Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “morphological stability”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

The Effect of Growth Rate on Interface Morphology

Since significantly different solidification structures of a given alloy can be obtained by varying experimental growth rates, it is desirable to understand the basic factors which control the formation and stability of these microstructures when conditions are altered. Directional solidification experiments are described and the results obtained in metallic and transparent organic systems are presented. Emphasis is on the characteristics of dendritic structures obtained under different solidification conditions. Specifically, the effect of the growth rate on the primary dendritic spacing, the secondary dendrite spacing, and the dendrite tip radius is discussed. It is shown that significant changes in the primary spacing are observed when a dendrite to cellular transition takes place at lower velocities. It is found that the primary cellular spacing is much smaller than the primary dendrite spacing so that a maximum in the primary spacing occurs as a function of velocity at the dendrite-cellular transition. A theoretical model is also described which quantitatively explains various microstructural features of dendritic and cellular structures.

Trivedi, R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Evaluating Retrieval Algorithm Climate Stability: Estimating 3D Optical Thickness Bias Distributions by Cloud Type

Detecting climate trends on large spatiotemporal scales requires accurate, stable measurements and stable retrieval algorithms. We strive to estimate how time-variant retrieval algorithm biases may impact trend detection. Here we focus on the 3D cloud optical thickness (τc) bias, which is among the largest in passive cloud retrieval algorithms. If this bias is time dependent, a possibility with potential decadal changes in cloud morphology, it may obscure genuine trends in τc. Although previous studies have evaluated the cloud- and sun-view geometry-dependent 3D τc bias on small spatial scales, before our current study none have evaluated the stability of this well-known bias on climate-relevant large spatiotemporal scales. These studies must estimate large scale distributions of the 3D τc bias by cloud type and estimate how cloud type amount may change between two climate states. We employ a novel approach to estimate large scale distributions of 3D τc using a proxy of the bias that quantifies the departure of clouds from satisfying the 1D radiative transfer assumption used in passive τc retrievals. This existing globally-distributed proxy is an angular consistency metric that was developed using fused Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) measurements. Calculating the 3D τc bias and the proxy, for known cloud fields enables us to establish statistical relationships between these two quantities, which can be used to calculate large-scale distributions of the 3D τc bias. This approach limits the number of 3D radiative transfer simulations required to only those needed to estimate a statistical relationship between the 3D τc bias for known cloud fields and a proxy of the bias. It is likely that future studies will be needed to evaluate retrieval algorithm bias stability for other geophysical variables as the community develops climate data records from satellite observations and their retrievals. This must be done in addition to monitoring and correcting measurement errors and uncertainties and understanding their impact on retrieved essential climate variables.

Yolanda Shea↗
NASA NTRS1982

Long-term thermal degradation and alloying constituent effects on five boron/aluminum composites

Thermal exposure effects on the properties of five boron/aluminum composite systems were experimentally investigated. The composite systems were 49 volume percent boron fibers (203 micron diameter) in aluminum-alloy matrices 1100 Al, 2024 Al, 3003 Al, 5052 Al, and 6061 Al. Specimens were thermally exposed up to 10,000 hours at 500 K and 590 K, up to 500 hours at 730 K, and up to 10,000 hours at 500 K and 590 K, up to 500 hours at 730 K, and up to 2000 thermal cycles between 200 K and 590 K. Composite longitudinal and transverse tensile strengths, longitudinal compression strength, and in-plane shear strength were determined. None of the systems was severely degraded by exposure at 590 K. The best performing system was B-2024 Al. Effects of matrix alloys on degradation mechanisms were experimentally investigated. Composite specimens and individual fibers were metallurgically analyzed with a scanning electron microscope and an electron microprobe to determine failure characteristics, chemical element distribution, and reaction layer morphology. Alloying constituents were found to be affect the composite degradation mechanisms as follows: alloys containing iron, but without manganese as a stabilizer, caused increased low-temperature degradation; alloys containing magnesium, iron, or manganese caused increased degradation; and alloys containing copper caused increased fiber strength.

Olsen, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Determination of semi-arid landscape endmembers and seasonal trends using convex geometry spectral unmixing techniques

Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data were acquired during three consecutive growing seasons (26 September 1989, 22 March 1990, and 7 August 1990) over an area of the High Plains east of Greeley, Colorado (40 deg 20 min N and 104 deg 16 min W). A repeat visit to assess vegetation at its peak growth was flown on 6 June 1993. This region contains extensive eolian deposits in the form of stabilized dune complexes (small scale parabolic dunes superimposed on large scale longitudinal and parabolic dunes). Due to the dunes' large scale (2-10 km) and low relief (1-5 m), the scaling and morphological relationships that contribute to the evolution of this landscape are nearly impossible to understand without the use of remote sensing. Additionally, this area and regions similarly situated could be the first to experience the effects caused by global climate change. During the past 10,000 years there were at least four periods of extensive sand activity due to climate change, followed by periods of landscape stability, as shown in the stratigraphic record of this area.

Yuhas, Roberta H.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Decadal Changes in Barrier Island Facies near Mansfield Pass on Padre Island, Texas from 1950-Present

Barrier islands serve an important role in shielding coastal areas from storms and wave erosion. Monitoring changes in barrier island systems helps understand the effect of storms and sea level rise on the stability of the island. The study area is at Padre Island, near Mansfield Pass, has seen wide-spread changes in surface morphology underpinned by significant growth of vegetation and microbial mats.

Kenton R. Fisher↗
NASA NTRS1989

Buoyancy effects on morphological instability during directional solidification

The onset of morphological instability during the directional solidification of a single-phase binary alloy at constant velocity vertically upwards is treated by a linear stability analysis. The case in which a heavier solute is rejected at the solidifying interface is considered, and the effect of natural convection on the critical concentration for the onset of instability is studied. For tin containing lead, a small destabilization of the system at low growth velocities, and a large increase in the wavelength of the instability at the onset are found. Calculations show that the destabilization is enhanced as the variation of density with solute concentration is reduced, and in the limit of neutrally-dense solute, there is a long wavelength instability for which the critical solute concentration is several orders of magnitude lower than that predicted by the Mullins and Sekerka (1964) analysis in the absence of convection. For the neutrally-dense solute, a simplified analysis indicates the roles played by the interface deformation and thermal convection in promoting the instability. In particular, the destabilization is very sensitive to the ratio of crystal and melt thermal conductivities.

Coriell, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Morphological instability in rapid directional solidification

Mullins and Sekerka (1964) showed for fixed temperature gradient that the planar interface is linearly stable for all pulling speeds V above some critical value, the absolute stability limit. Near this limit, where solidification rates are rapid, the assumption of local equilibrium at the interface may be violated. Here, nonequilibrium effects are incorporated into a linear stability analysis of the planar front by allowing the segregation coefficient and interface temperature to depend on V in a thermodynamically consistent way. The absolute stability limit of the cellular mode is modified. A new oscillatory state is formed which, in the absence of latent heat, has a critical wavenumber of zero; by itself this instability would lead to the formation of solute bands in the solid. This mode has its own absolute-stability limit determined by solute trapping and kinetics. Under certain conditions, there exists a window of stability above the steady absolute-stability boundary and below the oscillatory-stability boundary; here the planar segregation-free state is restabilized.

Merchant, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Segregation behavior in a stationary vertical zone with converging interfaces - Pressure-induced segregation effects

Crystal growth and segregation were investigated in a confined vertical melt zone in which the upper solid-melt interface advanced under destabilizing and the lower interface under stabilizing thermal gradients. A technique reported by Kim et al. (1972) was used in the study. The experimental results are discussed, giving attention to interface morphology and growth rate and questions of dopant segregation. Dopant inhomogeneities formed simultaneously in both advancing interfaces can be explained on the basis of pressure induced segregation effects.

Kim, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Morphological instability in a float zone

This paper examines the morphological instability of the freezing interface of the float zone in a crystal sheet for which the height of the liquid zone L = Lf + Lm (where Lf and Lm are the planar positions of the solidifying and melting interfaces) is smaller than the width and the thickness of the sheet. The Lf and Lm positions are calculated, and basic state concentration profiles are determined for a planar interfacial system. A linear stability analysis of this system is performed showing that the growth rate of disturbances is a modified version of the growth rate for a directional solidification system. It was found that shorter melt zone configurations are less susceptible to long wavelength morphological instability, indicating that, to suppress morphological instability in a float zone system, it is necessary to decrease the liquid zone height.

Humphreys, Laura B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Effects of Na2MoO4 and Na2WO4 on molybdenum and tungsten electrodes for the alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC)

The effects of adding Na2MoO4 and Na2WO4 to porous Mo and W electrodes, respectively, on the performance and impedance characteristics of the electrodes in an alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) were investigated. It was found that corrosion of the porous electrode by Na2MoO4 or Na2WO4 to form Na2MO3O6 and WO2, respectively, and recrystallization of the Mo or W as the salt evaporates, result in major morphological changes including a loss of columnar structure and a significant increase in porosity. This effect is more pronounced in Na2MoO4/Mo electrodes, due to the lower stability of Na2MoO4.

Williams, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

High Resolution Laser Scanning Techniques for Rock Abrasion and Texture Analyses on Mars and Earth

Aeolian abrasion is operative in many arid locations on Earth and is probably the dominant rock erosion process in the current Martian environment. Therefore, understanding the controlling parameters and rates of aeolian abrasion provides 1) insight into the stability of rocks on planetary surfaces and the environments under which the rocks abrade, and 2) a link between ventifact (a rock abraded by windblown particles) morphology and: a) abrasion conditions, b) possible ancient environments under which the rocks were abraded, and c) rock properties. promising and we plan further investigations in the wind tunnel and field. Our intent here is to discuss the basic technique, initial results, and upcoming plans.

Bridges, N. T.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Laboratory investigations involving high-velocity oxygen atoms

Facilities for measuring material reactive characteristics have been under development for several years and span the atom energy range from thermal to 5 eV, the orbital collision energy. One of the high-atom energy facilities (The High Intensity/Energy Atomic Oxygen Source) capable of simulating the reactive part of LEO is described, along with results of beam characterization and preliminary material studies. The oxygen atom beam source was a continuous wave plasma produced by focusing a high-power CO2 laser through a lens system into a rare gas/molecular oxygen mixture chamber at elevated temperature. Material samples were exposed to the high velocity beam through an external feedthrough. The facility showed good stability in continued operation for more than 100 hours, producing fluences of 10 to the 21st to 10 to the 22nd atoms/sq cm. Reaction efficiencies and surface morphology have been measured for several materials at energies of 1.5 and 2.8 eV, matching with data generated from previous space flights. Activation energies for carbon and Kapton as measured in this facility were 800 cal/mole.

Leger, Lubert J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Cellular Spacing Selection During the Directional Solidification of Binary Alloys. A Numerical Approach

The evolution of cellular solid/liquid interfaces from an initially unstable planar front was studied by means of a two-dimensional computer simulation. The developed numerical model makes use of an interface tracking procedure and has the capability to describe the dynamics of the interface morphology based on local changes of the thermodynamic conditions. The fundamental physics of this formulation was validated against experimental microgravity results and the predictions of the analytical linear stability theory. The performed simulations revealed that in certain conditions, based on a competitive growth mechanism, an interface could become unstable to random perturbations of infinitesimal amplitude even at wavelengths smaller than the neutral wavelength, lambda(sub c), predicted by the linear stability theory. Furthermore, two main stages of spacing selection have been identified. In the first stage, at low perturbations amplitude, the selection mechanism is driven by the maximum growth rate of instabilities while in the second stage the selection is influenced by nonlinear phenomena caused by the interactions between the neighboring cells. Comparison of these predictions with other existing theories of pattern formation and experimental results will be discussed.

Catalina, Adrian V.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Hubble Space Telescope Hx Imaging of Star-forming Galaxies at z approximately equal to 1-1.5: Evolution in the Size and Luminosity of Giant H II Regions

We present Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Camera 3 narrow-band imaging of the Hα emission in a sample of eight gravitationally lensed galaxies at z = 1-1.5. The magnification caused by the foreground clusters enables us to obtain a median source plane spatial resolution of 360 pc, as well as providing magnifications in flux ranging from approximately 10× to approximately 50×. This enables us to identify resolved star-forming HII regions at this epoch and therefore study their Hα luminosity distributions for comparisons with equivalent samples at z approximately 2 and in the local Universe. We find evolution in the both luminosity and surface brightness of HII regions with redshift. The distribution of clump properties can be quantified with an HII region luminosity function, which can be fit by a power law with an exponential break at some cut-off, and we find that the cut-off evolves with redshift. We therefore conclude that 'clumpy' galaxies are seen at high redshift because of the evolution of the cut-off mass; the galaxies themselves follow similar scaling relations to those at z = 0, but their HII regions are larger and brighter and thus appear as clumps which dominate the morphology of the galaxy. A simple theoretical argument based on gas collapsing on scales of the Jeans mass in a marginally unstable disc shows that the clumpy morphologies of high-z galaxies are driven by the competing effects of higher gas fractions causing perturbations on larger scales, partially compensated by higher epicyclic frequencies which stabilize the disc.

H imaging↗
NASA NTRS2022

Impact of Meteorological Factors on the Mesoscale Morphology of Cloud Streets during a Cold-Air Outbreak over the Western North Atlantic

Postfrontal clouds (PFC) are ubiquitous in the marine boundary layer, and their morphology is essential to estimating the radiation budget in weather and climate models. Here we examine the roles of sea surface temperature (SST) and meteorological factors in controlling the mesoscale morphology and evolution of shallow clouds associated with a cold-air outbreak that occurred on 1 March 2020 during phase I of the Aerosol Cloud Meteorology Interactions over the Western Atlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE). Our results show that the simulated PFC structure and ambient conditions by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model are generally consistent with observations from GOES-16 and dropsonde measurements. We also examine the thermodynamical and dynamical influences in the cloud mesoscale morphology using WRF sensitivity experiments driven by two meteorological forcing datasets with different domain-mean SST and spatial gradients, which lead to dissimilar values of hydrometeor water path and cloud core fraction. The SST from ERA5 leads to weaker stability and higher inversion height than the SST from FNL does. In addition, the use of large-scale meteorological forcings from ERA5 yields a distinctive time evolution of wind direction shear in the inner domain, which favors the formation and persistence of longer cloud rolls. Both factors contribute to a change in the time evolution of domain-mean water path and cloud core fraction of cloud streets. Our study takes advantage of the simulation driven by the differences between two large-scale forcing datasets to illustrate the importance of SST and wind direction shear in the cloud street morphology in a realistic scenario

Jingyi Chen↗
NASA NTRS1990

Intermetallic matrix composites; Proceedings of the MRS Symposium, San Francisco, CA, Apr. 18-20, 1990

The present volume on intermetallic matrix composites discusses the modeling, processing, microstructure/property relationships, and compatibility of intermetallic matrix composites. Attention is given to models for the strength of ductile matrix composites, innovative processing techniques for intermetallic matrix composites, ductile phase toughening of brittle intermetallics, and reactive synthesis of NbAl3 matrix composites. Topics addressed include solidification processing of NbCr2 alloys, Ta and Nb reinforced MoSi2, the microstructure and mechanical behavior of Ni3Al-matrix composites, and ductile-phase toughening of Cr3Si with chromium. Also discussed are dislocation morphologies in TiB2/NiAl, the development of highly impact resistant NiAl matrix composites, the effect of notches on the fatigue life of the SCS-6Ti3Al composite, and the chemical stability of fiber-metal matrix composites.

Anton, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Macrophage cell lines derived from major histocompatibility complex II-negative mice

Two bone-marrow-derived macrophage cell lines, C2D and C2Dt, were isolated from major histocompatibility class II negative knock-out mice. The C2D cell line was stabilized by continuous culture in colony-stimulating factor-1 and the C2Dt cell line was transformed with SV40 virus large T antigen. These cells exhibited phenotypic properties of macrophages including morphology and expression of Mac 1 and Mac 2 cell surface molecules. These cells also had comparable growth to the bone-marrow-derived macrophage cell line B6MP102. These new cell lines were not spontaneously cytotoxic and were only capable of modest killing of F5b tumor cells when stimulated with LPS and interferon-gamma, but not when stimulated with LPS alone or with staphylococcal exotoxin. C2D and C2Dt cells phagocytosed labeled Staphylococcus aureus similarly to B6MP102 cells but less well than C2D peritoneal macrophages. These cell lines secreted interleukin-6, but not tumor necrosis factor or nitric oxide in response to LPS or staphlococcal enterotoxins A or B C2D(t) cells were tumorigenic in C2D and C57BL/6J mice but C2D cells were not. These data suggest that macrophage cell lines can be established from bone marrow cells of major histocompatibility complex II-negative mice.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal↗
NASA NTRS1979

Effects of isothermal and cyclic exposures on interface structure and mechanical properties of FPalpha-Al2O3/aluminum composites

The microstructural and interface stability of FPalpha-Al203/Al-Li composites are investigated as a function of isothermal exposure at 500 C or thermal cycling between 140 and 500 C with hold time at Tmax. Interfacial morphology, growth kinetics, crystal structure, and composition of interfacial reaction products are characterized. Strength is monitored in the transverse orientation, and fracture mechanics is analyzed in terms of interface reaction products. The interfacial reaction product in FP/Al is Li2O.5Al2O3. Significant fiber-matrix reaction occurs during fabrication. The number of thermal cycles rather than total time at Tmax is the determining factor in strength degradation, thermal cycling giving rise to voids at the fiber-matrix interface. Extensive interface failures occur at composite fracture stresses below about 128 MPa; above this stress level failure is attributed to ductile matrix fracture.

Kim, W. M.↗