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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 307 records · Page 17
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NASA NTRS1995

JTEC monograph on biodegradable polymers and plastics in Japan: Research, development, and applications

A fact-finding team of American scientists and engineers visited Japan to assess the status of research and development and applications in biodegradable polymers. The visit was sponsored by the National Science Foundation and industry. In Japan, the team met with representatives of 31 universities, government ministries and institutes, companies, and associations. Japan's national program on biodegradable polymers and plastics evaluates new technologies, testing methods, and potential markets for biodegradables. The program is coordinated by the Biodegradable Plastics Society of Japan, which seeks to achieve world leadership in biodegradable polymer technology and identify commercial opportunities for exploiting this technology. The team saw no major new technology breakthroughs. Japanese scientists and engineers are focusing on natural polymers from renewable resources, synthetic polymers, and bacterially-produced polymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(amino acids), and polysaccharides. The major polymers receiving attention are the Zeneca PHBV copolymers, Biopol(registered trademark), poly(lactic acid) from several sources, polycaprolactone, and the new synthetic polyester, Bionolle(registered trademark), from Showa High Polymer. In their present state of development, these polymers all have major deficiencies that inhibit their acceptance for large-scale applications.

Lenz, Robert W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Composite Of Bisfuran/Bismaleimide With Graphite Fibers

Composite-material specimens made of graphite fibers and matrix composed of experimental copolymer of bismaleimide and bisfuran. Found to have mechanical and thermal properties comparable or superior to those of similar composite-material specimens. Candidates for use as lightweight structural components to replace metal components in high-temperature aircraft applications. Bismaleimides used widely for other purposes because of low cost and ease in fabrication. Mechanical properties equal or exceed those of composite made with commercial formulation.

Meador, Mary Ann B.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Oligonucleotides as probes for studying polymerization reactions in dilute aqueous solution. 2: Polycondensations

We have prepared a (P-32)-labeled oligonucleotide probe carrying a ureido (-NH-CO-NH2) function at its 3'-terminus. This labeled oligomer was used to study polycondensations of urea and formaldehyde and of various phenols and formaldehyde in aqueous solution. The formation of formaldehyde copolymers attached to the amido-function of the probe was monitored by gel electrophoresis. Our results are generally in agreement with those obtained using conventional techniques. Our method is suitable for monitoring potentially prebiotic polycondensation reactions involving formaldehyde.

Kolb, Vera↗
NASA NTRS1981

Flammability and Photo-Stability of Selected Polymer Systems

A systematic approach to the improvement of the flammability of epoxy resins, bisphenol-A polycarbonate poly(butylene terephthalate), and Nylon 6.6 by introducing halogens and loop functionality into the flame retardants is described. The phthalides (the loop functionality containing molecules) include 3,3-bis(4-bromophenyl)-phthalide, 3,3-bis(4-chlorophenyl)phthalide, and phenolphthalein. The phthalide containing epoxy resins are synthesized and characterized in comparison with the bisphenol-A epoxy resins in terms of flammability in the copolymer systems. The resins include diglycidyl ethers of phenolphthalein, bisphenol-A. tetrabromobisphenol-A, and tetraoromophenolphthalein. The vaporization of the phthalide additive in the polymers is observed in Thermal Gravimetric Analysis. The flame retardancy is primarily due to the presence of halogens. In the poly(butylene terephthalate) system, the cleavage of the C(sub aromatic) -B bond of the flame retardant additive enhances the crosslinking react ions between the aromatic rings resulting in an increase of char formation. In the epoxy resin systems, loop functionality contributes to char formation to a larger extent. The interaction between the epoxy resin and poly-(butylene terephthalate) follows the mechanism of insertion of the oxirane ring into the ester bond. This mechanism is studied by FT-IR. The investigation of the thermal properties of the char-forming phenol-formaldehyde resins is conducted to provide information for the systematic design of high temperature flame-resistant phenolics. NMR and FT-IR are used to characterize the oligomeric resins and the cured resins. The curing agents used in the study include formaldehyde, s-trioxane and terephthaloyl chloride. The brominated phenolic resins are found to have higher oxygen indices with lower char yields.

Lo, Jeelin↗
NASA NTRS1994

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of Argon-Plasma-Treated Fluoropolymers

Films of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) and of a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (approximately 49:1) copolymer (PFA) were exposed to a radio-frequency argon plasma and then examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The use of fluoropolymer films nearly free of surface hydrocarbon contamination as well as the use of a monochromatized X-ray source for XPS removed two factors contributing to conflicting reports on the effect of exposure time on the fluorine-to-carbon (F/C) and oxygen-to-carbon (O/C) ratios for several Ar-plasma-treated fluoropolymers. Contrary to literature indications, a common pattern was found for PTFE and PFA: a moderate decrease in F/C ratio (from 1.99 to 1.40, and from 1.97 to 1.57, respectively), together with a moderate increase in O/C ratio (from negligible to about 0.10, and from 0.012 to about O.10, respectively) at very short exposures, after which the F/C ratios remained essentially constant on prolonged exposures, while the O/C ratios for PTFE and PFA leveled off at 0.11 and 0.15, respectively. The XPS C(sub 1s), spectra for these polymers exposed to the Ar plasma for 20 min were similar and presented, besides a prominent peak at 292.0 eV (CF2,) and a minor peak at 294.0 or 294.1 eV (CF3), a composite band of four curve-resolved peaks (approximately 285-290 eV) representing various CH, CC, CO, CN, and CF functionalities.

Golub, Morton A.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Three-Dimensional Polybenzobisoxazoles and Polybenzobisthiazoles

Due to the poor compressive strength properties of high performance liquid crystalline polymers such as polybenzobisoxazoles (PBOs) and polybenzobisthiazoles (PBTs), we have prepared homopolymers and copolymers with PBO and PBT pendant groups on a central star-like unit, 2.7-diamino-9,9'-bis(4-aminophenyl)fluorene, in order to improve upon their compressive strength properties. The fluorene moiety was prepared by the reaction of 2,7-dinitro-9-fluorene with aniline and aniline hydrochloride, followed by reduction with palladium on carbon. The central star-like unit was characterized by FTIR, FTNMR, and elemental analysis. The PBO and PBT pendant groups were synthesized by the polycondensation of 4,6-diaminoresorcinol dihydrochloride with terephthaloyl chloride and 2,5-diamino-1,4-benzendithiol dihydrochloride with terephthaloyl chloride in poly(phosphoric acid), respectively. The resulting linear polymers containing the dicarboxylic end groups were attached to the central star-like unit by refluxing with 2,7-diamino-9,9'-bis(4-aminophenyl) fluorene to give the star-like polymers. The star-like PBO and PBT were soluble in methanesulfonic acid. Further characterization of the polymers is ongoing.

Bray, M.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Flexible Pipes-Permeation of Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Water Through Tefzel ETFE: Experiments 1996

The permeation of a mixture of CH4 and CO2 (97% CH4 and 3% CO2) saturated with water vapour through Tefzel has been studied at 950 C and 25 and 50 bars. Tefzel is the Du Pont trademark of an ETFE (ethylenetetrafluorethylene) which is a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluorethylene. This material might be used as inner plastic lining of flexible pipes. For methane and carbon dioxide, the permeability of Tefzel is higher than the deplasticized PVDF (Polyvinylidenefluoride), but lower than the plasticized PVDF. For water, the situation seems to be the other way round; Tefzel has a lower permeability than deplasticized PVDF. Whether the permeability tests on Tefzel at higher temperatures and pressures will be pursued or not, will be considered by the steering committee of the CAPP project in May.

Wang, Per Arne↗
NASA NTRS1994

Chemical Analyses

As a preliminary study on the effects of chemical aging of polymer materials MERL and TRI have examined two polymeric materials that are typically used for offshore umbilical applications. These two materials were Tefzel, a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene, and Coflon, polyvinylidene fluoride. The Coflon specimens were cut from pipe sections and exposed to H2S at various temperatures and pressures. One of these specimens was tested for methane permeation, and another for H2S permeation. The Tefzel specimens were cut from .05 mm sheet stock material and were exposed to methanol at elevated temperature and pressure. One of these specimens was exposed to methanol permeation for 2 days at 100 C and 2500 psi. An additional specimen was exposed to liquid methanol for 3 days at 150 C and 15 Bar. Virgin specimens of each material were similarly prepared and tested.

Bulluck, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Diamines Containing Pendent Phenylethynyl Groups

Controlled molecular weight imide oligomers and co-oligomers containing pendent phenylethynyl groups (PEPIs) and endcapped with nonreactive or phenylethynyl groups have been prepared by the cyclodehydration of the precursor amide acid oligomers or co-oligomers containing pendent phenylethynyl groups and endcapped with nonreactive or phenylethynyl groups. The amine terminated amide acid oligomers or co-oligomers are prepared from the reaction of dianhydride(s) with an excess of diamine(s) and diamine containing pendent phenylethynyl groups and subsequently endcapped with a phenylethynyl phthalic anhydride or monofunctional anhydride. The anhydride terminated amide acid oligomers and co-oligomers are prepared from the reaction of diamine(s) and diamine containing pendent phenylethynyl group(s) with an excess of dianhydride(s) and subsequently endcapped with a phenylethynyl amine or monofunctional amine. The polymerizations are carried out in polar aprotic solvents such as and N,N-dimethylacetamide under nitrogen at room temperature. The amide acid oligomers or co-oligomers are subsequently cyclodehydrated either thermally or chemically to the corresponding imide oligomers. The polymers and copolymers prepared from these materials exhibit a unique and unexpected combination of properties that includes higher glass transition temperatures after curing and higher retention of neat resin, adhesive and carbon fiber reinforced mechanical properties at temperatures up to 204 C under wet conditions without sacrificing melt flow behavior and processability as compared to similar materials. These materials are useful as adhesives, coatings, films, moldings, and composite matrices.

Connell, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Tough, Soluble, Aromatic, Thermoplastic Copolyimides

Tough, soluble, aromatic, thermoplastic copolyimides were prepared by reacting 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride, 3,4,3',4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 3,4'-oxydianiline. These copolyimides were found to be soluble in common amide solvents such as N,N'-dimethyl acetamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone, and dimethylformamide allowing them to be applied as the fully imidized copolymer and to be used to prepare a wide range of articles.

Bryant, Robert G.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Evaluation of Low Earth Orbit Environmental Effects on International Space Station Thermal Control Materials

Samples of International Space Station (ISS) thermal control coatings were exposed to simulated low Earth orbit (LEO) environmental conditions to determine effects on optical properties. In one test, samples of the white paint coating Z-93P were coated with outgassed products from Tefzel(R) (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer) power cable insulation as-may occur on ISS. These samples were then exposed, along with an uncontaminated Z-93P witness sample, to vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation to determine solar absorptance degradation. The Z-93P samples coated with Tefzel(R) outgassing products experienced greater increases in solar absorptance than witness samples not coated with Tefzel(R) outgassing products. In another test, samples of second surface silvered Teflon(R) FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), SiO. (where x=2)-coated silvered Teflon(R) FEP, and Z-93P witness samples were exposed to the combined environments of atomic oxygen and VLTV radiation to determine optical properties changes due to these simulated ISS environmental effects. This test verified the durability of these materials in the absence of contaminants.

Dever, Joyce A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Copolyimides Prepared from 3,4'-Oxydianiline and 1,3-Bis(3-Aminophenoxy) Benzene with 3,3', 4,4'-Biphenylcarboxylic Dianhydride

Polyimide copolymers were prepared by reacting different ratios of 3,4'-oxydianiline (ODA) and 1,3-bis(3- aminophenoxy)benzene (APB) with 3,3',4,4'- biphenylcarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and endcappfng with an effective amount of a non-reactive endcapper. Within a narrow ratio of diamines, from -50% ODA/50% APB to -95% ODA/5% APB, the copolyimides prepared with BPDA have a unique combination of properties that make them very attractive for various applications. This unique combination of properties includes low pressure processing (200 psi and below), long term melt stability (several hours at 390 C.), improved toughness, improved solvent resistance, improved adhesive properties, and improved composite mechanical properties.

Jensen, Brian J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Novel Techniques for Millimeter-Wave Packages

A new millimeter-wave package architecture with supporting electrical, mechanical and material science experiment and analysis is presented. This package is well suited for discrete devices, monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMIC's) and multichip module (MCM) applications. It has low-loss wide-band RF transitions which are necessary to overcome manufacturing tolerances leading to lower per unit cost Potential applications of this new packaging architecture which go beyond the standard requirements of device protection include integration of antennas, compatibility to photonic networks and direct transitions to waveguide systems. Techniques for electromagnetic analysis, thermal control and hermetic sealing were explored. Three dimensional electromagnetic analysis was performed using a finite difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm and experimentally verified for millimeter-wave package input and output transitions. New multi-material system concepts (AlN, Cu, and diamond thin films) which allow excellent surface finishes to be achieved with enhanced thermal management have been investigated. A new approach utilizing block copolymer coatings was employed to hermetically seal packages which met MIL STD-883.

Herman, Martin I.↗
NASA NTRS1999

New RTM/RI Resins for the HSCT

In the first portion of this work, 1,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1,2-bis[4-(dimethylhydroxysilyl)phenoxy]cyclobutane and 1,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1,2-bis[3-(dimethylhydroxysilyl)phenoxy]cyclobutane were prepared and homopolymerized to afford polymers with excellent thermal stability and Tgs of 27 C and -12 C, respectively. Despite the moderately high wt% of fluorin in the polymer structure (23.8%), these polymers had poor fuel resistance. In fact, swelling measurements indicate that these polymers had apparent solubility parameters of about 18.2 J (exp 1/2) m (exp -3/2) (toluene). Copolymerization of the disilanol monomers with fluorosilicone monomers afforded copolymers containing 20-30 wt% of the perfluorocyclobutane-containing structure displayed adequate fuel resistance, enhanced thermal stability, and a Tg low enough to meet the requirements of a High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) fuel tank sealant. In the second part of this work, trifluorovinylether-terminated oligomers were prepared and polymerized via cyclodimerization. Initially, an alpha, omega-silanol-terminated fluorosilicone was endcapped with trifluorovinylether end groups via a two-step synthetic sequence. The oligomer was thermally cyclodimerized to a polymer that displayed thermal stability similar to that of a fluorosilicone homopolymer. Second, 1,3-bis[4-trifluorovinyl(oxy)phenyl]-1,3-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)dimethyldisiloxane and 1,3-bis{3-trifluorovinyl(oxy)phenyl]-1,3-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)dimethyldisiloxane were prepared and cyclodimerized to afford polymers that contained pendant trifluoropropyl groups. The pendant trifluoropropyl groups did enhance solvent resistance in aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents, however, no improvement was observed in aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. These polymers also displayed excellent thermal stability. In the last part of this work, a series of monomers was prepared by the DCC-promoted esterification of 4-[trifluorovinyl(oxy)benzoic acid with alpha, omega-functionalized hydrogenated and partially fluorinated alcohols. The monomers were cyclodimerized to the corresponding polymers. The polymers that did not contain beta hydrogens displayed significantly higher thermal stability than the fully hydrogenated polymers. A commercially-available alpha,omega-hydroxy-terminated perfluoropolyether was then functionalized with 4-[trifluorovinyl(oxy)benzoylchloride. An attempt was made to polymerize the resulting oligomer via the cyclodimerization of the terminal trifluorovinylether moieties. Although the viscosity of the oligomer increased significantly during polymerization, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analysis revealed that the Tetrahydrofuran (THF) soluble portion of the polymer did not have high molecular weight.

Harris, Frank W.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Synthesis of Polymers Containing Covalently Bonded NLO Chromophores

Polymers containing covalently bonded nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores are expected to possess special properties such as greater stability, better mechanical processing, and easier film formation than their non-polymeric equivalent. For the present work, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was selected as the basic polymer unit on which to incorporate different NLO chromophores. The NLO components were variations of DIVA {[2-methoxyphenyl methylidene]-propanedinitrile} which we prepared from vanillin derivatives and malononitrile. These were esterified with methacrylic acid and polymerized either directly or with methyl methacrylate to form homopolymers or copolymers respectively. Characterization of the polymers and NLO property studies are underway.

Denga, Xiao-Hua↗
NASA NTRS2000

Search for Extraterrestrial Origin of Atmospheric Trace Molecules Radio Sub-MM Observations During The Leonids

HCN is a minor constituent of the Earth atmosphere, with a typical volume mixing ratio around 10(exp -10) HCN per air molecule. At present, the main source of HCN in the lower atmosphere is expected to be biomass burning. The atmospheric HCN has been observed since 1981, first in the infrared, then at microwave radio frequencies. Globally, above 30 km, HCN measurements are in excess of model predictions based on standard photochemistry and biomass burning as the only HCN source. This excess has been explained by: 1) ion-catalyzed reactions in the entire stratosphere, involving CH.3CN as a precursor and/or 2) a high altitude source as a result of chemical production from the methyl radical CH3, or from injection or production by meteors. HCN is a minor constituent of cometary ices. HCN polymers or copolymers have been suggested as constituents of cometary refractory organic matter, and would thus be present in the incoming meteoroids, if these polymers survived their stay in interplanetary space after ejection. HCN may also be created from the CN radical decomposition product of organic carbon, after reaction with hydrogen-bearing molecules. To test the hypothesis of HCN input by meteoroids or the formation in the upper atmosphere from meteoric ablation products, we decided to monitor the HCN submillimeter lines around a major shower: the Leonids.

Depois, D.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Combinatorial Optimization of Heterogeneous Catalysts Used in the Growth of Carbon Nanotubes

Libraries of liquid-phase catalyst precursor solutions were printed onto iridium-coated silicon substrates and evaluated for their effectiveness in catalyzing the growth of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The catalyst precursor solutions were composed of inorganic salts and a removable tri-block copolymer (EO)20(PO)70(EO)20 (EO = ethylene oxide, PO = propylene oxide) structure-directing agent (SDA), dissolved in ethanol/methanol mixtures. Sample libraries were quickly assayed using scanning electron microscopy after CVD growth to identify active catalysts and CVD conditions. Composition libraries and focus libraries were then constructed around the active spots identified in the discovery libraries to understand how catalyst precursor composition affects the yield, density, and quality of the nanotubes. Successful implementation of combinatorial optimization methods in the development of highly active, carbon nanotube catalysts is demonstrated, as well as the identification of catalyst formulations that lead to varying densities and shapes of aligned nanotube towers.

Cassell, Alan M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

A Hybrid Actuation System Demonstrating Significantly Enhanced Electromechanical Performance

A hybrid actuation system (HYBAS) utilizing advantages of a combination of electromechanical responses of an electroactive polymer (EAP), an electrostrictive copolymer, and an electroactive ceramic single crystal, PZN-PT single crystal, has been developed. The system employs the contribution of the actuation elements cooperatively and exhibits a significantly enhanced electromechanical performance compared to the performances of the device made of each constituting material, the electroactive polymer or the ceramic single crystal, individually. The theoretical modeling of the performances of the HYBAS is in good agreement with experimental observation. The consistence between the theoretical modeling and experimental test make the design concept an effective route for the development of high performance actuating devices for many applications. The theoretical modeling, fabrication of the HYBAS and the initial experimental results will be presented and discussed.

Su, Ji↗