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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Droplets Generated from a new OGEE shaped, liquid, air-shear, electrostatic nozzle

A series of experimental tests was carried out on an 'OGEE' shaped planform, liquid air-shear electrostatic nozzle. Liquid was ejected from the upper surface of the nozzle and was then dispersed and atomized efficiently by a high speed air flow passing over the nozzle and by the effect of two very strong coherent air vortices generated by the 'OGEE' shaped nozzle surface. Initial test results which are presented show the nozzle to perform far superior to a similar delta wing shaped design which is used extensively in various industries applications.

Inculet, I. I.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A simple kinetic theory of auroral arc scales

A kinetic theory of the origins of the auroral arc scale spectrum is presented in this paper. The conceptual basis of the theory is current conservation in a turbulent plasma at the magnetospheric equatorial region in which a field-aligned current is generated and the local electrostatic potential structure is forced to adjust to the presence of the field-aligned current. This simple model uses an ad hoc Ohm's law relationship between the perpendicular current and the perpendicular electric field, but with a negative conductance in the generator region so that J(perpendicular) x E(perpendicular) is less than 0. An exact solution of a simple model of the concept yields a bistatic auroral generator for which multiple-arc formation is predicted if the field-aligned current exceeds a critical value. The predicted scale spectrum is inversely proportional to the square root of the field-aligned current strength spectrum.

Chiu, Y. T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Earth's bowshock and its vicinity

Phenomena associated with the bowshock, such as its thickness, velocity, and associated waves are described. There are transverse waves radiating away from the shock and at times stationary waves fixed to it. Reflected protons generate waves far upstream. Electrostatic waves occur in the shock.

Northrop, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Qualification model spacecraft tests for DEMP, SGEMP, and ESD effects

The development of a satellite design demonstration test program is described. The test approach is comprehensive in that it includes the effects from electrostatic discharge (ESD), system generated electromagnetic pulse (SGEMP), as well as dispersed electromagnetic pulses (DEMP). The comprehensive test concept is based on the similarity of the satellite's response to several environments.

Chivington, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Coherent generation of the terrestrial kilometric radiation by nonlinear beatings between electrostatic waves

The propagation of electrostatic plasma waves in an inhomogeneous and magnetized plasma was studied. These waves, which are driven unstable by auroral beams of electrons, are shown to suffer a further geometrical amplification while they propagate towards resonances. Simultaneously, their group velocities tend to be aligned with the geomagnetic field. It is shown that the electrostatic energy tends to accumulate at, or near omega sub LH and omega sub UH, the local lower and upper hybrid frequencies. Due to this process, large amplitude electrostatic waves with very narrow spectra are observed near these frequencies at any place along the auroral field lines where intense beam driven instability takes place. These intense quasi-monochromatic electrostatic waves are shown to give rise to an intense electromagnetic radiation. Depending upon the ratio omega sub pe/omega sub ce between the electron plasma frequency and the electron gyro-frequency the electromagnetic wave can be radiated in the ordinary mode (at omega sub UH), or in the extraordinary (at 2 omega sub UH). As the ratio omega sub pe/omega sub ce tends to be rather small, it is shown that the most intense radiation should be boserved at 2 omega sub UH in the extraordinary mode.

Roux, A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A broadband VLF burst associated with ring current electrons

A determination is made of the source of a broadband VLF burst observed during the inbound plasmapause crossing of the explorer 45 spacecraft on April 2, 1972 in the late stage of a geomagnetic storm. Electric and magnetic receiver data from the satellite were spectrally analyzed, showing a 1-3 kHz whistler component and an emission broadening event comprising enhancement of the 1.0 and 1.78 kHz electric field intensities by several orders of magnitude. A corresponding and simulaneous enhancement of the ring current electrons was observed. The emission band spreading was attributed to the generation of quasi-electrostatic short wavelength whistler mode emissions by hot bi-maxwellian electrons surging into the domain of low density magnetized cold plasma. The inner edge of the plasma sheet, which was the source of the electrons, was not far from the event.

Maeda, K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Computer-generated formulas for three-center nuclear-attraction integrals (electrostatic potential) for Slater-type orbitals

The computer-assisted C-matrix, Loewdin-alpha-function, single-center expansion method in spherical harmonics has been applied to the three-center nuclear-attraction integral (potential due to the product of separated Slater-type orbitals). Exact formulas are produced for 13 terms of an infinite series that permits evaluation to ten decimal digits of an example using 1s orbitals.

Jones, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Transverse acceleration of oxygen ions by electromagnetic ion cyclotron resonance with broad band left-hand polarized waves

Central plasma sheet (CPS) ion conics are oxygen-dominated, with peak energies ranging from tens to hundreds of eV centered around pitch-angles between 115 and 130 degrees. Because of the lack of correlation between the CPS conics and the observed currents and/or electron beam-like structures, it is not likely that all of these conics are generated by interactions with electrostatic ion cyclotron waves or lower hybrid waves. Instead, it is suggested that the observed intense broad band electric field fluctuations in the frequency range between 0 and 100 Hz can be responsible for the transverse energization of the ions through cyclotron resonance heating with the left-hand polarized electromagnetic waves. This process is much more efficient for heating the oxygen ions than hydrogen ions, thus providing a plausible explanation of the oxygen dominance in CPS conics. Simple algebraic expressions are given from which estimates of conic energy and pitch angle can be easily calculated. This suggested mechanism can also provide some preheating of the oxygen ions in the boundary plasma sheet (BPS) where discrete aurorae form.

Chang, T.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Plasma issues associated with the use of electrodynamic tethers

The use of an electrodynamic tether to generate power or thrust on the space station raises important plasma issues associted with the current flow. In addition to the issue of current closure through the space station, high power tethers (equal to or greater than tens of kilowatts) require the use of plasma contactors to enhance the current flow. They will generate large amounts of electrostatic turbulence in the vicinity of the space station. This is because the contactors work best when a large amount of current driven turbulence is excited. Current work is reviewed and future directions suggested.

Hastings, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Electric potential distributions at the interface between plasmasheet clouds

At the interface between two plasma clouds with different densities, temperatures, and/or bulk velocities, there are large charge separation electric fields which can be modeled in the framework of a collisionless theory for tangential discontinuities. Two different classes of layers were identified: the first one corresponds to (stable) ion layers which are thicker than one ion Lamor radius; the second one corresponds to (unstable) electron layers which are only a few electron Larmor radii thick. It is suggested that these thin electron layers with large electric potential gradients (up to 400 mV/m) are the regions where large-amplitude electrostatic waves are spontaneously generated. These waves scatter the pitch angles of the ambient plasmasheet electron into the atmospheric loss cone. The unstable electron layers can therefore be considered as the seat of strong pitch angle scattering for the primary auroral electrons.

Evans, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Automated seed manipulation and planting

The Mechanical Division fabricated three seed separators utilizing pressure gradients to move and separate wheat seeds. These separators are called minnow buckets and use air, water, or a combination of both to generate the pressure gradient. Electrostatic fields were employed in the seed separator constructed by the Electrical Division. This separator operates by forcing a temporary electric dipole on the wheat seeds and using charged electrodes to attract and move the seeds. Seed delivery to the hydroponic growth tray is accomplished by the seed cassette. The cassette is compatible with all the seed separators, and it consists of a plastic tube threaded with millipore filter paper. During planting operations, the seeds are placed in an empty cassette. The loaded cassette is then placed in the growth tray and nutrient solution provided. The solution wets the filter paper and capillary action draws the nutrients up to feed the seeds. These seeding systems were tested and showed encouraging results. Seeds were effectively separated and the cassette can support the growth of wheat plants. Problems remaining to be investigated include improving the success of delivering the seeds to the cassette and providing adequate spacing between seeds for the electric separator.

Garcia, Ray↗
NASA NTRS2010

Active Dust Mitigation Technology for Thermal Radiators for Lunar Exploration

Dust accumulation on thermal radiator surfaces planned for lunar exploration will significantly reduce their efficiency. Evidence from the Apollo missions shows that an insulating layer of dust accumulated on radiator surfaces could not be removed and caused serious thermal control problems. Temperatures measured at different locations in the magnetometer on Apollo 12 were 38 C warmer than expected due to lunar dust accumulation. In this paper, we report on the application of the Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) technology being developed in our NASA laboratory and applied to thermal radiator surfaces. The EDS uses electrostatic and dielectrophoretic forces generated by a grid of electrodes running a 2 micro A electric current to remove dust particles from surfaces. Working prototypes of EDS systems on solar panels and on thermal radiators have been successfully developed and tested at vacuum with clearing efficiencies above 92%. For this work EDS prototypes on flexible and rigid thermal radiators were developed and tested at vacuum.

Calle, C. I.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Characterizing Electrical Arc Behavior in Ion Engines

Gridded ion engines represent a class of electric thrusters characterized by high propulsive efficiency and high total impulse capabilities. These engines operate by applying high voltage to multi-aperture electrodes, thereby electrostatically accelerating plasma to generate thrust. Within the course of normal operations, periodic occurrences of high voltage breakdowns manifest within the thruster. These breakdowns constitute an inherent aspect of operation, with observations indicating a diminishing frequency and total count over the thruster's operational lifespan. To safeguard the propulsion system during such occurrences, the power processing unit (PPU) employs an automated arc extinction sequence, termed "recycle," which is triggered upon detection of an over-current condition. The initial phase of this sequence involves momentarily deactivating the high voltage and reducing the discharge current to a predetermined level, minimizing plasma impingement as the ion beam is defocused. The high voltage is subsequently reapplied, and the discharge current is returned to its nominal value. The entire sequence typically spans approximately 800 milliseconds. Throughout a recycle event, the propulsion system experiences various current and voltage transients as the arc current traverses the system and different power supplies are toggled on and off.

electric propulsion↗
NASA NTRS1976

The Tethered Balloon Current Generator - A space shuttle-tethered subsatellite for plasma studies and power generation

The objectives of the Tethered Balloon Current Generator experiment are to: (1) generate relatively large regions of thermalized, field-aligned currents, (2) produce controlled-amplitude Alfven waves, (3) study current-driven electrostatic plasma instabilities, and (4) generate substantial amounts of power or propulsion through the MHD interaction. A large balloon (a diameter of about 30 m) will be deployed with a conducting surface above the space shuttle at a distance of about 10 km. For a generally eastward directed orbit at an altitude near 400 km, the balloon, connected to the shuttle by a conducting wire, will be positive with respect to the shuttle, enabling it to collect electrons. At the same time, the shuttle will collect positive ions and, upon command, emit an electron beam to vary current flow in the system.

Williamson, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Polarization of the impulsive signals observed in the nightside ionosphere of Venus

The impulsive plasma wave bursts detected by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter electric field detector in the nightside ionosphere of Venus have been attributed to atmospheric lightning. However, it has also been argued that the wave bursts are generated locally by plasma instabilities. The waves associated with local instabilities are most probably electrostatic in nature, while lightning-generated waves should be whistler mode waves, at least at the lowest frequencies. It is shown that for typical ionospheric parameters the whistler mode wave electric field should be polarized predominantly perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. It is shown that the 100-Hz waves are polarized perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field provided the data are restricted to those intervals in which the magnetic field is sufficiently far from horizontal to allow vertical propagation within the whistler mode resonance cone. The 100-Hz waves detected outside of the resonance cone are polarized parallel to the magnetic field, as are the waves at higher frequency. The waves consequently fall into two classes: whistler mode waves which are most likely due to atmospheric lightning, and a mode that is polarized parallel to the ambient field. This latter mode may be analogous to the anomalous parallel polarized wave fields detected in the terrestrial ionosphere above thunderstorms.

Strangeway, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Mechanism for generation of 2-3 kHz radiation in the outer heliosphere

The question of how low-frequency non-thermal radio emissions at the boundary of the heliosphere might be generated is considered. The mechanism consists of two steps. First, the beam of energetic electrons generates a high level of electrostatic Langmuir plasma waves. Second, electromagnetic radiation results from the non-linear interaction between Langmuir waves. Intensity of radio emissions at 2 to 3 kHz detected by the Voyager plasma wave instrument in the outer heliosphere can be explained provided that the electron beams generating Langmuir waves exist also in the postshock plasma due to secondary shocks in the compressed solar wind beyond the termination shock. Modification of the heliospheric shocks by the cosmic ray pressure is also taken into account. The field strengths of Langmuir waves required to generate the second harmonic emissions are of 50 to 100 microvolts per meter. These waves may be observed in situ by Voyager 1 and 2 in the near future.

Macek, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Simultaneous excitation of broadband electrostatic noise and electron cyclotron waves in the plasma sheet

Electron cyclotron harmonics and broadband electrostatic noise (BEN) are often observed in the earth's outer plasma sheet. While it is well known that ion beams in the plasma sheet boundary layer can generate BEN, new two-dimensional electrostatic simulations show that field-aligned ion beams with a small perpendicular ring distribution can drive not only BEN, but also electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves simultaneously. Simulation results are presented here using detailed diagnostics of wave properties, including dispersion relations of all wave modes.

Berchem, Jean P.↗