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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

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NASA NTRS1977

Distribution of the pre-solar component in Allende and other carbonaceous chondrites

Detailed analyses of separated phases of several Allende Ca-Al-rich inclusions are reported which reveal a consistent pattern of large O-16 enrichments in spinel, pyroxene, and sometimes olivine, and small O-16 enrichments in melilite, feldspathoids, and grossular. The heterogeneous distribution of the O-16 excesses, together with their enhancement in minerals believed to be early solar nebular condensates, suggests the existence of pre-solar carriers of the isotopic anomaly, probably grains or molecules with oxygen which was nearly pure O-16. Pre-solar grains of corundum or spinel, and pre-solar molecules of SiO are considered possibilities. Excess O-16, relative to terrestrial abundances, has been found in all samples of C2, C3 (the Allende is this kind), and C4 carbonaceous chondrites which have been analyzed. No direct correlation has yet been observed between the oxygen anomalies and isotope anomalies in neon, magnesium, or xenon.

Clayton, R. N.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Thermodynamics of Thomas-Fermi screened Coulomb systems

We obtain in closed analytic form, estimates for the thermodynamic properties of classical fluids with pair potentials of Yukawa type, with special reference to dense fully ionized plasmas with Thomas-Fermi or Debye-Hueckel screening. We further generalize the hard-sphere perturbative approach used for similarly screened two-component mixtures, and demonstrate phase separation in this simple model of a liquid mixture of metallic helium and hydrogen.

Firey, B.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Contributions of experimental protobiogenesis to the theory of evolution

Inferences from experiments in protobiogenesis are examined as a forward extension of the theory of evolutionary biology. A nondiscontinuous, intraconsistent theory of general evolution embracing both protobiology and biology is outlined. This overview emphasizes Darwinian selection in the later stages of evolution, and stereochemical molecular selection in some of its earlier stages. It incorporates the concept of limitation of the scope of evolution by internal constraints on variation, based on the argument that internally limiting constraints observed in experiments with molecules are operative in organisms, if chemical processes occur within biological processes and biological processes are assumed to be exponentializations of chemical processes. Major evolutionary events might have occurred by rapid self-assembly processes analogous to those observed in the formation of phase-separated microspheres from amorphous powder or supersaturated solutions.

Fox, S. W.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Development of a non-cryogenic nitrogen/oxygen supply system

Modular components were refined or replaced to improve the performance of the electrolysis module in a system which generates both oxygen and hydrogen from hydrazine hydrate. Significant mechanical and electrical performance improvements were achieved in the cathode. Improvements were also made in the phase separation area but at considerable cost in time and money and to the detriment of other investigative areas. Only the pump/bubble separator failed in a manner necessitating redesign. Its failure was, however, due to its being operated above the temperature range for which it was designed. The basic electrolysis cell design was not changed.

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NASA NTRS1977

Planning for Materials Processing in Space

A systems design study to describe the conceptual evolution, the institutional interrelationshiphs, and the basic physical requirements to implement materials processing in space was conducted. Planning for a processing era, rather than hardware design, was emphasized. Product development in space was examined in terms of fluid phenomena, phase separation, and heat and mass transfer. The effect of materials processing on the environment was studied. A concept for modular, unmanned orbiting facilities using the modified external tank of the space shuttle is presented. Organizational and finding structures which would provide for the efficient movement of materials from user to space are discussed.

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NASA NTRS1977

Interferometer mirror tilt correcting system

An interferometer is described, having several means for automatically adjusting the angular tilt of a reflecting surface in one of two paths to maintain the exit beams from the two paths parallel to each other. Three detectors at the output of the interferometer were disposed on mutually perpendicular axes which define a plane normal to the nominal exit beam axis. One detector at the origin of the axes was used as a reference for separate phase difference comparison with the outputs of the other two detectors on the X and Y axes to develop servo error signals.

Schindler, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Relative cooling rates of mare basalts at the Apollo 12 and 15 sites as estimated from pyroxene exsolution data

X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies, supplemented by electron microprobe analyses of core pigeonites and rim augites from rocks 12031, 15085, 15475, and 15495, have been used to suggest cooling rates for these and other Apollo 12 and 15 rocks studied by similar methods. The extent of subsolidus phase separation of pyroxenes is used as a measure of the cooling rate. The results were interpreted in terms of model cooling histories of a lava flow whose thickness was estimated from the absolute cooling rates obtained by cooling rate experiments and by temperature-time variation through an extrusive flow computed by employing simplified theory of Jaeger. All available data on the exsolution and cation distributions of pyroxenes from Apollo 12 and 15 samples at present are consistent with the hypothesis that these rocks were derived from the top and interior of lava flows with thicknesses of 4-10 m. A process for exsolution of augite from a host pigeonite on (100) has been related to its low-calcium content.

Takeda, H.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Study of iron-borate materials systems processed in space

It was calculated that an FeBO3B2O3 glass-ceramic containing only 1 mole% FeBO3 would be equivalent for magnetooptic application to a YIG crystal of equal thickness. An Fe2O3B2O3 composition containing 2 mole% FeBO3 equivalent (98B) could be converted largely to a dense green, though opaque, FeBO3 glass-ceramic through suitable heat treatments. However, phase separation (and segregation) and Fe+3 reduction could not be entirely avoided with the various procedures that were employed. From light scattering calculations, it was estimated that about 100 A to allow 90% light transmission through a 1 cm thick sample. However, the actual FeBO3 crystallite sizes obtained in 98B were of the order of 1 micron or greater.

Neilson, G. F.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Gravitational influences on the liquid-state homogenization and solidification of aluminum antimonide

Typical commercial or laboratory-prepared samples of polycrystalline AlSb contain microstructural inhomogeneities of Al- or Sb-rich phases in addition to the primary AlSb grains. The paper reports on gravitational influences, such as density-driven convection or sedimentation, that cause microscopic phase separation and nonequilibrium conditions to exist in earth-based melts of AlSb. A triple-cavity electric furnace is used to homogenize the multiphase AlSb samples in space and on earth. A comparative characterization of identically processed low- and one-gravity samples of commercial AlSb reveals major improvements in the homogeneity of the low-gravity homogenized material.

Ang, C.-Y.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Evidence for the siderophilic behavior of meteoritic bismuth

The microdistributions of Bi and Pb-208 in the Khohar L3 chondrite were determined in situ using radiography techniques based on particle track detectors. Strong (enrichment factors 10 to 100) localizations of Bi were found in association with kamacite; no enhancement of Bi or Pb was found in sulfides. High-magnification microprobe and reflected light observations strongly indicate that Bi actually resides in the kamacite, providing evidence for the siderophilic nature. The minor and major element chemistry of the metals in the sample was typical of chondrites of its type. The unusual Bi distribution in the Khohar chondrite suggests that it may have been exposed to high Bi partial pressures during slow cooling at kamacite-taenite phase separation in a volatile-rich region of a parent body, or that Bi may have been incorporated into previously cooled grains by mild reheating.

Woolum, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The role of chemical engineering in space manufacturing

A survey of factors involved in space manufacturing is presented. It is shown that it will be more economical to obtain the necessary raw materials from the moon than from earth due to earth's greater gravity and atmosphere. Discussion covers what resources can be mined and recovered from the moon and what ranges of industrial feedstock can be provided from lunar materials, noting that metallurgy will be different in space due to the lack of key elements such as H, C, Na, Cl, etc. Also covered are chemical plant design, space environmental factors such as vacuum and zero gravity, recycling requirments, reagent and equipment mass, and unit operations such as materials handling and phase separation. It is concluded that a pilot plant in space could be an economic boon to mankind.

Waldron, R. D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Selective formation of microparticles by homopolyribonucleotides and proteinoids rich in individual amino acis

The formation of phase-separated microparticles following the mixing of solutions of homopolyribonucleotides with solutions of several basic thermal proteinoids, each rich in an individual amino acid, has been studied. Three of the 4 proteinoids studied yielded results consistent with a matrix of anticodonicity; the fourth did not. The meaning of these results, and others, relative to a postulated matrix for the genetic coding mechanism is discussed.

Lacey, J. C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Spacelab 2 infrared telescope cryogenic system

The paper discusses the development of a cryogenic helium system to provide cooling to a scanning infrared telescope for the Spacelab 2 mission. The infrared optical/detector system and related electronics are being developed by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the University of Arizona. A superfluid helium dewar and porous plug phase separator permit gas cooling of the infrared focal plane assembly to about 2.5 K, and of the two telescope sections to 8 K and 60 K. The design of the cryogenic system,including a commandable vacuum cover, and the prelaunch liquid helium servicing and maintenance approach were discussed. It is concluded that the system will satisfy the Infrared Telescope requirements, and the superfluid helium system shall be capable of satisfying cryogenic helium cooled requirements for the next several years.

Urban, E. W.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The role of P2O5 in silicate melts

Phase equilibria data in the systems SiO2-P2O5, P2O5-M(x)O(y), and P2O5-M(x)O(y)-SiO2 are employed in conjunction with chromatographic and spectral data to investigate the role of P2O5 in silicate melts. P2O5 depolymerizes pure SiO2 melts by entering the network as a four-fold coordinated cation, but polymerizes melts in which an additional metal cation other than silicon is present. In this complex system P2O5 acts to increase phase separation by further enrichment of the high charge density cations Ti, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca, in the ferrobasaltic liquid. The dual behavior of P2O5 is explained in a model which requires complexing of phosphate anions and metal cations in the melt. This interaction destroys Si-O-M-O-Si bonds polymerizing the melt. The higher concentration of Si-O-M-O-Si bond complexes in immiscible ferrobasaltic liquids relative to their conjugate immiscible granite liquids explains the partitioning of P2O5 into the ferrobasaltic liquid.

Ryerson, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Solidification of carbon-oxygen white dwarfs

The internal structure of white dwarfs is discussed. Highly correlated plasmas are reviewed. Implications for phase separation in the core of cooling white dwarfs are considered. The consequences for evolution of white dwarfs are addressed.

Schatzman, E.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Extraterrestrial materials processing

The first year results of a multi-year study of processing extraterrestrial materials for use in space are summarized. Theoretically, there are potential major advantages to be derived from the use of such materials for future space endeavors. The types of known or postulated starting raw materials are described including silicate-rich mixed oxides on the Moon, some asteroids and Mars; free metals in some asteroids and in small quantities in the lunar soil; and probably volatiles like water and CO2 on Mars and some asteroids. Candidate processes for space materials are likely to be significantly different from their terrestrial counterparts largely because of: absence of atmosphere; lack of of readily available working fluids; low- or micro-gravity; no carbon-based fuels; readily available solar energy; and severe constraints on manned intervention. The extraction of metals and oxygen from lunar material by magma electrolysis or by vapor/ion phase separation appears practical.

Steurer, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Organic chemical evolution

The course of organic chemical evolution preceding the emergence of life on earth is discussed based on evidence of processes occurring in interstellar space, the solar system and the primitive earth. Following a brief review of the equilibrium condensation model for the origin and evolution of the solar system, consideration is given to the nature and organic chemistry of interstellar clouds, comets, Jupiter, meteorites, Venus and Mars, and the prebiotic earth. Major issues to be resolved in the study of organic chemical evolution on earth are identified regarding condensation and accretion in the solar nebula, early geological evolution, the origin and evolution of the atmosphere, organic production rates, organic-inorganic interactions, environmental fluctuations, phase separation and molecular selectivity.

Chang, S.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Aspects of the history of 66095 based on trace elements in clasts and whole rock

Halogens, P, U and Na are reported in anorthositic and basaltic clasts and matrix from rusty rock 66095. Large fractions of Cl and Br associated with the separated phases from 66095 are soluble in H2O. Up to two orders of magnitude variation in concentrations of these elements in the breccia components and varying H2O-soluble Cl/Br ratios indicate different sources of volatiles. An approximately constant ratio of the H2O- to 0.1 M HNO3-soluble Br in the various components suggests no appreciable alteration in the original distributions of this element in the breccia forming processes. Up to 50% or more of the phosphorus and of the non-H2O-soluble Cl was dissolved from most of the breccia components by 0.1 M HNO3. Clast and matrix residues from the leaching steps contain, in most cases, the Cl/P2O5 ratio found in 66095 whole rock and in a number of other Apollo 16 samples. Evidence that phosphates are the major P-phases in the breccia is based on the 0.1 M acid solubility of Cl and P in the matrix sample and on elemental concentrations which are consistent with those of KREEP.

Jovanovic, S.↗