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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 1,153 records · Page 64

Comparative analysis of on-orbit dynamic performance of several large antenna concepts

A comparative analysis of the on-orbit dynamic performance of four large anetanna concepts is presented. Among the antenna concepts evaluated are: the box truss; tetrahedral truss; warp-radial rib; and the hoop and column antenna designs. The characteristics and magnitudes of the antennas' dynamic response were evaluated in terms of structural displacements and member loads incurred during various slew-rate maneuvers. The results of the dynamic response analysis are compared to the design requirements of the Land Mobile Satellite System (LMSS) with respect to surface accuracy, decenter, defocus, and angular rocking. Comments are made on the effectiveness of structural damping and the application of active controls for vibrational response reduction. Schematic illustrations of the antenna design concepts are provided.

Andersen, G. C.↗

Aircraft ground vibration testing at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility, 1993

The NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility performs ground vibration testing to assess the structural characteristics of new and modified research vehicles. This paper updates the research activities, techniques used, and experiences in applying this technology to aircraft since 1987. Test equipment, data analysis methods, and test procedures used for typical test programs are discussed. The data presented illustrate the use of modal test and analysis in flight research programs for a variety of aircraft. This includes a technique to acquire control surface free-play measurements on the X-31 airplane more efficiently, and to assess the effects of structural modifications on the modal characteristics of an F-18 aircraft. In addition, the status and results from current research activities are presented. These data show the effectiveness of the discrete modal filter as a preprocessor to uncouple response measurements into simple single-degree-of-freedom responses, a database for the comparison of different excitation methods on a JetStar airplane, and the effect of heating on modal frequency and damping.

Kehoe, Michael W.↗

Modeling the Impact of Drizzle and 3D Cloud Structure on Remote Sensing of Effective Radius

Remote sensing of cloud particle size with passive sensors like MODIS is an important tool for cloud microphysical studies. As a measure of the radiatively relevant droplet size, effective radius can be retrieved with different combinations of visible through shortwave infrared channels. MODIS observations sometimes show significantly larger effective radii in marine boundary layer cloud fields derived from the 1.6 and 2.1 pm channel observations than for 3.7 pm retrievals. Possible explanations range from 3D radiative transport effects and sub-pixel cloud inhomogeneity to the impact of drizzle formation on the droplet distribution. To investigate the potential influence of these factors, we use LES boundary layer cloud simulations in combination with 3D Monte Carlo simulations of MODIS observations. LES simulations of warm cloud spectral microphysics for cases of marine stratus and broken stratocumulus, each for two different values of cloud condensation nuclei density, produce cloud structures comprising droplet size distributions with and without drizzle size drops. In this study, synthetic MODIS observations generated from 3D radiative transport simulations that consider the full droplet size distribution will be generated for each scene. The operational MODIS effective radius retrievals will then be applied to the simulated reflectances and the results compared with the LES microphysics.

Platnick, Steven↗

Kohn-Sham Theory of the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect

We formulate the Kohn-Sham (KS) equations for the fractional quantum Hall effect by mapping the original electron problem into an auxiliary problem of composite fermions that experience a density dependent effective magnetic field. Self-consistent solutions of the KS equations demonstrate that our formulation captures not only configurations with nonuniform densities but also topological properties such as fractional charge and fractional braid statistics for the quasiparticles excitations. Lastly, this method should enable a realistic modeling of the edge structure, the effect of disorder, spin physics, screening, and of fractional quantum Hall effect in mesoscopic devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The structural and functional integrities of porcine myocardium are mostly preserved by cryopreservation

Structural and functional studies of heart muscle are important to gain insights into the physiological bases of cardiac muscle contraction and the pathological bases of heart disease. While fresh muscle tissue works best for these kinds of studies, this is not always practical to obtain, especially for heart tissue from large animal models and humans. Conversely, tissue banks of frozen human hearts are available and could be a tremendous resource for translational research. It is not well understood, however, how liquid nitrogen freezing and cryostorage may impact the structural integrity of myocardium from large mammals. In this study, we directly compared the structural and functional integrity of never-frozen to previously frozen porcine myocardium to investigate the consequences of freezing and cryostorage. X-ray diffraction measurements from hydrated tissue under near-physiological conditions and electron microscope images from chemically fixed porcine myocardium showed that prior freezing has only minor effects on structural integrity of the muscle. Furthermore, mechanical studies similarly showed no significant differences in contractile capabilities of porcine myocardium with and without freezing and cryostorage. These results demonstrate that liquid nitrogen preservation is a practical approach for structural and functional studies of myocardium.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Deep generative learning of magnetic frustration in artificial spin ice from magnetic force microscopy images

Increasingly large datasets of microscopic images with nanoscale resolution facilitate the development of machine learning methods to identify and analyze subtle physical phenomena embedded within the images. In this work, microscopic images of honeycomb lattice spin-ice samples serve as datasets from which we automate the calculation of net magnetic moments and directional orientations of spin-ice configurations. In the first stage of our workflow, machine learning models are trained to accurately predict magnetic moments and directions within spin-ice structures. Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), an emergent unsupervised deep learning technique, are employed to generate high-quality synthetic magnetic force microscopy (MFM) images and extract latent feature representations, thereby reducing experimental and segmentation errors. The second stage of proposed methodology enables precise identification and prediction of frustrated vertices and nanomagnetic segments, effectively correlating structural and functional aspects of microscopic images. This facilitates the design of optimized spin-ice configurations with controlled frustration patterns, enabling potential on-demand synthesis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Digital twins and deep learning segmentation of defects in monolayer MX 2 phases

Developing methods to understand and control defect formation in nanomaterials offers a promising route for materials discovery. Monolayer MX 2 phases represent a particularly compelling case for defect engineering of nanomaterials due to the large variability in their physical properties as different defects are introduced into their structure. However, effective identification and quantification of defects remain a challenge even as high-throughput scanning transmission electron microscopy methods improve. This study highlights the benefits of employing first principles calculations to produce digital twins for training deep learning segmentation models for defect identification in monolayer MX 2 phases. Around 600 defect structures were obtained using density functional theory calculations, with each monolayer MX 2 structure being subjected to multislice simulations for the purpose of generating the digital twins. Several deep learning segmentation architectures were trained on this dataset, and their performances evaluated under a variety of conditions such as recognizing defects in the presence of unidentified impurities, beam damage, grain boundaries, and with reduced image quality from low electron doses. Further, this digital twin approach allows benchmarking different deep learning architectures on a theory dataset, which enables the study of defect classification under a broad array of finely controlled conditions. It thus opens the door to resolving the underpinning physical reasons for model shortcomings and potentially chart paths forward for automated discovery of materials defect phases in experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The Role of Magnetic Reconnection in the Structure and Dynamics of Fast Coronal Mass Ejections

Both observations and models of flare-associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs) suggest that magnetic reconnection in an ejection's wake substantially increases the net, outward Lorentz force acceler­ating the CME. A stronger outward force can cause a feedback loop, driving further magnetic reconnection in a "reconnective instability." The flux accretion model captures this by relating reconnected flux, ∆ rec , and magnetic field strength, B CME , to increased outward Lorentz force, ∆F r . To better understand recon­nection's role in CME dynamics, we analyze two snapshots from a 2.5D, MHD simulation of a breakout eruption. Outward Lorentz forces increase substantially as reconnection proceeds, caused primarily by "flank currents," which flow just inside the boundary of the rising ejection's wake and parallel to its axis. This model's reconnection jet also alters the ejection's internal structure, an effect that could be sought in observations. Analyzing reconnection-induced Lorentz forces in 3D simulations could provide additional insights into CME dynamics.

Magnetic Reconnection↗

Comparative Atmospheric Corrosion Behavior of a Mild Steel and an Interstitial Free Steel

The present work discusses the effect of structure and morphology of rust on the corrosion behavior of a mild steel and an interstitial free steel exposed to open atmosphere for 2 years involving extreme weather conditions, where temperature varies from 2-3 to 45 °C, rainfall varies from 10 to 320 mm and humidity varies from ~ 20 to 75%. Effect of duration of atmospheric exposure, change in morphological characteristics of rust, and atmospheric parameters, such as temperature, humidity, rain and SO{sub 2} content on the corrosion behavior of both the steels was analyzed. Corrosion resistance of the interstitial free steel was better than the mild steel due to lower carbon content and better compactness of the rusts formed on the interstitial free steel.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Overview of NASARTI (NASA Radiation Track Image) Program: Highlights of the Model Improvement and the New Results

This presentation summarizes several years of research done by the co-authors developing the NASARTI (NASA Radiation Track Image) program and supporting it with scientific data. The goal of the program is to support NASA mission to achieve a safe space travel for humans despite the perils of space radiation. The program focuses on selected topics in radiation biology that were deemed important throughout this period of time, both for the NASA human space flight program and to academic radiation research. Besides scientific support to develop strategies protecting humans against an exposure to deep space radiation during space missions, and understanding health effects from space radiation on astronauts, other important ramifications of the ionizing radiation were studied with the applicability to greater human needs: understanding the origins of cancer, the impact on human genome, and the application of computer technology to biological research addressing the health of general population. The models under NASARTI project include: the general properties of ionizing radiation, such as particular track structure, the effects of radiation on human DNA, visualization and the statistical properties of DSBs (DNA double-strand breaks), DNA damage and repair pathways models and cell phenotypes, chromosomal aberrations, microscopy data analysis and the application to human tissue damage and cancer models. The development of the GUI and the interactive website, as deliverables to NASA operations teams and tools for a broader research community, is discussed. Most recent findings in the area of chromosomal aberrations and the application of the stochastic track structure are also presented.

Ponomarev, Artem L.↗

Projections on structures and material strength in the computational context

The ideas associated with the subsequent viewgraphs are summarized. The primary motivation behind this presentation is to observe that certain macroscopic, microscopic, and submicroscopic phenomena are being understood that have basic influence on understanding the durability and high temperature sensitivity of polymers and polymer-based composites. This understanding covers important issues of long term stability with respect to residual stresses and deformations which can have very deleterious effects on structures used for long periods of time as a result of the heat-involving manufacturing process. Beyond this, important progress is being made in understanding the nonlinear material response of polymers in the fracture context, because the nonlinear mechanics of the material at the tip of a crack, either propagating or ready to do so, is being understood with increasing precision.

Knauss, Wolfgang G.↗

Effect of Welding Parameters on Junction Structure and Fracture Behavior of Friction-Stir-Welded Joints of 2024 Aluminum Alloys

In this paper, the effect of welding speed and tool rotation speed on the junction structure and fracture behavior of friction-stir-welded joints was investigated with use of 2024 aluminum alloys of 3.2 mm thick. Results show that the formation of junction structure is more affected by tool rotation speed than by welding speed due to the differences of heat input levels. When welding speed is at 100 mm/min and tool rotation speed is in the range of 400-600 r/min, the joint junction structure causes complete bonding with no welding defects. While under improper welding parameters, the junction structure causes the precipitate aggregation on the bonding line and the partial bonding with the appearance of both tunnel defects and kissing bond defects. Meanwhile, the results of tensile tests show that the tensile fracture of all FSW joints occur at the weld center. The failure mode of joints with defects-free junction structure characterized by shear fracture is ductile. While the failure mode of joints with defects-existent junction structure characterized by layered fracture surface is brittle. Furthermore, that heterogeneous microstructure, precipitate aggregation and welding defects converge inside the junction structure is the main factor affecting the tensile properties and fracture behavior of the friction-stir-welded joint.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structure-Property Study of Piezoelectricity in Polyimides

High performance piezoelectric polymers are of interest to NASA as they may be useful for a variety of sensor applications. Over the past few years research on piezoelectric polymers has led to the development of promising high temperature piezoelectric responses in some novel polyimides. In this study, a series of polyimides have been studied with systematic variations in the diamine monomers that comprise the polyimide while holding the dianhydride constant. The effect of structural changes, including variations in the nature and concentration of dipolar groups, on the remanent polarization and piezoelectric coefficient is examined. Fundamental structure-piezoelectric property insight will enable the molecular design of polymers possessing distinct improvements over state-of-the-art piezoelectric polymers including enhanced polarization, polarization stability at elevated temperatures, and improved processability.

Ounaies, Zoubeida↗

Observation of light-driven band structure via multiband high-harmonic spectroscopy

Intense light–matter interactions have revolutionized our ability to probe and manipulate quantum systems at sub-femtosecond timescales, opening routes to the all-optical control of electronic currents in solids at petahertz rates. Such control typically requires electric-field amplitudes in the range of almost volts per angstrom, when the voltage drop across a lattice site becomes comparable to the characteristic bandgap energies. In this regime, intense light–matter interaction induces notable modifications to the electronic and optical properties, dramatically modifying the crystal band structure. Yet, identifying and characterizing such modifications remain an outstanding problem. As the oscillating electric field changes within the driving field’s cycle, does the band structure follow and how can it be defined? Here we address this fundamental question, proposing all-optical spectroscopy to probe the laser-induced closing of the bandgap between adjacent conduction bands. Our work reveals the link between nonlinear light–matter interactions in strongly driven crystals and the sub-cycle modifications in their effective band structure.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

1q21.1 distal copy number variants are associated with cerebral and cognitive alterations in humans

Low-frequency 1q21.1 distal deletion and duplication copy number variant (CNV) carriers are predisposed to multiple neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia, autism and intellectual disability. Human carriers display a high prevalence of micro- and macrocephaly in deletion and duplication carriers, respectively. The underlying brain structural diversity remains largely unknown. We systematically called CNVs in 38 cohorts from the large-scale ENIGMA-CNV collaboration and the UK Biobank and identified 28 1q21.1 distal deletion and 22 duplication carriers and 37,088 non-carriers (48% male) derived from 15 distinct magnetic resonance imaging scanner sites. With standardized methods, we compared subcortical and cortical brain measures (all) and cognitive performance (UK Biobank only) between carrier groups also testing for mediation of brain structure on cognition. We identified positive dosage effects of copy number on intracranial volume (ICV) and total cortical surface area, with the largest effects in frontal and cingulate cortices, and negative dosage effects on caudate and hippocampal volumes. The carriers displayed distinct cognitive deficit profiles in cognitive tasks from the UK Biobank with intermediate decreases in duplication carriers and somewhat larger in deletion carriers—the latter potentially mediated by ICV or cortical surface area. These results shed light on pathobiological mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders, by demonstrating gene dose effect on specific brain structures and effect on cognitive function.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Effect of surface topography on structural growth of thick sputtered films

Primarily thick sputtered S-Monel, silver, and 304 stainless steel coatings were deposited on mica, glass, and metal substrates with various surface finishes to investigate the structural growth of the coating by scanning electron microscopy. Compositional changes within the coating were analyzed by X-ray dispersion microscopy. Defects in the surface finish act as preferential nucleation sites and form isolated and complex nodules and various surface overgrowths in the coating. These nodules do not disappear after full annealing. Further, they have undesirable effects on mechanial properties; cracks are initiated at the nodules when the coating is stressed by mechanical forces. These effects are illustrated by micrographs. Nodular growth within a coating can be minimized or eliminated by reducing the surface roughness.

Spalvins, T.↗

Piezoceramic Actuator Placement for Acoustic Control of Panels

Optimum placement of multiple traditional piezoceramic actuators is determined for active structural acoustic control of flat panels. The structural acoustic response is determined using acoustic radiation filters and structural surface vibration characteristics. Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) control is utilized to determine the optimum state feedback gain for active structural acoustic control. The optimum actuator location is determined by minimizing the structural acoustic radiated noise using a modified genetic algorithm. Experimental tests are conducted and compared to analytical results. Anisotropic piezoceramic actuators exhibit enhanced performance when compared to traditional isotropic piezoceramic actuators. As a result of the inherent isotropy, these advanced actuators develop strain along the principal material axis. The orientation of anisotropic actuators is investigated on the effect of structural vibration and acoustic control of curved and flat panels. A fully coupled shallow shell finite element formulation is developed to include anisotropic piezoceramic actuators for shell structures.

Bevan, Jeffrey S.↗

Piezoceramic Actuator Placement for Acoustic Control of Panels

Optimum placement of multiple traditional piezoceramic actuators is determined for active structural acoustic control of flat panels. The structural acoustic response is determined using acoustic radiation filters and structural surface vibration characteristics. Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) control is utilized to determine the optimum state feedback gain for active structural acoustic control. The optimum actuator location is determined by minimizing the structural acoustic radiated noise using a modified genetic algorithm. Experimental tests are conducted and compared to analytical results. Anisotropic piezoceramic actuators exhibits enhanced performance when compared to traditional isotropic piezoceramic actuators. As a result of the inherent isotropy, these advanced actuators develop strain along the principal material axis. The orientation of anisotropic actuators is investigated on the effect of structural vibration and acoustic control of curved and flat panels. A fully coupled shallow shell finite element formulation is developed to include anisotropic piezoceramic actuators for shell structures.

Bevan, Jeffrey S.↗