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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 1,297 records · Page 72

Atmospheric microphysical experiments on an orbital platform

The Zero-Gravity Atmospheric Cloud Physics Laboratory is a Shuttle/Spacelab payload which will be capable of performing a large range of microphysics experiments. This facility will complement terrestrial cloud physics research by allowing many experiments to be performed which cannot be accomplished within the confines of a terrestrial laboratory. This paper reviews the general Cloud Physics Laboratory concept and the experiment scope. The experimental constraints are given along with details of the proposed equipment. Examples of appropriate experiments range from three-dimensional simulation of the earth and planetary atmosphere and of ocean circulation to cloud electrification processes and the effects of atmospheric pollution materials on microphysical processes.

Eaton, L. R.↗

Chemical vapor deposition growth

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for the growth of Si sheet on inexpensive substrate materials is investigated. The objective is to develop CVD techniques for producing large areas of Si sheet on inexpensive substrate materials, with sheet properties suitable for fabricating solar cells meeting the technical goals of the Low Cost Silicon Solar Array Project. Specific areas covered include: (1) modification and test of existing CVD reactor system; (2) identification and/or development of suitable inexpensive substrate materials; (3) experimental investigation of CVD process parameters using various candidate substrate materials; (4) preparation of Si sheet samples for various special studies, including solar cell fabrication; (5) evaluation of the properties of the Si sheet material produced by the CVD process; and (6) fabrication and evaluation of experimental solar cell structures, using standard and near-standard processing techniques.

Ruth, R. P.↗

Rise kinetics of light-induced modulation of absorption for a CdS crystal

An experimental study has been made of the rise kinetics for changes in optical absorption in a single crystal of CdS which was bulk excited by pulsed laser light. The experimental data were compared to calculations from a simple model involving a bimolecular process. Experimental and calculated values agreed to within the experimental error and confirmed that light-induced modulation of absorption is a bimolecular process.

Long, E. R., Jr.↗

Simulation of the Effects of Hard Limiting on Image Quality of Synthetic Aperture Radar

Starting with a magnetic tape of a scene viewed by the Landsat satellite, the radar return of reflectors whose average intensity matched that of the picture elements in the scene has been simulated. The returns were processed in three ways: normally or with no quantization, with a procedure simulation IF hard limiting, and with a procedure simulating video (baseband) hard limiting. For each type of processing an image for a one, two, and four-look system has been developed. It was found that IF limiting is slightly better than video limiting, while both can be reasonable trade-offs of image quality for reduced data rates when the number of looks is four or less. These conclusions are supported by photographs representing the different processing techniques.

Lipes, R. G.↗

Computer image processing in marine resource exploration

Pictographic data or imagery is commonly used in marine exploration. Pre-existing image processing techniques (software) similar to those used on imagery obtained from unmanned planetary exploration were used to improve marine photography and side-scan sonar imagery. Features and details not visible by conventional photo processing methods were enhanced by filtering and noise removal on selected deep-sea photographs. Information gained near the periphery of photographs allows improved interpretation and facilitates construction of bottom mosaics where overlapping frames are available. Similar processing techniques were applied to side-scan sonar imagery, including corrections for slant range distortion, and along-track scale changes. The use of digital data processing and storage techniques greatly extends the quantity of information that can be handled, stored, and processed.

Paluzzi, P. R.↗

Viking first encounter of Phobos - Preliminary results

Viking Orbiter-1 (VO-1) made a series of close flybys of the Martian satellite Phobos in February and May 1977. A description is presented of the results obtained during the flybys in February. The flyby geometries for the encounter period in February are shown in a graph. The trajectory design gave flybys on the illuminated side of Phobos within 80 to 300 km during the entire encounter period. The primary encounter observations of Phobos included visual and infrared imaging as well as radio tracking of VO-1 while it was under the gravitational influence of Phobos. Visual imaging was obtained from two narrow-angle television cameras. Infrared observations were obtained from an infrared thermal mapper. Radio data included S- and X-band Doppler and ranging data to VO-1 with a 10-second Doppler count. Assuming for Phobos a volume of 500 + or - 900 cu km, a mean density of 1.9 + or - 0.6 g/cu cm is obtained for it on the basis of the processed data.

Tolson, R. H.↗

The promise of eutectics for aircraft turbines

Gas turbine blades and vanes for the 1980s call for new materials with higher operational temperature capabilities. The potential increase of from 40 to 110 C in operational temperature capabilities predicted for directionally solidified eutectics is a larger increment over currently available alloys than previously obtained in any new turbine blade alloy. The paper discusses the properties of gamma/gamma prime-delta and NiTaC-13 directionally solidified first-generation eutectics for use as gas turbine blade materials. A few of the more promising second-generation eutectics for blade applications (gamma/gamma prime-alpha, NiTaC 3-116A) and for vane applications (gamma-beta, COTAC 74) are also discussed. Attention is given to mechanical properties, such as transverse ductility and shear strength, that can be inherently critical in a directionally solidified eutectic. Further R&D requirements for properties, coatings, and lower cost processing technology are identified.

Gray, H. R.↗

Solar energy for industrial process heat

Findings of study of potential use for solar energy utilization by California dairy industry, prove that applicable solar energy system furnish much of heat needed for milk processing with large savings in expenditures for oil and gas and ensurance of adequate readily available sources of process heat.

Barbieri, R. H.↗

Long-wearing TFE/metal bearings

Method for making metal/polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) bearing surfaces embeds long-wearing layer of TFE in microscopic pits in metal. Technique has potential applications in automotive gears, ball joints, and roller chain components. Other applications are in use of unlubricated bearings in chemical, pharmaceutical, and food-processing equipment.

Brass, R. A.↗

The Establishment of a Production-ready Manufacturing Process Utilizing Thin Silicon Substrates for Solar Cells

During the months of February and March, work towards the goals of the contract were started as scheduled. The first shipment of thin substrates were received and wafer processing was initiated. The objective of the contract is to investigate, develop and characterize the methods for establishing a production-ready manufacturing process which utilizes thin silicon substrates for solar cells. The thin substrates to be manufactured are three inches diameter, p-type Czochralski wafers of approximately 1 Omega cm resistivity. The wafers are prepared by sawing directly to thickness of 8 mils and 5 mils. To ensure removal of residual saw damage, most substrates are chemically etched to final thicknesses of 7 mils and 4 mils. The thin substrates are used to fabricate solar cells by standard processing techniques.

Pryor, R. A.↗

High rate data acquisition from Spacelab/Shuttle

The need for high data rates from a variety of experiments on Spacelab/Shuttle produced the requirement for the Spacelab High Rate Multiplexer/Demultiplexer system. This system acquires serial digital data at asynchronous bit rates from up to sixteen experiments, two data buses, three voice links, two tape recorders, and a universal time channel. Experiment data rates may vary from 200 bps to 16 Mbps while recorded data rates range from 250 Kbps to 32 Mbps. The High Rate Multiplexer (HRM) accepts these data inputs and forms a serial PCM output at flexible rates up to 48 Mbps. This PCM output is transmitted to ground by a Ku-Band RF link via the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) or recorded on board for delayed transmission. A complementary ground based High Rate Demultiplexer (HRDM) accepts and demultiplexes the composite PCM data at ground processing locations.

Coffey, R.↗

Application of coherence in fan noise studies

A study of fan noise was made by using the coherence function to obtain far field spectra that were coherent with the fan rotational rate. Choosing fan rotational rate as one of the two variables yielded new information about the far field noise generated during static fan testing. As a result of this coherent data processing, the inlet fan-tone noise present in static testing was determined to be mostly random when the rotor-alone and rotor-stator interaction tones were cut off. After the rotor-alone sound field was cut on, the sound pressure became coherent, and the angular extent of high coherence increased as fan speed was increased. In addition, the sound field was organized as a pattern of lobes whose amplitude varied slowly with time. Additional fan test results indicate that operating the fan with an inflow control device can partially reduce the fan-tone noise levels to those produced by coherent processing.

Balombin, J. R.↗

Development of processes for the production of solar grade silicon from halides and alkali metals

High temperature reactions of silicon halides with alkali metals for the production of solar grade silicon in volume at low cost were studied. Experiments were performed to evaluate product separation and collection processes, measure heat release parameters for scaling purposes, determine the effects of reactants and/or products on materials of reactor construction, and make preliminary engineering and economic analyses of a scaled-up process.

Dickson, C. R.↗

Air turbulence measurements in and below cumulus congestus over mountainous terrain

Consideration is given to the definition and application to air turbulence measurements over mountainous terrain of the ensemble averaging operator in the second-order turbulent transfer model of moist, precipitating mesoscale systems developed by Manton and Cotton (1977) as a first step in the formulation of a unified mesoscale turbulence theory. The use of running means to smooth out point-to-point data variability is proposed as a means of avoiding certain of the problems associated with ensemble averaging, and is applied to airborne velocity measurements in cumulus congestus over South Park, Colorado. It is found that, in general, vertical transport of any cloud parameter will be primarily eddy transport in the mesoscale modeling of cloud processes.

Cotton, W. R.↗

Preparation of Perfluorinated Imidoylamidoxime Polymers

Perfluorinated imidoylamidoxime polymers with excellent resistance to heat, chemicals and solvents are prepared by condensing a perfluorinated nitrile with a perfluorinated amidoxime in vacuum or inert atmosphere from 20 degrees to 70 degrees C. When both reactants are difunctional, oligomeric or polymeric products are obtained. After cyclization of imidoylamidoxime groups to 1,2,4-oxadiazole linkages, process yields highly resistant elastomers. Competing side reactions are inhibited by low processing temperature.

Rosser, R. W.↗

Modular missile borne computers

The modular missile borne computer's architecture with emphasis on how that architecture evolved is discussed. A careful analysis is given of both the physical constraints and the processing requirements.

Ramseyer, R.↗

Off-design analysis of a gas turbine powerplant augmented by steam injection using various fuels

Results are compared using coal derived low and intermediate heating valve fuel gases and a conventional distillate. The results indicate that steam injection provides substantial increases in both power and efficiency within the available compressor surge margin. The results also indicate that these performance gains are relatively insensitive as to the type of fuel. Also, in a cogeneration application, steam injection could provide some degree of flexibility by varying the split between power and process steam.

Stochl, R. J.↗

Production cost comparisons of hydrogen from fossil and nuclear fuel and water decomposition

The comparative costs entailed in producing hydrogen by major technologies that rely on petroleum, natural gas, coal, thermochemical cycles, and electrolysis are examined. Techniques were developed for comparing these processes by formulating the process data and economic assessments on a uniform and consistent basis. These data were normalized to permit a meaningful comparative analysis of product costs of these processes.

Ekman, K. R.↗