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A very flexible substrate for printed wiring is disclosed which is composed of a blend of phenoxy resin-polyisocyanate-brominated epoxy resin in which the equivalent ration of the functional groups is hydroxyl grouped: isocyanate group: epoxy group = 1:0.2 to 2:0.5 to 3. The product has outstanding solder resistance and is applied to metal without using adhesives.
Carbon electrodes from Li/SOCl2 cells were studied by electron spin resonance after various stages of discharge. Different behavior was observed in the temperature-dependent part of the ESR linewidth, defined as 'intrinsic linewidth', Delta H(int), when two different electrolytes were used. With one electrolyte, 1.5M LiAlCl4/SoCl2, the Delta H(int) value stayed constant or slightly decreased whereas with another electrolyte, 1.0M LiAlCl4/14 percent BrClin SOCl2, the value increased as discharge progressed. The carbon electrodes are modified differently during discharge with these two electrolytes, and it is speculated that this may be due to changes in the carbon matrix functional groups. This difference in the carbon electrodes may explain the claimed differences in safety performance of the cells.
The effect of fiber/matrix interactions on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic carbon fiber composites was determined. The experimental approach was a multi-faceted one involving the following areas: characterization of the surface of carbon fibers using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and scanning transmission electron microcopy (STEM); determination of the functional groups on carbon fiber surfaces using an elemental tagging scheme - derivatization; determination of the polar and dispersion contribution to the surface energy of carbon fibers by measuring wetting forces in a series of liquids having known polar and dispersion components; and study of the interaction of thermoplastic polymers with carbon surfaces by solution adsorption, STEM and fiber critical length.
The feasibility of transforming a commercial linear perfluoroalkylether fluid into a material stable in the presence of metals and metal alloys in oxidizing atmospheres at 300 C without the loss of the desirable viscosity temperature characteristics was determined. The approach consisted of thermal oxidative treatment in the presence of catalyst to remove weak links, followed by transformation of the created functional groups into phospha-s-triazine linkages. It it found that the experimental material obtained in 66% yield from the commercial fluid exhibits, over an 8 hr period at 300 C in the presence of Ti(4Al, 4Mn) alloy, thermal oxidative stability better by a factor of 2.6x1000 based on volatiles evolved than the commercial product. The viscosity and molecular weight of the developed fluid are unchanged and are essentially identical with the commercial material. No metal corrosion occurs with the experimental fluid at 300 C.
The EASY5 macro component models developed for the spacecraft power system simulation are described. A brief explanation about how to use the macro components with the EASY5 Standard Components to build a specific system is given through an example. The macro components are ordered according to the following functional group: converter power stage models, compensator models, current-feedback models, constant frequency control models, load models, solar array models, and shunt regulator models. Major equations, a circuit model, and a program listing are provided for each macro component.
Evaluation of incident and accident statistics reveals that most problems occur not because of a lack of proficiency in pilot training, but because of the inability to coordinate skills into effective courses of action. Line-Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) and Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) programs provide training which will develop both individual crew member skills, as well as those associated with effective group function. A study conducted by NASA at the request of the U.S. Congress supports the argument for training that enhances crew performance in addition to providing individual technical skills, and is described in detail.
The progress to date on the development of techniques to toughen continuous thermoplastic composites is summarized. The work, using the approach of toughening the polycarbonate composite matrix with rubber particles, has focused on determining the differences between Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) samples molded inhouse and those molded by NASA. Specifically, an effort was made to account for the differences in fracture toughness observed between the various specimens. In addition, preliminary results of tensile dilatometry tests are described; these tests suggest that processes leading to increased volume and enhanced shear banding are occurring within the rubber toughened system. The results of the effort using another approach, the preparation of random block copolycarbonates, are presented. The synthetic route to these species was modified so that higher molecular weights of these materials can be obtained. In addition, an attempt is being made to determine the exact block length or the number of functional groups in the oligomers since this procedure also should lead to high molecular weight materials. Dynamic mechanical analysis of the copolymer prepared so far indicates that the scale of cooperative molecular motion of the PBA polycarbonate at sub-Tg temperatures is larger than five monomer units. Efforts to find a suitable rubber-toughener for a thermoset system (bismaleimides) is also discussed. Included is a description of the various tougheners intended for use or currently being used.
Process makes commercial perfluoroalkylether (PFAE) hydraulic fluid more stable in presence of metals in hot oxidizing atmospheres. Consists of thermal oxidation in presence of catalyst to remove weak links, followed by transformation of newly-created functional groups into phospha-s-triazine linkages, which impart antioxidation and anticorrosion properties. A 66-percent yield of stable PFAE obtained. Fluid used as lubricant, grease, or hydraulic fluid at temperatures from -55 to +300 degree C in presence of metals in oxidizing atmosphere.
The feasibility of transforming a commercial linear perfluoroalkylether fluid into a material stable in the presence of metals and metal alloys in oxidizing atmospheres at 300 C without the loss of the desirable viscosity temperature characteristics was determined. The approach consisted of thermal oxidative treatment in the presence of catalyst to remove weak links, followed by transformation of the created functional groups into phospha-s-triazine linkages. It is found that the experimental material obtained in 66 percent yield from the commercial fluid exhibits, over an 8 hr period at 300 C in the presence of Ti(4Al, 4Mn) alloy, thermal oxidative stability better by a factor of 2.6 x 1000 based on volatiles evolved than the commercial product. The viscosity and molecular weight of the developed fluid are unchanged and are essentially identical with the commercial material. No metal corrosion occurs with the experimental fluid at 300 C.
Results from experimental studies of the irradiation of SiH4-H2O and Fe(CO)5-SiH4-H2O ice mixtures at 15 K using 1 MeV protons have revealed the synthesis of a very stable infrared spectral feature at 4.6 microns which is characteristic of the SiH functional group. This feature persists through warmup of the ice, exposure to air at 300 K, and vacuum annealing to at least 400 K. Because of the high cosmic abundance of both silicon and hydrogen and the unexpected stability of the SiH feature in our experiments, it is suggested that SiH might be responsible for the 4.6 micron absorption feature observed in W33A.
This paper describes the synthesis of maleimide terminated poly(ether ketones) using the solution imidization process described by Summers et al. (1987). Amorphous poly(arylene ether ketones), as well as poly(arylene ether sulfones, of controlled end group functionalities and molecular weights were synthesized by nucleophilic step polymerization of bisphehol-A phenolates with activated halides, such as 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone, and 'monofunctional' end cappers such as m-aminophenol. The thermal properties of the system included glass transition temperature (Tg) values of 160-170 C, with modulus above Tg proportional to cross-link density, which in turn was reciprocally related to oligomer molecular weight. The measurements of the fracture toughness values showed the materials to be very ductile, with the toughness increasing with oligomer molecular weight.
Plasma-discharge irradiations were conducted for the methane clathrate expected in outer solar system satellites and cometary nuclei; also irradiated were ices prepared from other combinations of H2O with CH4, C2H6, or C2H2. Upon evaporation of the yellowish-to-tan irradiated ices, it is found that a colored solid film adheres to the walls of the reaction vessel at room temperature. These organic films are found to exhibit IR band identifiable with alkane, aldehide, alcohol, and perhaps alkene, as well as substituted aromatic functional groups. These spectra are compared with previous studies of UV- or photon-irradiated nonclathrated hydrocarbon-containing ices.
The test plan for the onboard navigation (ONAV) expert system is described. Levels of testing are identified and the contributing role of each level for ensuring reliability is described. Also, the objectives of each type of test are identified and a summary of the test methods and the type of testing environment to be used is included. The ONAV expert system testing effort utilizes a multi-level verification approach. Five levels of testing are performed in essentially a serial manner: (1) individual rules, (2) ordered and unordered functional groups, (3) interface rules, (4) system tests, and (5) user tests. The intent is to catch the full range of both programming errors common to traditional programming and those errors characteristic of expert systems including factbase organization and inference engine interactions.
The results are summarized of an unattended network operations technology assessment study for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). The scope of the work included: (1) identified possible enhancements due to the proposed Mars communications network; (2) identified network operations on Mars; (3) performed a technology assessment of possible supporting technologies based on current and future approaches to network operations; and (4) developed a plan for the testing and development of these technologies. The most important results obtained are as follows: (1) addition of a third Mars Relay Satellite (MRS) and MRS cross link capabilities will enhance the network's fault tolerance capabilities through improved connectivity; (2) network functions can be divided into the six basic ISO network functional groups; (3) distributed artificial intelligence technologies will augment more traditional network management technologies to form the technological infrastructure of a virtually unattended network; and (4) a great effort is required to bring the current network technology levels for manned space communications up to the level needed for an automated fault tolerance Mars communications network.
The migration of contaminants to and between Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) surfaces reveals new information relevant to all future space missions. The surface of the LDEF satellite closely paralleled over seven meters of the shuttle during one launch and one reentry. Transfer of contaminants from the shuttle bay to the payload were documented and partially quantified for both the launch and recovery separately. LDEF carried a load of volatile silicones and hydrocarbons into orbit which were then polymerized by UV radiation into tough, dark brown stains on exposed surfaces. The distribution of these stains is providing new information on deposition mechanisms that should be studied on future missions. Electrostatic effects, diffusional flow, and effects due to small surface temperature differences at the time of UV exposure are suggested. The types of functional groups present in the LDEF deposit it nearly identical to stains recovered from other spacecraft. These stains were remarkably stable in low Earth orbit even with atomic oxygen exposure if the amount of silicones present was sufficient to create a sealing layer of silicon dioxide over the dark brown stain beneath.
Modification of surface texture for Ram Facing FEP Teflon on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) satellite is documented. Photos of changes in surface texture if thermal blanket material with position on tray C-08 are presented. Infrared spectra and photographic documentation of molecular film deposits on LDEF surfaces by location is reported. Results of a survey of the functional groups and elemental composition of the brown film found widely distributed on the surface of LDEF is shown. A partial photographic catalog of LDEF particulate contaminants is included. A set of photos of particles collected or photographed in place on the surface of LDEF is shown. Particle counts and surface obscuration data for the LDEF satellite are reported. The surface data in tables and charts is presented for the LDEF satellite by location.
Application of developments in imaging spectrometry to the study of terrestrial ecosystems, which began in 1983, demonstrate the potential to estimate lignin and nitrogen concentrations of plant canopies by remote-sensing techniques. Estimation of these parameters from the first principles of radiative transfer and the interactions of light with plant materials is not presently possible, principally because of lack of knowledge about internal leaf scattering and specific absorption involving biochemical compounds. From the perspective of remote-sensing instrumentation, sensors are needed to support derivative imaging spectroscopy. Biochemical absorption features tend to occur in functional groupings throughout the 1100- to 2500-nm region. Derivative spectroscopy improves the information associated with the weaker, narrower absorption features of biochemical absorption that are superimposed on the strong absolute variations due to foliar biomass, pigments, and leaf water content of plant canopies. Preliminary sensor specifications call for 8-nm bandwidths at 2-nm centers in four spectral regions (about 400 bands total) and a signal-to-noise performance of at least 1000:1 for 20 percent albedo targets in the 2000-nm region.
While establishing the basis for a 'Technology 2000' product plan several years ago we plugged in the usual factors contributing toward product success: price/performance justifiable; profitable, warranting high quality maintenance, enhancement, and specific property improvement; narrow inventory requirements; and raw material integrable backwards with easily variable properties (molecular weight, functionality, and isomer control). We resolved this by selecting radical functional, low molecular weight polybutadiene liquid polymers. Encouraged by the need for solid rocket binders, several companies embarked on various perceptions of binder performance requirements over four decades ago. Initially dominated by progress of liquid polysulfides, soon a few settled primarily upon polybutadiene based binders. Such an approach in a few instances was exploited quite viably with a series of functional group terminated liquid polybutadienes: hydroxyl, mercaptan, carboxyl, vinyl, and amine. Good results are obtained for oligomers, liquid polymers, and their hybrids. The only significant limits on compounded products has been solvent resistance and oxidative sensitivity, unless sufficient proportion of sulfide or nitrile moiety is incorporated. For convenience, they have been grouped under the trademarks Nylane, Seamax, Oligomax, and Castomax.