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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

Studies of local magnetism and local structure in La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO4

The muon spin rotation (MUSR) study of local magnetism of Sr-doped La2CrO4 is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on magnetic order as detected by local and bulk probes with local atomic environments studies by x ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). Correlations between the MUSR study of local magnetic ordering and the bulk magnetization study are presented along with a discussion of the dependence upon oxygen stoichiometry. Results are presented for both superconducting phases and magnetic phases. Recent data which reveals the existence of local magnetic ordering in the hydrogen-doped YBa2Cu3O7 system are also discussed.

Budnick, J. I.↗

Study of local structure and magnetism in high-T(sub c) copper oxide superconductors

The muon spin rotation (MUSR) study of local magnetism of Sr-doped La2CuO4 is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on magnetic order as detected by local and bulk probes with local atomic environments studied by x ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). Correlations between the MUSR study of local magnetic ordering and the bulk magnetization study are presented along with a discussion of the dependence upon oxygen stoichiometry. Results are presented for both superconducting phases and magnetic phases. Recent data which reveals the existence of local magnetic ordering in the hydrogen-doped YBa2Cu3O7 system are also discussed.

Budnick, J. I.↗

Local structure of intercomponent energy transfer in homogeneous turbulent shear flow

Intercomponent energy transfer by pressure-strain-rate was investigated for homogeneous turbulent shear flow. The rapid and slow parts of turbulent pressure (decomposed according to the influence of the mean deformation rate) are found to be uncorrelated; this finding provides strong justification for current modeling procedure in which the pressure-strain-rate term is split into the corresponding parts. Issues pertinent to scales involved in the intercomponent energy transfer are addressed in comparison with those for the Reynolds-stress and vorticity fields. A physical picture of the energy transfer process is described from a detailed study of instantaneous events of high transfer regions. It was found that the most significant intercomponent energy transfer events are highly localized in space and are imbedded within a region of concentrated vorticity.

Brasseur, James G.↗

Cyclotron maser radiation from a source structure localized perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field

Particle simulations were used to investigate the properties of electromagnetic radiation produced by the cyclotron maser instability in a source region which is localized in the direction perpendicular to the uniform magnetic field. In the procedure used, the simulation model of Pritchett and Strangeway (1985) for the generation of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) along an auroral field line was modified to include inhomogeneities perpendicular to the magnetic field. The results are compared with the previous homogeneous simulations with regard to efficiency and saturation mechanism and with expectations based on the feedback model. The implications for the generation and propagation of AKR are discussed.

Pritchett, P. L.↗

Shaping of the magnetotail from the mantle - Global and local structuring

Kinetic modeling of the properties of magnetotail formation from a plasma mantle source are discussed, and a unified view of the structure of the central part of the magnetotail plasma sheet as well as the structure of its boundary layer is developed. The Tsyganenko magnetic field model for quiet periods of magnetospheric activity is used to trace trajectories of mantle protons in the presence of a uniform dawn-dusk electric field. The present model shows the evolution of the global structure of the tail with a clearly defined central plasma sheet and plasma sheet boundary layer developing from its beginnings as a plasma 'nucleus' in the distant tail current sheet. This large-scale restructuring is accompanied by the creation of small-scale features in the particle distribution functions. It is also shown that complementary ring distribution structures should also exist in the central plasma sheet. The ion distribution functions in the central plasma sheet should take a rather specific form in velocity space with loss regions oriented predominantly orthogonal to the magnetic field.

Ashour-Abdalla, Maha↗

In-situ High-energy X-ray Diffraction Study of the Local Structure of Supercooled Liquid Si

While changes in the coordination number for liquid silicon upon supercooling, signaling an underlying liquid-liquid phase transition, have been predicted, x-ray and neutron measurements have produced conflicting reports. In particular some studies have found an increase in the first shell coordination as temperature decreases in the supercooled regime, while others have reported increases in the coordination number with decreasing temperature. Employing the technique of electrostatic levitation coupled with high energy x-ray diffraction (125 keV), and rapid data acquisition (100ms collection times) using an area detector, we have obtained high quality structural data more deeply into the supercooled regime than has been possible before. No change in coordination number is observed in this temperature region, calling into question previous experimental claims of structural evidence for the existence of a liquid-liquid phase transition.

Lee, G. W.↗

Understanding Local Structure Globally in Earth Science Remote Sensing Data Sets

Empirical probability distributions derived from the data are the signatures of physical processes generating the data. Distributions defined on different space-time windows can be compared and differences or changes can be attributed to physical processes. This presentation discusses on ways to reduce remote sensing data in a way that preserves information, focusing on the rate-distortion theory and using the entropy-constrained vector quantization algorithm.

massive data sets↗

Gaussian windows: A tool for exploring multivariate data

Presented here is a method for interactively exploring a large set of quantitative multivariate data, in order to estimate the shape of the underlying density function. It is assumed that the density function is more or less smooth, but no other specific assumptions are made concerning its structure. The local structure of the data in a given region may be examined by viewing the data through a Gaussian window, whose location and shape are chosen by the user. A Gaussian window is defined by giving each data point a weight based on a multivariate Gaussian function. The weighted sample mean and sample covariance matrix are then computed, using the weights attached to the data points. These quantities are used to compute an estimate of the shape of the density function in the window region. The local structure of the data is described by a method similar to the method of principal components. By taking many such local views of the data, we can form an idea of the structure of the data set. The method is applicable in any number of dimensions. The method can be used to find and describe simple structural features such as peaks, valleys, and saddle points in the density function, and also extended structures in higher dimensions. With some practice, we can apply our geometrical intuition to these structural features in any number of dimensions, so that we can think about and describe the structure of the data. Since the computations involved are relatively simple, the method can easily be implemented on a small computer.

Jaeckel, Louis A.↗

An experimental investigation of film condensation in porous structures

Local heat flux measurements are made using thermoelectric devices along a condenser section of a gravity-assisted heat pipe filled with porous media. Freon 113 is used as the working fluid in runs made with both constant-porosity and variable-porosity porous media, specifically, fibrous material and packed spheres. The experimental results can be correlated in a simple manner in terms of two new dimensionless groups based on the Nusselt number and the distance from the top of the condenser section.

White, S. M.↗

Modeling of Local BEAM Structure for Evaluation of MMOD Impacts to Support Development of a Health Monitoring System

This report summarizes initial modeling of the local response of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) to micrometeorite and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts using a structural, non-linear, transient dynamic finite element code. Complementary test results for a local BEAM structure are presented for both hammer and projectile impacts. Review of these data provided guidance for the transient dynamic model development. The local model is intended to support predictions using the global BEAM model, described in a companion report. Two types of local models were developed. One mimics the simplified Soft-Goods (fabric envelop) part of the BEAM NASTRAN model delivered by the project. The second investigates through-the-thickness modeling challenges for MMOD-type impacts. Both the testing and the analysis summaries contain lessons learned and areas for future efforts.

Lyle, Karen H.↗

Constrained spectral clustering under a local proximity structure assumption

This work focuses on incorporating pairwise constraints into a spectral clustering algorithm. A new constrained spectral clustering method is proposed, as well as an active constraint acquisition technique and a heuristic for parameter selection. We demonstrate that our constrained spectral clustering method, CSC, works well when the data exhibits what we term local proximity structure.

domain knowledge↗

The effects of localized damping on structural response

The effect of localized structural damping on the excitability of higher order normal modes of the large space telescope was investigated. A preprocessor computer program was developed to incorporate Voigt structural joint damping models in a NASTRAN finite-element dynamic model. A postprocessor computer program was developed to select critical modes for low-frequency attitude control problems and for higher frequency fine-stabilization problems. The mode selection is accomplished by ranking the flexible modes based on coefficients for rate gyro, position gyro, and optical sensors, and on image-plane motions due to sinusoidal or random power spectral density force and torque inputs.

Merchant, D. H.↗

Querying Proofs

We motivate and introduce a query language PrQL designed for inspecting machine representations of proofs. PrQL natively supports hiproofs which express proof structure using hierarchical nested labelled trees. The core language presented in this paper is locally structured (first-order), with queries built using recursion and patterns over proof structure and rule names. We define the syntax and semantics of locally structured queries, demonstrate their power, and sketch some implementation experiments.

Aspinall, David↗

Structural Analysis and Performance-Based Validation of a Composite Wing Spar

Electric-motor powered aircraft possess the ability to operate with efficient energy delivery, but lack the operational range of internal combustion engine powered aircraft. This range limitation requires the use of high aspect ratio, thin-chord wings to minimize aerodynamic drag losses, which results in highly loaded composite spar structures. High aspect ratio wings are required to increase mission durations for a NASA-developed experimental multi-rotor electric powered aircraft denoted as the Scalable Convergent Electric Propulsion Technology and Operations Research (SCEPTOR) or “X-57”. This paper examines the structural performance of the composite main wing spars to validate spar strength using ply-based laminate finite element methods. Geometric scaling of a main spar test-section was initially proposed for proof-testing but sacrificed stability. Ply-based structures modeling with local structural features was implemented as a risk-reduction methodology. Ply-based modeling was selected to augment the conventional “building block” approach to reduce risk, and leverage a “performance-based” approval processes encouraged in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design guidance. Therefore, ply-based laminate modeling of the full-scale main spar and forward spar shear-web attachments were subsequently undertaken to determine load path complexity with predicted flight loads. Ply-based modeling included stress concentrations and interlaminate behavior at interface locations that can be obscured in traditional finite element sizing models. Analysis of the wing spar laminate ply-based models compared with bearing test coupon performance was used to reduce future wing assembly proof-testing burden and facilitate performance-based flight hardware safety for the X-57 experimental aircraft.

Moore, James B.↗

The flow of plasma in the solar terrestrial environment

The overall goal of our NASA Theory Program is to study the coupling, time delays, and feedback mechanisms between the various regions of the solar-terrestrial system in a self-consistent, quantitative, manner. To accomplish this goal, it will eventually be necessary to have time-dependent macroscopic models of the different regions of the solar-terrestrial system and we are continually working toward this goal. However, our immediate emphasis is on the near-earth plasma environment, including the ionosphere, the plasmasphere, and the polar wind. In this area, we have developed unique global models that allow us to study the coupling between the different regions. These results are highlighted. Another important aspect of our NASA Theory Program concerns the effect that localized structure has on the macroscopic flow in the ionosphere, plasmasphere, thermosphere and polar wind. The localized structure can be created by structured magnetospheric inputs (i.e., structured plasma convection, particle precipitation or Birkeland current patterns) or time variations in these inputs due to storms and substorms. Also, some of the plasma flows that we predict with our macroscopic models may be unstable. Another one of our goals is to examine the stability of our predicted flows. Because time-dependent three-dimensional numerical models of the solar-terrestrial environment generally require extensive computer resources, they are usually based on relatively simple mathematical formulations (i.e., simple MHD or hydrodynamic formulations). Therefore, another long-range goal of our NASA Theory Program is to study the conditions under which various mathematical formulations can be applied to specific solar-terrestrial regions. This may involve a detailed comparison of kinetic, semikinetic, and hydrodynamic predictions for a given polar wind scenario or it may involve the comparison of a small-scale particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of a plasma expansion event with a similar macroscopic expansion event. The different mathematical formulations have different strengths and weaknesses and a careful comparison of model predictions for similar geophysical situations will provide insight into when the various models can be used with confidence.

Schunk, Robert W.↗