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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 127 records · Page 7

Semiautomatic Probe-And-Drogue Attachment Mechanism

Spring-loaded pawls provide quick coupling. As probe enters drogue during coupling, three spring-loaded pawls in probe latch probe in drogue, preventing accidental uncoupling. Then worm-gear mechanism turned by standard 0.25-in. (6.35-mm) tool transfers motion to central threaded shaft, extending cap at tip of probe until all play taken up. This centers probe in drogue and renders coupling pawls to extend again. New mechanism useful for coupling modular components in other applications where ease and security of attachment, precise final alignment, and ease of removal important and where stresses and bending reasonably low.

Wanagas, John D.↗

Quantification of electrochemical-mechanical coupling in lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion battery safety and durability by nature are dependent on electrochemical and mechanical coupling. Interdisciplinary efforts are required to understand and quantify coupling behaviors. Here we design and conduct mechanically constrained charge and discharge characterizations with efforts supported by multiphysics modeling to unravel the coupling mechanisms of solid-liquid electrode-electrolyte and solid-solid active materials in lithium-ion batteries. We demonstrate that a lithium-ion battery cell under mechanical constraint exhibits a higher voltage during charging and a shorter charging time because of increased electrolyte resistance and decreased diffusivity caused by decreased electrode porosity. The reaction force response of the cell is a combined result of the cell structural response mechanically and lithium-ion intercalation/de-intercalation-induced volume variation electrochemically. Under mechanical constraint, cell capacity is significantly reduced in fast-charge scenarios; however, it can be recovered by a constant-voltage charge protocol. The results highlight the promise of multiphysics approaches to unravel the electrochemical-mechanical coupling mechanisms to direct battery system design and management.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Multiscale Reactive Model for 1,3,5-Triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene Inferred by Reactive MD Simulations and Unsupervised Learning

When high-energy-density materials are subjected to thermal or mechanical insults at extreme conditions (shock loading), a coupled response between the thermo-mechanical and chemical behaviors is systematically induced. Herein we develop a reaction model for the fast chemistry of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) at the mesoscopic scale, where the chemical behavior is determined by underlying microscopic reactive simulations. The slow carbon cluster formation is not discussed in the present work. All-atom reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed with the ReaxFF potential, and a reduced-order chemical kinetics model for TATB is fitted to isothermal and adiabatic simulations of single crystal chemical decomposition. Unsupervised machine learning techniques based on non-negative matrix factorization are applied to MD trajectories to model the decomposition kinetics of TATB in terms of a four-component model. The associated heats of reaction are fit to the temperature evolution from adiabatic decomposition trajectories. Using a chemical species analysis, we show that non-negative matrix factorization captures the main chemical decomposition steps of TATB and provides an accurate estimation of their evolution with temperature. The final analytical formulation, coupled to a diffusion term, is incorporated into a continuum formalism, and simulation results are compared one-to-one against MD simulations of 1D reaction propagation along different crystallographic directions and with different initial temperatures. A good agreement is found for both the temporal and spatial evolution of the temperature field.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Action at a distance: The remarkable coupling of CO 2 uptake to electron transfer in specialized cyanobacterial NDH-1 complexes

Cyanobacteria achieve highly efficient photosynthesis using a CO 2 -concentrating mechanism relying on specialized Type I (NDH-1) complexes. Among these, NDH-1 3 and NDH-1 4 catalyze redox-coupled hydration of CO 2 to bicarbonate, supporting carbon fixation in carboxysomes. The mechanism of coupling electron transfer to CO 2 -hydration by these variant NDH-1 complexes remains unknown. We engineered a Synechococcus PCC7942 strain that expresses exclusively the high flux/low affinity NDH-14 complex, enabling the observation of the coupling of CO 2 hydration to cyclic electron flow in isolation from the other NDH-1 isoforms normally present in cells. We found that inhibition of the CupB protein by the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor ethoxzolamide (EZ) suppressed CO 2 uptake, slowed photosystem I rereduction, and abolished proton pumping as probed by acridine orange fluorescence. These effects were absent in strains lacking Cup proteins, confirming specificity. The results demonstrate that CO 2 hydration and electron transfer through NDH-14 are tightly coupled via proton translocation across the thylakoid membrane. These findings provide direct evidence for the bidirectional interaction in bioenergetic coupling between the plastoquinone reduction and the CO 2 uptake at the distal Zn-site over a span of ~150 Å and support a proton-removal hypothesis involving the proton transfer pathways from the Zn-site of CO2 hydration to an energetically coupled proton loading site evolutionarily repurposed from the ancestral proton pumping mechanism to enable energetic CO 2 uptake.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Design and analysis of a ten-turbine floating wind farm with shared mooring lines

This paper discusses the development and analysis of a novel design for a 10-turbine floating wind farm with shared mooring lines. Shared mooring lines tether adjacent floating platforms together, reducing the number of anchors required but increasing system complexity. We present a systematic, multistage design process for shared mooring systems, involving linearized analysis of array layout options, quasi-static mooring line optimization, and design refinement based on coupled dynamic loads analysis. The design developed from this process is thought to represent one of the most advantageous shared-mooring configurations for this scale of floating wind array. It features perpendicular anchor line pairs and allows shared, multiline anchors, making it an example of a shared-mooring-and-anchor array. Comparing the performance and cost characteristics of the shared-mooring design with more conventional three-line individual mooring systems shows equivalent dynamic response characteristics and stationkeeping system cost savings of 25% when using shared mooring lines and shared anchors. The design is also advantageous in the case of a mooring line failure, with offsets and redundancy characteristics similar to four-line individual mooring systems.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Control of Output Power in Primary Side LCC and Secondary Series Tuned Wireless Power Transfer System without Secondary Side Sensors

The output power of a wireless power transfer (WPT) system varies with load and coupling factor of the inductively coupled coils. This paper presents a method to control the output power of primary side LCC and secondary side series tuned WPT system using information of primary side variables. In this approach, a secondary side control system or secondary side sensors are not needed. Detailed mathematical derivations are given to identify and justify the suitable primary side variable that accomplishes the desired purpose without the need of any secondary side communications. Simulation results presented validate the proposed scheme.

Mukherjee, Subho↗

Propylamine Functionalized Porous Fiber Sorbents with High Oxidation Stability for Direct Air Capture

Amine-based sorbents are highly effective for direct air capture (DAC) due to their excellent CO2 capture efficiency under ultra-dilute conditions. However, these sorbents can suffer degradation when exposed to combinations of heat, oxygen, and other atmospheric components, indicating a need for improved sorbent stability. In this study, we developed amidoxime functionalized polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1-AO) fibers with tethered amines, specifically tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA) and tris(3-aminopropyl)amine (TAPA), denoted as PIM-1-AO-TAEA and PIM-1-AO-TAPA, respectively. In addition, large scale sorbent fiber spinning has been successfully performed by producing meters of fibers in the lab. We demonstrated that substituting TAEA with TAPA, which has propyl chains instead of ethyl chains, reduces oxidative degradation under regeneration conditions. The findings revealed that PIM-1-AO-TAPA not only significantly outperforms PIM-1-AO-TAEA after accelerated aging process, but also outperforms any other sorbent used in DAC aged under similar conditions. Moreover, PIM-1-AO-TAPA sorbent fibers showed one of the highest amine efficiencies (0.25) considering the low amine loading (21%) coupled with robust CO2 uptake performance (1.12 mmol/g) under DAC conditions.

amine-based sorbent↗

High-tip-speed fiber composite compressor blades: Vibration and strength analysis

An analytical procedure is described which couples composite mechanics computer codes with NASTRAN. This procedure was used to perform a detailed analysis of a high-tip-speed fiber composite compressor fan blade. The results indicate that the various vibration modes of this blade are highly coupled. Mechanical load ply stresses are well below the corresponding room temperature strengths. Lamination residual stresses are likely to cause transply cracks and interply delamination. Transply cracks and relaxation of root fixity decrease the vibrational frequencies whereas centrifugal stiffening increases them. Comparisons of results for various parameters are presented in tabular and graphical form.

Chamis, C. C.↗

High-tip-speed fiber composite compressor blades - Vibration and strength analyses

An analytical procedure is described which couples composite mechanics computer codes with NASTRAN. This procedure was used to perform a detailed analysis of a high-tip-speed fiber composite compressor fan blade. The results indicate that the various vibration modes of this blade are highly coupled. Mechanical load ply stresses are well below the corresponding room temperature strengths. Lamination residual stresses are likely to cause transply cracks and interply delamination. Transply cracks and relaxation of root fixity decrease the vibrational frequencies whereas centrifugal stiffening increases them. Comparisons of results for various parameters are presented in tabular and graphical form.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Our contaminated atmosphere: The danger of climate change, phases 1 and 2

The effects of increased concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter on average surface temperature and on the components of the earth's radiation budget are studied. An atmospheric model which couples particulate loading to surface temperature and to changes in the earth's radiation budget was used. A determination of the feasibility of using satellites to monitor the effect of increased atmospheric particulate concentrations is performed. It was found that: (1) a change in man-made particulate loading of a factor of 4 is sufficient to initiate an ice age; (2) variations in the global and hemispheric weighted averages of surface temperature, reflected radiant fluz and emitted radiant flux are nonlinear functions of particulate loading; and (3) a black satellite sphere meets the requirement of night time measurement sensitivity, but not the required day time sensitivity. A nonblack, spherical radiometer whose external optical properties are sensitive to either the reflected radiant fluz or the emitted radiant flux meets the observational sensitivity requirements.

Cimorelli, A. J.↗

The controlled growth method - A tool for structural optimization

An adaptive design variable linking scheme in a NLP based optimization algorithm is proposed and evaluated for feasibility of application. The present scheme, based on an intuitive effectiveness measure for each variable, differs from existing methodology in that a single dominant variable controls the growth of all others in a prescribed optimization cycle. The proposed method is implemented for truss assemblies and a wing box structure for stress, displacement and frequency constraints. Substantial reduction in computational time, even more so for structures under multiple load conditions, coupled with a minimal accompanying loss in accuracy, vindicates the algorithm.

Hajela, P.↗

Efficacy of phosphatidylcholine in the modulation of motion sickness susceptibility

This study evaluated the efficacy of pharmacological doses of phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) in the modulation of motion sickness induced by exposure to coriolis stimulation in a rotating chair. Subjects received daily dietary supplements of 25 grams of lecithin (90 percent phosphatidylcholine) and were tested for their susceptibility to motion sickness after 4 h, 2 d, and 21 d. A small but statistically significant increase in susceptibility (+15 percent) was noted 4 h after supplemental phosphatidylcholine, with four of nine subjects demonstrating a marked increase in susceptibility. This finding was attributed to choline's stimulatory action on cholinergic systems, an action which opposes that of the classical antimotion sickness drug scopolamine. Chronic lecithin loading revealed a trend towards reduced susceptibility, possibly indicating the occurrence of adaptive mechanisms such as receptor down-regulation. Withdrawal from lecithin loading, perhaps coupled with anticholinergic treatment, might prove to be a potent prophylactic regimen and ought to be tested.

Kohl, R. L.↗

Prediction and experimental observation of damage dependent damping in laminated composite beams

The equations of motion are developed for laminated composite beams with load-induced matrix cracking. The damage is accounted for by utilizing internal state variables. The net result of these variables on the field equations is the introduction of both enhanced damping, and degraded stiffness. Both quantities are history dependent and spatially variable, thus resulting in nonlinear equations of motion. It is explained briefly how these equations may be quasi-linearized for laminated polymeric composites under certain types of structural loading. The coupled heat conduction equation is developed, and it is shown that an enhanced Zener damping effect is produced by the introduction of microstructural damage. The resulting equations are utilized to demonstrate how damage dependent material properties may be obtained from dynamic experiments. Finaly, experimental results are compared to model predictions for several composite layups.

Allen, D. H.↗

Gust-Tunnel Investigation to Determine the Load at the Joint of a Coupled Airplane Configuration Encountering a Gust

An investigation has been made in the Langley gust tunnel with two identical airplane models approximating 1/40-scale models of the B-29, coupled in tandem with a boom so that the individual centers of gravity were equidistant from the single coupling joint at the tail of the lead airplane. Time histories of the boom joint load were obtained as the models were flown through a gust. The results indicate that on a similar configuration involving airplanes the size of B-29 airplanes a load on the boom joint of 10,000 to 14,000 pounds could be induced by encountering a gust of 50 feet per second and having a gradient distance of 17 chords, at a forward speed of 380 feet per second and that the total load is extremely sensitive to the steadiness of flight that can be maintained with or without a gust. It is felt that the results are probably satisfactory to show order of magnitude, but it does not appear possible that a precise determination of the joint load that would be applicable to the full-scale airplanes can be obtained by gust-tunnel tests.

Cahen, George L.↗

Use of the NLP10x10 Sequential Quadratic Programming Algorithm To Solve Rotorcraft Hub Loads Minimisation Problems

Previous research and experimentation on the use of a non-linear programming constrained optimisation technique to define an optimal control vector for rotorcraft applications indicated that use of this methodology was feasible and desirable in many cases. In particular, use of non-linear programming methods that solve a sequence of related quadratic-programming sub-problems were used successfully to solve these problems. Accordingly, a licence for one of the latest versions of Professor Klaus Schittkowskis very successful Sequential Quadratic Programming NLPQLP software was obtained and used to experiment with and analyse typical optimisation problems of the type encountered in various rotorcraft wind tunnel and flight tests. This research resulted in the development of the general NLPQLP Computation System that could be used to solve problems of the type encountered in various rotorcraft applications where there is a linear dependence of the measurement vector on the control vector, and where equality andor inequality constraints might be imposed. This development was accomplished on a mainframe computer not part of actual wind tunnel andor flight-test experiment, but in a format which was transferable to wind tunnel lap-top computers. Emphasis was directed toward obtaining efficiency, robustness and speed in computation.The System was developed in support of the five-bladed SMART Rotor Active Flap Rotor Hub Loads analytical minimisation research. The design and development of the Computation System was tailored to address the particular requirements of the problem to minimise a performance metric function of measured hub load harmonic angular couple components by optimising the control vector harmonic flap angular couple components subject to constraints on the amplitudes of these control vector harmonic flap angular couple components. In addition, to facilitate real time wind tunnel experimentation, the ability to rapidly selectchange the particular hub load harmonic angular couple components andor the particular control vector harmonic angular couple components to be considered in the optimisation procedure was provided in the System. This capability allows the singling out of particular hub load frequencies andor particular flap angle frequencies to be analysed during testing operations. The System was used very successfully for the SMART Active Flap Rotor Hub minimisation problems considered in the study, the results of which were presented at the American Helicopter Society Fifth Decennial Aeromechanics Specialist Conference in January 2014. Excellent agreement between cases initiated with best guess starting estimates for the control vector elements and cases initiated with zero control vector starting element estimates resulted, indicating the robustness of the NLP10x10 algorithm.

Rotorcraft Hub Loads↗

Electrochemical Response of Alkaline Batteries Subject to Quasi-Static and Dynamic Loading

We report electrochemical changes were successfully monitored through the coupling of external loading, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis. The development of the testing methods allows for detailed observation of changes due to mechanical loading and distinguishes responses between different cell geometries. Comparison of the force vs displacement, voltage vs displacement, and distribution of relaxation times plots to the different cell geometries display failure modes specific to geometry as well as the impact of different loading profiles. Numerical modeling confirmed the movement within individual cells and predicted locations with the most deformation based on the external loading condition applied. The results gathered from combining mechanical loading, electrochemical response, and numerical modeling, yield a viable approach to establishing an improved understanding of the effects of mechanical loading on the electrochemical response of multiple battery geometries and the methods herein may be extensible to additional battery chemistries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Structural shape optimization in multidisciplinary system synthesis

Structural shape optimization couples with other discipline optimization in the design of complex engineering systems. For instance, the wing structural weight and elastic deformations couple to aerodynamic loads and aircraft performance through drag. This coupling makes structural shape optimization a subtask in the overall vehicle synthesis. Decomposition methods for optimization and sensitivity analysis allow the specialized disciplinary methods to be used while the disciplines are temporarily decoupled, after which the interdisciplinary couplings are restored at the system level. Application of decomposition methods to structures-aerodynamics coupling in aircraft is outlined and illustrated with a numerical example of a transport aircraft. It is concluded that these methods may integrate structural and aerodynamic shape optimizations with the unified objective of the maximum aircraft performance.

Sobieszczanski-Sobieski, Jaroslaw↗