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At least 163 records · Page 9

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NASA NTRS1980

Military markets for solar thermal electric power systems

The Department of Defense maintains an inventory of over 1,800 MW of engine-generators 15 KW and larger, with an estimated procurement rate of over 140 MW/year. Nearly the entire requirement could be met by advanced heat engines of the types being developed as point-focussing, distributed receiver power plants. A conceptual system consisting of a heat engine which efficiently burns liquid fossil or synthetic fuels, with a 'solarization kit' for conversion to hybrid solar operation could meet existing DOD requirements for new systems which are quieter, lighter, and multi-fueled. An estimated 24 percent (33 MW/year) or more could operationally benefit from the solar option. Baseline cost projections indicate levelized energy cost goals of 210 to 120 mills/KWh (15 to 1000 KW systems). Fuel cost escalation is the major factor affecting the value of the solar option. A baseline calculation for fuel at $0.59/gal in spring, 1979, escalating at 8 percent above general inflation indicates a value of $2700/KWe for a solarization kit.

Hauger, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Structural-Vibration-Response Data Analysis

Computer program developed as structural-vibration-response data analysis tool for use in dynamic testing of Space Shuttle. Program provides fast and efficient time-domain least-squares curve-fitting procedure for reducing transient response data to obtain structural model frequencies and dampings from free-decay records. Procedure simultaneously identifies frequencies, damping values, and participation factors for noisy multiple-response records.

Smith, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Theoretical quasar emission line ratios. IV - General asymptotic escape probabilities and the effects of linear Stark broadening

Established techniques permitting the evaluation of exact asymptotic forms of photon escape probabilities for a wide range of absorption coefficient profile types are used for QSO radiative transfer effect studies, and it is shown that the exact formulae are easily evaluated. It is found that some of the commonly used expressions overestimate the true value by a factor of about two, and a computationally expedient approximate expression is derived for the asymptotic form of the photon escape probability when linear Stark broadening contributes to the line absorption coefficient profile in hydrogenic lines. Attention is given to Lyman-alpha, for the case in which partial redistribution, over the linear Stark component of the line absorption coefficient profile, dominates single-flight photon escape.

Puetter, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Process Research on Polycrystalline Silicon Material (PROPSM)

The performance limiting mechanisms in large grain (greater than 1-2 mm in diameter) polycrystalline silicon was investigated by measuring the illuminated current voltage (I-V) characteristics of the minicell wafer set. The average short circuit current on different wafers is 3 to 14 percent lower than that of single crystal Czochralski silicon. The scatter was typically less than 3 percent. The average open circuit voltage is 20 to 60 mV less than that of single crystal silicon. The scatter in the open circuit voltage of most of the polycrystalline silicon wafers was 15 to 20 mV, although two wafers had significantly greater scatter than this value. The fill factor of both polycrystalline and single crystal silicon cells was typically in the range of 60 to 70 percent; however several polycrystalline silicon wafers have fill factor averages which are somewhat lower and have a significantly larger degree of scatter.

Culik, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Observationally determined Fe II oscillator strengths

Absorption oscillator strengths for 21 Fe II resonance lines, have been determined using a curve-of-growth analysis of interstellar data from the Copernicus and International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellites. In addition to slight changes in strengths of the far-UV lines, new f-values are reported for wavelength 1608.45, a prominent line in interstellar and quasar absorption spectra, and for wavelength 2260.08, a weak, newly identified linen in IUE interstellar spectra. An upper limit on the strength of the undetected line at 2366.867 A (UV multiplet 2) is set. Using revised oscillator strengths, Fe II column densities toward 13 OB stars are derived. The interstellar depletions, (Fe/H), relative to solar values range between factors of 10 and 120.

Van Steenberg, M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Effects of vegetation canopy on the radar backscattering coefficient

Airborne L- and C-band scatterometer data, taken over both vegetation-covered and bare fields, were systematically analyzed and theoretically reproduced, using a recently developed model for calculating radar backscattering coefficients of rough soil surfaces. The results show that the model can reproduce the observed angular variations of radar backscattering coefficient quite well via a least-squares fit method. Best fits to the data provide estimates of the statistical properties of the surface roughness, which is characterized by two parameters: the standard deviation of surface height, and the surface correlation length. In addition, the processes of vegetation attenuation and volume scattering require two canopy parameters, the canopy optical thickness and a volume scattering factor. Canopy parameter values for individual vegetation types, including alfalfa, milo and corn, were also determined from the best-fit results. The uncertainties in the scatterometer data were also explored.

Mo, T.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A measurement of the vibrational band strength for the v3 band of the HO2 radical

Laboratory measurements of the v(3) band strength of HO2 using a tunable diode laser to measure the absorption strength of a vibration-rotation line in the P branch near 1080/cm are reported. The HO2 is generated in a discharge-flow system by reaction of fluorine atoms with excess H2O2: F + H2O2 - HO2 + HF. The HO2 concentration is determined from measurements of F-atom concentrations using both chemical titration with Cl2 and tunable diode laser absorption by the F-atom spin-orbit transition near 404/cm. The experimental data are consistent with a value of k(3) = (1.6 + or - 0.3) x 10 to the 12th cu cm/s and a ratio k(4)/k(1) = 1.0 + or - 0.4. The line strength for the 6(15) - 7(16)F(1) transition is 2.9 x 10 to the -21 sq cm/molecule/cm, which corresponds to a v(3) band strength of 35 + or - 9/sq cm/(STP atm). This value is a factor of 1.6 to 6 lower than previous ab initio calculations.

Zahniser, M. S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A measurement of the vibrational band strength for the upsilon sub 3 band of the HO2 radical

The HO2 radicals generated in a discharge-flow system were observed with tunable diode laser absorption in the P-branch of the nu(3) vibrationall band at 1080/cm. The observed line positions agree with those calculated from the molecular constants for the nu(3) bland obtained from a previous study using laser magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The band strength was determined by observing line center absoptions when HO2 is produced in the reaction F + H2O2 yields HO2 + HF (k1) with a measured concentration of atomic fluorine and excess hydrogen peroxide. F-atom concentrations are measured by diode laser absorption of the spin-orbit transition at 404/cm. The analysis accounts for HO2 losses due to the reactions of HO2 + HO2 yields H2O2 + O2 (k3) and F + HO2 yields HF + O2 (k4). The line strength for the 6(15) 7(16) F(1) transition is 2.9 x 10 to the 21st power sq cm/molecule/cm which corresponds to a nu(3) band strength of 34 +/- 9 sq/cm(STP atm). This value is a factor of 6 lower than previous ab initio calculations. These results will be useful in assessing the feasibility of atmospheric measurements of HO2 using infrared absorption techniques.

Zahniser, M. S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Highly ionized atoms in cooling gas

The ionization of low density gas cooling from a high temperature was calculated. The evolution during the cooling is assumed to be isochoric, isobaric, or a combination of these cases. The calculations are used to predict the column densities and ultraviolet line luminosities of highly ionized atoms in cooling gas. In a model for cooling of a hot galactic corona, it is shown that the observed value of N(N V) can be produced in the cooling gas, while the predicted value of N(Si IV) falls short of the observed value by a factor of about 5. The same model predicts fluxes of ultraviolet emission lines that are a factor of 10 lower than the claimed detections of Feldman, Brune, and Henry. Predictions are made for ultraviolet lines in cooling flows in early-type galaxies and clusters of galaxies. It is shown that the column densities of interest vary over a fairly narrow range, while the emission line luminosities are simply proportional to the mass inflow rate.

Edgar, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Effect of the raw material composition of fabrics on the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI)

The raw material composition of fabrics is one of the most important factors for LOI value. LOI value was determined in samples of varying composition composed of cellulose, protein, and synthetic fibers and their mixtures, based on ASTM D 2863-76. Cellulose fibers and their mixtures exhibited the lowest value, while synthetic fibers had the highest LOI value.

Jeler, S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Highly ionized atoms in cooling gas

The ionization of low density gas cooling from a high temperature was calculated. The evolution during the cooling is assumed to be isochoric, isobaric, or a combination of these cases. The calculations are used to predict the column densities and ultraviolet line luminosities of highly ionized atoms in cooling gas. In a model for cooling of a hot galactic corona, it is shown that the observed value of N(N V) can be produced in the cooling gas, while the predicted value of N(Si IV) falls short of the observed value by a factor of about 5. The same model predicts fluxes of ultraviolet emission lines that are a factor of 10 lower than the claimed detections of Feldman, Bruna, and Henry. Predictions are made for ultraviolet lines in cooling flows in early-type galaxies and clusters of galaxies. It is shown that the column densities of interest vary over a fairly narrow range, while the emission line luminosities are simply proportional to the mass inflow rate.

Edgar, Richard J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The feasibility of periodicity searches in gamma-ray astronomy

It is presently noted that, in some cases, the usually infeasible conduct of searches in gamma-ray astronomy can be rendered feasible by means of a time-smoothing technique that yields only a moderate sensitivity loss. The total observing time is subdivided into a convenient number m of subintervals, and summing the values of H of each of the subintervals. This will reduce the number of independent frequency values by a factor m due to the shorter observing time.

Buccheri, R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Rarefied aerodynamics and upper atmospheric flight results from the Orbiter High Resolution Accelerometer Package experiment

Data from the High Resolution Accelerometer Package (HiRAP) experiment on the Space Shuttle Orbiter have been analyzed for 10 flights to produce lift-drag (L/D) ratios in the free molecule, transition, and continuum flow flight regimes. Freestream density is also obtained in the altitude range from 60 km to 160 km using an aerodynamic model based upon earlier flight analysis of accelerometer data. The results of the L/D analysis of the latest four flights have been compared with the aerodynamic model developed from the first six HiRAP missions. The new data agree with the established flight-derived model, thereby validating earlier analysis. However, the arithmetic mean of the 10 flight-derived L/D values in the free molecular flow regime is 0.053 (+ or - 0.1) as compared to the initial value of 0.10 (+ or - 0.3), determined from STS-6. Updates to the Orbiter aerodynamic model values and calibration factors have been incorporated into the density calculations for all 10 flights to provide realistic absolute density. The derived density altitude profiles, which have been normalized to the U.S. Standard Atmosphere 1976, are characterized by a large amplitude wave pattern relative to the standard as seen in the initial flight analysis.

Blanchard, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Deuterium on Mars - The abundance of HDO and the value of D/H

Deuterium on Mars has been detected by the resolution of several Doppler-shifted lines of HDO near 3.7 micrometers in the planet's spectrum. The ratio of deuterium to hydrogen is (9 + or - 4) x 10 to the -4th; the abundance of H2O was derived from lines near 1.1 micrometers. This ratio is enriched on Mars over the telluric value by a factor of 6 + or - 3. The enrichment implies that hydrogen escaped more rapidly from Mars in the past than it does now, consistent with a dense and warm ancient atmosphere on the planet.

Owen, Tobias↗

NASA NTRS1988

In situ northern mid-latitude observations of ClO, O3, and BrO in the wintertime lower stratosphere

In order to test photochemical theories linking chlorofluorocarbon derivatives to O3 depletion at high latitudes in the springtime, several related atmospheric species, including O3, ClO, and BrO were measured in the lower stratosphere. The flight path extended to the center of the polar jet associated with but outside of the Arctic vortex, in which the abundance of O3 was twice its midlatitude value, whereas BrO levels were five parts per trillion (pptv) by volume between 18 and 21 km, and 2.4 pptv below that altitude. The ClO mixing ratio was as much as 65 pptv at 60 N latitude at an altitude of 20 km, and was enhanced over midlatitude values by a factor of three to five at altitudes above 18 km and by as much as a factor of 40 at altitudes below 17 km. Levels of ClO and O3 were highly correlated on all measured distance scales, and both showed an abrupt change in character at 54 N latitude. The ClO abundance north of 54 N was probably caused by low NO2 levels in the flight path.

Brune, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Growth and characterization of high current density, high-speed InAs/AlSb resonant tunneling diodes

InAs/AlSb double-barrier resonant tunneling diodes with peak current densities up to 370,000 A/sq cm and high peak-to-valley current ratios of 3.2 at room temperature have been fabricated. The peak current density is well-explained by a stationary-state transport model with the two-band envelope function approximation. The valley current density predicted by this model is less than the experimental value by a factor that is typical of the discrepancy found in other double-barrier structures. It is concluded that threading dislocations are largely inactive in the resonant tunneling process.

Soderstrom, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Asymptotic behavior of curvature of surface elements in isotropic turbulence

The asymptotic behavior of the curvature of material elements in turbulence is investigated using Lagrangian velocity-gradient time series obtained from direct numerical simulations of isotropic turbulence. Several material-element ensembles of different initial curvatures and shapes are studied. It is found that, at long times, the (first five) moments of the logarithm of characteristic curvature and shape factor asymptote to values that are independent of the initial curvature or shape. This evidence strongly suggests that the asymptotic pdf's of the curvature and shape of material elements are stationary and independent of initial conditions. Irrespective of initial curvature or shape, the asymptotic shape of a material surface is cylindrical with a high probability.

Girimaji, S. S.↗

NASA NTRS1993

First radar echoes from cumulus clouds

In attempting to use centimeter-wavelength radars to investigate the early stage of precipitation formation in clouds, 'mantle echoes' are rediscovered and shown to come mostly from scattering by small-scale variations in refractive index, a Bragg kind of scattering mechanism. This limits the usefulness of single-wavelength radar for studies of hydrometeor growth, according to data on summer cumulus clouds in North Dakota, Hawaii, and Florida, to values of reflectivity factor above about 10 dBZe with 10-cm radar, 0 dBZe with 5-cm radar, and -10 dBZe with 3-cm radar. These are limits at or above which the backscattered radar signal from the kinds of clouds observed can be assumed to be almost entirely from hydrometeors or (rarely) other particulate material such as insects. Dual-wavelength radar data can provide the desired information about hydrometeors at very low reflectivity levels if assumptions can be made about the inhomogeneities responsible for the Bragg scattering. The Bragg scattering signal itself probably will be a useful way to probe inhomogeneities one-half the radar wavelength in scale for studying cloud entrainment and mixing processes. However, this use is possible only before scattering from hydrometeors dominates the radar return.

Knight, Charles A.↗