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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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NASA NTRS2006

Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials: Recommendations for Standardization, Production, and Usage

Experience gained during the Apollo program demonstrated the need for extensive testing of surface systems in relevant environments, including regolith materials similar to those encountered on the lunar surface. As NASA embarks on a return to the Moon, it is clear that the current lunar sample inventory is not only insufficient to support lunar surface technology and system development, but its scientific value is too great to be consumed by destructive studies. Every effort must be made to utilize standard simulant materials, which will allow developers to reduce the cost, development, and operational risks to surface systems. The Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials Workshop held in Huntsville, AL, on January 24 26, 2005, identified the need for widely accepted standard reference lunar simulant materials to perform research and development of technologies required for lunar operations. The workshop also established a need for a common, traceable, and repeatable process regarding the standardization, characterization, and distribution of lunar simulants. This document presents recommendations for the standardization, production and usage of lunar regolith simulant materials.

Sibille, L.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Agriculture on Mars: Soils for Plant Growth

Robotic rovers and landers have enabled the mineralogical, chemical, and physical characterization of loose, unconsolidated materials on the surface of Mars. Planetary scientists refer to the regolith material as "soil." NASA is currently planning to send humans to Mars in the mid 2030s. Early missions may rely on the use of onsite resources to enable exploration and self-sufficient outposts on Mars. The martian "soil" and surface environment contain all essential plant growth elements. The study of martian surface materials and how they might react as agricultural soils opens a new frontier for researchers in the soil science community. Other potential applications for surface "soils" include (i) sources for extraction of essential plant-growth nutrients, (ii) sources of O2, H2, CO2, and H2O, (iii) substrates for microbial populations in the degradation of wastes, and (iv) shielding materials surrounding outpost structures to protect humans, plants, and microorganisms from radiation. There are many challenges that will have to be addressed by soil scientists prior to human exploration over the next two decades.

Ming, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Stochastic-Strength-Based Damage Simulation Tool for Ceramic Matrix and Polymer Matrix Composite Structures

Stochastic-based, discrete-event progressive damage simulations of ceramic-matrix composite and polymer matrix composite material structures have been enabled through the development of a unique multiscale modeling tool. This effort involves coupling three independently developed software programs: (1) the Micromechanics Analysis Code with Generalized Method of Cells (MAC/GMC), (2) the Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures Life Prediction Program (CARES/ Life), and (3) the Abaqus finite element analysis (FEA) program. MAC/GMC contributes multiscale modeling capabilities and micromechanics relations to determine stresses and deformations at the microscale of the composite material repeating unit cell (RUC). CARES/Life contributes statistical multiaxial failure criteria that can be applied to the individual brittle-material constituents of the RUC. Abaqus is used at the global scale to model the overall composite structure. An Abaqus user-defined material (UMAT) interface, referred to here as "FEAMAC/CARES," was developed that enables MAC/GMC and CARES/Life to operate seamlessly with the Abaqus FEA code. For each FEAMAC/CARES simulation trial, the stochastic nature of brittle material strength results in random, discrete damage events, which incrementally progress and lead to ultimate structural failure. This report describes the FEAMAC/CARES methodology and discusses examples that illustrate the performance of the tool. A comprehensive example problem, simulating the progressive damage of laminated ceramic matrix composites under various off-axis loading conditions and including a double notched tensile specimen geometry, is described in a separate report.

composite structures↗
NASA NTRS2015

Thermionic Properties of Carbon Based Nanomaterials Produced by Microhollow Cathode PECVD

Thermionic emission is the process in which materials at sufficiently high temperature spontaneously emit electrons. This process occurs when electrons in a material gain sufficient thermal energy from heating to overcome the material's potential barrier, referred to as the work function. For most bulk materials very high temperatures (greater than 1500 K) are needed to produce appreciable emission. Carbon‐based nanomaterials have shown significant promise as emission materials because of their low work functions, nanoscale geometry, and negative electron affinity. One method of producing these materials is through the process known as microhollow cathode PECVD. In a microhollow cathode plasma, high energy electrons oscillate at very high energies through the Pendel effect. These high energy electrons create numerous radical species and the technique has been shown to be an effective method of growing carbon based nanomaterials. In this work, we explore the thermionic emission properties of carbon based nanomaterials produced by microhollow cathode PECVD under a variety of synthesis conditions. Initial studies demonstrate measureable current at low temperatures (approximately 800 K) and work functions (approximately 3.3 eV) for these materials.

Haase, John R.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Human Factors Ground Test Assessment and Protocol Development for Space Radiation Protection Concepts

Human factors evaluations and procedures were developed in a series of ground tests in order to assess novel radiation protection concepts developed by industry leaders in aerospace. In addition, NASA’s current prototype space radiation protection vest and storm shelter concept were tested using the newly drafted human factors assessment materials. Evaluation procedures and wearable garment technology were tested at Johnson Space Center (JSC) using a small sample of current NASA crewmembers for garment testing. Results for the garment analysis indicated that the current radiation vest ultimately did not hinder task performance or impede mobility. Results from the storm shelter analysis indicated that crew were able to construct the shelter within the time allotment without difficulty and limited reference to instruction materials. These data will be used to further develop wearable garment technology and storm shelter designs. Newly developed procedures will be used in future ground tests to further assess novel radiation protection concepts.

Hanson, Julie A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Extragalactic astronomy: The universe beyond our galaxy

This single-topic brochure is for high school physical science teachers to use in introducing students to extragalactic astronomy. The material is presented in three parts: the fundamental content of extragalactic astronomy; modern discoveries delineated in greater detail; and a summary of the earlier discussions within the structure of the Big-Bang Theory of evolution. Each of the three sections is followed by student exercises (activities, laboratory projects, and questions-and-answers). The unit close with a glossary which explains unfamilar terms used in the text and a collection of teacher aids (literature references and audiovisual materials for utilization in further study).

Jacobs, K. C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Thermal buckling and postbuckling of symmetrically laminated composite plates

The thermal buckling and postbuckling response of symmetrically laminated composite plates are discussed. Using variational methods in conjunction with a Rayleigh-Ritz formulation, thermal buckling and postbuckling are investigated for two laminates, a (+/- 45/0/90) and a (+/- 45/02), under two different simple support conditions, fixed and sliding. These laminates are subjected to the condition of a uniform temperature change. The effects of the principal material axis not being aligned with the edges of the plate, referred to here as material axis skewing, are also investigated. Although differences between buckling temperatures for the two support conditions were small, support conditions can have a large influence on thermal postbuckling response. In general, plates with fixed simple supports deflect more than plates with sliding simple supports. In addition, support conditions can influence modal interaction. Skewing of the material axis decreases the buckling temperatures of both laminates and, like fixed support conditions, causes increased postbuckling deflections. Skewing also influences modal interaction.

Meyers, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Constitutive Equations: Plastic and Viscoelastic Properties. (Latest citations from the Aerospace Database)

The bibliography contains citations concerning analytical techniques using constitutive equations, applied to materials under stress. The properties explored with these techniques include viscoelasticity, thermoelasticity, and plasticity. While many of the references are general as to material type, most refer to specific metals or composites, or to specific shapes, such as flat plate or spherical vessels.

VISCOELASTICITY↗
NASA NTRS1996

Constitutive Equations: Plastic and Viscoelastic Properties. (Latest Citations from the Aerospace Database)

The bibliography contains citations concerning analytical techniques using constitutive equations, applied to materials under stress. The properties explored with these techniques include viscoelasticity, thermoelasticity, and plasticity. While many of the references are general as to material type, most refer to specific metals or composites, or to specific shapes, such as flat plate or spherical vessels. (Contains 50-250 citations and includes a subject term index and title list.)

BIBLIOGRAPHIES↗
NASA NTRS2005

Apparatus for Testing Flat Specimens of Thermal Insulation

An apparatus has been developed to implement an improved method of testing flat-plate specimens of thermal-insulation materials for cryogenic application. The method includes testing under realistic use conditions that could include vacuum and mechanical loading at a pressure up to 70 psi (=0.48 MPa). The apparatus can accommodate a rigid or flexible specimen having thickness up to 1.25 in. (=3.2 cm) and diameters between 6 and 10 in. (about 15.2 and 25.4 cm, respectively). Typical test conditions include boundary temperatures between 77 K and 373 K and vacuum/interstitial gas filling at a pressure between 10(exp -6) torr (=1.3 x 10(exp -4) Pa) and 760 torr (atmospheric pressure =0.1 MPa). The interstitial gas could be N2, He, CO2, or any other suitable gas to which the insulation is expected to be exposed in use. Relative to prior apparatuses and testing methods, this apparatus and the testing method that it implements offer advantages of relative simplicity and ease of use. The basic principle of operation of the apparatus is that of boil-off calorimetry, using liquid nitrogen or any other suitable liquid that boils at a desired temperature below ambient temperature. Comparative rates of flow of heat through the thicknesses of the specimens (heat-leak rates) and apparent-thermal-conductivity values are obtained from tests of specimens. Absolute values of heat-leak rates and apparent thermal conductivities are computed from a combination of (1) the aforementioned comparative values and (2) calibration factors obtained by testing reference specimens of materials that have known thermal-insulation properties. The apparatus includes a full complement of temperature sensors, a vacuum pump and chamber, a monitoring and control system, and tools and fixtures that enable rapid and reliable installation and removal of specimens. A specimen is installed at the bottom of the vacuum chamber, and a cold-mass assembly that includes a tank is lowered into position above and around the specimen (see figure). A spring-based compensating fixture helps to ensure adequate thermal contact with possibly irregular specimen surfaces. For a high-compression test, the springs can be replaced with spacers. A flat circular load cell at the bottom of the chamber measures the compressive load on the specimen. Once the desired compressive-load, temperature, and vacuum/gas-filling conditions are established, testing begins. During a test, all measurements are recorded by use of a portable data-acquisition system and a computer. The total heat-leak rate is measured and calculated as the boil-off flow rate multiplied by the latent heat of vaporization. The parasitic heat leak (to the side of the specimen and to the top and side of the cold-mass tank) is reduced to a small fraction of the total heat leak by use of a combination of multilayer-insulation (MLI) shield rings, reflective film, a fiberglass/epoxy centering ring, and a bulk fill of aerogel beads. This combination eliminates the need for a cryogenic guard chamber used in a typical prior apparatus to reduce the parasitic heat leak.

Fesmire, James E.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Development of improved pyroelectric detectors; Literature survey of pyroelectric materials and their characteristics

The object of this program is to improve the detectivity of the pyroelectric detector with the ultimate goal of operation at or near the temperature-noise limit. Two general areas of investigation are undertaken. The first is to improve responsivity through the use of new materials. The second is directed toward reduction of noise and will be effected with improved field effect transistor characteristics, and improved electroding of the pyroelectric material. The search for new materials has begun with a review of the literature on pyroelectric materials in several languages. The compiled data includes an extensive list of references. From this, several materials have already been selected for investigation. FETs are being obtained from various manufacturers, evaluated, and selected units will be tested with pyroelectric elements as complete detectors.

Weiner, S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Thermal radiative properties: Nonmetallic solids.

The volume consists of a text on theory, estimation, and measurement, together with its bibliography, the main body of numerical data and its references, and the material index. The text material assumes a role complementary to the main body of numerical data. The physics and basic concepts of thermal radiation are discussed in detail, focusing attention on treatment of nonmetallic materials: theory, estimation, and methods of measurement. Numerical data is presented in a comprehensive manner. The scope of coverage includes the nonmetallic elements and their compounds, intermetallics, polymers, glasses, and minerals. Analyzed data graphs provide an evaluative review of the data. All data have been obtained from their original sources, and each data set is so referenced.

Touloukian, Y. S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Solar cell array design handbook, volume 1

Twelve chapters discuss the following: historical developments, the environment and its effects, solar cells, solar cell filters and covers, solar cell and other electrical interconnections, blocking and shunt diodes, substrates and deployment mechanisms, material properties, design synthesis and optimization, design analysis, procurement, production and cost aspects, evaluation and test, orbital performance, and illustrative design examples. A comprehensive index permits rapid locating of desired topics. The handbook consists of two volumes: Volume 1 is of an expository nature while Volume 2 contains detailed design data in an appendix-like fashion. Volume 2 includes solar cell performance data, applicable unit conversion factors and physical constants, and mechanical, electrical, thermal optical, magnetic, and outgassing material properties. Extensive references are provided.

Rauschenbach, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A parameter estimation subroutine package

Linear least squares estimation and regression analyses continue to play a major role in orbit determination and related areas. In this report we document a library of FORTRAN subroutines that have been developed to facilitate analyses of a variety of estimation problems. Our purpose is to present an easy to use, multi-purpose set of algorithms that are reasonably efficient and which use a minimal amount of computer storage. Subroutine inputs, outputs, usage and listings are given along with examples of how these routines can be used. The following outline indicates the scope of this report: Section (1) introduction with reference to background material; Section (2) examples and applications; Section (3) subroutine directory summary; Section (4) the subroutine directory user description with input, output, and usage explained; and Section (5) subroutine FORTRAN listings. The routines are compact and efficient and are far superior to the normal equation and Kalman filter data processing algorithms that are often used for least squares analyses.

Bierman, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Spherical roller bearing analysis. SKF computer program SPHERBEAN. Volume 1: Analysis

The models and associated mathematics used within the SPHERBEAN computer program for prediction of the thermomechanical performance characteristics of high speed lubricated double row spherical roller bearings are presented. The analysis allows six degrees of freedom for each roller and three for each half of an optionally split cage. Roller skew, free lubricant, inertial loads, appropriate elastic and friction forces, and flexible outer ring are considered. Roller quasidynamic equilibrium is calculated for a bearing with up to 30 rollers per row, and distinct roller and flange geometries are specifiable. The user is referred to the material contained here for formulation assumptions and algorithm detail.

Kleckner, R. J.↗