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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 1,603 records · Page 89

Effects of moisture, residual thermal curing stresses, and mechanical load on the damage development in quasi-isotropic laminates

This investigation demonstrates how moisture absorbed in (0/+ or - 45/90)s and (0/90/+ or - 45)s graphite epoxy laminates significantly alters the stress state and chronology of damage development along the laminate edge during static tension and tension-tension cyclic loading. Emphasis is placed on using reasonable approximations for wet and dry elastic properties, including out-of-plane properties (nu sub 23 and G sub 23), since these properties are required by finite element and shear lag models to predict the stress state at the laminate edge. Moisture was observed to alter the dry edge stress state in the 90-deg plies of the (0/+ or - 45/90)s laminate such that delaminations occurred at a lower load and transverse cracks occurred at a higher load. A model was developed which predicted the differences in loads required to initiate damage in the 90-deg plies of the two laminates in the wet and dry conditions. Although moisture can alter the chronology of damage development, the damage state in each laminate observed prior to fracture appeared to be independent of moisture content.

Kriz, R. D.↗

Transformation of a Plane Wavefront in Hemispherical Lenses Made of Leuco-Sapphire

An algorithm for wavefront calculation of ordinary and extraordinary waves after propagation through hemispherical components made of a uniaxial crystal is developed. The influence of frequency dispersion of n{sub о} and n{sub e}, as well as change in the direction of the optic axis of the crystal, on extraordinary wavefront in hemispheres made of from leuco-sapphire and a plastically deformed analog thereof is determined.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

The plane problem of the flapping wing

In connection with an earlier report on the lifting vortex sheet which forms the basis of the following investigations this will show how the methods developed there are also suitable for dealing with the air forces for a wing with a circulation variable with time. The theory of a propulsive wing flapping up and down periodically in the manner of a bird's wing is developed. This study shows how the lift and its moment result as a function of the flapping motion, what thrust is attainable, and how high is the degree of efficiency of this flapping propulsion unit if the air friction is disregarded.

ORNITHOPTERS↗

The Generation-X X-ray Observatory Vision Mission and Technology Study

The new frontier in astrophysics is the study of the birth and evolution of the first stars, galaxies and black holes in the early Universe. X-ray astronomy opens a window into these objects by studying the emission from black holes, supernova explosions and the gamma-ray burst afterglows of massive stars. However, such objects are beyond the grasp of current or near-future observatories. X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of such distant objects will require an X-ray telescope with large collecting area and high angular resolution. Our team has conceived the Generation-X Vision Mission based on an X-ray observatory with 100 sq m collecting area at 1 keV (1000 times larger than Chandra) and 0.1 arcsecond angular resolution (several times better than Chandra and 50 times better than the Constellation-X resolution goal). Such an observatory would be capable of detecting the earliest black holes and galaxies in the Universe, and will also study extremes of density, gravity, magnetic fields, and kinetic energy which cannot be created in laboratories. NASA has selected the Generation-X mission for study under its Vision Mission Program. We describe the studies being performed to develop the mission concept and define candidate technologies and performance requirements for Generation-X. The baseline Generation-X mission involves four 8m diameter X-ray telescopes operating at Sun-Earth L2. We trade against an alternate concept of a single 26m diameter telescope with focal plane instruments on a separate spacecraft. A telescope of this size will require either robotic or human-assisted in-flight assembly. The required effective area implies that extremely lightweight grazing incidence X-ray optics must be developed. To achieve the required aerial density of at least 100 times lower than in Chandra, we will study 0.1mm thick mirrors which have active on-orbit figure control. We discuss the suite of required detectors, including a large FOV high angular resolution imager, a cryogenic imaging spectrometer and a grating spectrometer. We outline the development roadmap to confront the many technological challenges far implementing the Generation-X mission.

Figueroa-Feliciano, Enectali↗

Navier-Stokes solution on the CYBER-203 by a pseudospectral technique

A three-level, time-split, mixed spectral/finite difference method for the numerical solution of the three-dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes equations has been developed and implemented on the Control Data Corporation (CDC) CYBER-203. This method uses a spectral representation for the flow variables in the streamwise and spanwise coordinates, and central differences in the normal direction. The five dependent variables are interleaved one horizontal plane at a time and the array of their values at the grid points of each horizontal plane is a typical vector in the computation. The code is organized so as to require, per time step, a single forward-backward pass through the entire data base. The one-and two-dimensional Fast Fourier Transforms are performed using software especially developed for the CYBER-203.

Lambiotte, J. J.↗

Hydrodynamic spin-orbit coupling in asynchronous optically driven micro-rotors

Abstract Vortical flows of rotating particles describe interactions ranging from molecular machines to atmospheric dynamics. Yet to date, direct observation of the hydrodynamic coupling between artificial micro-rotors has been restricted by the details of the chosen drive, either through synchronization (using external magnetic fields) or confinement (using optical tweezers). Here we present a new active system that illuminates the interplay of rotation and translation in free rotors. We develop a non-tweezing circularly polarized beam that simultaneously rotates hundreds of silica-coated birefringent colloids. The particles rotate asynchronously in the optical torque field while freely diffusing in the plane. We observe that neighboring particles orbit each other with an angular velocity that depends on their spins. We derive an analytical model in the Stokes limit for pairs of spheres that quantitatively explains the observed dynamics. We then find that the geometrical nature of the low Reynolds fluid flow results in a universal hydrodynamic spin-orbit coupling. Our findings are of significance for the understanding and development of far-from-equilibrium materials.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Sodium Ion Transport Mechanisms in Antiperovskite Electrolytes Na 3 OBr and Na 4 OI 2 : An in Situ Neutron Diffraction Study

Na-rich antiperovskites are recently developed solid electrolytes with enhanced sodium ionic conductivity and show promising functionality as a novel solid electrolyte in an all solid-state battery. In this work, the sodium ionic transport pathways of the parent compound Na3OBr, as well as the modified layered antiperovskite Na4OI2, were studied and compared through temperature dependent neutron diffraction combined with the maximum entropy method. In the cubic Na3OBr antiperovskite, the nuclear density distribution maps at 500 K indicate that sodium ions hop within and among oxygen octahedra, and Br- ions are not involved. In the tetragonal Na4OI2 antiperovskite, Na ions, which connect octahedra in the ab plane, have the lowest activation energy barrier. The transport of sodium ions along the c axis is assisted by I- ions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

High-Temperature, High-Flux Multifoil Shield Developed for Space Applications

Spacecraft employing solar dynamic power systems typically use parabolic, point focus concentrators to collect solar power and direct it to the aperture of a heat receiver. Solar fluxes several thousand times the intensity of one solar constant are typically produced in the focal plane of such concentrators. Under heat loading this severe, passively cooled surfaces constructed of most engineering materials would rapidly melt. Therefore, high-temperature shielding is required to protect heat receiver surfaces and other spacecraft surfaces that may be exposed to high flux. To meet this challenge for the joint U.S./Russian Solar Dynamic Flight Demonstration Program, AlliedSignal Aerospace and the NASA Lewis Research Center developed a high-temperature, high-flux multifoil shield tolerant of extreme heat loading conditions in a vacuum environment. The shield is passively cooled, obviating the need for pumped fluid loops and/or heat pipe cooling systems with their attendant cost, mass, complexity, and reliability issues.

Kerslake, Thomas W.↗

A Real-Time High Performance Data Compression Technique For Space Applications

A high performance lossy data compression technique is currently being developed for space science applications under the requirement of high-speed push-broom scanning. The technique is also error-resilient in that error propagation is contained within a few scan lines. The algorithm is based on block-transform combined with bit-plane encoding; this combination results in an embedded bit string with exactly the desirable compression rate. The lossy coder is described. The compression scheme performs well on a suite of test images typical of images from spacecraft instruments. Hardware implementations are in development; a functional chip set is expected by the end of 2001.

Yeh, Pen-Shu↗

Performance of preconditioned iterative solvers in MFiX–Trilinos for fluidized beds

MFiX, a general-purpose Fortran-based suite, simulates the complex flow in fluidized bed applications via BiCGStab and GMRES methods along with plane relaxation preconditioners. Trilinos, an object-oriented framework, contains various first- and second-generation Krylov subspace solvers and preconditioners. We developed a framework to integrate MFiX with Trilinos as MFiX does not possess advanced linear methods. The framework allows MFiX to access advanced linear solvers and preconditioners in Trilinos. The integrated solver is called MFiX–Trilinos, here after. In the present work, we study the performance of variants of GMRES and CGS methods in MFiX–Trilinos and BiCGStab and GMRES solvers in MFiX for a 3D gas–solid fluidized bed problem. Two right preconditioners employed along with various solvers in MFiX–Trilinos are Jacobi and smoothed aggregation. The flow from MFiX–Trilinos is validated against the same from MFiX for BiCGStab and GMRES methods. And, the effect of the preconditioning on the iterative solvers in MFiX–Trilinos is also analyzed. In addition, the effect of left and right smoothed aggregation preconditioning on the solvers is studied. Finally, the performance of the first- and second-generation solver stacks in MFiX–Trilinos is studied as well for two different problem sizes.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Predictions of macro-scale fracture geometries from acoustic emission point cloud data in a hydraulic fracturing experiment

Observations of laboratory fracture testing by means of acoustic emission (AE) can provide a wealth of information regarding the fracturing process and the subsequent damage of the material or structure under load. A method for determining the structure of macro-scale fractures from a point cloud of AE events was developed and tested at the laboratory scale. An unconfined hydraulic fracturing experiment was performed on granite while monitoring acoustic emissions from six piezoelectric transducers on the surfaces of the specimen. The granite specimen dimensions were 30 × 30 × 25 cm 3 . The motivation of the AE analysis was to provide location information for a secondary wellbore placement which intersects the hydraulic fracture to complete a hydraulically connected binary well-hydraulic fracture system. Information gained from the 3D event source locations was used to optimize the location and orientation of secondary production well placement to intersect the induced hydraulic fracture. A direct method was developed to predict the location, orientation and shape of the hydraulic fracture from a dense cloud of AE events. The predicted fracture plane, which was assumed to be planar, was rotated in both the pitch and roll directions, while an average error of AE event distance between the assumed plane and the individual event locations was determined for each rotation iteration, resulting with a predicted fracture plane in the minimum error orientation. Post-test fracture observations were made and digitized in 3D space from coring and slabbing the granite specimen. The actual fracture observations were compared with the predicted fracture structure from AE and showed marked correlation. In conclusion, the simple method of determining macro-scale fracture location, orientation, and extents provided a useful tool for materials that exhibit large and disperse clouds of AE activity where coalesced fracture structure is not apparent.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A compact electromagnetic neutron nutator for precise neutron spin manipulation

A superconducting electromagnetic nutator (EMN) capable of generating a magnetic field vector along an arbitrary direction on a 2D plane has been designed. Its performance in precisely manipulating the neutron polarization vector has been tested at the HB2-D polarized development beamline at the High Flux Isotope Reactor. Unlike mechanical nutators that require physical handling or motor-driven actuation to rotate the magnetic field, the magnitude and orientation of the magnetic field produced by the EMN can be controlled electromagnetically. Further, the compact design (~15 mm depth, not including cryogenic housing) of this device ensures ease of coupling within existing superconducting neutron spin manipulation devices, such as magnetic Wollaston prisms (MWP), resonant radio frequency (RF) flippers, spherical neutron polarimetry (SNP) devices, etc.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Template Assisted Lithium Superoxide Growth for Lithium-Oxygen Batteries

Developing batteries with energy densities comparable to internal combustion technology is essential for a worldwide transition to electrified transportation. Li-O2 batteries are seen as the ‘holy grail’ of battery technologies since they have the highest theoretical energy density of all battery technologies. Current lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries suffer from large charge overpotentials related to electronic resistivity of the insulating lithium peroxide (Li2O2) discharge product. One potential solution is the formation and stabilization of a lithium superoxide (LiO2) discharge intermediate that exhibits good electronic conductivity. However, LiO2 is reported to be unstable at ambient temperature despite its favorable formation energy at -1.0 eV/atom. In this paper, based on our recent work on the development of cathode materials for aprotic lithium oxygen batteries including two intermetallic compounds, LiIr3 and LiIr, that are found to form good template interfaces with LiO2, a simple goodness of fit R factor to gauge how well a template surface structure can support LiO2 growth is developed. The R factor is a quantitative measurement to calculate the geometric difference in the unit cells of specific Miller Index 2D planes of the template surface and LiO2. Using this as a guide, the R factors for LiIr3, LiIr, and La2NiO4+, are found to be good. This guide is attested by simple extension to other noble metal intermetallics with electrochemical cycling data including LiRh3, LiRh, and Li2Pd. Finally, the template concept is extended to main group elements and the R factors for LiO2 (111) and Li2Ca suggest that Li2Ca is a possible candidate for the template assisted LiO2 growth strategy.

Intermetallics↗

Mathematical model of massive dynamics in the neighborhood of disturbance focus

We consider a model problem for the research of Earth’s surface state caused by discharge of tectonic stress on the deep cracks in the earth’s crust. Using the numerical method of bicharacteristics, algorithm is developed and solution of the problem of non-stationary dynamics of a homogeneous isotropic elastic half-space is built under plane strain when one resets the vertical stress on crack. Diffraction of waves on the surface is studied, pictures of wave fields and stress-strain state of the medium and the surface for different moments of time are built.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Observation of runaway electrons by infrared camera in J-TEXT

When the energy of confined runaway electrons approaches several tens of MeV, the runaway electrons can emit synchrotron radiation in the range of infrared wavelength. An infrared camera working in the wavelength of 3-5 μm has been developed to study the runaway electrons in the Joint Texas Experimental Tokamak (J-TEXT). The camera is located in the equatorial plane looking tangentially into the direction of electron approach. The runaway electron beam inside the plasma has been observed at the flattop phase. With a fast acquisition of the camera, the behavior of runaway electron beam has been observed directly during the runaway current plateau following the massive gas injection triggered disruptions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Flatbands and Perfect Metal in Trilayer Moiré Graphene

We investigate the electronic structure of a twisted multilayer graphene system forming a moiré pattern. We consider small twist angles separating the graphene sheets and develop a low-energy theory to describe the coupling of Dirac Bloch states close to the K point in each individual plane. Extending beyond the bilayer case, we show that, when the ratio of the consecutive twist angles is rational, a periodicity emerges in quasimomentum space with moiré Bloch bands even when the system does not exhibit a crystalline lattice structure in real space. For a trilayer geometry, we find flatbands in the spectrum at certain rotation angles. Performing a symmetry analysis of the band model for the trilayer, we prove that the system is a perfect metal in the sense that it is gapless at all energies. Furthermore, this striking result originates from the three Dirac cones which can only gap in pairs and produce bands with an infinite connectivity. It also holds quite generally for multilayer graphene with an odd number of planes under the condition of C 2z T symmetry.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Measured Biaxial Residual Stress Maps in a Stainless Steel Weld

Here, this paper describes a sequence of residual stress measurements made to determine a two-dimensional map of biaxial residual stress in a stainless steel weld. A long stainless steel (316L) plate with an eight-pass groove weld (308L filler) was used. The biaxial stress measurements follow a recently developed approach, comprising a combination of contour method and slitting measurements, with a computation to determine the effects of out-of-plane stress on a thin slice. The measured longitudinal stress is highly tensile in the weld- and heat-affected zone, with a maximum around 450 MPa, and compressive stress toward the transverse edges around ₋250 MPa. The total transverse stress has a banded profile in the weld with highly tensile stress at the bottom of the plate (y = 0) of 400 MPa, rapidly changing to compressive stress (at y = 5 mm) of ₋200 MPa, then tensile stress at the weld root (y = 17 mm) and in the weld around 200 MPa, followed by compressive stress at the top of the weld at around ₋150 MPa. Finally, the results of the biaxial map compare well with the results of neutron diffraction measurements and output from a computational weld simulation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A weak subducting slab at intermediate depths below northeast Japan

Knowledge of the state of stress in subducting slabs is essential for understanding their mechanical behavior and the physical processes that generate earthquakes. Here, we develop a framework which uses a high-resolution focal mechanism catalog to determine the change in the position of the neutral plane before and after the M9 Tohoku-oki earthquake to determine that the deviatoric stress within the slab at intermediate depths must be very low (~1 MPa). We show that by combining the static stress calculated from coseismic slip distributions with the stress orientations before and after the mainshock, we can determine the full deviatoric stress tensor within the subducting slab at intermediate depths. These results preclude earthquake source mechanisms that require large background driving stresses, favoring a mechanically weak subducting slab, thus providing quantitative constraints on the physical processes that generate intermediate-depth earthquakes.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗