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At least 163 records · Page 9

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NASA NTRS1986

Producing Large-Particle Monodisperse Latexes

Chemical process produces latex particles of relatively large, uniform size for use as size standards for instrument calibration. Process, based on seeding of mixture by very small latex particles, yields particles measuring 2 to 30 micrometer or more in average size. Produces monodisperse latexes in which deviation from average size is less than 2 percent. Particles used directly, without tedious separation procedures for removing off-size particles.

Vanderhoff, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Optical Flow-Field Techniques Used for Measurements in High-Speed Centrifugal Compressors

The overall performance of a centrifugal compressor depends on the performance of the impeller and diffuser as well as on the interactions occurring between these components. Accurate measurements of the flow fields in each component are needed to develop computational models that can be used in compressor design codes. These measurements must be made simultaneously over an area that covers both components so that researchers can understand the interactions occurring between the two components. Optical measurement techniques are being used at the NASA Lewis Research Center to measure the velocity fields present in both the impeller and diffuser of a 4:1 pressure ratio centrifugal compressor operating at several conditions ranging from design flow to surge. Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) was used to measure the intrablade flows present in the impeller, and the results were compared with analyses obtained from two three-dimensional viscous codes. The development of a region of low throughflow velocity fluid within this high-speed impeller was examined and compared with a similar region first observed in a large low-speed centrifugal impeller at Lewis. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is a relatively new technique that has been applied to measuring the diffuser flow fields. PIV can collect data rapidly in the diffuser while avoiding the light-reflection problems that are often encountered when LDV is used. The Particle Image Velocimeter employs a sheet of pulsed laser light that is introduced into the diffuser in a quasi-radial direction through an optical probe inserted near the diffuser discharge. The light sheet is positioned such that its centerline is parallel to the hub and shroud surfaces and such that it is parallel to the diffuser vane, thereby avoiding reflections from the solid surfaces. Seed particles small enough to follow the diffuser flow are introduced into the compressor at an upstream location. A high-speed charge-coupled discharge (CCD) camera is synchronized to the laser pulse rate; this allows it to capture images of seed particle position that are separated by a small increment in time. A crosscorrelation of a particle's position in two consecutive images provides an estimate of flow velocity and direction. Multiple image pairs obtained in rapid succession at a particular flow condition provide enough measurements for statistical significance. PIV provides simultaneous velocity measurements over the entire plane that is illuminated by the light sheet instead of at a single point, as is the case when LDV is used. PIV has a further advantage in that the laser light pulse can be triggered by an external source such as a high-response pressure transducer. This feature will allow PIV to synchronize flow imaging to physical phenomena such as rotating stall or stall precursor waves. We hope that this technique can be used to obtain images of the flow field during and just prior to stall.

Skoch, Gary J.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Spectral evolution of microwaves and hard X-rays in the 1989 March 18 flare and its interpretation

We analyze the time variation of microwave spectra and hard X-ray spectra of 1989 March 18, which are obtained from the Solar Array at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) and the Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer (HXRBS) on the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM), respectively. From this observation, it is noted that the hard X-ray spectra gradually soften over 50 - 200 keV on-and-after the maximum phase while the microwaves at 1 - 15 GHz show neither a change in spectral shape nor as rapid a decay as hard X-rays. This leads to decoupling of hard X-rays from the microwaves in the decay phase away from their good correlation seen in the initial rise phase. To interpret this observation, we adopt a view that microwave-emitting particles and hard X-ray particles are physically separated in an inhomogeneous magnetic loop, but linked via interactions with the Whistler waves generated during flares. From this viewpoint, it is argued that the observed decoupling of microwaves from hard X-rays may be due to the different ability of each source region to maintain high energy electrons in response to the Whistler waves passing through the entire loop. To demonstrate this possibility, we solve a Fokker-Planck equation that describes evolution of electrons interacting with the Whistler waves, taking into account the variation of Fokker-Planck coefficients with physical quantities of the background medium. The numerical Fokker-Planck solutions are then used to calculate microwave spectra and hard X-ray spectra for agreement with observations. Our model results are as follows: in a sronger field region, the energy loss by electron escape due to scattering by the waves is greatly enhanced resulting in steep particle distributions that reproduce the observed hard X-ray spectra. In a region with weaker fields and lower density, this loss term is reduced allowing high energy electrons to survive longer so that microwaves can be emitted there in excess of hard X-rays during the decay phase of the flare. Our results based on spectral fitting of a flare event are discussed in comparison with previous studies of microwaves and hard X-rays based on either temporal or spatial information.

Lee, Jeongwoo W.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Material handling device Patent

Device which separates and screens particles of soil samples for vidicon viewing in vacuum and reduced gravity environments

Ritchie, D. G.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Interplanetary cosmic dust flux

Pioneer 8 and 9 measured cosmic dust flux rate data are in agreement with astronomy theory, zodiacal light measurements, and ground-based observations, but differ markedly from the high flux rates deduced from earlier in situ measurements. As many as seven orders-of-magnitude separate the small particle end of the high and low flux curves. It was concluded that the data from the multicoincidence cosmic dust sensors have not only measured very low flux for micrometeorites, which is in keeping with astronomy theory, but have also shown how a high flux theory may be based on faulty data.

Berg, O. E.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Mass spectrometric determination of the composition of the Venus clouds

The instrumentation is analyzed for determining the composition of the clouds on Venus. Direct analysis of the gas phase atmosphere, and the detection of ferrous chloride with a mass spectrometer are dicussed along with the mass analyzer, and the pre-separation of cloud particles from the ambient atmosphere.

Herzog, R. F. K.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Structure of lunar glasses by Raman and soft X-ray spectroscopy.

X-ray spectra and Raman spectra have been measured from individual particles of lunar glasses. Each particle was analyzed separately by electron microprobe. Silicon emission shifts vary between parent rock types and can be interpreted as a range of Si-O distances from 1.612 to 1.637 A. Aluminum emission shifts relate to the amount of 4- and 6-coordinated Al in the glass. Raman spectra show broadened bands. Certain bands recur in many specimens and relate to the main normative minerals for the glass bulk composition, olivine, pyroxene, and anorthite.

Fabel, G. W.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Measurement of separate electron and positron spectra in the primary cosmic rays from 5 to 50 GeV

A magnetic spectrometer and lead-plate spark chamber have been used to measure separate primary cosmic-ray electrons and positrons up to 50 GeV. Separation of these particles from the background was accomplished with a new technique combining both selective trigger and observation, in the lead-plate chamber, of bremsstrahlung photons that were created in a thin radiator placed above the spectrometer. The results of efficiency and rejection calibrations with accelerator tests and Monte Carlo calculations are presented, as well as preliminary data from a balloon-flight exposure of the apparatus.

Buffington, A.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Silverton Conference on Applications of the Zero Gravity Space Shuttle Environment to Problems in Fluid Dynamics

The possible utilization of the zero gravity resource for studies in a variety of fluid dynamics and fluid-dynamic related problems was investigated. A group of experiments are discussed and described in detail; these include experiments in the areas of geophysical fluid models, fluid dynamics, mass transfer processes, electrokinetic separation of large particles, and biophysical and physiological areas.

Eisner, M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

The threshold laws for electron-atom and positron-atom impact ionization

The Coulomb-dipole theory is employed to derive a threshold law for the lowest energy needed for the separation of three particles from one another. The study focuses on an electron impinging on a neutral atom, and the dipole is formed between an inner electron and the nucleus. The analytical dependence of the transition matrix element on energy is reduced to lowest order to obtain the threshold law, with the inner electron providing a shield for the nucleus. Experimental results using the LAMPF accelerator to produce a high energy beam of H- ions, which are then exposed to an optical laser beam to detach the negative H- ion, are discussed. The threshold level is found to be confined to the region defined by the upper bound of the inverse square of the Coulomb-dipole region. Difficulties in exact experimental confirmation of the threshold are considered.

Temkin, A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Batch Gas-Sampling System

Sampler collects air or other gases in consistent way and stabilizes them for later chemical analysis. Device used for concentrations ranging from few parts per million to 100 percent. Also separates and collects particles in gas for analysis. Gas flows into vacuum sphere when solenoid valve opened. As it passes through conversion tube, constituent of gas forms stable compound that remains in conversion tube for analysis at later time. Sampler parts made of glass, polytetrafluoroethylene, and stainless steel so they do not react with sample.

Diaz, Vernon, Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Acoustophoresis - A New Separation Concept

Ultrasound separates chemical species. Concept under development expands technology of chemical separation to include ultrasonic-radiation pressure. New technique separates species of particles according to ultrasonic properties. Acoustophoresis concept utilizes not only bulk compressional waves but also surface waves or boundary waves between solid (or liquid) container wall and subject liquid.

Heyman, Joseph S.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Aerospace devices for magnetic replicas

Retained persistent magnetic field has been studied and improved in the superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 (Y123). During the study, trapped magnetic field, B(t), has been increased by over a factor of 10(exp 5). Methods used to improve magnetic field trapping were principally: (1) the adoption of the Melt Texturing process to increase grain size; (2) the addition of excess Y to disperse deposits of Y2BaCuO5 (Y211) and again increase grain size; (3) irradiation with high energy particles including 1H+, 3He++, 4He++, and fission fragments; and (4) utilizing temperatures below 77 K has also been quantified as a way to increase trapped field. In addition, in our study of B(t), we have found laws governing creep, activation, temperature dependence, creep vs. current flow, etc. In the range 20 K less than or equal to T less than or equal to 65 K, and for B less than 10 Tesla, a simple empirical relationship was found: B(trap) (T2) = B(trap) (T1) ((Tc - T2)/(Tc - T1))squared where Tc is the critical temperature. The highest experimental trapped field was B(trap) = 3.96 Tesla, at 65 K. We believe this to be the highest persistent field ever produced, by any method. A two component model of the persistent currents has been developed. This accurately reproduces the data, using as parameters only the magnitude of a constant surface current, J(s), and a constant volume current J(v). The model successfully predicts B(t) (xyz) for the case of maximum trapped field, for all samples observed. It has also been extended to describe the unsaturated case either zero field cooled, or field cooled. Loss of strap with time has been studied for the critical state (Bt,max), and non critical state (Bt less than Bt,max), for times from a few minutes to a few months, for unirradiated material, for irradiation by 1H+, 3He++, 4He++, high z projectiles, and neutrons, and for all materials used in the overall study. We conclude that: (1) multi Tesla trapped fields are attained; (2) fields over 10 T are achievable; (3) creep is not a large problem; (4) application is feasible to motors, generators, magnets for particle beam optics, separators, levitating bearings, energy storage, shielding, and transportation.

Weinstein, Roy↗

NASA NTRS1999

The Mars 2001 Athena Precursor Experiment (APEX)

The Athena Precursor Experiment (APEX) is a suite of scientific instruments for the Mars Surveyor Program 2001 (MSP'01) lander. The major elements of the APEX pay load are: (1) Pancam/Mini-TES, a combined stereo color imager and mid-infrared point spectrometer. (2) An Alpha-Proton-X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) for in-situ elemental analysis. (3) A Mossbauer Spectrometer for in-situ determination of the mineralogy of Fe-bearing rocks and soils. (4) A Magnet Array that can separate magnetic soil particles from non-magnetic ones.

Squyres, S. W.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Far-Infrared Water Emissions from Magnetohydrodynamic Shock Waves

Nondissociative, magnetohydrodynamic, C-type shock waves are expected to be a prodigious source of far-infrared water emissions in dense interstellar regions. We have constructed a model to calculate the farinfrared H20 line spectra that emerge from such shocks. Using the best estimates currently available for the radiative cooling rate and the degree of ion-neutral coupling within the shocked gas, we modeled the temperature structure of MHD shocks using standard methods in which the charged and neutral particles are treated separately as two weakly coupled, interpenetrating fluids. Then we solved the equations of statistical equilibrium to find the populations of the lowest 179 and 170 rotational states of ortho- and para-H2O We have completed an extensive parameter study to determine the emergent H2O line luminosities as a function of preshock density in the range n(H2) equals 10(exp 4) - 10(sup 6.5)/cc and shock velocity in the range upsilon(sub s) = 5 - 40 km/ s. We find that numerous rotational transitions of water are potentially observable using the Infrared Space Observatory and the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite and may be used as diagnostics of the shocked gas. We have also computed the rotational and ro-vibrational emissions expected from H2, CO, and OH, and we discuss how complementary observations of such emissions may be used to further constrain the shock conditions. In common with previous studies, we come close to matching the observed H2, and high-J CO emissions from the Orion-KL star-forming region on the basis of a single shock model. We present our predictions for the strengths of H2O line emission from the Orion shock, and we show how our results may be scaled to other regions where molecular shocks are likely to be present.

Kaufman, Michael J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Pore size engineering applied to the design of separators for nickel-hydrogen cells and batteries

Pore size engineering in starved alkaline multiplate cells involves adopting techniques to widen the volume tolerance of individual cells. Separators with appropriate pore size distributions and wettability characteristics (capillary pressure considerations) to have wider volume tolerances and an ability to resist dimensional changes in the electrodes were designed. The separators studied for potential use in nickel-hydrogen cells consist of polymeric membranes as well as inorganic microporous mats. In addition to standard measurements, the resistance and distribution of electrolyte as a function of total cell electrolyte content were determined. New composite separators consisting of fibers, particles and/or binders deposited on Zircar cloth were developed in order to engineer the proper capillary pressure characteristics in the separator. These asymmetric separators were prepared from a variety of fibers, particles and binders.

Abbey, K. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Pore size engineering applied to the design of separators for nickel-hydrogen cells and batteries

Abbey, K. M.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Particles Growing in Solutions: Depletion Forces and Instability of Homogeneous Particle Distribution

Crystallites, droplets and amorphous precipitates growing from supersaturated solution are surrounded by zones, which are depleted with respect to the molecules they are built of. If two such particles of colloidal size are separated by a distance comparable to their diameters, then the depletion within the gap between particles is deeper than that at the outer portion of the particles. This will cause depletion attraction between the particles should appear. It may cause particle coagulation and decay of the originally homogeneous particle distribution into a system of clouds within which the particle number density is higher, separated by the region of the lower number density. Stability criterion, Q = 4 pi R(exp 3)c/3 >> 1, was analytically found along with typical particle density distribution wavevector q = (Q/I)(exp 1/2)(a/R)(exp 1/4). Here, R and a are the particle and molecular radii, respectively, c is the average molecular number density in solution and I is the squared diffusion length covered by a molecule during a typical time characterizing decay of molecular concentration in solution due to consumption of the molecules by the growing particles.

Chernov, A. A.↗