimal value between them. This controller is unique because of its VHDL implementation, which uses integer mathematics. To compensate for VHDL's inability to synthesis floating point numbers, a scale factor equal to 10(sup (N/4) is utilized; where N is equal to data word size. The scaling factor shifts the decimal digits to the left of the decimal point for increased precision. PD controllers are ideal for use with servo motors, where position control is effective. This paper discusses control methods for motion-base platforms where a constant velocity equivalent to a spectral resolution of 0.25 cm(exp -1) is required; however, the control capability of this controller extends to various other platforms.

Monroe, Author Gene S., Jr.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

X-Ray Imagery as the Record of All Data of Interest in Hypervelocity Impact Fragment Studies

Laboratory study of hypervelocity spacecraft fragmentation has traditionally involved the collection and analysis of fragments that were caught in deceleration material surrounding the impact. This process has typically involved the disintegration of the catchment material either through chemical dissolution, or through physical excavation to recover the fragments. Due to the scale of the three impact tests—the Satellite Orbital Debris Characterization Impact Test (SOCIT), the DebriSat satellite impact test, and the DebrisLV launch vehicle impact test—the latter two using more than 12 cubic meters of polyurethane foam to capture the fragments, hese projects have used x-ray imagery to precisely locate and thus, to more efficiently extract fragments in the soft-catch material. Three years into the DebriSat fragment extraction process, a side study was initiated to explore what additional information could be discerned from the x-rays, with significant results. This study was instrumental to a rapid replacement and retooling as the project was forced to replace the x-ray system around which the extraction process had been based. The revised process continues to map the debris for extraction. The project has, in parallel, systematically addressed the limits/tolerances of what x-rays can reveal about size, shape, density, mass, velocity, energy, and deformation/damage of the fragment during the deceleration in the catchment material while replicating the original extraction mapping function. All of these features have been optimized or have sufficient understanding to characterize the basic factors that will define a complete data set extracted solely from x-ray imagery. It is an ideal time to develop such a process, with extracted fragments providing “ground truth” against image-only data, and abundant available imagery of the same fragments under both the prior and replacement x-ray technologies, which have several fundamentally different characteristics. This paper addresses the types and quality of hypervelocity fragmentation data that can be and has been extracted from x-rays. It further addresses the question of whether and under what circumstances future hypervelocity experiments can use x-ray methods to largely—or to completely—avoid the extraction process in recording all appropriate results. Lastly, this paper addresses lessons learned and how future efforts can be further optimized.

John B. Bacon↗
NASA NTRS1978

The 1.06 optical receiver

High performance 1.06 micron m avalanche photodetectors (APDs), fabricated in the GaAlSb system, have high quantum efficiency (90 percent), high speed (risetime less than 60 ps) and low leakage currents (less than 50 na). The dark current represents more than an order of magnitude reduction compared to previously reported results. The high speed avalanche gain of these devices is between 20 and 50. The area uniformity is better than + or - 10 percent. GaAlAs APDs at 0.53 micron m have even faster speed, lower dark currents, and high speed gains of 100 to 200. Optical rangefinders based on measured APD performance parameters have far superior performance when compared to even ideal photomultiplier tubes in either a one color or two color rangefinder system. For a one color system, f factor of two lower time jitter can be achieved with identical transmitted power. The superiority of the APD based two color receiver is significant and exists in the entire range of desired time jitters (less than 100 ps) and received power levels.

Tomasetta, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Application of fiber bridging models to fatigue crack growth in unidirectional titanium matrix composites

Several fiber bridging models were reviewed and applied to study the matrix fatigue crack growth behavior in center notched (0)(sub 8) SCS-6/Ti-15-3 and (0)(sub 4) SCS-6/Ti-6Al-4V laminates. Observations revealed that fatigue damage consisted primarily of matrix cracks and fiber matrix interfacial failure in the (0)(sub 8) SCS-6/Ti-15-3 laminates. Fiber-matrix interface failure included fracture of the brittle reaction zone and cracking between the two carbon rich fiber coatings. Intact fibers in the wake of the matrix cracks reduce the stress intensity factor range. Thus, an applied stress intensity factor range is inappropriate to characterize matrix crack growth behavior. Fiber bridging models were used to determine the matrix stress intensity factor range in titanium metal matrix composites. In these models, the fibers in the wake of the crack are idealized as a closure pressure. An unknown constant frictional shear stress is assumed to act along the debond or slip length of the bridging fibers. The frictional shear stress was used as a curve fitting parameter to available data (crack growth data, crack opening displacement data, and debond length data). Large variations in the frictional shear stress required to fit the experimental data indicate that the fiber bridging models in their present form lack predictive capabilities. However, these models provide an efficient and relatively simple engineering method for conducting parametric studies of the matrix growth behavior based on constituent properties.

Bakuckas, J. G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Macroscale coherence of the heliospheric current sheet: Pioneers 10 and 11 comparisons

We use the near radial alignments of Pioneers 10 and 11 during 1974 to study the macroscale geometry of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). The interval of near alignment gave eight analyzable cases of encounters of both spacecraft with the same HCS and one case in which the IMP and Pioneer 11 spacecraft, while nearly radially aligned, encountered the same current sheet. The degree of macroscale coherence of the HCS was judged by comparing observed solar wind speeds against solar wind speeds calculated on the bases of HCS encounter times and ideal Parker spiral geometry. The correlation coefficient between the two sets of speeds is 0.53. The difference between the calculated and observed speeds can be understood in terms of observed deviations from ideal spiral geometry in the ecliptic plane or in terms of typical corrections to the calculations from small latitudinal factors. One case, however, defies explanation in these terms. This range of behavior demonstrates that the HCS is a useful probe of heliospheric dynamics.

Siscoe, George↗
NASA NTRS2017

Skin-Based DNA Repair Phenotype for Cancer Risk from GCR in Genetically Diverse Populations

Predicting cancer risk associated with cosmic radiation remains a mission-critical challenge for NASA radiation health scientists and mission planners. Epidemiological data are lacking and risk methods do not take individual radiation sensitivity into account. In our approach we hypothesize that genetic factors strongly influence risk of cancer from space radiation and that biomarkers reflecting DNA damage and cell death are ideal tools to predict risk and monitor potential health effects post-flight. At this workshop, we will be reporting the work we have done over the first 9 months of this proposal. Skin cells from 15 different strains of mice already characterized for radiation-induced cancer sensitivity (B6C3F; BALB/cByJ, C57BL/6J, CBA/CaJ, C3H/HeMsNrsf), and 10 strains from the DOE collaborative cross-mouse model were expanded from ear biopsy and cultivated until Passage 3. On average, 3 males and 3 females for each strain were expanded and frozen for further characterization at the NSRL beam line during the NSRL16C run for three LET (350 MeV/n Si, 350 MeV/n Ar and 600 MeV/n Fe) and two ion fluences (1 and 3 particles per cell). The mice work has established new metrics for the usage of Radiation Induced Foci as a marker for various aspect of DNA repair deficiencies. In year 2, we propose to continue characterization of the mouse lines with low LET to identify loci specific to high- versus low- LET and establish genetic linkage for the various DNA repair biomarkers. Correlation with cancer risk from each animals strain and gender will also be investigated. On the human side, we will start characterizing the DNA damage response induced ex-vivo in 200 human's blood donors for radiation sensitivity with a tentative 500 donors by the end of this project. All ex-vivo phenotypic data will be correlated to genetic characterization of each individual human donors using SNP arrays characterization as done for mice. Similarly, ex-vivo phenotypic features from mice will be associated to cancer risk, to identify which biomarkers correlate the most with cancer risk. Genetic traits across humans will also be associated to radiation phenotypic features as a function of age and gender.

radiation space biology↗
NASA NTRS1976

Epitaxial silicon solar cells

P+/p/n/n+ epitaxial silicon solar-cell structures were fabricated with the n-base region intentionally graded over 2 orders of magnitude in a thickness of 35 microns. Solar cells made from these layers exhibited near-ideal I-V characteristics in the practical operating range, with an open-circuit voltage of 636 mV, fill factor of 0.79, and AM1 efficiency of 12.6%. A similar epitaxial structure containing no gradient in the n-base showed good solar-cell performance but lower open-circuit voltage (603 mV).

Daiello, R. V.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The effect of turbulence and molecular relaxation on sonic boom signatures

Our objectives are to assess the effect of turbulence and molecular absorption (which is now known to be a key factor in sonic boom shock structure) on shaped sonic booms. Today I will discuss the combination of physical mechanisms for idealized turbulence. In parallel, we are reviewing models for mixed layer turbulence, and these physical effects will eventually be generalized.

Plotkin, Kenneth J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Effects of Gravity on Bubble Formation at a Plate Orifice

A model of the dynamic regime of gas injection through a submerged plate orifice into an ideally wetting liquid is developed in the circumstance when successively detached bubbles may be regarded as independent objects. Two major factors favor bubble detachment: the buoyancy force and a force due to the momentum inflow into the bubble with injected gas. In normal and moderately reduced gravity, the first factor dominates. At relatively low flow rates, a growing bubble is modeled as a spherical segment touching the orifice perimeter during the whole period of its evolution till detachment. If the flow rate exceeds a critical value, another stage of bubble evolution occurs in which an almost spherical gas envelope is connected with the orifice by a nearly cylindrical gaseous stem that lengthens as the bubble rises above the plate. The bubble continues to grow until the gas supply through the stem is completely cut off, after which back flow of gas into the stem from the bubble becomes possible. In microgravity, the second factor prevails, and the latter stage is always present irrespective of the flow rate. However, the gas envelope rises and the stem lengthens very slowly. This difference in the underlying physical mechanisms provides for key properties of bubble growth and detachment being drastically different in appreciable and sufficiently reduced gravity. The frequency of bubble formation slightly decreases with and the detachment volume is almost proportional to the gas flow rate in the first case, in accordance with familiar relations. In the second case, the first variable is proportional to the flow rate whereas the second one is independent of it. Effects of other parameters, such as the orifice radius, gas and liquid densities, and surface tension are discussed.

Webbon, Bruce W.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Urinary Acid Excretion Can Predict Changes in Bone Metabolism During Space Flight

Mitigating space flight-induced bone loss is critical for space exploration, and a dietary countermeasure would be ideal. We present here preliminary data from a study where we examined the role of dietary intake patterns as one factor that can influence bone mineral loss in astronauts during space flight. Crewmembers (n=5) were asked to consume a prescribed diet with either a low (0.3-0.6) or high (1.0-1.3) ratio of animal protein to potassium (APro:K) before and during space flight for 4-d periods. Diets were controlled for energy, total protein, calcium, and sodium. 24-h urine samples were collected on the last day of each of the 4-d controlled diet sessions. 24-h urinary acid excretion, which was predicted by dietary potential renal acid load, was correlated with urinary n-telopeptide (NTX, Pearson R = 0.99 and 0.80 for the high and low APro:K sessions, respectively, p<0.001). The amount of protein when expressed as the percentage of total energy (but not as total grams) was also correlated with urinary NTX (R = 0.66, p<0.01). These results, from healthy individuals in a unique environment, will be important to better understand diet and bone interrelationships during space flight as well as on Earth. The study was funded by the NASA Human Research Program.

Zwart, Sara R.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Computer program determines gas flow rates in piping systems

Computer program calculates the steady state flow characteristics of an ideal compressible gas in a complex piping system. The program calculates the stagnation and total temperature, static and total pressure, loss factor, and forces on each element in the piping system.

Franke, R.↗