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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

Radar Sounding of Mars: A Focus on MARSIS

Radar has the unique capability of looking under the dry and cold surfaces of Mars. The depth of penetration of radio waves depends on a number of surface and subsurface parameters such as surface topography, subsurface geological structure and surface and subsurface electromagnetic properties. Among these parameters, the surface topography is known best largely due to valuable data provided by Mars Global Surveyor's MOLA instrument. However, little information is available on the electromagnetic properties and subsurface characteristics of Mars.

radar sounding↗
NASA NTRS1983

Elastohydrodynamic contacts. Effects of dents and grooves on traction and local film thickness

Traction and film thickness were simultaneously measured under sliding elastohydrodynamic (EHD) conditions. The influence of surface topography was investigated by using simulated surfaces produced by depressing dents and grooves in highly polished steel balls. Significant changes in traction occurred depending on the orientation of the surface defects and their location with respect to the contact region. The results can be explained in terms of changes in overall film thickness and redistribution of pressure within the contact region due to micro-EHD effects. It can be concluded that the traction capability of mechanical components operating in thin film lubrication can be enhanced particularly by surface topographical orientation perpendicular to the surface motion. Associated with the higher traction are increases in local shear stress and normal stress as well as an increase in temperature at asperity sites. It is postulated that the local surface topography can become involved in run in or failure initiation even without actual asperity contact.

Wedeven, L. D.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Topography and electrostatic interactions of electret fibres in N95 facemasks

Facemasks have been a critical line of defense in the Covid-19 pandemic and have been used for decades to reduce the inhalation of sub-micron aerosols, including bacteria, viruses and nano-materials. These facemasks leverage electrostatic charge properties of non-woven electret fibre mats to remove sub-micron aerosols. However, the topographical and electrostatic properties of these mats have not been well characterized at the nano-scale. In this study, we use atomic force microscopy (AFM) to examine the surface topography of the electret fibres within a commercial respirator fibre mat, use electrostatic force microscopy to map the electrostatic interactions emanating from these fibres, and use synchrotron X-ray scattering to probe polymer morphology. We find that within these mats the fibres exhibit significant heterogeneity in surface topography, electrostatic interactions and polypropylene phase composition. The surface topographies ranged from nano-smooth surfaces to ordered spherulitic structures. Furthermore, the electrostatic interactions varied across fibre length and circumference and are only weakly correlated with surface topographical features. Finally, we use AFM to characterize fibres after filtering a NaCl aerosol and find that the deposited particles are heterogeneous in size and distributed over the fibre surfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Size effect characteristics and influences on fatigue behavior of laser powder bed fusion of thin wall GRCop-42 copper alloy

Size effects, influencing a material's strength, elongation, fatigue limit, and longevity, depend on the operative and dominant deformation and failure mechanisms. This study explores the size effects in additive manufactured (AM) GRCop-42 (Cu-4at%Cr-2at%Nb) thin wall structures fabricated via laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) and their impact on fatigue life. The influence of internal defects and surface topography on the fatigue life of specimens in both as-built and hot isostatic pressed (HIP) conditions across different thicknesses is investigated. Where micro-computed tomography (μCT) was used to quantify the internal porosity of as-built, pristine HIP'd, and fatigued HIP'd specimens, and laser microscopy was employed to quantify the surface topography of specimens prior to fatigue. Additionally, quasi-static tests were used to establish baseline mechanical properties (i.e. yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and elongation) to frame fatigue testing conditions. Results indicate a significant enhancement in fatigue life for HIP'd specimens for both thicknesses, with internal defects depicting a greater impact than surface topography. Furthermore, fractographic analysis suggests that thicker specimens exhibit higher resistance to crack propagation during fatigue testing in the absence of substantial porosity. Thus, the size effects observed on the fatigue life of L-PBF GRCop-42 appears to be dominated by internal defects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1994

Method and apparatus for white-light dispersed-fringe interferometric measurement of corneal topography

An novel interferometric apparatus and method for measuring the topography of aspheric surfaces, without requiring any form of scanning or phase shifting. The apparatus and method of the present invention utilize a white-light interferometer, such as a white-light Twyman-Green interferometer, combined with a means for dispersing a polychromatic interference pattern, using a fiber-optic bundle and a disperser such as a prism for determining the monochromatic spectral intensities of the polychromatic interference pattern which intensities uniquely define the optical path differences or OPD between the surface under test and a reference surface such as a reference sphere. Consequently, the present invention comprises a snapshot approach to measuring aspheric surface topographies such as the human cornea, thereby obviating vibration sensitive scanning which would otherwise reduce the accuracy of the measurement. The invention utilizes a polychromatic interference pattern in the pupil image plane, which is dispersed on a point-wise basis, by using a special area-to-line fiber-optic manifold, onto a CCD or other type detector comprising a plurality of columns of pixels. Each such column is dedicated to a single point of the fringe pattern for enabling determination of the spectral content of the pattern. The auto-correlation of the dispersed spectrum of the fringe pattern is uniquely characteristic of a particular optical path difference between the surface under test and a reference surface.

Hochberg, Eric B.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Oceanic Observations

For many years, merchant ships and the naval fleets of various countries have been the major source of data over and in the open ocean. Oceanographic research experiments and process studies in the field have also contributed to the climatological data bases for the global ocean, but, for the most part, these have been limited in duration and extent. However, over the last 10 years under the auspices of the World Climate Research Program and the International Geosphere Biosphere Program the role of the oceans in global and climate change has taken on increased significance. This has created a need for a considerably improved understanding of the seasonal, interannual, decadal and longer time-scale variability of the physical and biogeochemical attributes of the global ocean. As a result, over the past 10 years several major international field programs have been implemented and have had a tremendous impact on the number of in situ observations obtained for the global ocean. The Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere (TOGA) program, the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE), and the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) were designed with observational, modelling, and process study components aimed at analyzing different aspects of the ocean's role in the coupled climate system. In parallel with the field programs, continuous space-based observations of sea surface temperature, sea surface topography, and sea surface winds spanning nearly a decade or longer have become a reality. During this same time period, numerical ocean models and computational power have advanced to the point where the oceanographic observations, both in situ and remotely sensed, can be assimilated into numerical ocean models in order to provide a four-dimensional (x-y-z-t) depiction of the evolving state of the global ocean.

Busalacchi, Antonio J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Subsurface Sounding of Mars: The Effects of Surface Roughness

The Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) will conduct a global survey of Mars from the Mars Express Orbiter starting in 2004. The primary objective of the subsurface observations is to detect material interfaces in the upper several kilometers of the crust of Mars, with a particular emphasis on mapping the 3D distribution of water and ice in that portion of the crust. In order to detect subsurface interfaces, the returned echo from the subsurface must be distinguished from noise and clutter, which can arise from a variety of sources. One source of clutter is surface topography that generates backscattered energy at the same time delay as the subsurface region of interest. Surface topography can affect the detectability of subsurface features in several other ways. Surface roughness at scales comparable or somewhat smaller than the radar wavelength reduces the coherency of the wave as it passes the upper interface. Also, surface slope (tilt) at scales of the radar footprint and larger (> 5 km) affects the apparent Doppler signature of the echoes, and effectively disperses the wave transmitted into the subsurface, making processing and interpretation difficult. In this paper, we report on the roughness characteristics of Mars at these various scales as measured by the Mars Global Surveyor Laser Altimeter (MOLA), and consider the implications for achieving the subsurface sounding goals of MARSIS. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Plaut, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Characterization of the NEXT Hollow Cathode Inserts After Long-Duration Testing

Hollow dispenser cathode inserts are a critical element of electric propulsion systems, and should therefore be well understood during long term operation to ensure reliable system performance. This work destructively investigated cathode inserts from the NEXT long-duration test which demonstrated 51,184 hours of high-voltage operation, 918 kg of propellant throughput, and 35.5 MN-s of total impulse. The characterization methods used include scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Microscopy analysis has been performed on fractured surfaces, emission surfaces, and metallographically polished cross-sections of post-test inserts and unused inserts. Impregnate distribution, etch region thickness, impregnate chemical content, emission surface topography, and emission surface phase identification are the primary factors investigated.

life (durability)↗
NASA NTRS2017

Characterization of the NEXT Hollow Cathode Inserts After Long-Duration Testing

Hollow dispenser cathode inserts are a critical element of electric propulsion systems, and should therefore be well understood during long term operation to ensure reliable system performance. This work destructively investigated cathode inserts from the NEXT long-duration test which demonstrated 51,184 hours of high-voltage operation, 918 kg of propellant throughput, and 35.5 MN-s of total impulse. The characterization methods used include scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Microscopy analysis has been performed on fractured surfaces, emission surfaces, and metallographically polished cross-sections of post-test inserts and unused inserts. Impregnate distribution, etch region thickness, impregnate chemical content, emission surface topography, and emission surface phase identification are the primary factors investigated.

Mackey, Jonathan A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Computed and observed ocean topography - A comparison

The Goddard Space Flight Center's latest Gravity Earth Model, GEM-8, was used to construct a static sea surface. Such a surface corresponds to the surface of an ocean without the time-varying effects of atmospheric pressure, surface wind friction, tides, and currents. It conforms to a surface dictated by the earth's gravitational and rotational forces. The sea surface model is the result of analyzing more than 500,000 satellite observations together with about 1600 5 deg x 5 deg and about 38,000 1 deg x 1 deg surface gravity anomalies. Preliminary comparisons between the computed and measured sea surface topography indicate that they agree quite well and differ by less than 1 m in many places including the Atlantic test area. Sea-surface features such as undulations caused by trenches and ridges are clearly and accurately detectable. The use of altimeter data for orbit computation reduces the uncertainty of the spacecraft height and thus the errors of the sea-surface topography.

Vonbun, F. O.↗
NASA NTRS1996

A New Milestone in Large-Scale Ocean Dynamics: The First Three Years of the TOPEX/POSEIDON Mission

The US/France TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite, which has been in orbit since August, 1992, is the first global ocean observing system specifically designed for studying ocean dynamics. The satellite uses a state-of-the-art radar altimeter system to determine the sea surface topography - the height of sea surface relative to a reference ellipsoid-with an unprecedented accuracy, and has returned a wealth of new information on the ocean circulation and its variations.

currents↗
DOE OSTI2021

Surface distribution of heterogenous clathrin assemblies in resorbing osteoclasts

Highlights: • Platinum replica microscopy has revealed new structural data on the clathrins on the ventralmembrane of osteoclasts. • Various clathrins were visualized, suggesting that they followed variations in the surface topography of the apatite. • Most of the flat clathrins may participate in the adhesive and mechnosensory functions in co-operation with podosomes. • The present findings in osteoclast biology reveal potential novel drug targets or treatment regimens. Osteoclasts seeded on either glass coverslips or apatite pellets have at least two morphologically distinct substrate adhesion sites: actin-based adhesion structures including podosome belts and sealing zones, and adjacent clathrin sheets. Clathrin-coated structures are exclusively localized at the podosome belts and sealing zone, in both of which the plasma membrane forms a tight attachment to the substrate surface. When cultured on apatite osteoclasts can degrade the apatite leading to the formation of resorption lacunae. The sealing zone divides the ventral membrane into different domains, outside and inside of the sealing zones. The former facing the smooth-surfaced intact apatite contains relatively solitary or networks of larger flat clathrin structures; and the latter, facing the rough-surfaced degraded apatite in the resorption lacunae contain clathrin in various shapes and sizes. Clathrin assemblies on the membrane domain facing not only a resorption lacuna, or trails but also intact apatite indeed were observed to be heterogeneous in size and intensity, suggesting that they appeared to follow variations in the surface topography of the apatite surface. These results provide a detailed insight into the flat clathrin sheets that have been suggested to be the sites of adhesion and mechanosensing in co-operation with podosomes.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1993

Tunneling magnetic force microscopy

We have developed a powerful new tool for studying the magnetic patterns on magnetic recording media. This was accomplished by modifying a conventional scanning tunneling microscope. The fine-wire probe that is used to image surface topography was replaced with a flexible magnetic probe. Images obtained with these probes reveal both the surface topography and the magnetic structure. We have made a thorough theoretical analysis of the interaction between the probe and the magnetic fields emanating from a typical recorded surface. Quantitative data about the constituent magnetic fields can then be obtained. We have employed these techniques in studies of two of the most important issues of magnetic record: data overwrite and maximizing data-density. These studies have shown: (1) overwritten data can be retrieved under certain conditions; and (2) improvements in data-density will require new magnetic materials. In the course of these studies we have developed new techniques to analyze magnetic fields of recorded media. These studies are both theoretical and experimental and combined with the use of our magnetic force scanning tunneling microscope should lead to further breakthroughs in the field of magnetic recording.

Burke, Edward R.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Interlaboratory Reproducibility of Contour Method Data Analysis and Residual Stress Calculation

While the contour method for residual stress assessment has developed rapidly, no published study documents its interlaboratory reproducibility. Objective: Here we report an initial reproducibility experiment focused on contour method data analysis and residual stress calculation. The experiment uses surface topography data from a physical process simulation of elastic-plastic beam bending. The simulation provides surface topography, for input to the contour method data analysis, as well as a known residual stress field with 130 MPa peak magnitude. Additionally, to increase realism, noise and specific artifacts are added to the topography data. A group of participants received the topography data (without the known residual stress), independently analyzed the data, and submitted results as a two-dimensional residual stress field. Analysis of submissions provides a group average residual stress field and the spatial distribution of reproducibility standard deviation. The group average residual stress agrees with the known stress in magnitude and spatial trend. The reproducibility standard deviation ranges from 2 to 54 MPa over the measurement plane, with an average of 5.4 MPa. Reproducibility standard deviation is smaller in the cross-section interior (≤ 5 MPa), modest near local extrema in the stress field (5 to 10 MPa), and larger near the cross-section boundaries (10 to 30 MPa). Overall, the largest values of reproducibility standard deviation (up to 54 MPa) occur in limited areas where artifacts had been added to the topography data; while some participants identified and removed these artifacts, some did not, leading to systematic differences that elevated the standard deviation.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1982

The Seasat altimeter mean sea surface model

Gridding techniques are used to combine an 18-day set of Seasat altimeter data and two precisely-computed Seasat ephemerides, in order to arrive at global contour maps of the mean sea surface topography. The altimeter data have an rms agreement of 111 cm with the SS3 mean sea surface computed by means of the PGS-S3 ephemerides, and of 70 cm with the SS4 mean surface derived from the PGS-S4 ephemerides. While comparisons with the GEM 10B 1 x 1 deg gravimetric geoid have yielded rms differences of 2.8 m, those with a global mean sea surface derived from GEOS 3 altimeter data show rms differences of 1.3 m and 1.1 m for the cases of the SS3 and SS4 surfaces, respectively. An SS4 mean sea surface topograph is featured among the study findings presented. Further improvements in the representation of mean sea surface topography are expected with the development of more accurate gravity models for orbit computation.

Marsh, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Thin-film temperature sensors for gas turbine engines Problems and prospects

The erosion and corrosion of thermocouples used to measure the temperature in turbine engines are studied. Structural and metallurgical interactions and instabilities at thermocouple interfaces are analyzed. Consideration is given to the adhesion, dielectric quality, surface topography, and hardness of the thermal oxides; it is observed that the structural and thermoelectric stability of thin-film thermocouple elements depends on adhesion, surface topography, and dielectric strength. The electrical conductivity and impurity content of the oxide scale are evaluated. Methods for improving the adhesion of thermocouples on the alumina surfaces are described. Compositional inhomogeneities in the sensors and contamination of the thermocouple elements are examined. The fabrication of the thermocouples is discussed. It is noted that Al2O3 and Si3N4 are useful for developing stable thermocouple elements on the surface of the blades and vanes.

Budhani, R. C.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multilayered microstructures with shape memory effects for vertical deployment

This paper presents a fabrication and characterization of multilayered microstructures with shape memory effects enabling large vertical deployment under electro-thermal actuation. Our previous research demonstrated vertical deployment of such microstructures by the effect of thermal mismatch. Development of equiatomic NiTi layers in the multilayered microstructure is investigated further for shape memory effects. Multilayered microstructures are built by sputtered NiTi layers and a lift-off process. Negative photoresist ma-N1420 enables clean lift-off of 500 nm thick NiTi layers by forming a significant undercut profile after development. The parametric study on co-sputter powers for Ti and Ni 50 Ti 50 targets suggests that 100 W RF on Ti target and 200 W DC on Ni 50 Ti 50 target can deposit Ni 49.62 Ti 50.38 layers. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) were used to study the crystal structures and surface topography of NiTi layers. XRD results of post-annealed Ni 49.62 Ti 50.38 layers show coexistence of austenite and martensitic phases at room temperature, suggesting that the transformation temperature of such NiTi layers should be approximate 20 °C. The surface topography of Ni 49.62 Ti 50.38 layers reveals substantial increase of surface roughness at ambient conditions after the annealing. Experimental verification of the multilayered microstructure for vertical deployment was carried out by Signatone Probe Station and Dual Scanning Electron Microscope/Focused Ion Beam (SEM/FIB) system. Finally, a vertical deployment of the two-dimensional (2D) multilayered microstructures for three-dimensional (3D) can be detected by applying a constant voltage of 0.04 V, and the expected 3D deployment displacement is enlarged from 2 μm to 10 μm by introducing the shape memory effect.

42 ENGINEERING↗