Engineering topics

Jennifer Williams

Publications and source records attributed to Jennifer Williams.

4 records

NASA NTRS2024

Plasma Rapid Oxidation Technique for Extending Component Tenability (PROTECT)

Additive manufacturing (AM) is increasingly utilized in aerospace applications. However, post-processing is required for many applications, so intricate designs are limited. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) was investigated as a post-processing treatment on Ti-6-4 (or Ti-6Al-4V: Alpha-beta titanium alloy with a high specific strength and excellent corrosion resistance)additively manufactured specimens. The “Keronite Black” PEO treatment reduced the surface roughness (Ra) of test specimens by approximately 0.5 μm. This reduction in Ra compared to the as-printed sample was hypothesized to benefit corrosion and fatigue properties because increased Ra is known to negatively impact corrosion and fatigue characteristics. Up to a 101% improvement in the corrosion potential (Ɛcorr) was observed. Although fatigue characteristics varied by PEO parameters, there was no significant fatigue debit due to the PEO treatment. Additionally, no effect to adhesion characteristics was observed due to PEO treatment. It is recommended that additional studies investigate the ability of PEO treatments to improve the corrosion, fatigue, chemical compatibility, radiation hardening, particle shedding characteristics, and flammability/oxidizer compatibility of aerospace additively manufactured components.

Jennifer Williams↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

On the Performance of MAPbI3 in the Space Environment

We show that an encapsulated MAPbI3film has survived the space environment on the International Space Station for a total of approximately 10 months on orbit with little to no chemical degradation. This effort is part of our ongoing efforts to determine the feasibility of MAPbI3-bearing solar cells for space applications. This sample was part of the thirteenth flight of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-13), which flew from mid-March,2020 until mid-January,2021. We determined the robustness of the material through the use of transmission spectrophotometry. To our knowledge this report represents the longest known flight in space of a MAPbI3film

perovskites↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Results of First Long Duration Space Flight of Hybrid Perovskite Thin Film

In support of NASA's Artemis program with the goal of a sustained human-lunar presence, there is a need for very large (>100kW) and high-voltage-capable solar arrays, estimated to cost over $150M. Perovskite-based thin-film photovoltaics offer substantial advantages over state-of-the-art solar arrays from the perspective of manufacturing large arrays. Perovskites have also demonstrated some of the lowest temperature coefficients and highest defect tolerance, which make them excellent candidates for aerospace applications. However, MHPs must demonstrate durability in space which presents different challenges than terrestrial operating environments. To decisively test the viability of perovskites being used in space, a perovskite thin film is positioned in low earth orbit for 10 months on the International Space Station, which was the first long-duration study of an MHP in space. Postflight high-resolution ultrafast spectroscopic characterization and comparison with control samples reveal that the flight sample exhibits superior photo-stability, no irreversible radiation damage, and a suppressed structural phase transition temperature by nearly 65 K, broadening the photovoltaic operational range. Further, significant photo-annealing of surface defects is shown following prolonged light-soaking postflight. These results emphasize that methylammonium lead iodide can be packaged adequately for space missions, affirming that space stressors can be managed as theorized.

William Delmas↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Status of the Four Bed Carbon Dioxide Scrubber ISS Technology Demonstration 2023-2024

The Four Bed Carbon Dioxide Scrubber (FBCO2) flight demonstration is presently operating as a primary CO 2 removal system onboard the International Space Station (ISS). After activation in October 2021, FBCO2 has been removing metabolic CO 2 from the ISS cabin where it is supplementing or fully replacing the heritage systems. This paper describes the past year’s accomplishments and forward outlook. The performance of the new blower, efforts toward closed-loop operation, and further on-orbit modifications will also be detailed. System reliability, software changes, and ongoing efforts will be summarized.

Life Support↗