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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 163 records · Page 9
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NASA NTRS1984

Factors which influence directional coarsening of gamma-prime during creep in nickel-base superalloy single crystals

Changes in the morphology of the gamma prime precipitate were examined as a function of the time during creep at 982 C in 001 oriented single crystals of a Ni-Al-Mo-Ta superalloy. In this alloy, which has a large negative misfit of -0.80 pct., the gamma prime particles link together during creep to form platelets, or rafts, which are aligned with their broad faces perpendicular to the applied tensile axis. The effects of initial microstructure and alloy composition of raft development and creep properties were investigated. Directional coarsening of gamma prime begins during primary creep and continues well after the onset of second state creep. The thickness of the rafts remains constant up through the onset of tertiary creep, a clear indication of the stability of the finely-spaced gamma/gamma prime lamellar structure. The thickness of the rafts which formed was equal to the initial gamma prime size which was present prior to testing. The single crystals with the finest gamma prime size exhibited the longest creep lives, because the resultant rafted structure had a larger number of gamma/gamma prime interfaces per unit volume of material. Reducing the Mo content by only 0.73 wt. pct. increased the creep life by a factor of three, because the precipitation of a third phase was eliminated.

Mackay, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Remote Sensing of Rain

The first problem addressed concerns passive-microwave rain retrievals. Most current approaches start by building off-line a cloud-model-derived database. Given data, the retrieval algorithms search the database for the microwave temperatures "closest" to the observed data, then after some fine-tuning (performed in different ways by different implementations) the rain is estimated to be that which corresponds to the selected (and fine-tuned) set of database temperatures. These approaches have three drawbacks: they cannot properly take into account the ambiguities which arise from the fact that several rain scenarios can produce the same observed temperatures; they are quite inefficient since they require manipulating a large database along with often complex "fine-tuning" procedures; and they cannot refine their estimates if additional data is available. This past year we have derived closed formulae relating observed microwave brightness temperatures, T(sub b), and the underlying rain rates, R: average T(sub b) =f (rain) and average rain = g (T(sub b)), along with the corresponding covariance matrices. These results are sufficient to describe the conditional probabilities p(R/T(sub b)) and p(T(sub b)/R) to second order. Progress has also been made towards deriving a robust description of the rain drop size distribution (DSD). The widespread approach consisting in parameterizing the DSD as a gamma-distribution in terms of the drop diameter D suffers from the facts that, in reality, the DSD is not a smooth function of D and that the largely arbitrary Gamma model imposes unintended behavior, which has implications on any quantities derived from the DSD model. We have therefore developed a non-parametric yet practical description of the DSD, which is particularly well-suited for use in remote-sensing applications. The diagram on the left shows a comparison between an actual DSD sample and the truncated non-parametric representation. One figure shows the relation between radar reflectivity and rain rate derived using this representation. Validation of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) radar-radiometer combined R and DSD algorithm is underway. This algorithm was designed to make optimal use of the instantaneous reflectivity profiles measured by the TRMM radar and the microwave brightness temperatures measured by the TRMM passive radiometer. So far, it appears to be the most reliable TRMM rain algorithm.

Haddad, Ziad S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Data analysis of the COMPTEL instrument on the NASA gamma ray observatory

The Compton imaging telescope (COMPTEL) on the Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) is a wide field of view instrument. The coincidence measurement technique in two scintillation detector layers requires specific analysis methods. Straightforward event projection into the sky is impossible. Therefore, detector events are analyzed in a multi-dimensional dataspace using a gamma ray sky hypothesis convolved with the point spread function of the instrument in this dataspace. Background suppression and analysis techniques have important implications on the gamma ray source results for this background limited telescope. The COMPTEL collaboration applies a software system of analysis utilities, organized around a database management system. The use of this system for the assistance of guest investigators at the various collaboration sites and external sites is foreseen and allows different detail levels of cooperation with the COMPTEL institutes, dependent on the type of data to be studied.

Diehl, R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Production of high-energy gamma rays by cosmic ray interactions in the atmosphere and lunar surface

The production of gamma rays above 10 MeV by the interaction of cosmic rays in the atmosphere and the lunar surface is simulated using Monte Carlo methods. The calculation incorporates a new model of high-energy nucleon-nucleus interactions based on empirical fits to inclusive cross sections for the production of pions and nucleons. The atmospheric gamma ray flux is calculated as a function of direction, energy, and atmospheric depth. These calculations are compared with observations from balloons and from the SAS 2 satellite. Estimates of the flux of earth albedo electrons produced by cosmic ray interactions are presented. The lunar gamma ray albedo is calculated and compared with an upper limit based on SAS 2 measurements.

Morris, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Suppression of human anti-inflammatory plasma cytokines IL-10 and IL-1RA with elevation of proinflammatory cytokine IFN-gamma during the isolation of the Antarctic winter

Cellular immune function has been shown to be decreased and latent virus shedding to be increased in human beings isolated during the Antarctic winter, a model used for assessing some effects of space flight. However, the balance of proinflammatory (IFN-gamma) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-1RA) cytokines has not previously been evaluated. We therefore sought to determine whether isolation during the Antarctic winter would alter the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance. Cytokine levels were measured with ELISA in monthly plasma samples from January through September 1999 in 21 study subjects in the Antarctic and 7 control subjects on Macquarie Island. There was a significant time-dependent increase in plasma IFN-gamma (P =.039) as well as decreases in IL-10 (P =.042) and IL-1RA (P =.053) in the study subjects compared with the control subjects. The study subjects also had significantly increased plasma IFN-gamma levels (P < or =.045) but decreased IL-10 and IL-1RA levels (P < or =.036) at individual time points of isolation. Isolation of human beings in the Antarctic appears to shift the plasma cytokine balance toward a proinflammatory profile. These observations are consistent with T-cell activation that might be due to activation of latent viruses, and they could hold importance for determining the risks of space flight.

NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology↗
NASA NTRS1992

Self-absorption theory applied to rocket measurements of the nitric oxide (1, 0) gamma band in the daytime thermosphere

Observations of the UV fluorescent emissions of the NO (1, 0) and (0, 1) gamma bands in the lower-thermospheric dayglow, made with a sounding rocket launched on March 7, 1989 from Poker Flat, Alaska, were analyzed. The resonant (1, 0) gamma band was found to be attenuated below an altitude of about 120 km. A self-absorption model based on Holstein transmission functions was developed for the resonant (1, 0) gamma band under varying conditions of slant column density and temperature and was applied for the conditions of the rocket flight. The results of the model agreed with the measured attenuation of the band, indicating the necessity of including self-absorption theory in the analysis of satellite and rocket limb data of NO.

Eparvier, F. G.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Gamma-neutrino angular correlations in muon capture.

Using a high-resolution Ge(Li) spectrometer, it proved possible to observe several Doppler-broadened gamma-ray transitions in Al-28 excited by muon capture in Si-28. Several of these transitions are shown to be suitable for analysis in terms of angular correlations between the neutrino and a deexcitation nuclear gamma-ray. The observed transitions are interpreted in terms of gamma-neutrino correlation coefficients which are functions of the weak-interaction coupling constants.

Miller, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Possible evidence for structured acceleration of cosmic rays on a galactic scale from recent gamma-ray observations

Recent data from SAS-2 on the galactic gamma-ray line flux as a function of longitude reveal a broad maximum in the region below 30 deg. These data, as unfolded here, imply that the low-energy (1-10 GeV) galactic cosmic-ray flux varies with the radial distance from the galactic center and is about an order of magnitude higher than the local value in a toroidal region for radial distances between 4 and 5 kpc. We further show that this enhancement can be plausibly accounted for by Fermi acceleration and compression caused by a hydrodynamic shock driven by the expanding gas in the 3-kpc arm and invoked in some versions of galactic structure theory.

Stecker, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Introducing the B stars

Methods for classifying B stars in the visible region by examining low reslution spectra; broadband colors; intermidiate band colors and H beta; absolute magnitude as a function of H beta and H gamma strength and of luminosity class; and the BCD system and its relation to the MK system are examined. The use of OAO-2 spectrophotometry; objective prism and objective grating spectra; and observations from the TD1 satellite for classifying B stars in the ultraviolet region are also discussed. Infrared and radio observations of these stars are reviewed as well as information available concerning masses, radii and velocity of escape.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1982

Model studies of nitric oxide fluorescence in the earth's backscattered spectrum

Fluorescent emissions from nitric oxide appear imposed upon the Rayleigh backscattered spectrum of the earth's atmosphere between 250 and 300 nm in wavelength. Satellite instruments designed to monitor the global ozone distribution can routinely observe these signals although techniques for exploiting the data are not yet available. Application of a radiative transfer equation developed for an atmosphere including absorption by ozone, molecular scattering, and nitric oxide fluorescence shows the three most prominent NO emissions relative to the 250-300 nm backscattered sunlight to be the (1,4), (1,6), and (0,3) gamma bands. Analysis of the contribution function for each emission band indicates that the fluorescent signals can provide useful information on the magnitude and variability of nitric oxide between 40 and 140 km in altitude.

Frederick, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Superalloy composition modeling

Development of a predictive method for determination of the gamma/gamma prime phase fields, i.e., gamma prime volume fraction as a function of the multicomponent composition, is described. The cluster variation method used for binary alloys in which the precipitated phase is coherent with the matrix phase is extended for application to the multicomponent coherent gamma/gamma prime nickel-based superalloys. It is shown that the cluster variation method can accurately describe the equilibrium (incoherent) gamma/gamma prime phase fields in the binary Ni-Al phase diagram. The gamma/gamma prime phase field for the Ni-Cr-Al ternary phase diagram is computed as a function of temperature. A reasonable fit results between the calculated and the experimental diagrams. The modeling of the six-component Ni-Cr-Al-Co-Mo-Ti base superalloy and the effect of Ni substitution of Co are discussed.

Barefoot, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Photon-photon absorption and the uniqueness of the spectra of active galactic nuclei

The effects of the feedback of e(+)-e(-) pair reinjection in a plasma due to photon-photon absorption of its own radiation was examined. Under the assumption of continuous electron injection with a power law spectrum E to the minus gamma power and Compton losses only, it is shown that for gamma 2 the steady state electron distribution function has a unique form independent of the primary injection spectrum. This electron distribution function can, by synchrotron emission, reproduce the general characteristics of the observed radio to optical active galactic nuclei spectra. Inverse Compton scattering of the synchrotron photons by the same electron distribution can account for their X-ray spectra, and also implies gamma ray emission from these objects. This result is invoked to account for the similarity of these spectra, and it is consistent with observations of the diffuse gamma ray background.

Kazanas, D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Luminescence induced by dehydration of kaolin - Association with electron-spin-active centers and with surface activity for dehydration-polymerization of glycine

Experimental data concerning emission of light upon dehydration as a function of preheating and pre-gamma-irradiation are correlated with reported studies of electron-spin resonance (ESR) activity after similar pretreatments. The effect of these pretreatments on the kaolin-promoted incorporation of glycine into peptide oligomers in a wet/cold, hot/dry fluctuating environment is compared to their effect on the ESR and luminescent signals. The existence of spectroscopically active centers appears to be loosely anticorrelated with reaction yield; these yields are increased by increasing the overall energy content of the material. It is concluded that some part of the chemical yield is produced by a mechanism involving intrinsic, excited electronic states of the clay crystal lattice. These states may be derived from thermally, interfacially, and/or mechanically induced charge reorganization within interspersed energy levels in the band structure of the material.

Coyne, L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Photon-photon absorption and the uniqueness of the spectra of active galactic nuclei

The effects of the feedback of e(+)-e(-) pair reinjection in a plasma due to photon-photon absorption of its own radiation was examined. Under the assumption of continuous electron injection with a power law spectrum E to the minus gamma power and Compton losses only, it is shown that for gamma 2 the steady state electron distribution function has a unique form independent of the primary injection spectrum. This electron distribution function can, by synchrotron emission, reproduce the general characteristics of the observed radio to optical active galactic nuclei spectra. Inverse Compton scattering of the synchrotron photons by the same electron distribution can account for their X-ray spectra, and also implies gamma ray emission from these objects. This result is invoked to account for the similarity of these spectra, and it is consistent with observations of the diffuse gamma ray background.

Kazanas, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Diurnal movements of cotton leaves expressed as thermodynamic work and entropy changes

It is pointed out that some important agricultural crops show heliotropic leaf movements. In these species, the proclivity of leaves to orient either perpendicularly or parallel or in some combination of these positions with respect to the sun is controlled by the leaf turgor and the availability of water. Such an orientational response is particularly noticeable for cotton. Schutt et al. (1985) have detailed leaf trajectories using three angles. The present investigation applies the three-angle representation to leaf trajectory mapping and to the calculation of the phase angle 'gamma' between the individual leaf normals and the solar direction. Using gamma, the thermodynamic work and entropy functions are evaluated and used to distinguish between the behavior of water-stressed and well watered cotton canopies.

Schutt, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The dayglow of the O2 atmospheric band system

The dayglow of the O2 atmospheric O2(1Sigma) band system has been simulated by taking into account the three main production mechanisms of the O2(1Sigma) state resonance fluorescence, a photochemical term due to quenching of O(1D), and a pure chemical process. Values of the emission rate, which are involved in the resonant scattering of the O2 atmospheric bands (A, B, and gamma), have been obtained as a function of altitude (0-120 km) and solar zenith angle using a line-by-line calculation. The values of the emission rate, along with updated rate coefficients, have been used in the calculation of the production rate of O2(1Sigma) and the volume emission rate of the (O2 1Sigma, v prime = 0)-(O2 3Sigma, v double prime = 0) transition. The results of these calculations are compared to observational measurements and are found to be in excellent agreement.

Bucholtz, A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Analysis of Gamma-Ray Data from Solar Flares in Cycles 21 and 22

One of our primary accomplishments under grant NAGW-35381 was the systematic derivation and compilation, for the first time, of physical parameters for all gamma-ray flares detected by the SMM GRS during its ten year lifetime. The flare parameters derived from the gamma-ray spectra include: bremsstrahlung fluence and best-fit power-law parameters, narrow nuclear line fluence, positron annihilation line fluence, neutron capture line fluence, and an indication of whether or not greater than 10 MeV emissions were present. We combined this compilation of flare parameters with our plots of counting rate time histories and flare spectra to construct an atlas of gamma-ray flare characteristics. The atlas time histories display four energy bands: 56-199 kev, 298526 keV, 4-8 MeV, and 10-25 MeV. These energy bands respectively measure nonrelativistic bremsstrahlung, trans-relativistic bremsstrahlung, nuclear de-excitation, and ultra-relativistic bremsstrahlung. The atlas spectra show the integrated high-energy spectra measured for all GRS flares and dissects them into electron bremsstrahlung, positron annihilation and nuclear emission components. The atlas has been accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Supplements and is currently in press. The atlas materials were also supplied to the Solar Data Analysis Center at Goddard Space Flight Center and were made available through a web site at the University of New Hampshire. Since a uniform methodology was adopted for deriving the flare parameters, this atlas will be very useful for future statistical and correlative studies of solar flares-three independent groups are presently using it to correlate interplanetary energetic particle measurements with our gamma-ray measurements. A better model for the response of the GRS instrument to high energy radiation was also developed. A refined response model was needed because the old model was not adequate for predicting the first and second escape peaks associated with strong nuclear lines nor could it accurately describe the Compton continuum shape. The new response was developed using a GEANT based simulation code and tested against preflight calibration data. The refinement of the response model and the removal of systematic errors now allow more detailed spectral studies of the GRS gamma-ray measurements. This refined response function was supplied to the Solar DAC at Goddard and was also made available via a web site at the University of New Hampshire.

Vestrand, W. Thomas↗