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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 253 records · Page 14

Comparison between design and installed acoustic characteristics of NASA Lewis 9- by 15-foot low-speed wind tunnel acoustic treatment

The test section of the NASA Lewis 9- by 15-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel was acoustically treated to allow the measurement of sound under simulated free-field conditions. The treatment was designed for high sound absorption at frequencies above 250 Hz and for withstanding the environmental conditions in the test section. In order to achieve the design requirements, a fibrous, bulk-absorber material was packed into removable panel sections. Each section was divided into two equal-depth layers packed with material to different bulk densities. The lower density was next to the facing of the treatment. The facing consisted of a perforated plate and screening material layered together. Sample tests for normal-incidence acoustic absorption were also conducted in an impedance tube to provide data to aid in the treatment design. Tests with no airflow, involving the measurement of the absorptive properties of the treatment installed in the 9- by 15-foot wind tunnel test section, combined the use of time-delay spectrometry with a previously established free-field measurement method. This new application of time-delay spectrometry enabled these free-field measurements to be made in nonanechoic conditions. The results showed that the installed acoustic treatment had absorption coefficients greater than 0.95 over the frequency range 250 Hz to 4 kHz. The measurements in the wind tunnel were in good agreement with both the analytical prediction and the impedance tube test data.

Dahl, Milo D.↗

Two-axis magnetic field sensor

A ferromagnetic thin-film based magnetic field sensor with first and second sensitive direction sensing structures each having a nonmagnetic intermediate layer with two major surfaces on opposite sides thereof having a magnetization reference layer on one and an anisotropic ferromagnetic material sensing layer on the other having a length in a selected length direction and a smaller width perpendicular thereto and parallel to the relatively fixed magnetization direction. The relatively fixed magnetization direction of said magnetization reference layer in each is oriented in substantially parallel to the substrate but substantially perpendicular to that of the other. An annealing process is used to form the desired magnetization directions.

Jander, Albrecht↗

Subnanometer Thick Native sp 2 Carbon on Oxidized Diamond Surfaces

Oxygen-terminated diamond has a wide breadth of applications, which include stabilizing near-surface color centers, semiconductor devices, and biological sensors. Despite the vast literature on characterizing functionalization groups on diamond, the chemical composition of the shallowest portion of the surface (<1 nm) is challenging to probe with conventional techniques like XPS and FTIR. In this work, we demonstrate the use of angleresolved XPS to probe the first ten nanometers of both oxygen and hydrogen terminated (100) single-crystalline diamond grown via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). With the use of consistent peakfitting methods, the peak identities and relative peak binding energies were identified for sp 2 carbon, ether, hydroxyl, carbonyl, and C−H groups for both of these diamond surface terminations. For the oxygen-terminated sample, we also quantified the thickness of the sp 2 carbon layer situated on top of the bulk sp 3 diamond bonded carbon to be 0.3 ± 0.1 nm, based on the analysis of the Auger electron spectra and D-parameter calculations. These results indicate that the majority of the oxygen is bonded to the sp 2 carbon layer on the diamond, and not directly to the sp 3 diamond bonded carbon.

Carbon↗

Method of making macrocrystalline or single crystal semiconductor material

A macrocrystalline or single crystal semiconductive material is formed from a primary substrate including a single crystal or several very large crystals of a relatively low melting material. This primary substrate is deposited on a base such as steel or ceramic, and it may be formed from such metals as zinc, cadmium, germanium, aluminum, tin, lead, copper, brass, magnesium silicide, or magnesium stannide. These materials generally have a melting point below about 1000 C and form on the base crystals the size of fingernails or greater. The primary substrate has an epitaxial relationship with a subsequently applied layer of material, and because of this epitaxial relationship, the material deposited on the primary substrate will have essentially the same crystal size as the crystals in the primary substrate. If required, successive layers are formed, each of a material which has an epitaxial relationship with the previously deposited layer, until a layer is formed which has an epitaxial relationship with the semiconductive material. This layer is referred to as the epitaxial substrate, and its crystals serve as sites for the growth of large crystals of semiconductive material. The primary substrate is passivated to remove or otherwise convert it into a stable or nonreactive state prior to deposition of the seconductive material.

Shlichta, P. J.↗

Polarization Phase-Compensating Coats for Metallic Mirrors

A method of compensating for or minimizing phase differences between orthogonal polarizations of light reflected from metallic mirrors at oblique incidence, as, for example, from weakly curved mirrors, is undergoing development. The method is intended to satisfy a need to maintain precise polarization phase relationships or minimum polarization differences needed for proper operation of telescopes and other scientific instruments that include single or multiple mirrors. The basic idea of the method is to optimally coat mirrors with thin engineered layers of materials that introduce phase differences that, as nearly precisely as possible, are opposite of the undesired phase differences arising in reflection with non-optimum coatings. Depending on the specific optical system, the method could involve any or all of the following elements: a) Optimization of a single coat on all the mirrors in the system. b) Optimization of a unique coat for each mirror such that the polarization phase effects of the coat on one mirror compensate, to an acceptably high degree over an acceptably wide wavelength range, for those of the coat on another mirror. c) Tapering the coat on each mirror. Optimization could involve the choice of a single dielectric coating material and its thickness, or design of a more complex coat consisting of multiple layers of different dielectric materials and possibly some metallic materials. Such designs and coatings are particularly significant and needed for obtaining very high quality of wavefront required in high-contrast imaging instruments such as the NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph.

Balasubramanian, Kunjithapatham↗

Evolution from topological Dirac metal to flat-band-induced antiferromagnet in layered K x Ni 4 S 2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

Condensed matter systems with coexisting Dirac cones and flat bands and a switchable control between them within a single system are desirable but remarkably uncommon. Here, we report a layered quantum material system, K x Ni 4 S 2 (0 <= x <= 1), that simultaneously hosts both characteristics without involving typical Kagome/honeycomb lattices. Enabled by a topochemical K-deintercalation process, the Fermi surface can be fine-tuned continuously over a wide range of energies. Consequently, a non-magnetic Dirac-metal state with a topological nontrivial Z 2 index of 1;(000), supported by first-principles calculations and high mobility up to 1,471 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , is observed on the K-rich x = 1 side, whereas a flat-band-induced antiferromagnetic state with T N up to 10.1 K emerges as the K-content approaches 0. The K x Ni 4 S 2 system offers a versatile platform for exploring emerging phenomena and underscores aviable pathway for in situ control of quantum materials dominated by Dirac cones, flat bands, and their interplay.

dirac metal↗

New models for landform evolution on Io

As part of the Galilean Satellites Mappers Program, the South Polar region of Io was studied. Examination of the Voyager images had led to reassessment of the possible mechanisms by which certain units were created or modified in this area. Specifically, analyses have focused on determining the relative age of the mountain material and on the process by which the layered plains material was eroded.

Mouginis-Mark, P. J.↗

Assessment of the Lunar Surface Layer and in Situ Materials to Sustain Construction-related Applications

Present and future technologies to facilitate lunar composition and resource assessment with applications to lunar surface construction are presented. We are particularly interested in the construction activity associated with lunar-based astronomy. We address, as an example, the use of ground-probing radar to help assess subsurface conditions at sites for observatories and other facilities.

Johnson, Stewart W.↗

Further Analysis of MISSE Polymeric Materials at MSFC

Many different spacecraft materials were flown as part of the Materials on International Space Station Experiment (MISSE). MISSE was exposed to the low Earth orbital environment of atomic oxygen, ultraviolet radiation, thermal cycling, and hard vacuum. A number of polymer samples did not survive the atomic oxygen attack. Mass and thickness loss measurements indicate the durability of the remaining polymeric materials to withstand the space environment. Results from the one-year exposure on MISSE-3 and MISSE-4 are compared to those from the four-year exposure on MISSE-1 and MISSE-2. Solar absorptance and infrared emittance measurements are given for thermal control materials. Transmission measurements are given where appropriate. A wide variety of polymeric materials were flown on MISSE, ranging from extremely thin films for solar sails to bulk materials. Some of the candidate solar sail materials were flown underneath magnesium fluoride windows to eliminate atomic oxygen effects and allow the study of ultraviolet radiation damage. Exposed seal materials include Viton , silicone, and fluorosilicone. Multi-layer insulation materials were flown, including atomic oxygen-resistant polymers. Also flown were candidate inflatable materials for a High Altitude Airship or inflatable lunar habitat. Polymer materials being flown on MISSE-6 are discussed.

Finckenor, Miria M.↗

The effects of interply damping layers on the dynamic response of composite structures

Integrated damping mechanics for composite laminates with constrained interlaminar layers of polymer damping materials are developed. Discrete layer damping mechanics are presented for composite materials with damping layers, in connection with a semi-analytical method for predicting the modal damping in simply-supported specialty composite plates. Several application cases are used to demonstrate the advantages of the method. Damping predictions for graphite-epoxy composite plates of various laminations demonstrate the potential for higher damping than geometrically equivalent aluminum plates. The effects of aspect ratio, damping layer thickness, and fiber volume ratio on static and dynamic characteristics of the composite plate are also investigated.

Saravanos, D. A.↗

RFID and Memory Devices Fabricated Integrally on Substrates

Electronic identification devices containing radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuits and antennas would be fabricated integrally with the objects to be identified, according to a proposal. That is to say, the objects to be identified would serve as substrates for the deposition and patterning of the materials of the devices used to identify them, and each identification device would be bonded to the identified object at the molecular level. Vacuum arc vapor deposition (VAVD) is the NASA derived process for depositing layers of material on the substrate. This proposal stands in contrast to the current practice of fabricating RFID and/or memory devices as wafer-based, self-contained integrated-circuit chips that are subsequently embedded in or attached to plastic cards to make smart account-information cards and identification badges. If one relies on such a chip to store data on the history of an object to be tracked and the chip falls off or out of the object, then one loses both the historical data and the means to track the object and verify its identity electronically. Also, in contrast is the manufacturing philosophy in use today to make many memory devices. Today s methods involve many subtractive processes such as etching. This proposal only uses additive methods, building RFID and memory devices from the substrate up in thin layers. VAVD is capable of spraying silicon, copper, and other materials commonly used in electronic devices. The VAVD process sprays most metals and some ceramics. The material being sprayed has a very strong bond with the substrate, whether that substrate is metal, ceramic, or even wood, rock, glass, PVC, or paper. An object to be tagged with an identification device according to the proposal must be compatible with a vacuum deposition process. Temperature is seldom an issue as the substrate rarely reaches 150 F (66 C) during the deposition process. A portion of the surface of the object would be designated as a substrate for the deposition of the device. By use of a vacuum arc vapor deposition apparatus, a thin electrically insulating film would first be deposited on the substrate. Subsequent layers of materials would then be deposited and patterned by use of known integrated-circuit fabrication techniques. The total thickness of the deposited layers could be much less than the 100- m thickness of the thinnest state-of-the-art self-contained microchips. Such a thin deposit could be readily concealed by simply painting over it. Both large vacuum chambers for production runs and portable hand-held devices for in situ applications are available.

Schramm, Harry F.↗

Noise Transmission Characteristics of Damped Plexiglas Windows

Most general aviation aircraft utilize single layer plexiglas material for the windshield and side windows. Adding noise control treatments to transparent panels is a challenging problem. In this paper, damped plexiglas windows are evaluated for replacement of conventional windows in general aviation aircraft to reduce the structure-borne and airborne noise transmitted into the interior. In contrast to conventional solid windows, the damped plexiglas window panels are fabricated using two or three layers of plexiglas with transparent viscoelastic damping material sandwiched between the layers. Results from acoustic tests conducted in the NASA Langley Structural Acoustic Loads and Transmission (SALT) facility are used to compare different designs of the damped plexiglas panels with solid windows of the same nominal thickness. Comparisons of the solid and damped plexiglas panels show reductions in the radiated sound power of up to 8 dB at low frequency resonances and as large as 4.5 dB over a 4000 Hz bandwidth. The weight of the viscoelastic treatment was approximately 1% of the panel mass. Preliminary FEM/BEM modeling shows good agreement with experimental results for radiated sound power.

Gibbs, Gary P.↗

Surveyor 3 Preliminary Science Results

Surveyor III soft-landed on the Moon at 00:04 GMT on April 20, 1967. Data obtained have significantly increased our knowledge of the Moon. The Surveyor III spacecraft was similar to Surveyor I; the only major change in scientific instrumentation was the addition of a soil mechanics surface sampler. Surveyor III results at this preliminary evaluation of data give valuable information about the relation between the surface skin of under-dense material responsible for the photometric properties and the deeper layers of material whose properties resemble those of ordinary terrestrial soils. In addition, they provide new insight into the relation between the general lunar surface as seen by Surveyor I and the interior of a large subdued crater. The new results have also contributed to our understanding of the mechanism of downhill transport. Many critical questions cannot, however, be answered until final reduction of experimental data.

Source record↗

Conductive Carbon Nanotube Inks for Use with Desktop Inkjet Printing Technology

Inkjet printing is a common commercial process. In addition to the familiar use in printing documents from computers, it is also used in some industrial applications. For example, wire manufacturers are required by law to print the wire type, gauge, and safety information on the exterior of each foot of manufactured wire, and this is typically done with inkjet or laser printers. The goal of this work was the creation of conductive inks that can be applied to a wire or flexible substrates via inkjet printing methods. The use of inkjet printing technology to print conductive inks has been in testing for several years. While researchers have been able to get the printing system to mechanically work, the application of conductive inks on substrates has not consistently produced adequate low resistances in the kilohm range. Conductive materials can be applied using a printer in single or multiple passes onto a substrate including textiles, polymer films, and paper. The conductive materials are composed of electrical conductors such as carbon nanotubes (including functionalized carbon nanotubes and metal-coated carbon nanotubes); graphene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g., pentacene and bisperipentacene); metal nanoparticles; inherently conductive polymers (ICP); and combinations thereof. Once the conductive materials are applied, the materials are dried and sintered to form adherent conductive materials on the substrate. For certain formulations, increased conductivity can be achieved by printing on substrates supported by low levels of magnetic field alignment. The adherent conductive materials can be used in applications such as damage detection, dust particle removal, smart coating systems, and flexible electronic circuitry. By applying alternating layers of different electrical conductors to form a layered composite material, a single homogeneous layer can be produced with improved electrical properties. It is believed that patterning alternate layers of different conductors may improve electrical pathways through alignment of the conductors and band gap optimization. One feature of this innovation is that flexible conductive traces could be accomplished with a conductive ink having a surface resistivity of less than 10 ohms/square. Another result was that a composite material comprising a mixture of carbon nanotubes and metallic nanoparticles could be applied by inkjet printing to flexible substrates, and the resulting applied material was one to two orders of magnitude more conductive than a material made by printing inks containing carbon nanotubes alone.

Roberson, Luke↗

Systems and methods for additive manufacturing magnetic solenoids

Systems and methods for forming a magnetically-enabled part via additive manufacturing. The method includes depositing a layer of additive manufacturing material on a build plate, melting or sintering the layer of additive manufacturing material, depositing additional layers of additive manufacturing material on previous layers of additive manufacturing material, the additive manufacturing material of at least some of the additional layers being magnetically permeable, and melting or sintering the additional layers of additive manufacturing material such that the magnetically-enabled part has a transition region including at least some of the magnetically permeable additive manufacturing material.

Hatch, Jonathan Douglas↗

Hybrid Composite Cryogenic Tank Structure

A hybrid lightweight composite tank has been created using specially designed materials and manufacturing processes. The tank is produced by using a hybrid structure consisting of at least two reinforced composite material systems. The inner composite layer comprises a distinct fiber and resin matrix suitable for cryogenic use that is a braided-sleeve (and/or a filamentwound layer) aramid fiber preform that is placed on a removable mandrel (outfitted with metallic end fittings) and is infused (vacuum-assisted resin transfer molded) with a polyurethane resin matrix with a high ductility at low temperatures. This inner layer is allowed to cure and is encapsulated with a filamentwound outer composite layer of a distinct fiber resin system. Both inner and outer layer are in intimate contact, and can also be cured at the same time. The outer layer is a material that performs well for low temperature pressure vessels, and it can rely on the inner layer to act as a liner to contain the fluids. The outer layer can be a variety of materials, but the best embodiment may be the use of a continuous tow of carbon fiber (T-1000 carbon, or others), or other high-strength fibers combined with a high ductility epoxy resin matrix, or a polyurethane matrix, which performs well at low temperatures. After curing, the mandrel can be removed from the outer layer. While the hybrid structure is not limited to two particular materials, a preferred version of the tank has been demonstrated on an actual test tank article cycled at high pressures with liquid nitrogen and liquid hydrogen, and the best version is an inner layer of PBO (poly-pphenylenebenzobisoxazole) fibers with a polyurethane matrix and an outer layer of T-1000 carbon with a high elongation epoxy matrix suitable for cryogenic temperatures. A polyurethane matrix has also been used for the outer layer. The construction method is ideal because the fiber and resin of the inner layer has a high strain to failure at cryogenic temperatures, and will not crack or produce leaks. The outer layer serves as more of a high-performance structural unit for the inner layer, and can handle external environments.

DeLay, Thomas↗