Analytical investigation of two hydrogen oxygen rocket engine systems for low-thrust application

Two hydrogen oxygen rocket engine system concepts were analyzed parametrically over a thrust range from 100 to 1000 pounds and a chamber pressure range from 175 to 1000 psia. Both concepts were regeneratively cooled with hydrogen and were pump fed by electric motor driven positive displacement pumps. Electric power was provided by either a turboalternator (turboalternator concept) or some means external to the engine system (auxiliary power concept). The turboalternator concept is discussed. The computer program used to conduct the analyses along with the design characteristics of the major engine system components is described. The feasible design range of the systems over the parametric range of thrust is discussed in terms of allowable chamber pressure. Engine system estimated performance, mass, and dimensional envelope parametric data within the feasible design range are presented

High-Resolution Optical Studies on C-Phycocyanin via Photochemical Hole Burning

We have shown that both the native C-phycocyanin and its corresponding free biline chromophore undergo reversible, low-temperature photochemistry. We attribute this photochemistry to reversible proton-transfer processes and utilize the observed photoreaction for photochemical hole burning (PHB). Using narrow-band PHB experiments, we have been able to perform high-resolution optical studies and show that the protein-chromophore assembly forms a very rigid structure. The results lead to the conclusion that the light-induced proton transfer occurs most probably in the triplet state

Adult Development Matters In Adult Education

All to often in adult education settings, the learning strategies and methods that we use are tailored as one size fits all. A key component of effective adult learning that can be easily overlooked is the role of adult development with adult learning. This oversight is possible among adult educators because our knowledge base is grounded in education as compared to human development or developmental psychology. The point being made that the developmental characteristics of the adult learners should influence the teaching-learning strategies that are implemented. In other words, developmental differences between a 22 and 77 year-old should be accounted for in a community-learning setting

From chlorophyll a towards bacteriochlorophyll a: Excited-state processes of modified pigments

By means of fluorescence spectroscopy and nonlinear absorption experiments, excited-state processes of the modified pigments [3-acetyl]-chlorophyll a, [31-OH]-bacteriochlorophyll a and [3-vinyl]-bacteriochlorophyll a were investigated and compared with those of chlorophyll a and bacteriochlorophyll a

Status of advanced propulsion for space based orbital transfer vehicle

A new Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) propulsion system will be required to meet the needs of space missions beyond the mid-1990's. As envisioned, the advanced OTV will be used in conjunction with Earth-to-orbit vehicles, Space Station, and Orbit Maneuvering Vehicle. The OTV will transfer men, large space structures, and conventional payloads between low Earth and higher energy orbits. Space probes carried by the OTV will continue the exploration of the solar system. When lunar bases are established, the OTV will be their transportation link to Earth. NASA is currently funding the development of technology for advanced propulsion concepts for future Orbital Transfer Vehicles. Progress in key areas during 1986 is presented

Influence of chopped laser light onto the electronic transport through atomic-sized contacts

This article reports on the influence of laser irradiation onto the electrical conductance of gold nanocontacts established with the mechanically controllable breakjunction technique (MCB). We concentrate here on the study of reversible conductance changes which can be as high as 200%. We investigate the dependence on the initial conductance of the contacts, the wavelength, the intensity and position of the laser spot with respect to the sample. Under most conditions an enhancement of the conductance is observed. We discuss several physical mechanisms which might contribute to the observed effect including thermal expansion, rectification and photon-assisted transport. We conclude that thermal expansion is not the dominating one.Comment: 20 pages with 7 figures; conference contribution on the 9th near field optics conference 2006 in Lausanne, Switzerland; accepted by the Journal of Microscop