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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

Fracture characteristics of balloon films

An attempt was made to determine the failure modes of high altitude scientific balloons through an investigation of the fracture characteristics of the thin polyethylene films. Two films were the subject of the evaluation, Winzen Int.'s Stratafilm SF-85 and Raven Industries' Astro-E. Research began with an investigation of the film's cold brittleness point and it's effect on the ultimate strength and elasticity of the polyethylene film. A series of preliminary investigations were conducted to develop an understanding of the material characteristics. The primary focus of this investigation was on the notch sensitivity of the films. Simple stress strain tests were also conducted to enable analysis employing fracture toughness parameters. Studies were conducted on both film types at 23 C (room temperature), -60 C, -90 C, and -120 C.

Portanova, Marc A.↗

The semiconductivity and stability of palladium oxide

Palladium metal films are prepared on quartz substrates by RF sputtering from a pure palladium target in an argon atmosphere. These films are then oxidized in air or in an oxygen atmosphere at 700 C for periods between 24 hr and 6 days. Either treatment is found to produce good-quality thin films of PdO with a uniform orange transmission. Attention is focused on optical and electrical conductivity measurements made on PdO films with a view toward determining their band gap, conductivity and thermal stability in vacuum and in the presence of oxygen. It is shown that hydrogen greatly reduces the thermal stability of PdO. The film decomposes to Pd metal by 350 K in the presence of hydrogen as compared to a temperature of about 580 K in vacuum.

Rey, E.↗

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↗

Li-ion 18650 Thermal Runaway Particulate Analysis

Three types of atmospheres were tested for their effects on the particulates generated in a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery thermal runaway. Normal laboratory air (Ambient), a mixture of 23.5% O2/76.5% N2 meant to simulate the atmosphere on the International Space Station (ISS), and Vacuum environments were tested. Samsung 26F 18650 cells were driven to thermal runaway using heater tape, and the resultant particulates were collected analyzed using SEM/EDX, FTIR, GCMS, as well as conductivity and magnetic probes. All three conditions generated dense black particulate films composed of very fine carbon and metal particles. These films, however, were not very conductive, though individual particulates would be, and the particles demonstrated weak paramagnetism. FTIR and GCMS identified a substantial amount of volatile components in the particulate films, both organic partial combustion products, but also electrolyte salt products.

Nemanick, E. Joseph↗

Friction and transfer of copper, silver, and gold to iron in the presence of various adsorbed surface films

Sliding friction experiments were conducted with the noble metals copper, silver, and gold and two binary alloys of these metals contacting iron in the presence of various adsorbates including, oxygen, methyl mercaptan, and methyl chloride. A pin on disk specimen configuration was used with a load of 100 grams, sliding velocity of 60 mm/min; at 25 C with the surfaces saturated with the adsorbates. Auger emission spectroscopy was used to monitor surface films. Results of the experiments indicate that friction and transfer characteristics are highly specific with respect to both the noble metal and surface film present. With all three metals and films transfer of the noble metal to iron occurred very rapidly. With all metals and films transfer of the noble metal to iron continuously increased with repeated passes except for silver and copper sliding on iron sulfide.

Buckley, D. H.↗

Transfer film evaluation for shuttle engine turbopump bearing

A series of low speed experiments to evaluate the possible occurrence of transfer film lubrication and the effectiveness of burnished films in the shuttle spacecraft main engine thrust bearings were conducted. No evidence of transfer film lubrication was evident, although this could have been the result of the (used) condition of the bearing. Burnished films of either Teflon or Rulon were found to greatly enhance the performance of the bearing. Crush load experiments indicated that the bearing ultimate load capability is on the order of 489,000 N (110,000 pounds). The effect of ball (as well as race) burnishing techniques on bearing performance, different types of burnished films, and transfer film formation are suggested for further study.

Kannel, J. W.↗

Gas Sensor Test Chip

A new test chip is being developed to characterize conducting polymers used in gas sensors. The chip, a seven-layer cofired alumina substrate with gold electrodes, contains 11 comb and U- bend test structures. These structures are designed to measure the sheet resistance, conduction anisotropy, and peripheral conduction of spin-coated films that are not subsequently patterned.

conducting polymers gas sensors test chipnd periph↗

Measurement of crossflow vortices, attachment-line flow, and transition using microthin hot films

A flow diagnostic experiment was conducted on a 45-deg swept-wing model using surface-mounted, multielement, microthin, hot-film sensors. The cross-flow vortex spacing, the attachment-line flow characteristics, and the transition region were all determined using an advanced data acquisition and instrumentation system. In addition to the frequencies of traveling waves predicted by linear stability theory, amplified disturbances at much higher frequencies were observed. Simultaneous measurements from sensors located at a number of chord and span locations highlighted the strong three-dimensionality of the boundary-layer flow in the presence of cross-flow vortices. The state of the attachment-line boundary layer was determined using a multielement sensor wrapped around the wing leading edge. The transition region flow characteristics were also identified.

Mangalam, S. M.↗

Effect of fluroine content, atmosphere, and burnishing technique on the lubricating properties of graphite fluoride

Eight different graphite fluoride compounds with fluorine to carbon ratios varying from x = 0.25 to 1.1 were evaluated as burnished films in order to determine the effect of fluorine content on the solid lubricant properties of graphite fluoride. For comparison, similar experiments were conducted on graphite burnished films. It was found that even a small amount of fluorine in graphite fluoride (CF0.25)n improved the lubricating properties of graphite. However, such factors as burnishing atmosphere, burnishing technique, test atmosphere, and specimen temperature affected the results as much as varying the fluorine to carbon ratio of the compound. Best life was found for films that were machined burnished in moist air and tested in moist air.

Fusaro, R. L.↗

Graphite fluoride lubrication: The effect of fluorine content, atmosphere, and burnishing technique

Eight different graphite fluoride compounds with fluorine to carbon ratios varying from x = 0.25 to 1.1 were evaluated as burnished films in order to determine the effect of fluorine content on the solid lubricant properties of graphite fluoride. For comparison, similar experiments were conducted on graphite burnished films. It was found that even a small amount of fluorine in graphite fluoride (CF sub 0.25) sub n improved the lubricating properties of graphite. Such factors as burnishing atmosphere, burnishing technique, test atmosphere, and specimen temperature affected the results as much as varying the fluorine to carbon ratio of the compound. Best life was found for films that were machine-burnished in moist air and tested in moist air.

Fusaro, R. L.↗

Graphite fluoride lubrication - The effect of fluorine content, atmosphere, and burnishing technique

Eight different graphite fluoride compounds with fluorine to carbon ratios varying from 0.25 to 1.1 were evaluated as burnished films in order to determine the effect of fluorine content on the solid lubricant properties of graphite fluoride. For comparison, similar experiments were conducted on graphite burnished films. It was found that even a small amount of fluorine in graphite fluoride with fluorine to carbon ratio of 0.25 improved the lubricating properties of graphite. However, such factors as burnishing atmosphere, burnishing technique, test atmosphere, and specimen temperature affected the results as much as varying the fluorine to carbon ratio of the compound. Best life was found for films that were machine-burnished in moist air and tested in moist air.

Fusaro, R. L.↗

Transport properties of epitaxial lift off films

Transport properties of epitaxially lifted-off (ELO) films were characterized using conductivity, Hall, and Shubnikov-de Haas measurements. A 10-15 percent increase in the 2D electron gas concentration was observed in these films as compared with adjacent conventional samples. We believe this result to be caused by a backgating effect produced by a charge build up at the interface of the ELO film and the quartz substrate. This increase results in a substantial decrease in the quantum lifetime in the ELO samples, by 17-30 percent, but without a degradation in carrier mobility. Under persistent photoconductivity, only one subband was populated in the conventional structure, while in the ELO films the population of the second subband was clearly visible. However, the increase of the second subband concentration with increasing excitation is substantially smaller than anticipated due to screening of the backgating effect.

Mena, R. A.↗

Lanthanide-containing polyimides

The preparation of a variety of lanthanide-containing polyimide films is described, and results of their characterization are presented. The properties investigated include the glass transition temperature, thermooxidative stability, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical conductivity of the polymer. Films containing lanthanide chlorides, fluorides, and sulfides are flexible, but those containing lanthanide nitrates are extremely brittle. The addition of lanthanide acetates and acetylacetonates caused immediate gelation of two of the synthesis-mixture ingredients. It was found that, in general, the addition of lanthanide to the polyimide increases the density and glass transition temperature of the polymer but slightly decreases the thermooxidative stability.

Stoakley, D. M.↗

(abstract) Evaluation and Development of Diamond Grids for Ion Optics

A research program is underway to establish the feasibility of fabricating 15 cm diameter ion engine optics from polycrystalline diamond film. Because of its high thermal conductivity, low CTE, and low sputter yield, diamond film has the potential of mitigating life limiting and performance degrading processes which have hindered flight qualification of ion thrusters to date. Results of experiments are reported.

ion engines diamond films ion optics fabrication f↗

Experimental flow coefficients of a full-coverage film-cooled-vane chamber

Ambient- and elevated-temperature flow tests were performed on a four-times-actual-size model of an impingement- and film-cooled segment of a core engine turbine vane. Tests were conducted with the impingement and film cooling plates combined to form a chamber and also with each of the individual separated plates. For the combined tests, the proximity of the film cooling plate affected the flow of coolant through the impingement plate, but not conversely. Impingement flow is presented in terms of a discharge coefficient, and the film cooling flow discharging into still air with no main stream gas flow is presented in terms of a total pressure-loss coefficient. The effects of main stream gas flow on discharge from the film cooling holes are evaluated as a function of coolant to main-stream gas momentum flux ratio. A smoothing technique is developed that identifies and helps reduce flow measurement data scatter.

Meitner, P. L.↗

Friction and Wear Properties of As-deposited and Carbon Ion-implanted Diamond Films

Recent work on the friction and wear properties of as-deposited and carbon ion-implanted diamond films was reviewed. Diamond films were produced by the microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. Diamond films with various grain sizes and surface roughnesses were implanted with carbon ions at 60 ke V ion energy, resulting in a dose of 1.2310(exp 17) carbon ions/cm(exp 2). Various analytical techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, proton recoil analysis, Rutherford backscattering, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction, were utilized to characterize the diamond films. Sliding friction experiments were conducted with a polished natural diamond pin in contact with diamond films in the three environments: humid air (40 percent relative humidity), dry nitrogen (less than 1 percent relative humidity), and ultrahigh vacuum (10(exp -7) Pa). The CVD diamond films indeed have friction and were properties similar to those of natural diamond in the three environments. The as-deposited, fine-grain diamond films can be effectively used as self-lubricating, wear-resistant coatings that have low coefficients of friction (0.02 to 0.04) and low wear rates (10(exp -7) to 10(exp -8)mm(exp 3)/N-m) in both humid air and dry nitrogen. However, they have high coefficients of friction (1.5 to 1.7) and a high wear rate (10(exp -4)mm(exp 3/N-m) in ultrahigh vacuum. The carbon ion implanation produced a thin surficial layer (less than 0.1 micron thick) of amorphous, nondiamond carbon on the diamond films. In humid air and dry nitrogen, the ion-implanted, fine- and coarse-grain diamond films have a low coefficient of friction (around 0.1) and a low wear rate (10(exp -7)mm(exp 3/N-m). Even in ultrahigh vacuum, the presence of the nondiamond carbon layer reduced the coefficient of friction of fine-grain diamond films to 0.1 or lower and the wear rate to 10(exp -6)mm(exp 3)/N-m. Thus, the carbon ion-implanted, fine-grain diamond films can be effectively used as wear-resistant, self-lubricating coatings not only in air and dry nitrogen, but also in ultrahigh vacuum. The wear mechanism of diamond films is that of small fragments chipping off the surface. The size of wear particles is related to the extent of wear rates.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗

Friction and Wear Properties of As-Deposited and Carbon Ion-Implanted Diamond Films

Recent work on the friction and wear properties of as-deposited and carbon ion-implanted diamond films was reviewed. Diamond films were produced by the microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. Diamond films with various grain sizes and surface roughnesses were implanted with carbon ions at 60 keV ion energy, resulting in a dose of 1.2 x 10(exp 17) carbon ions per cm(exp 2). Various analytical techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, proton recoil analysis, Rutherford backscattering, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, were utilized to characterize the diamond films. Sliding friction experiments were conducted with a polished natural diamond pin in contact with diamond films in the three environments: humid air (40% relative humidity), dry nitrogen (less than 1 percent relative humidity), and ultrahigh vacuum (10(exp -7) Pa). The CVD diamond films indeed have friction and wear properties similar to those of natural diamond in the three environments. The as-deposited, fine-grain diamond films can be effectively used as self-lubricating, wear-resistant coatings that have low coefficients of friction (0.02 to 0.04) and low wear rates (10(exp -7) to lO(exp -8) mm(exp 3) N(exp -1) m(exp -1)) in both humid air and dry nitrogen. However, they have high coefficients of friction (1.5 to 1.7) and a high wear rate (10(exp -4) mm(exp 7) N(exp -1) m(exp -1)) in ultrahigh vacuum. The carbon ion implantation produced a thin surficial layer (less than 0.1 micron thick) of amorphous, non-diamond carbon on the diamond films. In humid air and dry nitrogen, the ion-implanted, fine and coarse-grain diamond films have a low coefficient of friction (around 0.1) and a low wear rate (10(exp -7) mm(exp 3) N(exp -1) m(exp-1)). Even in ultrahigh vacuum, the presence of the non-diamond carbon layer reduced the coefficient of friction of fine-grain diamond films to 0.1 or lower and the wear rate to 10(exp -6) mm(exp 3) N(exp -1) m(exp -1). Thus, the carbon ion-implanted, fine-grain diamond films can be effectively used as wear-resistant, self-lubricating coatings not only in air and dry nitrogen, but also in ultrahigh vacuum.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗

Measured effects of coolant injection on the performance of a film cooled turbine

Tests have been conducted on a 20-inch diameter single-stage air-cooled turbine designed to evaluate the effects of film cooling air on turbine aerodynamic performance. The present paper reports the results of five test configurations, including two different cooling designs and three combinations of cooled and solid airfoils. A comparison is made of the experimental results with a previously published analytical method of evaluating coolant injection effects on turbine performance.

Mcdonel, J. D.↗