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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 1,693 records · Page 94

The magnetic field geometry in the vicinity of HH 7-11/HH 12 and HH 33/HH 40

The small-scale structure of the interstellar magnetic field in the vicinity of the Herbig-Haro objects HH 7-11/HH 12 and HH 33/40 is derived from CCD imaging polarimetry of stars nearby to these young stellar object driven outflows. The outflow associated with SVS 13/HH 7-11 lies approximately parallel to the local field direction. The outflow mapped by HH 33/HH 40 is also well aligned with the local magnetic field. However, the orientation of the outflow associated with HH 12 located 2 arcmin to the north of HH 7-11 is offset from the inferred magnetic field direction by 60 deg. These results taken together with those of previous studies suggest: (1) magnetic fields are directly or indirectly responsible for the observed orientation of outflows associated with newborn stars in the majority of cases; and (2) in some cases, the flow properties may depend upon other characteristics of the parent cloud core.

Heyer, Mark H.↗

Transverse flat plate heat pipe experiment

The Transverse Flat Plate Heat Pipe is a thermal control device that serves the dual function of temperature control and mounting base for electronic equipment. In its ultimate application, the heat pipe would be a lightweight structural member that could be configured in a platform or enclosure, and provide temperature control for large space structures, flight experiments, and equipment. The purpose of this experiment is to evaluate the zero g performance of several heat pipe modules. Performance assessment will include: (1) the systems heat transport capability; (2) temperature drop between evaporator and condensor; and (3) the ability to maintain temperature over varying duty cycles and environments. Also, performance degradation, if any, will be monitored over the length of the LDEF mission. The objective of this experiment is to demonstrate that a self-regulated heat pipe thermal control system can maintain hardware temperatures within tolerances of + or - 9 F or less with varying heat inputs, independent of vehicle payload orientation.

Shular, David↗

Dual redundant arm system operational quality measures and their applications - Dynamic measures

Dual-arm dynamic operation quality measures are presented which quantify the efficiency and capability of generating Cartesian accelerations by two cooperative arms based on the analysis of dual-arm dynamic interactions. Dual-arm dynamic manipulability is defined as the efficiency of generating Cartesian accelerations under the dynamic and kinematic interactions between individual arms and an object under manipulation. The analysis of dual-arm dynamic interactions is based on the so-called Cartesian space agent model of an arm, which represents an individual arm as a force source acting upon a point mass with the effective Cartesian space arm dynamics and an environment or an object under manipulation. The Cartesian space agent model of an arm makes it possible to derive the dynamic and kinematic constraints involved in the transport, assembly and grasping modes of dual-arm cooperation. A task-oriented operational quality measure, (TOQd) is defined by evaluating dual-arm dynamic manipulability in terms of given task requirements. TOQd is used in dual-arm joint configuration optimization. Simulation results are shown. A complete set of forward dynamic equations for a dual-arm system is derived, and dual-arm dynamic operational quality measures for various modes of dual-arm cooperation allowing sliding contacts are established.

Lee, Sukhan↗

High-energy particle acceleration by explosive electromagnetic interaction in an accretion disk

By examining electromagnetic field evolution occurring in an accretion disk around a compact object, we arrive at an explosive mechanism of particle acceleration. Flux-freezing in the differentially rotating disk causes the seed and/or generated magnetic field to wrap up tightly, becoming highly sheared and locally predominantly azimuthal in orientation. We show how asymptotically nonlinear solutions for the electromagnetic fields may arise in isolated plasma blobs as a result of the driving of the fluid equations by the accretion flow. These fields are capable of rapidly accelerating charged particles from the disk. Acceleration through the present mechanism from AGN can give rise to energies beyond 10 exp 20 eV. Such a mechanism may present an explanation for the extragalactic origin of the most energetic observed cosmic rays.

Haswell, C. A.↗

Strain Dependence of Photoluminescense of Individual Carbon Nanotubes

We have investigated strain dependence of photoluminescense (PL) spectra of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). Nanotubes were sparsely dispersed in a thin PMMA film applied to acrylic bar, and strained in both compression and extension by bending this bar in either direction in a homebuilt four-point bending rig. The average surface strain was measured with high accuracy by a resistive strain gage applied on top of the film. The near infrared imaging and spectroscopy were performed on the inverted microscope equipped with high numerical aperture reflective objective lens and InGaAs CCD cameras. PL was excited with a diode laser at either 658, 730 or 785 nm, linearly polarized in the direction of the strain. We were able to measure (n,m) types and orientation of individual nanotubes with respect to strain direction and strain dependence of their PL maxima. It was found that PL peak shifts with respect to the values measured in SDS micelles are a sum of three components. First, a small environmental shift due to difference in the dielectric constant of the surrounding media, that is constant and independent of the nanotube type. Second, shift due to isotropic compression of the film during drying. Third, shifts produced by the uniaxial loading of the film in the experiment. Second and third shifts follow expression based on the first-order expansion of the TB hamiltonian. Their magnitude is proportional to the nanotube chiral angle and strain, and direction is determined by the nanotube quantum number. PL strain dependence measured for a number of various nanotube types allows to estimate TB carbon-carbon transfer integral.

Nikolaev, Pavel N.↗

Initial Results of the MISSE-Flight Facility Polymers and Composites Experiment 1-4 (PCE 1-4)

Spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) are subjected to harsh environmental conditions, including radiation (cosmic rays, ultraviolet (UV), x-ray and charged particle radiation), micrometeoroids and orbital debris, temperature extremes, thermal cycling, and atomic oxygen (AO). These environmental exposures can result in erosion, embrittlement and optical property degradation of susceptible materials threatening spacecraft performance and durability. To increase our understanding of effects such as AO erosion and radiation induced embrittlement of spacecraft materials, NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a series of experiments that are flown as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) missions on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS). These experiments have provided critical space environmental durability data such as AO erosion data of polymers and composites, and radiation induced mechanical property degradation of spacecraft insulation materials, after long term space exposure. In continuing these studies, four Glenn experiments with 365 flight samples have been flown on ISS’s external MISSE-Flight Facility (MISSE-FF). These experiments are the Polymers and Composites Experiment-1 (PCE-1) flown as part of the inaugural MISSE-9 mission, the PCE-2 flown as part of the MISSE-10 mission, the PCE-3 flown as part of the MISSE-12 and MISSE-15 missions, and the PCE-4 flown as part of the MISSE-13 mission. The primary objective of the PCE 1-4 experiments is to determine the AO and radiation durability of spacecraft polymers and composites. In addition, each experiment has a wide variety of spacecraft materials and hence they each have numerous additional sample objectives. Each of the PCE 1-4 is designed to examine the consequences of AO interactions including AO erosion yield (Ey) and optical and thermal property characterization. Several polymers were flown in both ram and zenith flight orientations to determine the effect of varying solar to AO ratios on Ey. Common spacecraft materials including Teflon FEP, white Tedlar and Upilex-S were included on multiple MISSE missions so erosion dependence on environment exposure can be determined. The PCE-1 includes epoxy composite samples with varying ZnO levels to determine the effect of inorganic filler level on AO durability. And, a variety of samples were flown to characterize AO scattering and AO undercutting processes. All four PCE experiments include samples to provide better insight into radiation durability of polymers and composites. The MISSE-9 PCE-1 includes Teflon FEP tensile samples flown in the wake and zenith direction so variations in radiation exposure from the different flight directions can provide insight into radiation induced embrittlement of Teflon FEP. Teflon FEP tensile samples were also flown in the wake direction as part of the MISSE-13 PCE-4. In addition, shape memory alloys, shape memory composites, melanin based composites, stressed and unstressed gossamer sun shield materials, coated and uncoated docking seal samples, and new solar cell cover slides were flown for space radiation durability and/or shielding assessment. This paper provides an overview of Glenn’s PCE 1-4 MISSE-FF experiments and provides initial post-flight observations and results.

atomic oxygen↗

PyChargeModel (Oriented Programming Based Electric Vehicle and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Charging Model in Python) [SWR-22-39]

The PyChargeModel creates two classes called "ElectricVehicles" and "evse_class", which can be used to create multiple instances of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE or charging ports) and simulate charging behavior. These objects can be instantiated with several properties such as battery chemistries, battery pack sizes, cell sizes, charging port power, dc or ac chargers etc. The objects can communicate with each other by calling different methods built within the classes. Through these methods, each EV object can be assigned to an EVSE, charged either using a default protocol or using setpoint values communicated from a site controller via the EVSE object.

Mishra, Partha↗

Nonlinear control of safety factor gradient in tokamaks using spatially variable electron cyclotron current drives

Active control of plasma properties may be necessary to achieve stable operation of next-generation tokamaks over large time scales. Such control algorithms can regulate the plasma properties to avoid the onset of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities. For instance, the global and local properties of the safety factor profile are linked to the onset of neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs). This work proposes a model-based control approach for deterring/delaying NTMs through active modulation of one of the safety factor properties - the gradient of the safety factor profile at a particular rational safety factor surface. In particular, a novel control-oriented model for the local safety factor gradient is developed. The nonlinear control model is governed by a nonautonomous ordinary differential equation that accounts for a given rational safety factor surface’s spatial variation over time. Further, to improve the controllability of the spatially evolving parameter, the control model treats ECH&CD positions, along with noninductive powers, as controllable variables. A nonlinear control algorithm based on feedback linearization with optimization is synthesized to achieve the objective of regulating the safety factor gradient around a given target. The proposed algorithm allocates optimal ECH&CD positions, in addition to auxiliary powers, at each time instant as the rational safety factor surface drifts to locations with a low control authority. Stability guarantees of the proposed control law are also discussed in this work. The proposed algorithm is tested for a DIII-D tokamak scenario in nonlinear simulations carried out using the Control Oriented Transport SIMulator (COTSIM). Both fixed and moving ECH&CD cases are studied, and their outcomes are compared. Simulation results demonstrate that enthusiastic regulation of the safety factor gradient can be achieved during the ramp-up and flat-top phases of tokamak operation in both fixed and moving ECH&CD cases. However, real-time updates of ECH&CD positions can prevent the saturation of auxiliary powers.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The Parsec-Scale Magnetic Field Properties of Low-Optical Polarization Blazars

Past variability studies of flat-spectrum, compact extra-galactic radio sources have suggested that low- and high-optically polarized quasars (LPQ/HPQ) are the same type of object, differing only in the angle their relativistic jets make to the line of sight. This view has been challenged, however, by recent millimeter-wave polarization observations which indicate intrinsic differences in the inner magnetic field properties of the two classes. The inner jets of LPQs tend to have lower fractional polarizations than HPQs, and inferred magnetic field directions that are mostly parallel to the jet. The magnetic fields of HPQs, on the other hand, lie mainly in a transverse direction. The latter configuration is a prediction of the standard shock-in-jet model, in which a portion of a jet undergoes a strong transverse compression, thereby enhancing the perpendicular components of an originally tangled magnetic field. The main goal of this study is to establish a connection between the optical polarization and magnetic field properties of the inner jets of blazars. The magnetic field orientations of several HPQs have been shown to be stable over many years, which may be due to standing shock(s) located close to the base of the jet. Since these shocks are able to produce large amounts of optically polarized synchrotron radiation, their presence may very well determine whether an object is classified as an HPQ or LPQ. We have imaged the parsec-scale jet regions and magnetic fields of 11 LPQs with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 43 and 22 GHz, and have obtained near- simultaneous optical polarization data for the sample. We discuss correlations between the optical and radio polarization data, and compare the LPQ properties to those of a sample of HPQs presently being monitored with the VLBA and JCMT at mm and sub-mm wavelengths, respectively. This research was performed in part at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract to NASA.

Lister, Matthew L.↗

Leading-order gravitational radiation to all spin orders

Starting with on-shell amplitudes compatible with the scattering of Kerr black holes up to Compton-amplitude contact terms, we produce the gravitational waveform and memory effect including spin at their leading post-Minkowskian orders to all orders in the spins of both scattering objects. For the memory effect, we present results at next-to-leading order as well, finding a closed form for all spin orders when the spins are anti-aligned and equal in magnitude. Considering instead generically oriented spins, we produce the next-to-leading-order memory to sixth order in spin. Compton-amplitude contact terms up to sixth order in spin are included throughout our analysis.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The geography and human cultural resources working group of the EROS program

The functions, activities, and objectives of the Geography and Human-Cultural Resources Working Group of the EROS program are outlined. The Group's primary function is to coordinate remote sensing experiments of physical scientists and the needs of socioeconomic and culturally orientated planners, policy makers, administrators, and other user groups. Other functions of the Group include land use analysis, resource mapping, and development of an operational automatic information system receptive to land use and environmental data.

Gerlach, A. C.↗

NASTRAN variance analysis and plotting of HBDY elements

The NASTRAN Thermal Analyzer has been intended to do variance analysis and plot the thermal boundary elements. The objective of the variance analysis addition is to assess the sensitivity of temperature variances resulting from uncertainties inherent in input parameters for heat conduction analysis. The plotting capability provides the ability to check the geometry (location, size and orientation) of the boundary elements of a model in relation to the conduction elements. Variance analysis is the study of uncertainties of the computed results as a function of uncertainties of the input data. To study this problem using NASTRAN, a solution is made for both the expected values of all inputs, plus another solution for each uncertain variable. A variance analysis module subtracts the results to form derivatives, and then can determine the expected deviations of output quantities.

Harder, R. L.↗

Guidelines for the planning and preparation of illustrated technical talks

Guidelines are presented for the preparation of illustrated talks which are audience oriented and which are aimed at the efficient transfer of technical information. Early decisions concerning the required number of slides are helpful in initial planning for a good-quality talk. Detailed considerations are the establishment of limited objectives, selection of appropriate slide material, development of a text which is well coordinated with the slides, and accurate timing.

Hubbard, H. H.↗

Alternative strategies for space station financing

The attributes of the proposed space station program are oriented toward research activities and technologies which generate long term benefits for mankind. Unless such technologies are deemed of national interest and thus are government funded, they must stand on their own in the market place. Therefore, the objectives of a United States space station should be based on commercial criteria; otherwise, such a project attracts no long term funding. There is encouraging evidence that some potential space station activities should generate revenues from shuttle related projects within the decade. Materials processing concepts as well as remote sensing indicate substantial potential. Futhermore, the economics and thus the commercial feasibility of such projects will be improved by the operating efficiencies available with an ongoing space station program.

Walklet, D. C.↗

Three-epoch VLBI observations of the nucleus in the lobe-dominated quasar 3C 334

VLBI observations at three epochs spanning 7 yr. reveals possible superluminal motion of the nucleus of the lobe-dominated quasar 3C 334. This is the third lobe-dominated quasar confirmed or suspected to be superluminal in a complete, flux density-limited sample of these objects, and the sixth including other surveys. The result continues the trend for lobe-dominated quasars to have lower superluminal speeds than core-dominated quasars, and coupled with other radio properties that are indicators of source orientation, it is consistent with the simple relativistic beaming model in a randomly oriented sample.

Hough, D. H.↗

Face to Face Communications in Space

It has been reported that human face-to-face communications in space are compromised by facial edema, variations in the orientations of speakers and listeners, and background noises that are encountered in the shuttle and in space stations. To date, nearly all reports have been anecdotal or subjective, in the form of post-flight interviews or questionnaires; objective and quantitative data are generally lacking. Although it is acknowledged that efficient face-to-face communications are essential for astronauts to work safely and effectively, specific ways in which the space environment interferes with non-linguistic communication cues are poorly documented. Because we have only a partial understanding of how non-linguistic communication cues may change with mission duration, it is critically important to obtain objective data, and to evaluate these cues under well-controlled experimental conditions.

Cohen, Malcolm M.↗

Electric Current Activated Combustion Synthesis and Chemical Ovens Under Terrestrial and Reduced Gravity Conditions

Combustion synthesis (CS) generally involves mixing reactants together (e.g., metal powders) and igniting the mixture. Typically, a reaction wave will pass through the sample. In field activated combustion synthesis (FACS), the addition of an electric field has a marked effect on the dynamics of wave propagation and on the nature, composition, and homogeneity of the product as well as capillary flow, mass-transport in porous media, and Marangoni flows, which are influenced by gravity. The objective is to understand the role of an electric field in CS reactions under conditions where gravity-related effects are suppressed or altered. The systems being studied are Ti+Al and Ti+3Al. Two different ignition orientations have been used to observe effects of gravity when one of the reactants becomes molten. This consequentially influences the position and concentration of the electric current, which in turn influences the entire process. Experiments have also been performed in microgravity conditions. This process has been named Microgravity Field Activated Combustion Synthesis (MFACS). Effects of gravity have been demonstrated, where the reaction wave temperature and velocity demonstrate considerable differences besides the changes of combustion mechanisms with the different high currents applied. Also the threshold for the formation of a stable reaction wave is increased under zero gravity conditions. Electric current was also utilized with a chemical oven technique, where inserts of aluminum with minute amounts of tungsten and tantalum were used to allow observation of effects of settling of the higher density solid particles in liquid aluminum at the present temperature profile and wave velocity of the reaction.

Unuvar, C.↗

Assessment of Spatial Navigation and Docking Performance During Simulated Rover Tasks

INTRODUCTION: Following long-duration exploration transits, pressurized rovers will enhance surface mobility to explore multiple sites across Mars and other planetary bodies. Multiple rovers with docking capabilities are envisioned to expand the range of exploration. However, adaptive changes in sensorimotor and cognitive function may impair the crew s ability to safely navigate and perform docking tasks shortly after transition to the new gravitoinertial environment. The primary goal of this investigation is to quantify post-flight decrements in spatial navigation and docking performance during a rover simulation. METHODS: Eight crewmembers returning from the International Space Station will be tested on a motion simulator during four pre-flight and three post-flight sessions over the first 8 days following landing. The rover simulation consists of a serial presentation of discrete tasks to be completed within a scheduled 10 min block. The tasks are based on navigating around a Martian outpost spread over a 970 sq m terrain. Each task is subdivided into three components to be performed as quickly and accurately as possible: (1) Perspective taking: Subjects use a joystick to indicate direction of target after presentation of a map detailing current orientation and location of the rover with the task to be performed. (2) Navigation: Subjects drive the rover to the desired location while avoiding obstacles. (3) Docking: Fine positioning of the rover is required to dock with another object or align a camera view. Overall operator proficiency will be based on how many tasks the crewmember can complete during the 10 min time block. EXPECTED RESULTS: Functionally relevant testing early post-flight will develop evidence regarding the limitations to early surface operations and what countermeasures are needed. This approach can be easily adapted to a wide variety of simulated vehicle designs to provide sensorimotor assessments for other operational and civilian populations.

Wood, S. J.↗