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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

Asymmetric Flow State Switching on the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 2 Crew Vehicle

An in-depth investigation was conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel to evaluate flow state switching in the liftoff flow environment of the Space Launch System Block 2 Crew launch vehicle using side force measurements, two-component particle image velocimetry, and tufts flow visualization. Multimodal flow states were observed in the gap flow between the centerbody and solid rocket boosters at a range of incoming flow angles and were characterized for the relative strength of state switches. When flow switches occur, the flow is predominantly bimodal, but trimodal flow states are observed with the launch tower downstream of the vehicle. Tufts visualization indicates three-dimensionality during flow state switching, which initiates at one part of the gap and quickly transitions throughout the length of the booster. Due to the long time scales between switches, statistics such as frequency of flow state switches and converged state probabilities cannot be established without significantly increased acquisition times.

Lee J. Mears↗

Solid-State Architecture Batteries for Enhanced Rechargeability and Safety (SABERS): Advanced Battery Technology for Sustainable Aviation

All-electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL) for urban air mobility (UAM) concepts face numerous challenging technical barriers before their introduction into the consumer marketplace. The primary barrier to overcome is developing an energy storage system capable of meeting the rigorous aerospace safety and performance criteria. The performance metrics for eVTOL vehicles are at least two times greater than those of electric ground vehicles. Furthermore, inherently non-flammable batteries are essential for safe operation of commercial electric aerovehicles. The SABERS concept proposes a battery that meets the key performance criteria through development of a solid-state architecture battery utilizing high-capacity sulfur-selenium cathode and lithium metal anode. The combination of sulfur and selenium offers a balanced energy-to-power density ratio, which can be tailored to the specific application by altering the stoichiometric ratios of sulfur to selenium. This hybrid cathode will be developed by implementing NASA patented holey graphene technology as a highly conductive, ultra-lightweight electrode scaffold. A solid-state electrolyte will be used as a safe, non-flammable replacement to the highly flammable liquid organic electrolytes currently used in SOA lithium-ion batteries. This solid-state lithium-sulfur/selenium cell will be designed into a serial stacking configuration to enable dense packaging of the battery cells. The serial stacking configuration is termed a bipolar stack, which has the advantages of reducing overall cell weight, simplifying the interfaced connections for the cell, and minimizing the cooling requirements. Lastly, optimization of battery components will occur through a robust and rigorous combination of various computational modeling techniques covering multiple length scales. The expected result will be a fully solid-state battery with operational temperatures up to 150 °C which provides the required energy density, discharge rates, and inherent safety to meet the strict aerospace mission performance criteria. This presentation will demonstrate a feasible path for solid-state cells that possess a specific energy of greater than 400 Wh/kg to enable electric aircraft. The presentation will also explore novel materials and computational models used to achieve all solid-state cells that operate safely at very high temperatures and specific energies. The cells can withstand damage while operating without an increase in temperature or spontaneous ignition.

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Vehicles↗

Solid-state Architecture Batteries for Enhanced Rechargeability and Safety (SABERS)

All-electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL) for urban air mobility (UAM) concepts face numerous challenging technical barriers before their introduction into the consumer marketplace. The most challenging of these technical barriers to overcome is developing an energy storage system capable of meeting the rigorous aerospace safety and performance criteria. The performance metrics for eVTOL craft, such as specific energy and cycle life, are at least 2 times greater than those of electric automobiles. Furthermore, safety is essential for operation of commercial electric aerovehicles. Preliminary systems level analysis studies have indicated that there are five key properties which must be optimized for successful implementation of battery systems. Those five key criteria are safety, energy density, power, packaging design and scalability. Current state-of-the-art (SOA) lithium-ion batteries meet or exceed the requirements for electric aviation in the areas of power and scalability, yet are insufficient in the key performance criteria of energy, safety and packaging design. The SABERS concept proposes a battery that meets all five key performance criteria through the development of a solid-state architecture cell design utilizing high energy density and power density sulfur-selenium cathode with a lithium metal anode. Data will be presented demonstrating high performing sulfur - selenium cathode that offers a balanced energy to power density ratio, which can be tailored to the specific application by altering the stoichiometric ratios of sulfur to selenium. This cathode is being developed by implementing NASA patented holey graphene technology as a highly conductive, ultra-lightweight electrode scaffold. Novel processing methods allow developing solid-state electrolyte that is a safe, non-flammable replacement to the highly flammable liquid organic electrolytes currently used in SOA lithium-ion batteries. The all solid-state lithium-sulfur-selenium cell design enables the implementation of a bipolar stack configuration, which has the advantages of reducing overall cell weight, reducing the amount of interfaced connections for the cell, and minimizing cooling requirements for the battery. In particular, the solid-state design allows for a serial stacking configuration to enable dense packaging of the cells within the bipolar stack. Lastly, optimization of battery components occurs through a robust and rigorous combination of various computational modeling techniques covering multiple length scales. The expected result will be a solid-state battery with operational temperatures from 0 °C to 150 °C which provides the required energy density, discharge rate, and inherent safety to meet strict aerospace performance criteria.

solid state batteries↗

Empirical State Error Covariance Matrix for Batch Estimation

State estimation techniques effectively provide mean state estimates. However, the theoretical state error covariance matrices provided as part of these techniques often suffer from a lack of confidence in their abilities to describe the true uncertainty in the estimated states. By a reinterpretation of the equations involved in the weighted least squares algorithm, it is possible to directly arrive at an empirical state error covariance matrix. This proposed empirical state error covariance matrix will contain the effect of all error sources, known or unknown. Results are presented for a simple, two observer, measurement error only problem.

Estimation↗

D autoionization states of He and ionic H

Positions of the lowest 1,3De autoionization states of He and H(-) below the n = 2 level of the He(+) and H were calculated variationally, using Feshbach's Q-operator formalism. The trial wave function is of the Hylleraas-type with appropriate angular momentum factors. The widths and the shifts of the states have also been calculated. The shifts are found to be positive for all the states calculated here. The results with 112 terms for most states are lower than any previously calculated. The calculated lowest autoionization states of the He and H(-) (relative to the ground states of He and H respectively) are 59.902 eV and 10.1185 eV, in good agreement with the observed values of 59.9 eV and 10.13 + or 0.015 eV.

Bhatia, A. K.↗

Odd-parity D states in He.

The states considered lie below the n = 2 threshold of He(+) and decay radiatively to the lower states. The most general D-state wave function of odd parity of two electrons is examined. The results presented are optimized with respect to four nonlinear parameters for 112 terms. A mass-polarization correction is given for all the states listed. The positions of the D states, including the reduced mass and the mass-polarization corrections, with respect to the ground state of He are reported.

Bhatia, A. K.↗

Photoionization from excited states of helium

The cross sections for photoionization from the 2 1S, 2 3S, 2 1P and 2 3P excited states of helium are calculated for photoelectron energies below the n = 2 threshold of He(+) using Hylleraas bound state wave functions and 1s-2s-2p close coupling final state wave functions. The resonant structures associated with the lowest-lying 1S, 1P, 3P, and 1D autoionizing states of helium are found to be characterized by large values of the line profile parameter q. The cross sections and the photoelectron angular distribution asymmetry parameters for the P-states are calculated for various polarization states of the target atom and the incident photon. Experiments which would lead to the separate determinations of the S- and D- wave partial photoionization cross sections are discussed.

Jacobs, V. L.↗

Direct measurement of the ionization states of energetic carbon and oxygen emitted by the sun

The ionization states of carbon and oxygen accelerated in nine solar-flare particle events have been measured for energies between 15 keV per nucleon and 600 keV per nucleon, using the electrostatic energy-charge analyzer aboard the IMP 8 earth-orbiting spacecraft. The ionization states are found to be remarkably constant from flare to flare, despite great variations in other event parameters. The mean ionic charge for carbon is 5.7, and that for oxygen is 6.2; these values show no statistically significant variation with energy over the range of measurements. The observed states are similar to the respective ionization states in the solar wind. The measured ionization charge states of C and O are shown to be consistent with charge equilibrium established with an electron gas at a temperature of about 1.5 million K, the temperature of the quiet corona. This implies either that the charge states are 'frozen-in' and are not changed by subsequent acceleration and propagation, or that the ions are trapped in the quiet corona after acceleration.

Sciambi, R. K.↗

Discovery of iron line emission in the Hercules X-1 low-state spectrum with HEAO 1

Results are reported for HEAO 1 observations of Her X-1 which confirm the existence of the iron line-emission feature discovered with OSO 8 in the high-state spectrum and also reveal an iron emission feature in the low-state spectrum. The iron line-emission feature in the low-state spectrum was detected at a significance level greater than 5 sigmas and is characterized by a line energy of 6.4 keV, an equivalent width larger than that of the high-state line, a binary phase dependence of the line intensity, and a line width that is intrinsically narrow in contrast to the broad high-state line. The observed line energy and narrow line width are shown to be consistent with an interpretation in terms of fluorescence emission due to X-ray heating. It is suggested that HZ Her contributes no more than about 10% of the predicted line flux, that this emission is reflected from a highly ionized plasma, and that a hot coronal gas is an important source of the low-state X-rays.

Pravdo, S. H.↗

Optical communication with two-photon coherent stages. I - Quantum-state propagation and quantum-noise reduction

To determine the ultimate performance limitations imposed by quantum effects, it is also essential to consider optimum quantum-state generation. Certain 'generalized' coherent states of the radiation field possess novel quantum noise characteristics that offer the potential for greatly improved optical communications. These states have been called two-photon coherent states because they can be generated, in principle, by stimulated two-photon processes. The use of two-photon coherent state (TCS) radiation in free-space optical communications is considered. A simple theory of quantum state propagation is developed. The theory provides the basis for representing the free-space channel in a quantum-mechanical form convenient for communication analysis. The new theory is applied to TCS radiation.

Yuen, H. P.↗

An SCF and MCSCF description of the low-lying states of MgO

The paper presents the multiconfiguration-self-consistent (MCSCF) and configuration state functions (CSF) for the low-lying electronic states of MgO. It was shown that simple description of these states was possible provided the 1 Sigma(+) states are individually optimized at the MCSCF level, noting that the 1(3 Sigma)(+) and 2(1 Sigma)(+) states which nominally result from the same electron occupation are separated energetically. The molecular orbitals obtained at this level of approximation should provide a useful starting point for extended configuration interaction calculations since they have been optimized for the particular states of interest.

Bauschlicher, C. W., Jr.↗

Steady state volcanism - Evidence from eruption histories of polygenetic volcanoes

Cumulative volcano volume curves are presented as evidence for steady-state behavior at certain volcanoes and to develop a model of steady-state volcanism. A minimum criteria of five eruptions over a year was chosen to characterize a steady-state volcano. The subsequent model features a constant head of magmatic pressure from a reservoir supplied from depth, a sawtooth curve produced by the magma arrivals or discharge from the subvolcanic reservoir, large volume eruptions with long repose periods, and conditions of nonsupply of magma. The behavior of Mts. Etna, Nyamuragira, and Kilauea are described and show continuous levels of plasma output resulting in cumulative volume increases. Further discussion is made of steady-state andesitic and dacitic volcanism, long term patterns of the steady state, and magma storage, and the lack of a sufficient number of steady-state volcanoes in the world is taken as evidence that further data is required for a comprehensive model.

Wadge, G.↗

The low state of AM Herculis - Observations from 0.12 to 10 microns

Observations of AM Her during a low state over a wavelength range from 0.12 to 10 microns are reported. These include IUE ultraviolet spectra, light curves at U, B, V, R, J, H, K, and magnitudes at L, M, and N. The UV observations reveal a nearly Rayleigh-Jeans continuum spectral distribution and broad Lyman-alpha absorption from a hot (effective temperature = 50,000 K) white dwarf. Of the strong emission lines present in the high state, only weak C IV (1550 A) and Mg II (2800 A) features remain. The optical light curves are markedly different from the high state, while the infrared light curves are similar in appearance to the high state. The infrared variations cannot be explained solely by the ellipsoidal variations of a secondary star which is heated by an accretion column. The 10 micron flux is less than the high state, but it is not possible to tell if the excess noted during the high state is still present. The large available wavelength range is used to constrain the relative contributions of the white dwarf, the red dwarf, and the accretion columns.

Szkody, P.↗

The use of LANDSAT by the states for water quality assessment

The use of LANDSAT for water resources applications in U.S. state demonstration projects is reviewed. The most common single application undertaken between 1976 and 1981 was found to be water condition assessment. The majority of projects, however, fell into the general category of watershed hydrology. Some of the states are attempting to use LANDSAT data in an operational mode for water quality assessment. Two of these state projects from Vermont and Wisconsin are described in brief. The basic information requirements of Section 314 of the U.S. Pollution Control Act are given with the type of input LANDSAT data could potentially provide toward those requirements. Surveys were performed to determine: (1) how its states were responding in 1980 to 1981 to the federal and state water quality laws; and (2) the status of LANDSAT analysis capabilities of each state.

Middleton, E. M.↗

Interpreting the solar wind ionization state

The ionization state of the solar coronal expansion is frozen within a few solar radii of the solar photosphere, and spacecraft measurements of the solar wind heavy ion charge state can therefore yield information about coronal conditions (e.g., electron temperature). Previous interpretations of the frozen-in ionization state have always assumed that in the coronal freezing-in region, (1) all heavy ions flow at the same bulk speed as protons, (2) the electron velocity distribution function is Maxwellian, and (3) conditions vary in space but not in time. The consequences of relaxing these assumptions for the interpretation of solar wind charge state measurements are examined. It is found that: (1) the temperature inferred by traditional interpretation of the interplanetary ionization state overestimates (underestimate) the actual coronal electron temperature if higher ion charge stages flow systematically faster (slower) than lower stages at the coronal freezing radius; (2) temperatures inferred from relative abundance measurements of ion-charge-stages with high ionization potentials moderately overestimate the actual coronal electron temperature if the high-energy tail of the coronal electron velocity distribution is enhanced relative to a Maxwellian distribution; (3) the propagation of a disturbance, e.g., a shock wave, through the corona can strongly affect the frozen-in charge state, but only over a time (a few times ten minutes) corresponding to the coronal transit time for the disturbance.

Owocki, S. P.↗

Optimal state-rate feedback explicit model-following

The development of optimal explicit model-following control laws which include the use of state-rate signals is described. By formulating the control problem to consider both state and state-rate errors, some generalization of previous results is obtained. For special cases in which 'perfect' model-following is possible, the form of the resulting control law is particularly simple and leads to clear understanding of the direct influences of the weighting matrices used in the problem formulation. In addition the use of state-rate feedback permits the solution to be expressed in terms of gains on state an state-rate errors between model and controlled element, thereby obviating any requirement that perturbation signals be used for feedback.

Buethe, S.↗

Temporal and spectral study of a newly discovered spiking phenomenon in the pre-eclipse and anomalous dip states of Hercules X-1

A new phenomenon has been detected in observations of Hercules X-1 at times consistent with the preeclipse and anomalous dips. The X-ray intensity does not drop for the duration of the dip but is punctuated by short spikes that appear to repeat with a period of approximately 108 minutes. Spectral fits during the on-state, the spike-state, and the low-state suggest a single, constant intrinsic source spectrum which becomes partially covered by an absorbing medium during the spike and low states. All three states can be fitted with the same flat power law between 1 and 20 keV with an absorber of varying covering fraction. Since the morphology and spectrum of the spikes are similar during both the preeclipse and the anomalous dips, and the possible 108 minute period is seen in both states, there is for the first time strong support for a common origin for the preeclipse and anomalous dips.

Vrtilek, S. D.↗

Picosecond excite-and-probe absorption measurement of the intra-2E(g)E(3/2)-state vibrational relaxation time in Ti(3+):Al2O3

The Ti(3+)-doped Al2O3 has been recently demonstrated to be a tunable solid-state laser system with Ti(3+) as the laser-active ion. In this paper, the kinetics of vibrational transitions in the 2E(g)E(3/2) electronic state of Ti(3+):Al2O3a (crucial for characterizing new host materials for the Ti ion) was investigated. A 527-nm 5-ps pulse was used to excite a band of higher vibrational levels of the 2E(g)E(3/2) state, and the subsequent growth of population in the zero vibrational level and lower vibrational levels was monitored by a 3.9-micron picosecond probe pulse. The time evolution curve in the excited 2E(g)E(3/2) state at room temperature was found to be characterized by a sharp rise followed by a long decay, the long lifetime decay reflecting the depopulation of the zero and the lower vibrational levels of the 2E(g)E(3/2) state via radiative transitions. An upper limit of 3.5 ps was estimated for intra-2E(g)E(3/2)-state vibrational relaxation time.

Gayen, S. K.↗