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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

Shielded conductor cable system

A cable system carries one or more insulated conductors completely enclosed within a shield having one end connected to ground. A lightning protector network connects the other end of the shield to ground. The protector network is normally open circuited and becomes only short circuited in response to a momentary abnormal surge voltage induced in the shield. The protector network's open to short impedance change completes a conductive circuit path between the shield and the two grounded ends for conducting a shield current which has the desired effect of protecting the signal carrying conductors in the cable from the large surge voltage.

Castle, K. D.↗

Frequency response of electrochemical cells

The main objective was to examine the feasibility of using frequency response techniques (1) as a tool in destructive physical analysis of batteries, particularly for estimating electrode structural parameters such as specific area, porosity, and tortuosity and (2) as a non-destructive testing technique for obtaining information such as state of charge and acceptability for space flight. The phenomena that contribute to the frequency response of an electrode include: (1) double layer capacitance; (2) Faradaic reaction resistance; (3) mass transfer of Warburg impedance; and (4) ohmic solution resistance. Nickel cadmium cells were investigated in solutions of KOH. A significant amount of data was acquired. Quantitative data analysis, using the developed software, is planned for the future.

Thomas, Daniel L.↗

Active member vibration control for a 4 meter primary reflector support structure

The design and testing of a new low voltage piezoelectric active member with integrated load cell and displacement sensor is described. This active member is intended for micron level vibration and structural shape control of the Precision Segmented Reflector test-bed. The test-bed is an erectable 4 meter diameter backup support truss for a 2.4 meter focal length parabolic reflector. Active damping of the test-bed is then demonstrated using the newly developed active members. The control technique used is referred to as bridge feedback. With this technique the internal sensors are used in a local feedback loop to match the active member's input impedance to the structure's load impedance, which then maximizes vibrational energy dissipation. The active damping effectiveness is then evaluated from closed loop frequency responses.

Umland, J. W.↗

DGEN Aeropropulsion Research Turbofan (DART) Core/Combustor-Noise Infinite-Tube-Probe (ITP) Transfer Function

Direct measurements of turbofan engine core unsteady pressure is complicated by the extreme thermal environment within the engine, preventing currently available transducers from operating. It is necessary to use a remote measurement configuration such as an infinite-tube-probe (ITP) configuration in which the transducer is teed into a line pneumatically coupled with the location of interest and the other end of the ITP contains an "infinite" waveguide designed to prevent any reflections. This configuration has become a standard method for experiments concerning core noise. In order to relate the spectral pressure measurements obtained remotely with the ITP, a transfer (frequency response) function needs to be calculated based on a known pressure field. This is accomplished using a normal impedance tube at Glenn Research Center, where a flush-mounted microphone is used as a reference to the ITP signal in the calculation of the ITP's transfer function.

Boyle, Devin K.↗

Design concepts for a high-impedance narrow-band 42 GHz power TWT using a fundamental/forward ladder-based circuit

A low-cost, narrowband, millimeter wave space communications TWT design was studied. Cold test interaction structure scale models were investigated and analyses were undertaken to predict the electrical and thermal response of the hypothetical 200 W TWT at 42 GHz and 21 kV beam voltage. An intentionally narrow instantaneous bandwidth (1%, with the possibility of electronic tuning of the center frequency over several percent) was sought with a highly dispersive, high impedance "forward wave' interaction structure based on a ladder (for economy in fabrication) and nonspace harmonic interaction, for a high gain rate and a short, economically focused tube. The "TunneLadder' interaction structure devised combines ladder properties with accommodation for a pencil beam. Except for the impedance and bandwidth, there is much in common with the millimeter wave helix TWTs which provided the ideal of diamond support rods. The benefits of these are enhanced in the TunneLadder case because of spatial separation of beam interception and RF current heating.

Karp, A.↗

Fabrication of an Absorber-Coupled MKID Detector

Absorber-coupled microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) arrays were developed for submillimeter and far-infrared astronomy. These sensors comprise arrays of lambda/2 stepped microwave impedance resonators patterned on a 1.5-mm-thick silicon membrane, which is optimized for optical coupling. The detector elements are supported on a 380-mm-thick micro-machined silicon wafer. The resonators consist of parallel plate aluminum transmission lines coupled to low-impedance Nb microstrip traces of variable length, which set the resonant frequency of each resonator. This allows for multiplexed microwave readout and, consequently, good spatial discrimination between pixels in the array. The transmission lines simultaneously act to absorb optical power and employ an appropriate surface impedance and effective filling fraction. The fabrication techniques demonstrate high-fabrication yield of MKID arrays on large, single-crystal membranes and sub-micron front-to-back alignment of the micro strip circuit. An MKID is a detector that operates upon the principle that a superconducting material s kinetic inductance and surface resistance will change in response to being exposed to radiation with a power density sufficient to break its Cooper pairs. When integrated as part of a resonant circuit, the change in surface impedance will result in a shift in its resonance frequency and a decrease of its quality factor. In this approach, incident power creates quasiparticles inside a superconducting resonator, which is configured to match the impedance of free space in order to absorb the radiation being detected. For this reason MKIDs are attractive for use in large-format focal plane arrays, because they are easily multiplexed in the frequency domain and their fabrication is straightforward. The fabrication process can be summarized in seven steps: (1) Alignment marks are lithographically patterned and etched all the way through a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer, which consists of a thin silicon membrane bonded to a thick silicon handle wafer. (2) The metal microwave circuitry on the front of the membrane is patterned and etched. (3) The wafer is then temporarily bonded with wafer wax to a Pyrex wafer, with the SOI side abutting the Pyrex. (4) The silicon handle component of the SOI wafer is subsequently etched away so as to expose the membrane backside. (5) The wafer is flipped over, and metal microwave circuitry is patterned and etched on the membrane backside. Furthermore, cuts in the membrane are made so as to define the individual detector array chips. (6) Silicon frames are micromachined and glued to the silicon membrane. (7) The membranes, which are now attached to the frames, are released from the Pyrex wafer via dissolution of the wafer wax in acetone.

Brown, Ari↗

Modeling of Cardiovascular Response to Weightlessness

It was the hypothesis of this Project that the Simple lack of hydrostatic pressure in microgravity generates several purely physical reactions that underlie and may explain, in part, the cardiovascular response to weightlessness. For instance, hydrostatic pressure within the ventricles of the heart may improve cardiac performance by promoting expansion of ventricular volume during diastole. The lack of hydrostatic pressure in microgravity might, therefore, reduce diastolic filling and cardiac performance. The change in transmural pressure is possible due to the difference in hydrostatic pressure gradients between the blood inside the ventricle and the lung tissue surrounding the ventricle due to their different densities. On the other hand, hydrostatic pressure within the vasculature may reduce cardiac inlet pressures because of the typical location of the heart above the hydrostatic indifference level (the level at which pressure remains constant throughout changes in gravity). Additional physical responses of the body to changing gravitational conditions may influence cardiovascular performance. For instance, fluid shifts from the lower body to the thorax in microgravity may serve to increase central venous pressure (CVP) and boost cardiac output (CO). The concurrent release of gravitational force on the rib cage may tend to increase chest girth and decrease pedcardial pressure, augmenting ventricular filling. The lack of gravity on pulmonary tissue may allow an upward shifting of lung mass, causing a further decrease in pericardial pressure and increased CO. Additional effects include diuresis early in the flight, interstitial fluid shifts, gradual spinal extension and movement of abdominal mass, and redistribution of circulatory impedance because of venous distention in the upper body and the collapse of veins in the lower body. In this project, the cardiovascular responses to changes in intraventricular hydrostatic pressure, in intravascular hydrostatic pressure and, to a limited extent, in extravascular and pedcardial hydrostatic pressure were investigated. A complete hydraulic model of the cardiovascular system was built and flown aboard the NASA KC-135 and a computer model was developed and tested in simulated microgravity. Results obtained with these models have confirmed that a simple lack of hydrostatic pressure within an artificial ventricle causes a decrease in stroke volume. When combined with the acute increase in ventricular pressure associated with the elimination of hydrostatic pressure within the vasculature and the resultant cephalad fluid shift with the models in the upright position, however, stroke volume increased in the models. Imposition of a decreased pedcardial pressure in the computer model and in a simplified hydraulic model increased stroke volume. Physiologic regional fluid shifting was also demonstrated by the models. The unifying parameter characterizing of cardiac response was diastolic ventricular transmural pressure (DVDELTAP) The elimination of intraventricular hydrostatic pressure in O-G decreased DVDELTAP stroke volume, while the elimination of intravascular hydrostatic pressure increased DVDELTAP and stroke volume in the upright posture, but reduced DVDELTAP and stroke volume in the launch posture. The release of gravity on the chest wall and its associated influence on intrathoracic pressure, simulated by a drop in extraventricular pressure4, increased DVDELTAP ans stroke volume.

Sharp, M. Keith↗

Examining Individual Differences in Temporal Profiles of Cardiovascular Responses to the Head Down Tilt during Fluid Loading

Upon returning to Earth after an extended exposure to micro-gravity in space many astronauts have experienced symptoms of light headedness and fainting associated with post-flight orthostatic intolerance (low blood pressure). The main reason for this condition is the reduced fluid volume in the body while in space. A preventative treatment was proposed to prevent this condition by fluid loading to restore lost plasma volume by giving crew members salt tablets and water prior to re-entry. In order to simulate micro-gravity effects on earth test subjects are placed in a supine position with their head below the level of their heart (6 head down tilt-HDT). The purpose of the present study is to define individual differences in the time course of cardiac stroke volume responses to HDT (6 hours) and the effectiveness of fluid loading for mitigating orthostatic intolerance when standing . Echocardiography and impedance cardiography data will be collected on 8 men and 8 women to examine heart function to HDT. A second objective is to determine if the effects of fluid loading vary due to individual differences (e.g., age, gender, height, weight, physical fitness, etc.).

orthostatic intolerance↗

Determining bonding, thickness, and density via thermal wave impedance NDE

Bonding, density, and thickness of coatings have a vital effect on their performance in many applications. Pioneering development work on thermal wave nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods during the past 25 years has resulted in an array of useful techniques for performing bonding, density, and thickness measurements in a practical shop environment. The most useful thermal wave methods for this purpose are based on thermal wave surface impedance measurement or scanning. A pulse of heat from either a thermal transducer or a hot gas pulse is projected onto the surface, and the resulting temperature response is analyzed to unfold the bonding, density, and thickness of the coating. An advanced emissivity independent infrared method was applied to detect the temperature response. These methods were recently completely computerized and can automatically provide information on coating quality in near real-time using the proper equipment. Complex shapes such as turbine blades can be scanned. Microscopic inhomogeneities such as microstructural differences and small, normal, isolated voids do not cause problems but are seen as slight differences in the bulk thermal properties. Test objects with rough surfaces can be effectively nondestructively evaluated using proper thermal surface impedance methods. Some of the basic principles involved, as well as metallographic results illustrating the ability of the thermal wave surface impedance method to detect natural nonbonds under a two-layer thermally sprayed coating, will be presented.

Green, D. R.↗

Cardiovascular responses to postural changes: differences with age for women and men

The cardiovascular responses to postural change, and how they are affected by aging, are inadequately described in women. Therefore, the authors examined the influence of age and sex on the responses of blood pressure, cardiac output, heart rate, and other variables to change in posture. Measurements were made after 10 minutes each in the supine, seated, and standing positions in 22 men and 25 women who ranged in age from 21 to 59 years. Several variables differed, both by sex and by age, when subjects were supine. On rising, subjects' diastolic and mean arterial pressures, heart rate, total peripheral resistance (TPR), and thoracic impedance increased; cardiac output, stroke volume, and mean stroke ejection rate decreased; and changes in all variables, except heart rate, were greater from supine to sitting than sitting to standing. The increase in heart rate was greater in the younger subjects, and increases in TPR and thoracic impedance were greater in the older subjects. Stroke volume decreased less, and TPR and thoracic impedance increased more, in the women than in the men. The increase in TPR was particularly pronounced in the older women. These studies show that the cardiovascular responses to standing differ, in some respects, between the sexes and with age. The authors suggest that the sex differences are, in part, related to greater decrease of thoracic blood volume with standing in women than in men, and that the age differences result, in part, from decreased responsiveness of the high-pressure baroreceptor system.

Posture/physiology↗

Prediction of payload vibration environments by mechanical admittance test techniques

A series of experiments was conducted with simple beam and mass launch vehicle and payload models in order to determine the validity of mechanical admittance/impedance techniques applied to development of improved payload vibration tests. Admittances and impedances were measured from tests of the individual components to form matrices which were combined analytically to allow prediction of responses for the complete system. Results were computed for a transmission matrix approach and an admittance matrix approach. Both a rigid body and a flexible payload model were considered. The results clearly demonstrate that the transmission matrix method is too sensitive to measurement error to be practical for this application, while the pure admittance matrix method produces quite satisfactory results. The effects of various errors on the final results are demonstrated.

Kana, D. D.↗

Prediction of payload vibration environments by mechanical admittance test techniques

A series of experiments were conducted with simple beam and mass launch vehicle and payload models in order to determine the validity of mechanical admittance/impedance techniques applied to development of improved payload vibration tests. Admittance and impedances were measured from tests of the individual components to form matrices which were combined analytically to allow prediction of responses for the complete system. Results were computed for a transmission matrix approach and an admittance matrix approach. Only results for the admittance method appeared to be satisfactory when compared to measurements on the combined system.

Kana, D. D.↗

Active control of sound radiation from a vibrating rectangular panel by sound sources and vibration inputs - An experimental comparison

Active control of sound radiation from a rectangular panel by two different methods has been experimentally studied and compared. In the first method a single control force applied directly to the structure is used with a single error microphone located in the radiated acoustic field. Global attenuation of radiated sound was observed to occur by two main mechanisms. For 'on-resonance' excitation, the control force had the effect of increasing the total panel input impedance presented to the nosie source, thus reducing all radiated sound. For 'off-resonance' excitation, the control force tends not significantly to modify the panel total response amplitude but rather to restructure the relative phases of the modes leading to a more complex vibration pattern and a decrease in radiation efficiency. For acoustic control, the second method, the number of acoustic sources required for global reduction was seen to increase with panel modal order. The mechanism in this case was that the acoustic sources tended to create an inverse pressure distribution at the panel surface and thus 'unload' the panel by reducing the panel radiation impedance. In general, control by structural inputs appears more effective than control by acoustic sources for structurally radiated noise.

Fuller, C. R.↗

Linear and nonlinear interpretation of the direct strike lightning response of the NASA F106B thunderstorm research aircraft

The objective of the work reported here is to develop a methodology by which electromagnetic measurements of inflight lightning strike data can be understood and extended to other aircraft. A linear and time invariant approach based on a combination of Fourier transform and three dimensional finite difference techniques is demonstrated. This approach can obtain the lightning channel current in the absence of the aircraft for given channel characteristic impedance and resistive loading. The model is applied to several measurements from the NASA F106B lightning research program. A non-linear three dimensional finite difference code has also been developed to study the response of the F106B to a lightning leader attachment. This model includes three species air chemistry and fluid continuity equations and can incorporate an experimentally based streamer formulation. Calculated responses are presented for various attachment locations and leader parameters. The results are compared qualitatively with measured inflight data.

Rudolph, T. H.↗

Distributed Antenna-Coupled TES for FIR Detectors Arrays

We describe a new architecture for a superconducting detector for the submillimeter and far-infrared. This detector uses a distributed hot-electron transition edge sensor (TES) to collect the power from a focal-plane-filling slot antenna array. The sensors lay directly across the slots of the antenna and match the antenna impedance of about 30 ohms. Each pixel contains many sensors that are wired in parallel as a single distributed TES, which results in a low impedance that readily matches to a multiplexed SQUID readout These detectors are inherently polarization sensitive, with very low cross-polarization response, but can also be configured to sum both polarizations. The dual-polarization design can have a bandwidth of 50The use of electron-phonon decoupling eliminates the need for micro-machining, making the focal plane much easier to fabricate than with absorber-coupled, mechanically isolated pixels. We discuss applications of these detectors and a hybridization scheme compatible with arrays of tens of thousands of pixels.

antenna↗

Altered astronaut lower limb and mass center kinematics in downward jumping following space flight

Astronauts exposed to the microgravity conditions encountered during space flight exhibit postural and gait instabilities upon return to earth that could impair critical postflight performance. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of microgravity exposure on astronauts' performance of two-footed jump landings. Nine astronauts from several Space Shuttle missions were tested both preflight and postflight with a series of voluntary, two-footed downward hops from a 30-cm-high step. A video-based, three-dimensional motion-analysis system permitted calculation of body segment positions and joint angular displacements. Phase-plane plots of knee, hip, and ankle angular velocities compared with the corresponding joint angles were used to describe the lower limb kinematics during jump landings. The position of the whole-body center of mass (COM) was also estimated in the sagittal plane using an eight-segment body model. Four of nine subjects exhibited expanded phase-plane portraits postflight, with significant increases in peak joint flexion angles and flexion rates following space flight. In contrast, two subjects showed significant contractions of their phase-plane portraits postflight and three subjects showed insignificant overall changes after space flight. Analysis of the vertical COM motion generally supported the joint angle results. Subjects with expanded joint angle phase-plane portraits postflight exhibited larger downward deviations of the COM and longer times from impact to peak deflection, as well as lower upward recovery velocities. Subjects with postflight joint angle phase-plane contraction demonstrated opposite effects in the COM motion. The joint kinematics results indicated the existence of two contrasting response modes due to microgravity exposure. Most subjects exhibited "compliant" impact absorption postflight, consistent with decreased limb stiffness and damping, and a reduction in the bandwidth of the postural control system. Fewer subjects showed "stiff" behavior after space flight, where contractions in the phase-plane portraits pointed to an increase in control bandwidth. The changes appeared to result from adaptive modifications in the control of lower limb impedance. A simple 2nd-order model of the vertical COM motion indicated that changes in the effective vertical stiffness of the legs can predict key features of the postflight performance. Compliant responses may reflect inflight adaptation due to altered demands on the postural control system in microgravity, while stiff behavior may result from overcompensation postflight for the presumed reduction in limb stiffness inflight.

Clinical Trial↗

Active Suppression Of Vibrations On Elastic Beams

Pairs of colocated piezoelectric transducers, independently controlled by multichannel adaptive controller, employed as actuators and sensors to achieve simultaneous attenuation of both extensional and flexural motion. Single pair used to provide simultaneous control of flexural and extensional waves, or two pairs used to control torsional motion also. Capability due to nature of piezoelectric transducers, when bonded to surfaces of structures and activated by oscillating voltages, generate corresponding oscillating distributions of stresses in structures. Phases and amplitudes of actuator voltages adjusted by controller to impede flow of vibrational energy simultaneously, in waves of various forms, beyond locations of actuators. Concept applies equally to harmonic or random response of structure and to multiple responses of structure to transverse bending, torsion, and compression within structural element. System has potential for many situations in which predominant vibration transmission path through framelike structure.

Silcox, Richard J.↗

Linking Individual Variation in Movement Behavior to Infection Dynamics in Highly Mobile Species

Animal movements are linked to infectious disease dynamics in wildlife through multiple mechanisms across various spatial and temporal scales. For example, infections can impede the movement of infected individuals, but infected hosts can also disperse infectious agents as they move. Individuals inevitably vary in their responses to infections and their roles in determining infection dynamics, which means that considering variation among individuals – whether across species, across time, or within populations – is important for understanding movement-disease relationships and their implications for epidemiology. Here, I draw on studies from multiple systems to examine how variation in movement behavior links to infectious disease epidemiology. For example, a comparative study of habitat selection across multiple waterfowl species highlights that diel behavioral patterns, rather than individual or seasonal variation, is the most important driver of the risk of overlap between waterfowl and poultry farms, and therefore for the risk of avian influenza spillover. Together, these studies show that individual traits interact with the environment to influence the roles of individuals for infectious disease ecology.

Claire Stewart Teitelbaum↗