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At least 127 records · Page 7

Physical and Optical/Radiative Properties of Arctic Aerosols: Potential Effects on Arctic Climate

We have determined the abundance of light-scattering sulfuric acid (H2SO4/H2O) and light-absorbing black carbon aerosol (BCA) in Spring 1992 in the Arctic atmosphere by airborne in situ sampling with impactors, and measured particle sizes and morphologies by scanning electron microscopy. The mass of BCA in the Arctic troposphere is one percent of the total aerosol, reduced to one part in 104 in the stratosphere. A Mie algorithm permits the calculation of the optical properties of the various aerosol components, and an algorithm developed by Ackerman and Toon and modified to serve our needs lets us calculate the optical effects of the black carbon aerosol that is mixed internally with the sulfuric acid aerosol. It follows that the effect of internally-mixed BCA on the aerosol scattering and absorption properties depends on its location within the droplet. BCA concentrated near the droplet surface has a greater effect on absorption of solar radiation than does the same amount of BCA located near its center. Single scatter albedos of the combined system are omega(sub 0)=1.0 in the post-Pinatubo Arctic stratosphere, and as low as 0.94 in the troposphere. The aerosol has the potential to regionally warm the Arctic earth-atmosphere system, because of the high surface albedo of the snow-covered Arctic.

Pueschel, R. F.↗

Thermal Analysis of Acicular Shaped Magnetite

We are in the process of developing a database on the thermal properties of well-characterized Martian analog materials in support of future Mars surface missions. The database contains the thermal behaviors of these analog materials under reduced and Earth ambient pressures. Magnetite in planetary materials has received considerable attention in recent years since the identification of fine grain single-domain magnetite in Martian meteorite ALH84001 and their possible link to past life on Mars (i.e., possible biominerals of magnetotactic bacteria). Because of its possible importance to Mars science, we report here the thermal properties of magnetite particles with acicular morphology, i.e., needle-shaped magnetite. Acicular shaped magnetite can be commercially produced from goethite (FeOOH) as the starting material via a H2 reduction process. However, instead of using this process or procedure, we report here on the thermal characterization of acicular magnetite formed under reducing conditions from well-characterized needle-shaped goethite at low temperature in controlled CO-CO2 1-bar atmosphere gas mixing furnaces.

Lauer, H. V., Jr.↗

Optical Properties of Semiconductor-Metal Composite Thin Films in the Infrared Region

Germanium:Silver (Ge:Ag) composite thin films having different concentrations of Ag, ranging from 7% to 40% have been prepared by dc co-sputtering of Ge an Ag and the films' surface morphology and optical properties have been characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and infrared spectrophotometry. It is seen that while the films containing lower concentrations of Ag have island-like morphology (i.e. Ag particles distributed in a Ge matrix), the higher metallic concentration films tend to have symmetric distribution of Ag and Ge.

Films Germanium Silver↗

Evaluating Trichloroethylene Degradation Using Differing Nano- and Micro-Scale Iron Particles

Trichioroethylene, or TCE, is a central nervous system depressant and possible carcinogen, as well as a persistent groundwater pollutant. TCE exists in the aquifer either as free product in the form of a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) or as a dissolved-phase constituent. It is only slightly soluble in water, so dissolution of the contaminant is a long-term process and in-situ remediation is difficult. To remedy this, NASA and the University of Central Florida developed Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron, or EZVI. The emulsion droplet contains ZVI particles and water encapsulated by an oil/surfactant membrane, and effectively penetrates to degrade DNAPL-phase TCE. To maximize the efficiency of this process, several commercially available ZVIs of radically different particle sizes and morphologies both in emulsion and as neat (unemulsified) metal were evaluated for relative effectiveness at TCE degradation.

Berger, Cristina M.↗

Design of a Uranium Dioxide Spheroidization System

The plasma spheroidization system (PSS) is the first process in the development of tungsten-uranium dioxide (W-UO2) fuel cermets. The PSS process improves particle spherocity and surface morphology for coating by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Angular fully dense particles melt in an argon-hydrogen plasma jet at between 32-36 kW, and become spherical due to surface tension. Surrogate CeO2 powder was used in place of UO2 for system and process parameter development. Particles range in size from 100 - 50 microns in diameter. Student s t-test and hypothesis testing of two proportions statistical methods were applied to characterize and compare the spherocity of pre and post process powders. Particle spherocity was determined by irregularity parameter. Processed powders show great than 800% increase in the number of spherical particles over the stock powder with the mean spherocity only mildly improved. It is recommended that powders be processed two-three times in order to reach the desired spherocity, and that process parameters be optimized for a more narrow particles size range. Keywords: spherocity, spheroidization, plasma, uranium-dioxide, cermet, nuclear, propulsion

Cavender, Daniel P.↗

Microwave Structure Construction Capability Year One Accomplishments

The Microwave Structure Construction Capability (MSCC) element, part of the Moon to Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Project (MMPACT) was initiated in 2020. MSCC is responsible for creating horizontal and vertical infrastructure on the moon using microwave energy. Microwave energy was selected since it is the only method to volumetrically heat the regolith. All other sintering/melting methods rely on thermal conduction through the very low conductivity surface, resulting in an inefficient process. Advances were achieved in materials characterization and understanding, microwave sintering in vacuum, and microwave design and analyses. Two dielectric property testing systems have been developed at Radiance Technologies and JPL. These will examine dielectric properties at cryogenic temperatures and over a broad frequency range. Permittivity and permeability testing at -60 ̊C in vacuum from 0.05 to 3 GHz has been generated at JPL. Additional modifications will be made to go to -190 ̊C (LN2). Radiance Technologies created a test system to measure dielectric properties at greater than 10 GHz and initiated work on developing a vacuum capable, portable test system to measure dielectric properties of Apollo regolith and simulants from 100 MHz to 18 GHz. These tests are to identify optimal heating frequencies and protocols. During microwave sintering at about 1100 ̊C, volatiles were creating difficulty in achieving a reasonably dense specimen. Due to processing in vacuum and the nature of the lunar regolith, some volatiles and porosity are expected. However, the Earth produced simulants have non-lunar materials in them that create volatiles that aren’t representative of lunar regolith. Therefore, a five month effort was conducted to establish a heat treat method to remove these non-lunar materials. Tests were conducted using TGA mass spectrometry, heating in vacuum and conducting mass spectrometry, dielectric and DTA, Raman, BET, particle size analysis, morphological analysis, carbon and sulfur chemical content determination and microscopy. The process has been scaled-up to 6 kg batch size and undergoing evaluation. A 36 kg batch size is the target for JSC-1A and other limited availability simulants. These calcining protocols will be standard for NASA and beyond. MSCC has also created scalable processes for fabricating synthetic lunar materials. Processes to fabricate Anorthite (plagioclase CaAl2Si2O8), Diopside (pyroxene CaMgSi₂O₆), and Enstatite (pyroxene Mg2Si2O6) have been generated. These materials will enable generation of microwave sintering models to bound various composition ranges anticipated on the Moon, therefore mitigating the need for a precise simulant with respect to location on the Moon. Successful microwave sintering in air using a horn applicator was demonstrated. All previous microwave vacuum sintering in the literature was at small scale and in a contained enclosure thus taking advantage of reflections. This is the first to use a lunar like microwave applicator to sinter ceramic in a bed as it would be done on the Moon. Small scale and inert sintering were conducted to assist in developing protocols with quicker turnaround times than larger scale testing. Testing has anchored thermal analysis predicting heat flow in vacuum during microwave sintering. Thermal conductivity testing was also initiated. Microwave coupling to the regolith has been modeled by multiple organizations and with different software packages. At least six horn designs and applicator configurations for both magnetron and solid state sources are being examined. Optimal simulant container designs for microwaves have also been generated. The power and electronics design for the solid state microwave system has been initiated. Concept designs for a lander based microwave sintering have been evaluated.

microwave↗

Time effect of erosion by solid particle impingement on ductile materials

Erosion and morphological studies of several metals and alloys eroded by normal impingement jets of spherical glass beads and angular crushed-glass erodent particles were conducted. Erosion morphology (the width, depth, and width-depth ratio of the pit) was studied in order to fully investigate the effect of time on erosion rate. The eroded surfaces were studied with a scanning electron microscope, and surface profiles were measured with a profilometer. A large amount of experimental data reported in the literature was also analyzed in order to understand the effect of variables such as the type of device, the erodent particle size and shape, the impact velocity, and the abrasive charge on erosion-rate-versus-time curves. In the present experiments the pit-width-versus-time or pit-depth-versus-time curves were similar to erosion-versus-time curves for glass-bead impingement. The pit-depth-rate-versus-time curves were similar to erosion-rate-versus-time curves for crushed-glass impingement. Analysis of experimental data with two forms of glass resulted in four types of erosion-rate-versus-time curves: (1) incubation, acceleration, and steady-state periods (type I), (2) incubation, acceleration, deceleration, and steady-state periods (type III), (3) incubation, acceleration, peak rate, and deceleration periods (type IV), and (4) incubation, acceleration, steady-state, and deceleration periods (type V).

Rao, P. V.↗

Feasibility study: Monodisperse polymer particles containing laser-excitable dyes

The optical properties associated with small particles, which include aerosols, hydrosols and solid microspheres have an impact on several areas of science and engineering. Since the advent of high-speed computers and lasers, the interaction of light with matter in the form of small particles with a discontinuous optical boundary relative to the surroundings has been much better understood. Various nonlinear optical effects have been observed involving interaction of a laser beam with both solid microspheres and liquid microdroplets. These include observation of second and third harmonic generation, four wave mixing, optical visibility, two photon absorption, observation of stimulated emission and lasing, and Stimulated Raman Scattering. Many of these effects are observed with laser intensities which are orders of magnitude less than that required by threshold condition for interactions in macroscopic bulk medium. The primary reason for this is twofold. The front surface of the microsphere acts as a thick lens to enhance the internal intensity of the input laser radiation, and the spherical shape of the droplet acts as an optical cavity to provide feedback at specific wavelengths corresponding to the whispering gallery modes or the morphology dependent resonances (MDR's). The most interesting and significant recent finding in this field is undoubtedly the existence of resonance peaks in linear and nonlinear optical spectra. Such resonance peaks are only dependent on the particle morphology, which means the size, shape and refractive index of the particle. Because of the simultaneous presence of these resonances, they have been referred to by many names, including structural resonances, whispering modes or whispering gallery modes, creeping waves, circumferential waves, surfaces modes, and virtual modes. All of these names refer to the same phenomena, i.e. morphology dependent resonances (MDR's) which has already been described and predicted precisely by electromagnetic theory and Loentz-Mie theory since 1908. MDR's can become important when the particle size (radius a) approaches and exceeds the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave (lambda) and the refractive index of the particle is greater than that of the surrounding medium. Such resonances are easiest to observe from a single particle with high symmetry, such as a sphere, spheroid, or cylinder. MDR's correspond to solutions of the characteristic equations of the electromagnetic fields in the presence of a sphere.

Venkateswarlu, Putcha↗

The generation and morphology of single-crystal silicon carbide wear particles under adhesive conditions

Sliding friction experiments were performed in vacuum at room temperature on a plane-type SiC surface in contact with iron-based binary alloys. Multiangular and spherical wear particles were found to form as a result of multipass sliding. The multiangular particles were produced by primary and secondary cracking of the 0001, 10(-)10, and 11(-)20 plane-type cleavage planes under the Hertzian stress field or local inelastic deformation zone. When alloy surfaces are in contact with silicon carbide under a load of 0.2 N, the alloy around the contact area is subjected to stresses that are close to the elastic limit in the elastic deformation region and/or exceed it. It was also found that spherical wear particles may be produced by two mechanisms: a penny-shaped fracture along the circular stress trajectories under the local inelastic deformation zone, and the attrition and fatigue of wear particles.

Miyoshi, K.↗

Numerical Calculation of the Morphology of a Solid/Liquid Interface Near an Insoluble Particle

A numerical mathematical model capable of accurately describing the evolution of the shape of the solid/liquid interface in the proximity of a foreign particle is presented in this paper. The model accounts for the influence of the temperature gradient and the Gibbs-Thomson and disjoining pressure effects. It shows that for the systems characterized by k(sub P) < k(sub L) the disjoining pressure causes the interface curvature to change its sign in the close-contact particle/interface region. It also shows that the increase of the temperature gradient diminishes the effect of the disjoining pressure. Calculated critical solidification velocities for the pushing/engulfment transition are compared with experimental measurements performed in microgravity conditions.

Catalina, Adrian V.↗

Variations in Venus cloud particle properties: A new view of Venus's cloud morphology as observed by Galileo Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer

Using Venus nightside data obtained by the Galileo Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS), we have studied the correlation of 1.74 and 2.30 micrometer radiation which is transmitted through the clouds. Since the scattering and absorption properties of the cloud particles are different at these two wavelengths, one can distinguish between abundance variations and variations in the properties of the cloud particles themselves. The correlation of intensities shows a clustering of data into five distinct branches. Using radiative transfer calculations, we interpret these branches as regions of distinct but different mixes of Mode 2' and 3 particles. The data and calculations indicate large differences in these modal ratios, the active cloud regions varying in content from nearly pure Mode 2' particles to almost wholly Mode 3. The spatial distribution of these branches shows large scale sizes and both hemispheric symmetries and asymmetries. High-latitude concentrations of large particles are seen in both hemispheres and there is banded structure of small particles seen in both the North and South which may be related. The mean particle size in the Northern Hemisphere is greater than found in the South. If these different branch regions are due to mixing of vertically stratified source regions (e.g. photochemical and condensation source mechanisms), then the mixing must be coherent over very large spatial scales.

Carlson, R. W.↗

Viruslike particles in the tissues of normal and gamma-irradiated Drosophila melanogaster.

A new finding of viruslike particles in the salivary and accessory glands, muscles, and nerves of normal and gamma-irradiated Drosophila melanogaster is discussed. In morphology and size, the particles seemed identical to those described in earlier reports. On the basis of the available results, it cannot be affirmed that these particles infect only dividing cells, since they are found in all the Drosophila tissues so far examined. Their relation to the aging process is felt to be an interesting subject for further study.

Miquel, J.↗

Soot and Radiation Measurements in Microgravity Jet Diffusion Flames

The subject of soot formation and radiation heat transfer in microgravity jet diffusion flames is important not only for the understanding of fundamental transport processes involved but also for providing findings relevant to spacecraft fire safety and soot emissions and radiant heat loads of combustors used in air-breathing propulsion systems. Our objectives are to measure and model soot volume fraction, temperature, and radiative heat fluxes in microgravity jet diffusion flames. For this four-year project, we have successfully completed three tasks, which have resulted in new research methodologies and original results. First is the implementation of a thermophoretic soot sampling technique for measuring particle size and aggregate morphology in drop-tower and other reduced gravity experiments. In those laminar flames studied, we found that microgravity soot aggregates typically consist of more primary particles and primary particles are larger in size than those under normal gravity. Comparisons based on data obtained from limited samples show that the soot aggregate's fractal dimension varies within +/- 20% of its typical value of 1.75, with no clear trends between normal and reduced gravity conditions. Second is the development and implementation of a new imaging absorption technique. By properly expanding and spatially-filtering the laser beam to image the flame absorption on a CCD camera and applying numerical smoothing procedures, this technique is capable of measuring instantaneous full-field soot volume fractions. Results from this technique have shown the significant differences in local soot volume fraction, smoking point, and flame shape between normal and reduced gravity flames. We observed that some laminar flames become open-tipped and smoking under microgravity. The third task we completed is the development of a computer program which integrates and couples flame structure, soot formation, and flame radiation analyses together. We found good agreements between model predictions and experimental data for laminar and turbulent flames under both normal and reduced gravity. We have also tested in the laboratory the techniques of rapid-insertion fine-wire thermocouples and emission pyrometry for temperature measurements. These techniques as well as laser Doppler velocimetry and spectral radiative intensity measurement have been proposed to provide valuable data and improve the modeling analyses.

Ku, Jerry C.↗

Analysis of satellite data on energetic particles of ionospheric origin

The morphology was studied of precipitating O(+) and H(+) ions in the energy range 0.7 equal to or less than E equal to or less than 12 keV during the storm-time period from December 16-18, 1971, which encompassed two principal magnetic storms. The results are described with emphasis on the temporal variations of parameters characterizing the intensity, average energy, and spatial location of the zones of precipitation of the two ionic species. One of the principal results was the finding that the intensity of the precipitating O(+) ions was well correlated with the geomagnetic indices which measure the strength of magnetospheric substorm activity and the strength of the storm-time ring current. Since the O(+) ions are almost certainly of ionospheric origin the correlations indicate that a previously unknown strong coupling mechanism existed between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere during the storm period.

Sharp, R. D.↗

Debris and meteoroid proportions deduced from impact crater residue analysis

This study is a further investigation of space-exposed samples recovered from the LDEF satellite and the Franco-Russian 'Aragatz' dust collection experiment on the Mir Space Station. Impact craters with diameters ranging from 1 to 900 micron were found on the retrieved samples. Elemental analysis of residues found in the impact craters was carried out using Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). The analyses show evidence of micrometeoroid and orbital debris origins for the impacts. The proportions of these two components vary according to particle size and experimental position with respect to the leading edge of the spacecraft. On the LDEF leading edge 17 percent of the impacts were apparently caused by micrometeoroids and 11 percent by debris; on the LDEF trailing edge 23 percent of the impacts are apparently caused by micrometeoroids and 4 percent consist of debris particles - mostly larger than 3 micron in diameter - in elliptical orbits around the Earth. For Mir, the analyses indicate that micrometeoroids form 23 percent of impacts and debris 9 percent. However, we note that 60-70 percent of the craters are unidentifiable, so the definitive proportions of natural v. man-made particles are yet to be determined. Experiments carried out using a light gas gun to accelerate glass spheres and fragments demonstrate the influence of particle shape on crater morphology. The experiments also show that it is more difficult to analyze the residues produced by an irregular fragment than those produced by a spherical projectile. If the particle is travelling above a certain velocity, it vaporizes upon impact and no residues are left. Simulation experiments carried out with an electrostatic accelerator indicate that this limit is about 14 km/s for Fe particles impacting Al targets. This chemical analysis cut-off may bias interpretations of the relative populations of meteoroid and orbital debris. Oblique impacts and multiple foil detectors provide a higher likelihood of detection of residues as the velocities involved are lower.

Berthoud, Lucinda↗

Metallurgical characterization of the fracture of aluminum alloys

A systematic investigation was conducted to examine the fracture behavior of the structural aluminum alloys 2024, 6061, 7075, and 7178 (in selected heat treatments) tested under several controlled conditions. The investigation included both time independent (tensile, shear, and precracked notch-bend) fractures and time dependent (fatigue and stress corrosion) fractures. Specimens were obtained from both sheet and plate material and tested in longitudinal and transverse orientations. Strain rate effects on fracture morphology were examined in tension and shear tests. Fatigue fracture studies included an examination of the influence of minimum-to-maximum-load ratio on fracture morphology. Second-phase particles observed on fracture surfaces and metallographically prepared sections and corrosion products associated with stress corrosion fractures were analyzed chemically using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Fracture morphology was related to the microstructural features, the testing conditions, and the form of commercial product.

Bhandarkar, M. D.↗

Effect of substrate preparation on the structure and chemisorption properties of Pd/MgO model catalyst

Pd/MgO model catalysts are prepared by vapor deposition of Pd particles on MgO thin films which are deposited, at different temperatures, on UHV cleaved mica. MgO films and Pd particles are characterized in situ by Auger electron spectroscopy and energy-loss spectroscopy and ex situ by transmission electron microscopy. Succesive temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of CO shows a different evolution of the morphology of the Pd particles deposited on MgO films prepared at low and high temperature. In addition, on MgO prepared at low temperature, the smallest particles show a continuous decay of CO adsorption during TPD due to contamination by support species.

Henry, C. R.↗

Constraining the Origin of Impact Craters on Al Foils from the Stardust Interstellar Dust Collector

Preliminary examination (PE) of the aerogel tiles and Al foils from the Stardust Interstellar Dust Collector has revealed multiple impact features. Some are most likely due to primary impacts of interstellar dust (ISD) grains, and others are associated with secondary impacts of spacecraft debris, and possibly primary impacts of interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) [1, 2]. The current focus of the PE effort is on constraining the origin of the individual impact features so that definitive results from the first direct laboratory analysis of contemporary ISD can be reported. Because crater morphology depends on impacting particle shape and composition, in addition to the angle and direction of impact, unique particle trajectories are not easily determined. However, elemental analysis of the crater residues can distinguish real cosmic dust from the spacecraft debris, due to the low cosmic abundance of many of the elements in the spacecraft materials. We present here results from the elemental analysis of 24 craters and discuss the possible origins of 4 that are identified as candidate ISD impacts

Stroud, Rhonda M.↗