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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 1,621 records · Page 90
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

SCILLA Secondary Aerosol Volume Concentration Airborne Data

This data set contains secondary aerosol volume concentration in cubic micrometers per cubic centimeter (um^3/cm^3). The aerosol was generated in an oxidation flow reactor (OFR) and its volume concentration measured with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). Both components were designed and built at the University of California Riverside. Ambient particles were removed with a Teflon filter upstream of the OFR and then pure ammonium sulfate particles were added to create a stable aerosol surface area on which low-volatility oxidation products condense. High concentrations of hydroxyl radical (OH) formed inside the OFR accelerate the oxidative chemistry that would typically occur over a period of several days in the atmosphere, resulting in the production of secondary aerosol from precursor gases present in the ambient air. Concentrations of added ozone and water vapor were controlled to produce the desired and approximately constant level of photochemical aging. The reactor temperature was controlled, while the pressure was not, and was always slightly lower than that of the sampled outside air. Sampled air was pulled from above the Naval Postgraduate School’s (NPS) Twin Otter aircraft through a rear-facing, ¼” OD PFA Teflon tube. The sample stream was split between the OFR and several gas analyzers (NOx, CO, O3, and H2O). Though not contained in these files, data from an aerosol mass spectrometer intermittently operated downstream of the OFR are also available.

{"secondary aerosol concentration",aerosol_concent↗
NASA NTRS1969

Thermal calibration target

Blackbody source calibrates the response of a medium resolution infrared radiometer used on a meteorological satellite. This approach controls the temperature of a thermal calibrating device over a wide range without the need for controlling a liquid nitrogen input to the device. The availability of liquid nitrogen achieves the required thermal control.

Buller, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Purging means and method for Xenon arc lamps

High pressure Xenon short-arc lamp with two reservoirs which are selectively connectable to the lamp's envelope is described. One reservoir contains an absorbent which will absorb both Xenon and contaminant gases such as CO2 and O2. The absorbent temperature is controlled to evacuate the envelope of both the Xenon and the contaminant gases. The temperature of the absorbent is then raised to desorb only clean Xenon while retaining the contaminant gases, thereby clearing the envelope of the contaminant gases. The second reservoir contains a gas whose specific purpose is, to remove the objectional metal film which deposits gradually on the interior surface of the lamp envelope during normal arc operation. The origin of the film is metal transferred from the cathode of the arc lamp by sputtering or other gas transfer processes.

Miller, C. G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Evaluation of Raytek infrared pyrometer for continuous propellant temperature measurement

The primary purpose of this evaluation was to determine if the Raytek IR pyrometer that was installed in the 600 gallon propellant mixers could be used to provide a continuous, accurate, reliable measurement of the propellant temperature during mixing. The Raytek infrared sensor is not recommended to be used for controlling propellant temperature nor for inspection buy-off. The first part of the evaluation was to determine the accuracy of the sensor in measuring the propellant temperature. The second part was to determine the reliability of the air purge design in preventing contamination of the IR window.

Dykstra, Mark D.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Study of Fabry-Perot Etalon Stability and Tuning for Spectroscopic Rayleigh Scattering

The Fabry-Perot interferometer is a commonly employed instrument for resolving the spectrum of molecular Rayleigh scattered light for the purpose of evaluating flow properties such as gas velocity and temperature. Rayleigh scattered light from a focused laser beam can be directly imaged through a solid Fabry-Perot etalon onto a CCD detector to provide the spectral content of the scattered light. The spatial resolution of the measurements is governed by the locations of interference fringes. The location of the fringes can be changed by altering the etalon?s physical characteristics, such as thickness and index of refraction. For a fused silica solid etalon the physical properties can be adjusted by changing the etalon temperature; hence changing the order of the interference pattern and the physical fringe locations. Controlling the temperature of the etalon can provide for a slow time-response spatial scanning method for this type of etalon system. A custom designed liquid crystal Fabry-Perot (LCFP) can provide for a fast time-response method of scanning the etalon system. Voltage applied to the liquid crystal interface sets the etalon?s properties allowing Rayleigh measurements to be acquired at varying spatial locations across the image of the laser beam over a very short time period. A standard fused silica etalon and a tunable LCFP etalon are characterized to select the system that is best suited for Rayleigh scattering measurements in subsonic and supersonic flow regimes. A frequency-stabilized laser is used to investigate the apparent frequency stability and temperature sensitivity of the etalon systems. Frequency stability and temperature sensitivity data of the fused silica and LCFP etalon systems are presented in this paper, along with measurements of the LCFP etalon?s tuning capabilities. Rayleigh scattering velocity measurements with both etalon systems are presented, in an effort to determine which etalon is better suited to provide optical flow measurements of velocity, temperature, and density.

Clem, Michelle M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Liquid-Crystal Thermal-Control Panels

Radiative temperature regulators have no moving parts. Conceptual temperature-regulating system proposed for spacecraft useful in automatic or remotely controlled regulation of solar heating in buildings, provided cost reduced sufficiently. System consists of liquid-crystal panels made to absorb or reflect sunlight.

Dehaye, R. F.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Photosynthesis phenology, as defined by solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence, is overestimated by vegetation indices in the extratropical Northern Hemisphere

Vegetation phenology is highly sensitive to climate change, although the data and methods used to estimate key phenological states can influence this sensitivity. Because of its direct relation to leaf photosynthetic carbon uptake, remotely sensed solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) can provide new insight assessing changes in vegetation phenology. In this work, we investigated the potential of using a SIF time series product named contiguous SIF (CSIF) to estimate spring, summer, and autumn phenology in the extratropical Northern Hemisphere (>30°N) and compared the results with those based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the period 2001–2018. Overall, we found similar spatial patterns in phenological states. However, specific dates of key phenological events differed when using CSIF vs. MODIS NDVI data. NDVI data indicated that the growing season started earlier (by 10.1 days on average) and ended later (11.5 days on average) relative to CSIF data. This implies that actual periods for photosynthetic activity are shorter (by 21.6 days on average) than those estimated from vegetation indices more directly related to changes in canopy structure. These large differences between results from NDVI and that from CSIF suggest that vegetation indices such as NDVI seem to overestimate the period for active photosynthesis over the extratropical Northern Hemisphere. Furthermore, while phenology of the early growing season is dominated by temperature for both NDVI and CSIF data, phenology of the late growing season is mainly controlled by temperature for NDVI but by precipitation for CSIF. Our findings were further confirmed by other SIF (GOME-2 SIF) and vegetation index (MODIS EVI) datasets. Phenology modes in Earth system modelling are often parameterized using leaf unfolding and senescence from either station or satellite observations. Our results imply that canopy structure-based parameterization schemes may have overestimated photosynthesis active period, and thus productivity responses. We conclude that SIF data offers a novel and unique approach for assessing phenological change - one that is more directly tied to the carbon cycle and how it is being influenced by climate change.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1974

Temperature dependence of electrical conductivity and lunar temperatures

Metallic conduction mechanicsms are probably not important in lunar materials because of the small amounts of free metal and metallic oxides present. This is confirmed by the extremely low conductivities measured to date and the fact that the conductivity increases with temperature. The major conduction mechanicsm appears to be ionic. This conduction mechanism is very strongly controlled by temperature, by deviations from stoichiometry, by electric field strengths, and by oxygen fugacity.

Olhoeft, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An investigation into the injection molding of PMR-15 polyimide

The chemorheological behavior of the PRM-15 molding compounds were characterized, the range of suitable processing parameters for injection molding in a reciprocating screw injection molding machine was determined, and the effects of the injection molding processing parameters on the mechanical properties of molded PMR-15 parts were studied. The apparatus and procedures for measuring viscosity and for determining the physical response of the material during heating are described. Results show that capillary rheometry can be effectively used with thermosets if the equipment is designed to overcome some of the inherent problems of these materials. A uniform temperature was provided in the barrel by using a circulating hot oil system. Standard capillary rheometry methods can provide the dependence of thermoset apparent viscosity on shear rate, temperature, and time. Process conditions resulting in complete imidization should be carefully defined. Specification of controlled oven temperature is inadequate and can result in incomplete imidization. For completely imidized PMR-15 heat at 15 C/min melt flow without gas evolution occurs in the temperature range of 325 C to 400 C.

Colaluca, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS2022

A Lack of Spin-Orbit Signal in the Morphology of Mercury's Large Craters

The spatial structure of Mercury's thermal lithosphere depends on the balance between internal heat and surface temperature as controlled by solar insolation. For bodies not in a spin-orbital resonance, observed spatial temperature variations are due to internal heating variations. However, for Mercury's present 3:2 spin-orbit coupling a notable difference of ~150 K exists for the sub-skin depth temperature of the crust as a function of longitude (Fig 1B.; [1,2]). Mercury's longitudinal "hot poles" and "cold poles", in addition to the standard poles (i.e. North and South), have large temperature contrasts that could lead to systematic differences in crater size, morphology, or morphometry, especially for large impacts.

Mercury↗
DOE OSTI2022

Low temperature ethanol steam reforming: Selectivity control with lithium doping of Pt/m-ZrO 2

Lithium promoted 2%Pt/m-ZrO 2 catalysts previously observed to exhibit higher rates for the low temperature water-gas shift (LTS) were tested for the ethanol steam reforming with the aim of exploring the potential tuning of the selectivity. Characterization of catalysts having optimized Li content (0.5–0.75%Li) for LTS exhibited (a) weakened C—H bonding of formate, a proposed intermediate in the LTS mechanism, as shown by a shift in the ν(CH) band to lower wavenumbers, (b) a relatively low extent of blocking of Pt, as measured by the ν(CO) band intensity of Pt-CO, (c) increased basicity as measured by CO 2 temperature-programmed desorption with mass spectrometry, but not so high as to strongly inhibit CO 2 product removal, and finally (d) no evidence of electron transfer from Li to Pt. Here, for this study, the same catalysts were tested for ethanol steam reforming (ESR). Results show that Li could likewise weaken the C—C bond of the acetate intermediate, the analog of formate in LTS, and facilitate decarboxylation over decarbonylation altering the selectivity in favor of methanation. This trend was confirmed by fixed bed reaction testing, in-situ infrared spectroscopy experiments of transient ESR, and temperature-programmed ESR using MS. The Li-doped catalysts may be used to pre-reform ethanol prior to feeding to a methane steam reformer to increase the overall H 2 selectivity of the process. DRIFTS of steady state ESR revealed that deactivation occurs through losses in the Pt-support interface, thereby hindering the turnover of the acetate intermediate.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2003

The Plant Research Unit: An International Space Station Habitat

The Plant Research Unit (PRU) is one of six life science habitats being developed as part of the Space Station Biological Research Program. The PRU is designed for experiments in microgravity and will utilize the ISS Centrifuge Facility to provide gravity levels between microgravity and 29. The PRU will provide and control all aspects of a plant s needs in a nearly closed system. In other words, the shoot and root environments will not be open to the astronaut s environment except for experiment maintenance such as planting, harvesting and plant sampling. This also means that all lighting, temperature and humidity control, "watering," and air filtering and cleaning .must be done within strict limitations of volume, weight, power, and crew time while at the same time providing a very high level of reliability and a service life in excess of 10 years. The PRU will contain two plant chambers 31.5 cm tall, each with independent control of temperature, humidity, light level and photoperiod, CO2 level, nutrient and water delivery, and video and data acquisition. The PRU is currently in the preliminary design phase and a number of subsystem components have been prototyped for testing, including the temperature and humidity control systems, the plant chambers, the LED lighting system, the atmospheric control system and a variety of nutrient delivery systems. The LED prototype provides independent feedback control of 5 separate spectral bands and variable output between 0 and 1000 micro-mol sq m/sec. The water and nutrient delivery system (WNDS) prototypes have been used to test particulate based, thin film, and gel-based WNDS configurations.

Morrow, Robert↗
DOE OSTI2019

Cooling load forecasting-based predictive optimisation for chiller plants

Extensive electric power is required to maintain indoor thermal comfort using heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, of which, water-cooled chiller plants consume more than 50% of the total electric power. To improve energy efficiency, supervisory optimisation control can be adopted. The controlled variables are usually optimised according to instant building cooling load and ambient wet bulb air temperature at regular time intervals. In this way, the energy efficiency of chiller plants has been improved. However, with an inherent assumption that the instant building cooling load and ambient wet bulb temperature remain constant in the coming time interval, the energy efficiency potential has not been fully realised, especially when cooling loads vary suddenly and extremely. To solve this problem, a cooling load forecasting-based predictive optimisation method is proposed. Rather than minimising the instant system power according to the instant building cooling load and ambient wet bulb temperature, the controlled variables are derived to minimise the sum of the instant system power and one-time-step-ahead future system power according to both instant and forecasted future building cooling loads. With this method, the energy efficiency potential of a chiller plant can be further improved without shortening the operation time interval. 80% redundant energy consumption has been reduced for the sample chiller plant; energy can be saved for chiller plants that work for years. The evaluation on the effect of cooling load forecasting accuracy turns out that the more accurate the forecasts are, the more redundant energy consumption can be reduced.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2019

Control of Stratification in Drying Particle Suspensions via Temperature Gradients

A potential strategy for controlling stratification in a drying suspension of bidisperse particles is studied using molecular dynamics simulations. When the suspension is maintained at a constant temperature during fast drying, it can exhibit “small-on-top” stratification with an accumulation (depletion) of smaller (larger) particles in the top region of the drying film, consistent with the prediction of current theories based on diffusiophoresis. However, when only the region near the substrate is thermalized at a constant temperature, a negative temperature gradient develops in the suspension because of evaporative cooling at the liquid–vapor interface. Since the associated thermophoresis is stronger for larger nanoparticles, a higher fraction of larger nanoparticles migrate to the top of the drying film at fast evaporation rates. As a result, stratification is converted to “large-on-top”. Very strong small-on-top stratification can be produced with a positive thermal gradient in the drying suspension. Here, we explore a way to produce a positive thermal gradient by thermalizing the vapor at a temperature higher than that of the solvent. Possible experimental approaches to realize various thermal gradients in a suspension undergoing solvent evaporation and thus to produce different stratification states in the drying film are suggested.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1966

Packaging the LEM ATCA and DECA.

Mechanical and thermal requirements of attitude, translation and descent engine controls of Lunar Excursion Module /LEM/

TEMPERATURE CONTROL↗
NASA NTRS1967

Coatings qualification

Passive and thermal control coatings development and degradation equipment procurement

TEMPERATURE CONTROL↗
NASA NTRS1990

Space shuttle development Motor No. 9 (DM-9), volume 1

The results obtained during the December 23, 1987 static firing of the DM-9 test article are presented. The DM-9 full-scale static test article employed redesigned solid rocket motor (RSRM) field joint capture feature hardware with J-seal insulation configuration, and nozzle-to-case joint radial bolt design with bonded insulation configuration. The nozzle incorporated RSRM components, including a thicker cowl with involuted outer boot ring. The nozzle employed redundant and verifiable seals in all five joints, and room temperature vulcanization backfill in three joints. With very few exceptions, the DM-9 test article was flight configuration. The test was conducted under extreme weather conditions: temperature of 25 F and wind at 15 to 20 mph. Ballistics performance values were within specification requirements. The RSRM field joint (J-seal) insulation configuration functioned as predicted with no indication of hot gases reaching the capture feature O-rings. There was a blowhole in the polysulfide adhesive in the nozzle-to-case joint, but no evidence of hot gases past the wiper O-ring. Nozzle design changes appeared to perform nominally, with the exception of the outer boot ring, which suffered partial structural breakup late in the test. Field joint heaters maintained the controlling resistance temperature device temperature within the specified requirements during heater operation. The thrust vector control system operated properly. The redesigned water deluge system, temperature conditioning equipment, and other test support equipment performed as planned.

Garecht, Diane M.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Grey-box and ANN-based building models for multistep-ahead prediction of indoor temperature to implement model predictive control

Model-based predictive control (MPC) strategies for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems present an opportunity to lower building energy consumption and operational costs. Such approaches rely on the development of a model to precisely forecast building thermal dynamics, such as room air temperature or heating/cooling rate, and make control-related decisions. The control-oriented modeling of building energy systems should be accurate in predicting indoor conditions and present low computational complexity. These features are the key challenge of implementing advanced control methods such as MPC. Extant studies on building modeling for MPC have focused on step-ahead forecasting techniques to forecast building thermal dynamics, while multistep-ahead forecasting is essential. Moreover, machine learning model suitable in case of the domain-based engineering expertise are also not available. To this aim, we perform a comparative analysis of the grey-box model based on a resistance-capacitance (RC) thermal network and a machine learning model composed of an artificial neural network (ANN) for multistep-ahead prediction of building thermal dynamics using current and historical data. Actual experimental data obtained from the Flexible Research Platform (FRP) in Oak Ridge National Laboratory (US) are used for estimation and validation purposes. The average root mean squared error (RMSE) of the grey-box and ANN models are 0.89 °C and 1.02°C, respectively. Finally, the results indicate that the grey-box model outperforms the ANN model in the considered validation periods in terms of accuracy and prediction stability.

42 ENGINEERING↗