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Results for “Roughness Formation”

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

Cross Flow Effects on Glaze Ice Roughness Formation

The present study examines the impact of large-scale cross flow on the creation of ice roughness elements on the leading edge of a swept wing under glaze icing conditions. A three-dimensional triple-deck structure is developed to describe the local interaction of a 3 D air boundary layer with ice sheets and liquid films. A linear stability analysis is presented here. It is found that, as the sweep angle increases, the local icing instabilities enhance and the most linearly unstable modes are strictly three dimensional.

Tsao, Jen-Ching↗

The adverse aerodynamic impact of very small leading-edge ice (roughness) buildups on wings and tails

Systematic experimental studies were performed to establish the aerodynamic impact of very small leading-edge simulated ice (roughness) formations on lifting surfaces. The geometries studied include single element configurations (airfoil and 3-D tail) as well as multi-element high-lift airfoil geometries. Emphasis in these studies was placed on obtaining results at high Reynolds numbers to insure the applicability of the findings to full-scale situations. It was found that the well-known Brumby correlation for the adverse lift impact of discrete roughness elements at the leading edge is not appropriate for cases representative of initial ice build up (i.e., distributed roughness). It was also found that allowing initial ice formations of a size required for removal by presently proposed deicing systems could lead to maximum lift losses of approximately 40 percent for single-element airfoils. Losses in angle-of-attack margin to stall are equally substantial - as high as 6 degrees. Percentage losses for multi-element airfoils are not as severe as for single-element configurations, but degradations of the angle-of-attack-to-stall margin are the same for both.

Lynch, Frank T.↗

Recent star formation in the interacting galaxy system NGC 520

New optical spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, and mid-infrared imaging of the interacting system NGC 520 are presented. The data show that the heavily obscured primary nucleus has a current star-forming rate about 35 times the typical rate for a late-type galaxy nucleus, which may account for most of the large far-infrared luminosity of NGC 520. The secondary nucleus has little current star formation but has recently undergone a mild starburst. Optical colors and absorption line equivalent widths suggest that the extranuclear regions in both galaxies have experienced enhanced star formation roughly at the same time as the secondary nucleus, though at a lesser intensity. The extent of the extranuclear burst is large; at least half of the projected surface area of the two disks took part to varying degrees in the episode. Determining the exact age and strength of the recent star-formation episode in NGC 520 is uncertain. The best estimate for the initiation time of about few x 10 exp 8 yrs ago is consistent with the system-wide starburst being caused by the galaxy collision.

Stanford, S. A.↗

Fabric controls on fracture surface roughness of an architected rock material

Fluid flow through fractures is intimately linked to the fracture surfaces that define the void geometry through which fluids flow. Thus, an understanding of what controls fracture surface roughness is essential to the development of models for predicting fluid transport through fractured rock. The difficulty in predicting surface roughness arises from the complexity of rock which is inherently heterogeneous and nonuniform in composition, fabric, and structural components, even when samples are acquired from the same rock mass. Here, a benchmarked-simulation approach motivated from geo-architected 3D printed synthetic gypsum rocks is used to provide insight into the competing contributions from fabric and layering on fracture roughness formation. Simulation results from a discrete element model (Particle Flow Code, Itasca Consulting Group, Inc.) clearly indicate that the relative orientation between mineral layers and in-layer mineral fabric, and the variability in mineral bonding strengths determine whether anisotropic corrugated surfaces or isotropic surfaces are formed. Weak mineral layers oriented perpendicular to the applied load resulted in strong roughness anisotropy. Peak failure loads were found to vary up to 30% depending on the strength of the mineral fabric at the location of fracture initiation, which provides insight into the observed high variability in strength values of natural rock. The uniqueness of induced fracture roughness and peak failure load is intimately linked to layering, mineral fabric, and their distribution in the rock. These findings have important implications for any architected material fabricated through serial printing of layers with local compositional heterogeneity.

3D printed rock↗

Assessment of Ice Shape Roughness Using a Self-Orgainizing Map Approach

Self-organizing maps are neural-network techniques for representing noisy, multidimensional data aligned along a lower-dimensional and nonlinear manifold. For a large set of noisy data, each element of a finite set of codebook vectors is iteratively moved in the direction of the data closest to the winner codebook vector. Through successive iterations, the codebook vectors begin to align with the trends of the higher-dimensional data. Prior investigations of ice shapes have focused on using self-organizing maps to characterize mean ice forms. The Icing Research Branch has recently acquired a high resolution three dimensional scanner system capable of resolving ice shape surface roughness. A method is presented for the evaluation of surface roughness variations using high-resolution surface scans based on a self-organizing map representation of the mean ice shape. The new method is demonstrated for 1) an 18-in. NACA 23012 airfoil 2 AOA just after the initial ice coverage of the leading 5 of the suction surface of the airfoil, 2) a 21-in. NACA 0012 at 0AOA following coverage of the leading 10 of the airfoil surface, and 3) a cold-soaked 21-in.NACA 0012 airfoil without ice. The SOM method resulted in descriptions of the statistical coverage limits and a quantitative representation of early stages of ice roughness formation on the airfoils. Limitations of the SOM method are explored, and the uncertainty limits of the method are investigated using the non-iced NACA 0012 airfoil measurements.

Icing↗

Magnetospheric Multiscale Observations of Earth’s Oblique Bow Shock Reformation by Foreshock Ultra-Low Frequency Waves

Collisionless shocks can be nonstationary with periodic reformation shown in many simulation results, but direct observations are still tenuous and difficult to conclusively interpret. In this study, using Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) observations, we report direct observational evidence of Earth’s oblique bow shock reformation driven by the foreshock ultra-low frequency (ULF)waves. When the four MMS spacecraft were in a string-of-pearls formation roughly along the bow shock normal, they observed that when each period of foreshock ULF waves encountered the bow shock, a new shock ramp formed. Meanwhile, in the magnetosheath, the old bow shock’s remnants were observed periodically convecting downstream. We propose that the reformation mechanism of the oblique bow shock is the variation of the upstream conditions by the periodic ULF waves as they encounter the bow shock. We also examine the nature of reflected ions during the reformation process.

Terry Z Liu↗

The emergence of small-scale self-affine surface roughness from deformation

Most natural and man-made surfaces appear to be rough on many length scales. There is presently no unifying theory of the origin of roughness or the self-affine nature of surface topography. One likely contributor to the formation of roughness is deformation, which underlies many processes that shape surfaces such as machining, fracture, and wear. Using molecular dynamics, we simulate the biaxial compression of single-crystal Au, the high-entropy alloy Ni 36.67 Co 30 Fe 16.67 Ti 16.67 , and amorphous Cu 50 Zr 50 and show that even surfaces of homogeneous materials develop a self-affine structure. By characterizing subsurface deformation, we connect the self-affinity of the surface to the spatial correlation of deformation events occurring within the bulk and present scaling relations for the evolution of roughness with strain. These results open routes toward interpreting and engineering roughness profiles.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Characterization of Ice Roughness Variations in Scaled Glaze Icing Conditions

Because of the significant influence of surface tension in governing the stability and breakdown of the liquid film in flooded stagnation regions of airfoils exposed to glaze icing conditions, the Weber number is expected to be a significant parameter governing the formation and evolution of ice roughness. To investigate the influence of the Weber number on roughness formation, 53.3-cm (21-in.) and 182.9-cm (72-in.) NACA 0012 airfoils were exposed to flow conditions with essentially the same Weber number and varying stagnation collection efficiency to illuminate similarities of the ice roughness created on the different airfoils. The airfoils were exposed to icing conditions in the Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Following exposure to the icing event, the airfoils were then scanned using a ROMER Absolute Arm scanning system. The resulting point clouds were then analyzed using the self-organizing map approach of McClain and Kreeger (2013) to determine the spatial roughness variations along the surfaces of the iced airfoils. The roughness characteristics on each airfoil were then compared using the relative geometries of the airfoil. The results indicate that features of the ice shape and roughness such as glaze-ice plateau limits and maximum airfoil roughness were captured well by Weber number and collection efficiency scaling of glaze icing conditions. However, secondary ice roughness features relating the instability and waviness of the liquid film on the glaze-ice plateau surface are scaled based on physics that were not captured by the local collection efficiency variations.

Roughness Formation↗

Molecular gas, the interstellar medium, and star formation in S0 and Sa galaxies

The results are presented of a survey for CO J = 1 - 0 emission from S0 and S0/a galaxies. The results show that molecular gas is abundant within some early-type disk galaxies, and that the range in the ratio of molecular gas to atomic gas mass is similar to those in other disk galaxies. In the S0 and S0/a galaxies studied, estimated rates of star formation are substantially smaller than, but efficiencies of star formation are roughly the same as, those in Sb or Sc galaxies. Although the rate of cooling of the hot, X-ray emitting gas may be close to the estimated stellar mass return rate in the sample, the star formation rate probably exceeds both by a significant factor.

Thronson, Harley A., Jr.↗

Experimental Investigation of Ice Accretion Effects on a Swept Wing

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effects of 2-, 5-, 10-, and 22.5-min ice accretions on the aerodynamic performance of a swept finite wing. The ice shapes tested included castings of ice accretions obtained from icing tests at the NASA Glenn Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) and simulated ice shapes obtained with the LEWICE 2.0 ice accretion code. The conditions used for the icing tests were selected to provide five glaze ice shapes with complete and incomplete scallop features and a small rime ice shape. The LEWICE ice shapes were defined for the same conditions as those used in the icing tests. All aerodynamic performance tests were conducted in the 7- x 10-ft Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Facility at Wichita State University. Six component force and moment measurements, aileron hinge moments, and surface pressures were obtained for a Reynolds number of 1.8 million based on mean aerodynamic chord and aileron deflections in the range of -15o to 20o. Tests were performed with the clean wing, six IRT ice shape castings, seven smooth LEWICE ice shapes, and seven rough LEWICE ice shapes. Roughness for the LEWICE ice shapes was simulated with 36-size grit. The experiments conducted showed that the glaze ice castings reduced the maximum lift coefficient of the clean wing by 11.5% to 93.6%, while the 5-min rime ice casting increased maximum lift by 3.4%. Minimum iced wing drag was 133% to 3533% greater with respect to the clean case. The drag of the iced wing near the clean wing stall angle of attack was 17% to 104% higher than that of the clean case. In general, the aileron remained effective in changing the lift of the clean and iced wings for all angles of attack and aileron deflections tested. Aileron hinge moments for the iced wing cases remained within the maximum and minimum limits defined by the clean wing hinge moments. Tests conducted with the LEWICE ice shapes showed that in general the trends in aerodynamic performance degradation of the wing with the simulated ice shapes were similar to those obtained with the IRT ice shape castings. However, in most cases, the ice castings resulted in greater aerodynamic performance losses than those obtained with the LEWICE ice shapes. For the majority of the LEWICE ice shapes, the addition of 36-size grit roughness to the smooth ice shapes increased aerodynamic performance losses.

Ice shape↗

Oxide derived Cu nanofibril assembly for enhanced nonenzymatic glucose sensing

In this report, we have prepared copper nanofibril assembly via thermal oxidation followed by electrochemical reduction processes, exhibiting superior glucose detection ability. The morphological analysis evidenced the formation of rough islands or nanofibril structure on the Cu surface depending on initial thermal oxidation temperature. The glucose detection performance was investigated by performing cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry with varying glucose concentration. A high sensitivity (4131.57 μA mM – 1 cm – 2 ), low detection limit (1.41 μM), wider linear range (0–3.9 mM) and long–term stability (30 days) have been recorded for electrode thermally oxidized at 400 °C followed by electrochemical reduction process (rCu_400). The sensitivity is almost three times higher in comparison to the planner Cu surface. This significantly enhanced glucose sensing ability rCu_400 has been attributed to the nanofibril morphology, origination of Cu (111) facet and formation of a stable oxide layer evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. Despite higher sensitivity, rCu_400 electrode does not show any response to the chloride ion, dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid. Finally, these results indicate that the Cu nanofibril structure prepared via simple oxidation/reduction process can be an excellent candidate to be used as an electrode for glucose sensing application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Hydrated doped-BaZrO 3 proton conductors studied by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

The study of defect chemistry for doped BaZrO 3 proton conductors is of particular interest because of defect interactions that can affect the proton conductivity of the material. Protons incorporated due to the material's hydration can be trapped by negatively charged immobile dopants, reducing proton mobility. The reduction of the proton conduction impedes using BaZrO 3 materials in energy conversion applications at intermediate temperatures (300°C – 600°C). The probing of proton trapping in doped BaZrO 3 is hindered by the limited availability of techniques sensitive to defect chemistries. In this work, we used positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) to study the defect chemistry of Y-doped and Sc-doped BaZrO 3 . Using a two-state positron trapping model we showed that PALS can be used to study the defect chemistry of hydrated dense proton conductors. Positron trapping rates and lifetimes were correlated with doping levels of the materials. Probability significance t-tests were carried out for PALS parameters to verify whether there are differences/similarities for various populations: non-doped/doped, level and type of doping, high temperature, and surface effects. Further, the results revealed that the initial doping generates a significant number of traps available for positrons. Doping in yttrium increased the positron trapping rate, while this effect was not observed with scandium. Low-temperature hydration affects specimens significantly inhibiting positron trapping at undoped BaZrO 3 material and highly doped specimens. Positronium formation in rough surface layers, and highly doped specimens was detected but does not exceed 1%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Crack Growth Behavior in the Threshold Region for High Cyclic Loading

The present studies show that fanning in the threshold regime is likely caused by other factors than a plastic wake developed during load shedding. The cause of fanning at low R-values is a result of localized roughness, mainly formation of a faceted crack surface morphology , plus crack bifurcations which alters the crack closure at low R-values. The crack growth behavior in the threshold regime involves both crack closure theory and the dislocation theory of metals. Research will continue in studying numerous other metal alloys and performing more extensive analysis, such as the variation in dislocation properties (e.g., stacking fault energy) and its effects in different materials.

Forman, R.↗

Convection from Hemispherical and Conical Model Ice Roughness Elements in Stagnation Region Flows

To improve ice accretion prediction codes, more data regarding ice roughness and its effects on convective heat transfer are required. The Vertical Icing Studies Tunnel (VIST) at NASA Glenn Research was used to model realistic ice roughness in the stagnation region of a NACA 0012 airfoil. In the VIST, a test plate representing the leading 2% chord of the airfoil was subjected to flows of 7.62 m/s (25 ft/s), 12.19 m/s (40 ft/s), and 16.76 m/s (55 ft/s). The test plate was fitted with multiple surfaces or sets of roughness panels, each with a different representation of ice roughness. The sets of roughness panels were constructed using two element distribution patterns that were created based on a laser scan of an iced airfoil acquired in the Icing Research Tunnel at NASA Glenn. For both roughness patterns, surfaces were constructed using plastic hemispherical elements, plastic conical elements, and aluminum conical elements. Infrared surface thermometry data from tests run in the VIST were used to calculate area averaged heat transfer coefficient values. The values from the roughness surfaces were compared to the smooth control surface, showing convective enhancement as high as 400% in some cases. The data gathered during this study will ultimately be used to improve the physical modeling in LEWICE or other ice accretion codes and produce predictions of in-flight ice accretion on aircraft surfaces with greater confidence.

Icing Physics↗

A possibility of avoiding surface roughness due to insects

Discussion of a method for eliminating turbulence caused by the formation of insect roughness upon the leading edges and fuselage, particularly in aircraft using BLC. The proposed technique foresees the use of elastic surfaces on which insect roughness cannot form. The operational characteristics of highly elastic rubber surface fastened to the wing leading edges and fuselage edges are examined. Some preliminary test results are presented. The technique is seen to be advantageous primarily for short-haul operations.

Wortmann, F. X.↗