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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Adsorption of H2, Ne, and N2 on Activated Charcoal

9-page report presents measured adsorption isotherms of hydrogen, neon, and nitrogen on activated charcoal for temperatures from 77 to 400 K and pressures from 1 to 80 atmospheres (0.1 to 8.1 MPa). Heats of adsorption calculated from isotherms also presented. Report gives expressions, based on ideal-gas law, which show relationship between different definitions of volume of gas adsorbed and used in describing low-pressure isotherms.

Chang, C. K.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Nitrogen Incorporation in CH4-N2 Photochemical Aerosol Produced by Far UV Irradiation

Nitrile incorporation into Titan aerosol accompanying hydrocarbon chemistry is thought to be driven by extreme UV wavelengths (lambda < 120 nm) or magnetospheric electrons in the outer reaches of the atmosphere. Far UV radiation (120 - 200 nm), which is transmitted down to the stratosphere of Titan, is expected to affect hydrocarbon chemistry only and not initiate the formation of nitrogenated species. We have examined the chemical properties of photochemical aerosol produced at far UV wavelengths using a High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS), which allows for elemental analysis of particle-phase products. Our results show that aerosol formed from CH4/N2 photochemistry contains a surprising amount of nitrogen, up to 16% by mass, a result of photolysis in the far UV. The proportion of nitrogenated organics to hydrocarbon species is shown to be correlated with that of N2 in the irradiated gas. The aerosol mass greatly decreases when N2 is removed, indicating that N2 plays a major role in aerosol production. Because direct dissociation of N2 is highly improbable given the immeasurably low cross-section at the wavelengths studied, the chemical activation of N2 must occur via another pathway. Any chemical activation of N2 at wavelengths > 120 nm is presently unaccounted for in atmospheric photochemical models. We suggest that reaction with CH radicals produced from CH4 photolysis may provide a mechanism for incorporating N into the molecular structure of the aerosol. Further work is needed to understand the chemistry involved, as these processes may have significant implications for prebiotic chemistry on the early Earth and similar planets.

Trainer, Melissa G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Nodule activity and allocation of photosynthate of soybean during recovery from water stress

Nodulated soybean plants (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv Ransom) in a growth-chamber study were subjected to a leaf water potential (psi w) of -2.0 megapascal during vegetative growth. Changes in nonstructural carbohydrate contents of leaves, stems, roots, and nodules, allocation of dry matter among plant parts, in situ specific nodule activity, and in situ canopy apparent photosynthetic rate were measured in stressed and nonstressed plants during a 7-day period following rewatering. Leaf and nodule psi w also were determined. At the time of maximum stress, concentration of nonstructural carbohydrates had declined in leaves of stressed, relative to nonstressed, plants, and the concentration of nonstructural carbohydrates had increased in stems, roots, and nodules. Sucrose concentrations in roots and nodules of stressed plants were 1.5 and 3 times greater, respectively, than those of nonstressed plants. Within 12 hours after rewatering, leaf and nodule psi w of stressed plants had returned to values of nonstressed plants. Canopy apparent photosynthesis and specific nodule activity of stressed plants recovered to levels for nonstressed plants within 2 days after rewatering. The elevated sucrose concentrations in roots and nodules of stressed plants also declined rapidly upon rehydration. The increase in sucrose concentration in nodules, as well as the increase of carbohydrates in roots and stems, during water stress and the rapid disappearance upon rewatering indicates that inhibition of carbohydrate utilization within the nodule may be associated with loss of nodule activity. Availability of carbohydrates within the nodules and from photosynthetic activity following rehydration of nodules may mediate the rate of recovery of N2-fixation activity.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1994

Flux to the atmosphere of CH4 and CO2 from wetland ponds on the Hudson Bay lowlands (HBLs)

Ponds on peatlands of the Hudson Bay lowlands (HBLs) are complex ecosystems in which the fluxes to the atmosphere of CH4 and CO2 were controlled by interacting physical and biological factors. This resulted in strong diel variations of both dissolved gas concentrations and gas fluxes to the atmosphere, necessitating frequent sampling on a 24-hour schedule to enable accurate estimates of daily fluxes. Ponds at three sites on the HBL were constant net sources of CH4 and CO2 to the atmosphere at mean rates of 110-180 mg CH4 m(exp -2)/d and 3700-11,000 mg CO2 m(exp -2)/d. Rates peaked in August and September. For CH4 the pond fluxes were 3-30 times higher than adjacent vegetated surfaces. For CO2 the net pond fluxes were similar in magnitude to the vegetated fluxes but the direction of the flux was opposite, toward atmosphere. Even though ponds cover only 8-12% of the HBL area, they accounted for 30% of its total CH4 flux to the atmosphere. There is some circumstantial evidence that the ponds are being formed by decomposition of the underlying peat and that this decomposition is being stimulated by the activity of N2 fixing cyanobacteria that grow in mats at the peat-water interface. The fact that the gas fluxes from the ponds were so different from the surrounding vegetated surfaces means that any change in the ratio of pond to vegetated area, as may occur in response to climate change, would affect the total HBL fluxes.

Hamilton, J. David↗
NASA NTRS2003

Method for the control of NOx emissions in long-range space travel

The wheat straw, an inedible biomass that can be continuously produced in a space vehicle has been used to produce activated carbon for effective control of NOx emissions from the incineration of wastes. The optimal carbonization temperature of wheat straw was found to be around 600 degrees C when a burnoff of 67% was observed. The BET surface area of the activated carbon produced from the wheat straw reached as high as 300 m2/g. The presence of oxygen in flue gas is essential for effective adsorption of NO by activated carbon. On the contrary, water vapor inhibits the adsorption efficiency of NO. Consequently, water vapor in flue gas should be removed by drying agents before adsorption to ensure high NO adsorption efficiency. All of the NO in the flue gas was removed for more than 2 h by the activated carbons when 10% oxygen was present and the ratio of carbon weight to the flue gas flow rate (W/F) was 30 g min/L, with a contact time of 10.2 s. All of NO was reduced to N2 by the activated carbon at 450 degrees C with a W/F ratio of 15 g min/L and a contact time of 5.1 s. Reduction of the adsorbed NO also regenerated the activated carbon, and the regenerated activated carbon exhibited an improved NO adsorption efficiency. However, the reduction of the adsorbed NO resulted in a loss of carbon which was determined to be about 0.99% of the activated carbon per cycle of regeneration. The sufficiency of the amount of wheat straw in providing the activated carbon based on a six-person crew, such as the mission planned for Mars, has been determined. This novel approach for the control of NOx emissions is sustainable in a closed system such as the case in space travel. It is simple to operate and is functional under microgravity environment.

NASA Discipline Life Support Systems↗
NASA NTRS2015

Detecting and Constraining N2 Abundances in Planetary Atmospheres Using Collisional Pairs

Characterizing the bulk atmosphere of a terrestrial planet is important for determining surface pressure and potential habitability. Molecular nitrogen (N2) constitutes the largest fraction of Earth's atmosphere and is likely to be a major constituent of many terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres. Due to its lack of significant absorption features, N2 is extremely difficult to remotely detect. However, N2 produces an N2-N2 collisional pair, (N2)2, which is spectrally active. Here we report the detection of (N2)2 in Earth's disk-integrated spectrum. By comparing spectra from NASA's EPOXI mission to synthetic spectra from the NASA Astrobiology Institute's Virtual Planetary Laboratory three-dimensional spectral Earth model, we find that (N2)2 absorption produces a ~35% decrease in flux at 4.15 μm. Quantifying N2 could provide a means of determining bulk atmospheric composition for terrestrial exoplanets and could rule out abiotic O2 generation, which is possible in rarefied atmospheres. To explore the potential effects of (N2)2 in exoplanet spectra, we used radiative transfer models to generate synthetic emission and transit transmission spectra of self-consistent N2-CO2-H2O atmospheres, and analytic N2-H2 and N2-H2-CO2 atmospheres. We show that (N2)2 absorption in the wings of the 4.3 μm CO2 band is strongly dependent on N2 partial pressures above 0.5 bar and can significantly widen this band in thick N2 atmospheres. The (N2)2 transit transmission signal is up to 10 ppm for an Earth-size planet with an N2-dominated atmosphere orbiting within the habitable zone of an M5V star and could be substantially larger for planets with significant H2 mixing ratios.

Schwieterman, Edward W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Atomic nitrogen measurements in the upper atmosphere

The open-source neutral mass spectrometer (OSS) on the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite (AE-C) measures the neutral constituents of the upper atmosphere. It has been found that atomic nitrogen densities can be determined at altitudes above 380 km. Most of the nitrogen atoms combine with oxygen adsorbed on the walls of the ion source to form NO. The measured net peaks at 14 amu and 30 amu show the scale height expected for atomic nitrogen; both peaks have a pronounced diurnal variation. Absolute number densities at 400 km are computed for a time period between February and April 1974 when measurements were taken in the northern hemisphere. Minimum and maximum densities of atomic nitrogen occur between 4 and 6 hr LST in the morning and around 16 hr LST in the afternoon, respectively. At 400 km, the minimum particle density is 100,000/cu cm and the maximum density 1.5 million/cu cm. In contrast to the response of N2 to geomagnetic activity, atomic N shows no appreciable effect.

Mauersberger, K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Comparison of the N2/+/ photochemistry at different phases of the solar cycle

Thermospheric and ionospheric data obtained on 12 orbits throughout 1978 are analyzed using the chemical scheme established during 1974 when the solar EUV intensities were less than half of those encountered in 1978. It is shown that this scheme, with some modification, applies to the more active period. Photoionization of N2 is found to be the major source of N2(+) in the F2 layer, by contrast with the charge exchange reaction of O+(2D) with N2, which was dominant for the lower solar activity. The results confirm the laboratory measurements of the dissociative recombination rate coefficient for N2 with electrons, as well as the theoretically calculated rate coefficient for the quenching of O+(2D) by electrons.

Torr, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Miniature Lightweight Ion Pump

This design offers a larger surface area for pumping of active gases and reduces the mass of the pump by eliminating the additional vacuum enclosure. There are three main components to this ion pump: the cathode and anode pumping elements assembly, the vacuum enclosure (made completely of titanium and used as the cathode and maintained at ground potential) containing the assembly, and the external magnet. These components are generally put in a noble diode (or differential) configuration of the ion pump technology. In the present state of the art, there are two cathodes, one made of titanium and the other of tantalum. The anodes are made up of an array of stainless steel cylinders positioned between the two cathodes. All the elements of the pump are in a vacuum enclosure. After the reduction of pressure in this enclosure to a few microns, a voltage is applied between the cathode and the anode elements. Electrons generated by the ionization are accelerated toward the anodes that are confined in the anode space by the axial magnetic field. For the generation of the axial field along the anode elements, the magnet is designed in a C-configuration and is fabricated from rare earth magnetic materials (Nd-B-Fe or Sm-Co) possessing high energy product values, and the yoke is fabricated from the high permeability material (Hiperco-50A composed of Fe-Co-V). The electrons in this region collide with the gas molecules and generate their positive ions. These ions are accelerated into the cathode and eject cathode material (Ti). The neutral atoms deposit on the anode surfaces. Because of the chemical activity of Ti, the atoms combine with chemically active gas molecules (e.g. N2, O2, etc.) and remove them. New layers of Ti are continually deposited, and the pumping of active gases is thus accomplished. Pumping of the inert gases is accomplished by their burial several atomic layers deep into the cathode. However, they tend to re-emit if the entrapping lattice atoms are sputtered away. For stable pumping of inert gases, one side of the cathode is made of Ta. Impaction on Ta produces energetic, neutral atoms that pump the inert gases on the anode structure at the peripheral areas of the cathodes (between anode rings). For inert gases stability, a post design has been implemented. Here, posts of cathode material (Ti) are mounted on the cathode. These protrude into the initial part of the anode elements. Materials sputtered from the posts condense on the anode assembly and on the cathode plane at higher rates than in the normal diodes due to enhanced sputtering at glancing angles from geometrical considerations. This increases pumping by burial. This post design has enhanced pumping rates for both active and inert gases, compared with conventional designs.

Sinha, Mahadeva P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Ar(+) in the terrestrial ionosphere

The Ar(+) densities in the terrestrial ionosphere are computed for both low and high solar activity models. The reaction N2(+)(v greater than 0) + Ar yields N2 + Ar(+) is found to be a significant source of Ar(+) nearly equal to photoionization and electron impact ionization in the high solar activity model. Peak densities of Ar(+) of 11 per cu cm near 190 km and 22 per cu cm near 220 km are predicted for the low and high solar activity models. It is suggested that a simultaneous measurement of Ar(+) and Ar densities would provide a test for the presence of vibrationally excited N2(+) in the terrestrial ionosphere.

Fox, J. L.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Evaluation of Planetary Extravehicular Activity Prebreathe Protocols using a 56.5 kPa, 34% O2, 66% N2 Saturation Cabin Atmosphere in an 11-day Hypobaric Hypoxia Study

INTRODUCTION: Apollo missions used 100% O2 cabin atmospheres which effectively eliminated the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) during Lunar extravehicular activities (EVAs, ‘spacewalks’); however, this atmosphere presented a flammability risk that is no longer acceptable to NASA. Denitrogenation prebreathe protocols used to mitigate DCS risk for Space Shuttle and International Space Station EVAs are validated for the microgravity environment, but the significantly increased risk of DCS during equivalent ambulatory surface EVAs make these protocols inapplicable to planetary/Lunar missions. A cabin/vehicle “Exploration Atmosphere” of 56.5 kPa (8.2 psia), 34% O2, 66% N2 has been recommended by NASA for future Moon and Mars missions as a compromise that balances subsequent pre-EVA prebreathe duration, hypoxia, and flammability risk, assuming a 29.6 kPa (4.3 psi) spacesuit. Prebreathe validation studies were initiated utilizing a three-story 6m diameter hypobaric chamber at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Here, we report the results of a 11-day human-in-the-loop system checkout. METHODS: Six volunteers lived in a hyboparic chamber for 11 days with an ‘exploration atmosphere’ of 56.6kPa/34% O2 66% N2. Subjects acclimated to the exploration atmosphere for 48hrs and thereafter participated in five 6-hour simulated EVAs at 34kPa/85% O2 / 15% N2 over the course of 11 days. Prior to each simulated EVA, subjects underwent a 20-minute prebreathe at 85% O2. The EVA simulation was designed to include tasks that are physically and ergonomically representative of future planetary EVAs, proportionate to the subject’s VO2max. Decompression stress was evaluated during the simulated EVA by serial doppler and echocardiographs alternating every 15min, as well as clinical monitoring for DCS signs/symptoms. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Venous gas emboli (VGE) were present in 3 of 6 subjects during EVAs, with peak Grade II VGE as evaluated by Doppler and a peak Eftedal-Brubakk score of 5 by cardiac ultrasonography. Two cases of DCS were diagnosed during the 11-day test chamber. No acute hypoxic symptoms were noted. Musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal complaints were noted, likely associated with the exercise load and the food system. Two cases of DCS (8%) does not cross either accept or reject pre-test criterion, so an additional study is planned for 2023 to meet our pre-test thresholds.

Alejandro Garbino↗
NASA NTRS1991

Chiron: Evidence for historic cometary activity

The non-asteroidal brightening of (2060) Chiron, first noted by Tholen in 1988 is now ascribed to cometary activity. Photometry since 1988 has revealed a broad surge in brightness that peaked in 1989 about 1.0 mag above the brightness in the mid-1980s. The surge is evidently due to sporatic formation of dust coma, which is itself driven by the presence of extremely volatile ices at or near the surface. CN emission was recently reported. Since Chiron is now nearing perihelion, there is interest in determining whether it has exhibited anomalous brightening in the past, particularly at greater heliocentric distances. Photographic plates dating back to 1895 are known to contain images of Chiron. Using some of these archival material, the initial results are presented for a project to determine Chiron's brightness history over orbital timescales. A particularly homogeneous and high-quality set of plates taken prior to and around the time of Chiron's discovery in Oct. 1977 at the 1.2 m Oschin Schmidt telescope at Mt. Palomar Observatory were examined. Images of Chiron were identified and digitized using a PDS microdensitometer, and images of field stars around Chiron were both similarly digitized and photometrically calibrated using recently acquired B and V band CCD frames. As a result of the present work, eleven new data, including estimated errors, were added between 1969 and 1977. The implications that Chiron can be active at any heliocentric distance in its present orbit suggest that the active volatile is either N2, CH4, or CO, and that a substantial degree of mantling may have developed. Further historical data is presented, the error bars discussed, and possible mechanisms suggested for the observed activity.

Bus, Schelte J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Stellar Energetic Particle-driven Production of Biologically Relevant Molecules in Atmospheres of Young Earth-like Exoplanets Around Active G-K Stars

The chemistry of N2, CO2, CH4-rich atmospheres of terrestrial-type exoplanets around active G-K stars is a complex problem: the star's ionizing radiation in the form of X-ray and Extreme UV radiation and the precipitating energetic particles accelerated in coronal mass ejection driven shocks can drive complex chemistry in the exoplanetary atmosphere, and ignite the production of complex molecules (Airapetian et al., 2016). We developed a set of atmospheric models to simulate the formation of organic molecules that can be considered as atmospheric pre-biosignatures from exoplanets around active stars. The model has recently been extended to account for the production of ions, their role in the enhanced chemistry in the lower atmosphere, as well as the interaction of these ions with the aerosols. We applied the photochemical-collisional model to simulate the chemistry of a young terrestrial-type exoplanets resembling the Hadean Earth to highlight the creation of atmospheric pre-biosignatures, relevant greenhouse gases, and the presence of aerosols driven by stellar activity sources. We also discuss the impact of that modified atmospheric chemistry on the exoplanetary climate.

Guillaume Philippe Gronoff↗
NASA NTRS1982

A global model of the neutral thermosphere in magnetic coordinates based on OGO 6 data

Data from the OGO 6 satellite have been analyzed in magnetic latitude and magnetic local time coordinates for various seasons and magnetic activity levels. These measurements show considerable detail, particularly in the auroral regions where the energy inputs are well organized in this coordinate system. This detail is not readily observed in models based on geographic coordinates. Atomic oxygen and helium densities and a parameter related to the molecular nitrogen density were analyzed. The long-term averages of these quantities are presented in graphical form and as analytic functions to provide models of these thermospheric parameters. The atomic oxygen and helium densities show minima at high latitudes in the postmidnight sector for nearly all seasons and magnetic activity levels. The exospheric temperature inferred from the N2 density increases toward high latitudes for all seasons and all magnetic activity levels. This inferred temperature is about 300 deg K higher at the summer magnetic pole than at the winter magnetic pole.

Stehle, C. G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Calculated potential surfaces for the reactions - O + N2 - NO + N and N + O2 - NO + O

Complete active space SCF/contracted CI calculations using large Gaussian basis sets are presented for selected portions of the potential surfaces for reactions in the Zeldovich mechanism for the conversion of N2 to NO. The N + O2 reaction is exoergic by 32 kcal/mol and is computed to have an early barrier of 10.2 kcal/mol for the 2A-prime surface and 18.0 kcal/mol for the 4A-prime surface. The O + N2 reaction is endoergic by 75 kcal/mol. The 3A-double prime surface is calculated to have a late barrier of 0.5 kcal/mol, while the 3A-prime surface has a late barrier of 14.4 kcal/mol relative to NO + N. These results are significant for determining the physical and chemical conditions which aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles will encounter while transferring between high and low altitude earth orbits.

Walch, Stephen P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Factors affecting the palmitoyl-coenzyme A desaturase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The activity and stability of the palmitoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) desaturase complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was influenced by several factors. Cells, grown nonaerobically and then incubated with glucose, either in air or under N2, showed a marked increase in desaturase activity. Cycloheximide, added during such incubations, prevented the increase in activity, suggesting de novo synthesis. The stability of the desaturase from cells grown nonaerobically was affected by subsequent treatment of the cells; enzyme from freshly harvested cells, or from cells that were then shaken under nitrogen, readily lost activity upon washing or during density gradient analysis, whereas aerated cells, in the presence or absence of glucose, yielded stable enzyme preparations. The loss of activity in nonaerobic preparations could be reversed by adding soluble supernatant from these homogenates and could be prevented by growing the cells in the presence of palmitoleic acid and ergosterol, but not with several other lipids tested.

Klein, H. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Nitriding of titanium and its alloys by N2, NH3 or mixtures of N2 + H2 in a dc arc plasma at low pressures ( or = to torr)

The dc glow discharges in different gas mixtures of Ar + N2, Ar + NH3 or Ar + N2 + H2 result in the surface nitriding of Ti metal and its alloy (Ti6Al4V). Various gas mixtures were used in order to establish the main active species governing the nitriding process, i.e., N, N2, NH, or NH2 as excited or ionized particles. The dc discharge was sampled and analyzed by quadruple mass spectrometry (QPMS) and optical emission spectroscopy (OES), and the nitrided samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an EDAX attachment, microhardness, and Fourier transform infrared reflectance spectrometry (FTIR). It was found that the excited and ionized nitrogen and hydrogen atoms are the main species responsible for the nitriding process in a dc glow discharge.

Avni, R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Calculated potential surfaces for the reactions: O + N2 yields NO + N and N + O2 yields NO + O

Complete Active Space SCF/Contracted CI (CASSCF/CCI) calculations, using large Gaussian basis sets, are presented for selected portions of the potential surfaces for the reactions in the Zeldovich mechanism for the conversion of N2 to NO. The N + O2 reaction is exoergic by 32 kcal/mole and is computed to have an early barrier of 10.2 kcal/mole for the (sup 2)A(sup prime) surface and 18.0 kcal/mole for the (sup 4)A(sup prime) surface. The O + N2 reaction is endoergic by 75 kcal/mole. The (sup 3)A(sup double prime) surface is calculated to have a late barrier of 0.5 kcal/mole, while the (sup 3)A(sup prime) surface is calculated to have a late barrier of 14.4 kcal/mole.

Walch, Stephen P.↗