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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2023

Evaluation of Elements used for Manufacturing of NanoLam Metallized Polymer Film Capacitors

Metallized polymer film capacitors (MPFC) manufactured by NanoLam technology have a better volumetric efficiency and performance that may exceed the reliability of conventional MPFCs typically used in power and high voltage systems that require high insulation resistance and low power losses. These capacitors can be also an effective replacement for electrolytic and stacked ceramic capacitors currently used in space applications looking to save significant volume and mass. This report evaluates the effects of environmental conditions including radiation and storage at room and high temperatures on the characteristics of NanoLam elements used in the production of MPFCs. Assessments of the reliability acceleration factors and predictions for the useful life are made based on highly accelerated life tests (HALT) using distributions of times to parametric failures at different stress conditions. It has been shown that even a relatively small amount of moisture absorbed at room environments in the dielectric layers may substantially change the probability of failure. In the presence of moisture, degradation processes that started after voltage application continue with time during storage.

Metallized polymer film capacitors (MPFC)↗
NASA NTRS1991

An overview of the first results on the solar array passive LDEF experiment (sample), AO171

Space environmental effects were visibly obvious on components of experiment AO171 which contained solar cells, composites, polymeric thin films, solar reflectors, protective coatings, metals, paints , and elastomers. Micrometeoroid/space debris impacts were observed on all experiment elements. Luminescence of polyimide, silicone, and polyurethane materials occurred under black light examination. Outgassing of RTV511 occurred mainly as a result of insufficient thermal vacuum bakeout. Solar cell degradation was predominantly below 10 percent. Elastomers lost mass and discolored; composites showed evidence of atomic oxygen attack, and unprotected thin polymer films eroded away.

Whitaker, Ann F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Interaction of atomic oxygen with thin film and bulk copper: An XPS, AES, XRD, and profilometer study

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) experiment A-0114 was designed primarily to study degradation of material surfaces due to low earth orbital (LEO) atmospheric oxygen. The experiment contained 128 one inch circular samples: metals, polymers, carbons, and semiconductors. Among metal samples, copper has shown some interesting new results. Two types of copper samples, a film sputter coated on fused silica and a bulk piece of OFHC copper, were characterized employing a variety of techniques such as X-ray and Auger electron spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and high resolution profilometry. Cu 2p core level spectra were used to characterize the presence of Cu2O and CuO in addition to Cu Auger LMM lines. These results are supported by our recent X-ray diffraction studies which clearly establish the presence of Cu oxides which we were unable to prove in our earlier work. Profilometry showed an increase in thickness of the film sample where exposed to 106.7 +/- 0.5 nm from an initial thickness of 74.2 +/- 1.1 nm. Further studies with SEM and ellipsometry are underway.

Raikar, Genesh N.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Pyroelectric conversion in space: A conceptual design study

Pyroelectric conversion is potentially a very lightweight means of providing electrical power generation in space. Two conceptualized systems approaches for the direct conversion of heat (from sunlight) into electrical energy using the pyroelectric effect of a new class of polar polymers were evaluated. Both of the approaches involved large area thin sheets of plastic which are thermally cycled by radiative input and output of thermal energy. The systems studied are expected to eventually achieve efficiencies of the order of 8% and may deliver as much as one half kilowatt per kilogram. In addition to potentially very high specific power, the pyroelectric conversion approaches outlined appear to offer low cost per watt in the form of an easily deployed, flexible, strong, electrically ""self-healing'', and high voltage sheet. This study assessed several potential problems such as plasma interactions and radiation degradation and suggests approaches to overcome them. The fundamental technological issues for space pyroelectric conversion are: (1) demonstration of the conversion cycle with the proposed class of polymers, (2) achievement of improved dielectric strength of the material, (3) demonstration of acceptable plasma power losses for low altitude, and (4) establishment of reasonable lifetime for the pyroelectric material in the space environment. Recommendations include an experimental demonstration of the pyroelectric conversion cycle followed by studies to improve the dielectric strength of the polymer and basic studies to discover additional pyroelectric materials.

Olsen, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Materials and Processes for New Propulsion Systems with Reduced Environmental Impact

Aeronautics research at NASA Glenn Research Center includes development, characterization and modeling of high temperature, lightweight materials and fabrication processes for aircraft propulsion systems with increased efficiency and reduced emissions, fuel burn and noise. Current propulsion materials research includes Ceramic Matrix Composites and Environmental Barrier Coatings, Polymer Matrix Composites and Additive Manufacturing processes. This presentation will summarize recent progress and plans in these areas. Ceramic Matrix Composites for Turbine Components: As part of NASA's Aeronautics research, Glenn Research Center has developed Ceramic Matrix Composites for 2700 degrees Fahrenheit turbine engine applications in the next generation of ultra-efficient aircraft. In this presentation, the development of advanced fiber and matrix constituents that enabled this advancement will be reviewed, and characterization of the resulting improvements in mechanical properties and durability will be summarized. Progress toward the development and validation of models predicting the effects of the engine environment on durability of Ceramic Matrix Composites and Environmental Barrier Coatings will be summarized. Progress and plans for collaborative research with industry and other government agencies will be reviewed. Polymer Matrix Composites for Powertrain and Impact Protection: A lightweight, hybrid polymer matrix composite/steel gear concept for rotorcraft power transmission applications was evaluated at realistic speed, torque, and power conditions. Dynamic testing was performed at 5000 horsepower and 5400 revolutions per minute with no performance degradation. Test results demonstrated the potential of hybrid composite / metal gears to reduce gear weight by approximately 15 percent, enabling the implementation of multi-speed drive systems, which would otherwise have a weight penalty, for increased speed and efficiency. Results of post-test inspection and endurance tests will be presented. Separately, ballistic impact tests demonstrated improved damage tolerance in polymer matrix composites by incorporating lightweight, thermoplastic veil materials between selected composite plies during the composite fabrication process. Results of impact tests and post-test inspection will be presented. Additive Manufacturing for Electric Propulsion: Additive Manufacturing processes offer the potential to fabricate new, high power density electric motor designs with complex geometries, multi-material components and optimally designed components that would not be feasible with traditional manufacturing processes. High performance stator components using advanced 3-phase conductive coils were fabricated using direct printing with optimized silver pastes. Additional additive manufacturing methods are being used to fabricate rotors and motor housing components. Systems studies show that the higher performance and lower weight motors offer improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions. Improvements to motor performance resulting from optimized materials and component designs will be presented.

Additive Manufacturing↗
NASA NTRS2005

Modifying Silicates for Better Dispersion in Nanocomposites

An improved chemical modification has been developed to enhance the dispersion of layered silicate particles in the formulation of a polymer/silicate nanocomposite material. The modification involves, among other things, the co-exchange of an alkyl ammonium ion and a monoprotonated diamine with interlayer cations of the silicate. The net overall effects of the improved chemical modification are to improve processability of the nanocomposite and maximize the benefits of dispersing the silicate particles into the polymer. Some background discussion is necessary to give meaning to a description of this development. Polymer/silicate nanocomposites are also denoted polymer/clay composites because the silicate particles in them are typically derived from clay particles. Particles of clay comprise layers of silicate platelets separated by gaps called "galleries." The platelet thickness is 1 nm. The length varies from 30 nm to 1 m, depending on the silicate. In order to fully realize the benefits of polymer/silicate nanocomposites, it is necessary to ensure that the platelets become dispersed in the polymer matrices. Proper dispersion can impart physical and chemical properties that make nanocomposites attractive for a variety of applications. In order to achieve nanometer-level dispersion of a layered silicate into a polymer matrix, it is typically necessary to modify the interlayer silicate surfaces by attaching organic functional groups. This modification can be achieved easily by ion exchange between the interlayer metal cations found naturally in the silicate and protonated organic cations - typically protonated amines. Long-chain alkyl ammonium ions are commonly chosen as the ion-exchange materials because they effectively lower the surface energies of the silicates and ease the incorporation of organic monomers or polymers into the silicate galleries. This completes the background discussion. In the present improved modification of the interlayer silicate surfaces, the co-ion exchange strengthens the polymer/silicate interface and ensures irreversible separation of the silicate layers. One way in which it does this is to essentially tether one amine of each diamine molecule to a silicate surface, leaving the second amine free for reaction with monomers during the synthesis of a polymer. In addition, the incorporation of alkyl ammonium ions into the galleries at low concentration helps to keep low the melt viscosity of the oligomer formed during synthesis of the polymer and associated processing - a consideration that is particularly important in the case of a highly cross-linked, thermosetting polymer. Because of the chemical bonding between the surface-modifying amines and the monomers, even when the alkyl ammonium ions become degraded at high processing temperature, the silicate layers do not aggregate and, hence, nanometer-level dispersion is maintained.

Campbell, Sandi↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Characterization of Microbe Resistant Coatings for Use in the ISS Water System

The ISS is a highly controlled environment; however, there are still microbes on it that astronauts bring from their own microbiome. Once within the ISS water treatment system, these microbes not only pose a health risk for astronauts, but they can form biofilms, causing material degradation and system failure. Due to their protective structure, biofilms are notoriously resistant to disinfectants and antibiotics. One proposed solution is applying polymer coatings to the metal parts of the water system to prevent biofilms from forming. Two types of polyampholyte polymers with previously demonstrated nonfouling properties were sent to the ISS in 2021 to test their viability for preventing microbial adhesion in space. However, the only microbial assays performed were microscopy. To enhance this ongoing research project, I developed procedures for culturing, applying, and quantifying Ralstonia pickettii on these polymers. R. pickettii was chosen because it is one of the most prevalent microbes found in the ISS water treatment system. Optical density data was recorded to obtain a growth curve demonstrating a doubling time between 2.83 and 4.88 hours in 30°C, not shaken conditions. Optical density was also correlated to colony forming units in a plating experiment. Another result was design (and pilot testing) of a surface colonization experiment. These results provided vital knowledge about R. pickettii, which will be used for a 2023 payload of antimicrobial polymer coatings on stainless steel, and improved methods for biofilm analysis upon its return to evaluate the efficacy of the coatings.

microbiology↗
NASA NTRS1987

Encapsulating X-Ray Detectors

Vapor-deposited polymer shields crystals from environment while allowing X rays to pass. Polymer coating transparental to X rays applied to mercuric iodide detector in partial vacuum. Coating protects crystal from sublimation, chemical attack, and electrical degradation.

Conley, Joseph M.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The surface properties of fluorinated polyimides exposed to VUV and atomic oxygen

The effect of atomic oxygen flux and VUV radiation alone and in combination on the surface of fluorinated polyimide films was studied using XPS spectroscopy. Exposure of fluorinated polyimides to VUV radiation alone caused no observable damage to the polymer surface, while an atomic oxygen flux resulted in substantial oxidation of the surface. On the other hand, exposure to VUV radiation and atomic oxygen in combination caused extensive oxidation of the polymer surface after only 2 minutes of exposure. The amount of oxidized carbon on the polymer surface indicated that there is aromatic ring opening oxidation. The changes in the O1s/C1s, N1s/C1s, and F1s/C1s ratios suggested that an ablative degradation process is highly favorable. A synergistic effect of VUV radiation in the presence of atomic oxygen is clearly evidenced from the XPS study. The atomic oxygen could be considered as the main factor in the degradation process of fluorinated polyimide films exposed to a low earth orbit environment.

Forsythe, John S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Synthesis and evaluation of polymers for use in early warning fire alarm devices

Conjugated polyacetylene polymers and one condensation polyene, all containing a high degree of conjugated unsaturation, were synthesized. These polymers were characterized by chemical analysis and by thermogravimetric analysis, as well as for their film-forming capability and gas/polymer interactions. It was found that those that had a high degree of conjugated unsaturation and had resonance - stabilizing groups were very thermally stable to 200 C, e.g., poly(dicyanoacetylene), poly(ethynylferrocene) and poly(phenylacetylene); while those with labile moieties, such as poly(p-formamidophenylacetylene), among others, suffered some degradation when heated in air. When subjected to gas/polymer interaction effects, the greatest change in electrical conductance was observed when ammonia was used as the gas and poly(p-nitrophenylacetylene) was the detector. Other polymers showed similar behavior. For example, poly(ethynylcarborane), considered to be an electron acceptor also showed a change in electrical conductance when exposed to ammonia, while poly(ethynylpyridine) and poly(ethylidenepyridazine) responded to carbon monoxide. However, for "fire gases" (gases from smoldering cotton), poly(ethynylferrocene) was the most responsive. Thus, the concept of polymers with different electronegativities forming charge-transfer complexes with different gases was found to be operable.

Byrd, N. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Thermo-oxidative stability studies of PMR-15 polymer matrix composites reinforced with various continuous fibers

An experimental study was conducted to measure the thermooxidative stability of PMR-15 composites reinforced with various fibers and to observe differences in the way they degrade in air. The fibers studied include graphite and the thermally stable Nicalon and Nextel ceramic fibers. Weight-loss rates for the different composites were assessed as a function of mechanical properties, specimen geometry, fiber sizing, and interfacial bond strength. Differences were observed in rates of weight loss, matrix cracking, geometry dependency, and fiber sizing effects. It was shown that Celion 6000 fiber-reinforced composites do not exhibit a straight-line Arrhenius relationship at temperatures above 316 C.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A new brominated polymeric additive for flame retardant glass-filled polybutylene terephthalate

Attention is called to the undesirable effects (poor ultraviolet light stability and blooming) sometimes introduced by brominated flame retarders. A brominated polymeric additive (BPA) with little or none of these undesirable side effects is compared with decabromobiphenyl oxide (DBBPO). The additive bears the product name F-2300. It is found to be more easily dispersed than DBBPO. The F-2300 is as effective as the DBBPO in the oxygen index test. The improved efficiency of the F-2300 may be explained by its better dispersion in polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Glass-filled PBT containing F-2300 is found to be more resistant to UV degradation than DBBPO-containing formulas. Formulations with F-2300 therefore have a longer useful outdoor life. F-2300 is a diglycidyl-type polymer containing 50 percent aromatically bound bromine. Its melting point is 112 C, and it is stable up to 372 C. It is pointed out that since its melts at a relatively low temperature, it can be introduced into the formulation as a large agglomerate and still be dispersed evenly throughout the polymer.

Nir, Z.↗
NASA NTRS1984

New phosphorus-containing bisimide resins

Phosphorus-based flame retardants have been effectively used in a wide variety of polymeric materials. Such additives, however, may either influence the decomposition reaction in polymers or lack durability due to a tendency to be leached out by solvents. Attention is given to the synthesis, characterization, thermal stability and degradation mechanisms of bisimide resins, and an evaluation is conducted of the flammability and mechanical properties of graphite cloth-reinforced laminates fabricated from one of the six phosphorus-containing bisimide resins considered.

Varma, I. K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Laser Photoacoustic Technique Detects Photo-Oxidation

Laser photoacoustic instrument detects small amounts of oxidation in polymers. Instrument used to evaluate resistance to oxidation in Sunlight of polymer encapsulants for solar-cell arrays. With instrument, researchers monitor samples for early stages of photooxidation and study primary mechanisms of oxidation and degradation. Effects of these mechanisms masked during later stages.

Liange, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Space Environmental Effects on the Optical Properties of Selected Transparent Polymers

Transparent polymer films are currently considered for use as solar concentrating lenses for spacecraft power and propulsion systems. These polymer films concentrate solar energy onto energy conversion devices such as solar cells and thermal energy systems. Conversion efficiency is directly related to the polymer transmission. Space environmental effects will decrease the transmission and thus reduce the conversion efficiency. This investigation focuses on the effects of ultraviolet and charged particle radiation on the transmission of selected transparent polymers. Multiple candidate polymer samples were exposed to near ultraviolet (NUV) radiation to screen the materials and select optimum materials for further study. All materials experienced transmission degradation of varying degree. A method was developed to normalize the transmission loss and thus rank the materials according to their tolerance of NUV. Teflon(Tm) FEP and Teflon(Tm) PFA were selected for further study. These materials were subjected to a combined charged particle dose equivalent to 5 years in a typical geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Results from these NUV screening tests and the 5 year GEO equivalent dose are presented.

Edwards, David L.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Assessment of The Compatibility of Composite Materials With High-Test Hydrogen Peroxide

The compatibility of composite materials with high-test hydrogen peroxide (HTP) was assessed using various chemical and mechanical techniques. Methods included classical schemes combining concentration assay with accelerated aging by means of a heated water bath. Exothermic reactivity was observed using Isothermal Microcalorimetry. Mechanical Properties testing determined degradation of the composite material. Photoacoustic Infrared Spectroscopy was used to monitor chemical alteration of the resin matrix. Other materials were examined including some polymers and metals.

Gostowski, Rudy↗
NASA NTRS2014

Characterization of Commercial Li-ion Cells in Pouch Format

The li-ion pouch design cells exhibit similar behavior under off-nominal conditions as those in metal cans that do not have the internal safety devices. Safety should be well characterized before batteries are designed. Some of the li-ion pouch cell designs studied in this program reacted most violently to overcharge conditions at the medium rates but were tolerant to overcharge at very low rates. Some pouch cell designs have higher tolerance to vacuum exposures than some others. A comparison of the pouch material itself does not show a correlation between this tolerance and the number of layers or composition of the pouch indicating that this is a property of the electrode stack design inside the pouch. Reduced pressure (8 to 10 psi) test environments show that the extent of capacity degradation under reduced pressure environments is much less than that observed under vacuum conditions. Lithium-ion Pouch format cells are not necessarily true polymer cells.

Jeevarajan, Judith↗
NASA NTRS2026

A Study of Space Environment Effect on Highly Thermally Conductive Hybrid Carbon Fiber Polymer Composites

A set of novel highly thermally conductive hybrid carbon fiber (CF) polymer composites has been developed for lightweight thermal radiator applications in space missions. This study investigates the effects of the space environment on these materials following exposure in low-Earth orbit (LEO) during the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE)-17 flight mission, where samples experienced 159 days of combined atomic oxygen (AO), ultraviolet (UV) radiation, high vacuum, space radiation and thermal cycling. Post-flight characterization included weight loss, surface morphology, thermo-optical properties, molecular structures, glass transition temperature, thermal degradation and thermal conductivity analyses. The pyrolytic graphite sheet (PGS) samples exhibited negligible weight loss, stable thermo-optical property, and only minor oxidation signature on the exposed surface. Although AO erosion of the epoxy polymer matrix was evident, carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused PGS/CF epoxy composites retained high thermal emissivity and preserved their high thermal conductivities. These results demonstrate that the novel highly thermally conductive hybrid CF composites possess strong environmental resilience and are promising candidates for lightweight thermal radiators and thermal management components in future space exploration missions.

Space Environment↗