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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 181 records · Page 10

Holographic interferometry with an injection seeded Nd:YAG laser and two reference beams

The performance of twin injection seeded Nd:YAG lasers is compared with the performance of an argon-ion laser for recording dual-reference-beam holograms in AGFA 8E56 emulsion. Optical heterodyning is used to measure interference, and the results are expressed in terms of heterodyning signal level and intensity signal-to-noise. The Nd:YAG laser system is to be used for optical inspections of structures for cracks, defects, gas leaks, and structural changes.

Decker, Arthur J.↗

Holographic interferometry with an injection seeded Nd:YAG laser and two reference beams

The performance of twin injection seeded Nd:YAG lasers is compared with the performance of an argon-ion laser for recording dual-reference-beam holograms in AGFA 8E56 emulsion. Optical heterodyning is used to measure interference, and the results are expressed in terms of heterodyning signal level and intensity signal-to-noise. The Nd:YAG laser system is to be used for optical inspections of structures for cracks, defects, gas leaks, and structural changes.

Decker, Arthur J.↗

Fast Na/+/-ion transport in skeleton structures

The skeleton structures considered in the investigations consist of a rigid subarray with an interconnected interstitial space in which ions move in three dimensions. The classes of skeleton structures investigated include the Im3 phase of high-pressure KSbO3, the defect-pyrochlore structure illustrated by RbMgAlF6, and the carnegieite structure of high-temperature NaAlSiO4. A description is given of the results obtained in transport measurements involving dense polycrystalline ceramic disks. Results obtained in the case of the Na(+)-ion transport in Na3Zr2PSi2O12 appear particularly promising concerning the possible use of such substances in solid-electrolyte applications.

Goodenough, J. B.↗

Progressive Fracture of Fiber Composite Thin Shell Structures Under Internal Pressure and Axial Loads

Graphite/epoxy composite thin shell structures were simulated to investigate damage and fracture progression due to internal pressure and axial loading. Defective and defect-free structures (thin cylinders) were examined. The three different laminates examined had fiber orientations of (90/0/+/-0)(sub s), where 0 is 45, 60, and 75 deg. CODSTRAN, an integrated computer code that scales up constituent level properties to the structural level and accounts for all possible failure modes, was used to simulate composite degradation under loading. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to fracture were included in the simulation. Burst pressures for defective and defect-free shells were compared to evaluate damage tolerance. The results showed that damage initiation began with matrix failure whereas damage and/or fracture progression occurred as a result of additional matrix failure and fiber fracture. In both thin cylinder cases examined (defective and defect-free), the optimum layup configuration was (90/0/+/-60)(sub s) because it had the best damage tolerance with respect to the burst pressure.

Gotsis, Pascal K.↗

Rapid Tools for an AFP Manufacturing Defects Assessment Framework

This work formulates an automated fiber placement (AFP) defects assessment framework. Such framework assumes AFP manufacturing processes are able to identify manufacturing defects via automated inspection systems and intends to provide rapid analysis tools to create a defect assessment loop. The defect assessment loop defines an automated analysis process during AFP manufacturing to minimize the number of manual repairs on the part, thus accelerating AFP manufacturing of composite structures. This defects assessment loop advantages automated inspection data to evaluate the influence of encountered AFP defects on a ply-by-ply basis. Structural evaluation is based on strength criteria using local-global finite element models. Local models affect the global part model via material property reductions. Schemes to reduce material properties using the local models are the main enablers of this framework’s automated assessment capability. Finally, we discuss the main technical challenges to realize the feasibility of this framework.

Bahamonde Jacome, Luis G.↗

Hydrogen Passivation of Interstitial Zn Defects in Heteroepitaxial InP Cell Structures and Influence on Device Characteristics

Hydrogen passivation of heteroepitaxial InP solar cells is of recent interest for deactivation of dislocations and other defects caused by the cell/substrate lattice mismatch that currently limit the photovoltaic performance of these devices. In this paper we present strong evidence that, in addition to direct hydrogen-dislocation interactions, hydrogen forms complexes with the high concentration of interstitial Zn defects present within the p(+) Zn-doped emitter of MOCVD-grown heteroepitaxial InP devices, resulting in a dramatic increase of the forward bias turn-on voltage by as much as 280 mV, from ~680 mV to ~960 mV. This shift is reproducible and thermally reversible and no such effect is observed for either n(+)p structures or homoepitaxial p(+)n structures grown under identical conditions. A combination of photoluminescence (PL), electrochemical C-V dopant profiling, SIMS and I-V measurements were performed on a set of samples having undergone a matrix of hydrogenation and post-hydrogenation annealing conditions to investigate the source of this voltage enhancement and confirm the expected role of interstitial Zn and hydrogen. A precise correlation between all measurements is demonstrated which indicates that Zn interstitials within the p(+) emitter and their interaction with hydrogen are indeed responsible for this device behavior.

Ringel, S. A.↗

Cosmological structure formation from soft topological defects

Some models have extremely low-mass pseudo-Goldstone bosons that can lead to vacuum phase transitions at late times, after the decoupling of the microwave background.. This can generate structure formation at redshifts z greater than or approx 10 on mass scales as large as M approx 10 to the 18th solar masses. Such low energy transitions can lead to large but phenomenologically acceptable density inhomogeneities in soft topological defects (e.g., domain walls) with minimal variations in the microwave anisotropy, as small as delta Y/T less than or approx 10 to the minus 6 power. This mechanism is independent of the existence of hot, cold, or baryonic dark matter. It is a novel alternative to both cosmic string and to inflationary quantum fluctuations as the origin of structure in the Universe.

Hill, Christopher T.↗

Tensile Properties of Polymeric Matrix Composites Subjected to Cryogenic Environments

Polymer matrix composites (PMC s) have seen limited use as structural materials in cryogenic environments. One reason for the limited use of PMC s in cryogenic structures is a design philosophy that typically requires a large, validated database of material properties in order to ensure a reliable and defect free structure. It is the intent of this paper to provide an initial set of mechanical properties developed from experimental data of an advanced PMC (IM7/PETI-5) exposed to cryogenic temperatures and mechanical loading. The application of this data is to assist in the materials down-select and design of cryogenic fuel tanks for future reusable space vehicles. The details of the material system, test program, and experimental methods will be outlined. Tension modulus and strength were measured at room temperature, -196 C, and -269 C on five different laminates. These properties were also tested after aging at -186 C with and without loading applied. Microcracking was observed in one laminate.

Whitley, Karen S.↗

Structure and electrical activity of planar defects in EFG ribbons

Optical, electron beam induced current (EBIC), and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the structure and electrical activity of planar defects in EFG silicon. What appears to be twin boundaries by both optical microscopy plus etching, and by EBIC are in reality systems of microtwins, some of which are only a few atomic lattice planes thick. The electrical activity of planar defects appears to be correlated with emission of dislocations especially at termination points. Impurity effects may also play a role. Twin boundaries per se appear not to be electrically active.

Ast, D. G.↗