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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Relation of morphology of electrodeposited zinc to ion concentration profile

The morphology of electrodeposited zinc was studied with special attention to the ion concentration profile. The initial concentrations were 9M hydroxide ion and 1.21M zincate. Current densities were 6.4 to 64 mA/sq cm. Experiments were run with a horizontal cathode which was observed in situ using a microscope. The morphology of the zinc deposit was found to be a function of time as well as current density; roughly, the log of the transition time from mossy to large crystalline type deposit is inversely proportional to current density. Probe electrodes indicated that the electrolyte in the cathode chamber was mixed by self inducted convection. However, relatively large concentration gradients of the involved species existed across the boundary layer of the cathode. Analysis of the data suggests that the morphology converts from mossy to large crystalline when the hydroxide activity on the cathode surface exceeds about 12 M. Other experiments show that the pulse discharge technique had no effect on the morphology in the system where the bulk concentration of the electrolyte was kept homogeneous via self induced convection.

May, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Electrodeposition applications for the Space Shuttle Main Engine

Electrodeposition processes play a key role in the fabrication and in-service performance of the Space Shuttle Main Engine. Applications range from the electroforming of the main combustion chamber to the deposition of high-purity copper or gold for hydrogen embrittlement protection of susceptible materials of construction, or nickel for mechanical protection of foam insulated propellant ducts. Techniques for controlling electrolyte purity, verification of deposit integrity, and deposit profile and thickness are reported. The use of in-situ techniques (cell-plating) for localized plating and repair of damaged substrate materials are summarized.

Otousa, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Electrodeposition in microgravity: Ground-based experiments

Electrodeposition was studied at one-hundreth g and compared with bench studies at 1 g. The low gravity was achieved during KC-135 aircraft parobolic flights. Flow in a simple cobalt cell (1 M CoSO4) operating under typical commercial conditions (10 to 20 mA/sq cm and 1 V) was monitored with a Schlieren optical system. Natural convection was absent at one-hundreth g. Quantitative comparisons on a cobalt cell with shielded electrodes using interferometry were carried out. Fringe shift differences indicate greater semi-infinite linear diffusion at 1 g than at one-hundreth g for cobalt. Since a shielded electrode operates under diffusion controlled conditions, no differences between 1 g and one-hundreth g would be expected. Similar comparisons on a shielded electrode copper cell were inconclusive. Bench codeposition experiments using polystyrene neutral buoyancy particles coupled with a shielded electrode cobalt cell were begun. Tracking of 12 micron particles showed no measurable difference between thermal/Brownian motion when the cell was operational or nonoperational. Initial experiments on codeposition quality showed a strong dependence upon cathode surface preparation in a shielded electrode configuration.

Riley, C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Covering Cavities by Electrodeposition

Reworking technique allows complex surfaces to be reshaped. Contours of large machined parts reworked quickly and inexpensively by electrodeposition and machining, with little risk of damage. Reworking method employs simple, reliable, well-known procedures.

Schmeets, M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Phase partitioning, crystal growth, electrodeposition and cosmic ray experiments in microgravity

Five experiments are contained in one Get Away Special Canister (5 cu ft). The first utilizes microgravity to separate biological cells and to study the mechanism of phase partitioning in 12 separate cuvettes. Two experiments are designed to grow organic crystals by physical vapor transport. One experiment consists of eight electroplating cells with various chemicals to produce surfaces electroplated in microgravity. Some of the surfaces have micron sized particles of hard materials co-deposited during electrodeposition. The fifth experiment intercepts cosmic ray particles and records their paths on photographic emulsions. The first four experiments are controlled by an on-board C-MOS controller. The fifth experiment is totally passive. These are the first in Space. Their purpose is to create new commercial products with microgravity processing.

Wessling, Francis C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Making Fuel-Cell Electrodes By Electrodeposition

Electrodes for direct oxidation of methanol in fuel cells fabricated in process involving room-temperature electro-chemical deposition of platinum-alloy catalysts on commercially available high-surface-area carbon support structures containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Process takes 30 to 50 minutes and results in electrodes catalytically active as prepared; no need for additional activation step. Composition of catalytic platinum alloy and sizes of particles in catalytic layers on electrodes varied by changing operating conditions during electrodeposition; process affords additional flexibility in design of electrocatalysts.

Narayanan, Sekharipuram R.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Electrodeposited CuInSe2 Thin Film Junctions

We have investigated thin films and junctions based on copper indium diselenide (CIS) which have been grown by electrochemical deposition. CIS is a leading candidate for use in polycrystalline thin film photovoltaic solar cells. Electrodeposition is a cost-effective method for producing thin-film CIS. We have produced both p and n type CIS thin films from the same aqueous solution by simply varying the deposition potential. A CIS pn junction was deposited using a step-function potential. Stoichiometry of the single layer films was determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Carrier densities of these films increased with deviation from stoichiometry, as determined by the capacitance versus voltage dependence of Schottky contacts. Optical bandgaps for the single layer films as determined by transmission spectroscopy were also found to increase with deviation from stoichiometry. Rectifying current versus voltage characteristics were demonstrated for the Schottky barriers and for the pn junction.

Raffaelle, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Electrodeposited CulnSe2 Thin Film Junctions

We have investigated thin films and junctions based on copper indium diselenide (CIS) which have been grown by electrochemical deposition. CIS is a leading candidate for use in polycrystalline thin film photovoltaic solar cells. Electrodeposition is a cost-effective method for producing thin-film CIS. We have produced both p and n type CIS thin films from the same aqueous solution by simply varying the deposition potential. A CIS pn junction was deposited using a step-function potential. Stoichiometry of the single layer films was determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Carrier densities of these films increased with deviation from stoichiometry, as determined by the capacitance versus voltage dependence of Schottky contacts. Optical bandgaps for the single layer films as determined by transmission spectroscopy were also found to increase with deviation from stoichiometry. Rectifying current versus voltage characteristics were demonstrated for the Schottky barriers and for the pn junction.

Raffaelle, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Optimization of Aluminum Anodization Conditions for the Fabrication of Nanowires by Electrodeposition

Anodized alumina nanotemplates have a variety of potential applications in the development of nanotechnology. Alumina nanotemplates are formed by oxidizing aluminum film in an electrolyte solution.During anodization, aluminum oxidizes, and, under the proper conditions, nanometer-sized pores develop. A series of experiments was conducted to determine the optimal conditions for anodization. Three-micrometer thick aluminum films on silicon and silicon oxide substrates were anodized using constant voltages of 13-25 V. 0.1-0.3M oxalic acid was used as the electrolyte. The anodization time was found to increase and the overshooting current decreased as both the voltage and the electrolyte concentrations were decreased. The samples were observed under a scanning electron microscope. Anodizing with 25V in 0.3M oxalic acid appears to be the best process conditions. The alumina nanotemplates are being used to fabricate nanowires by electrodeposition. The current-voltage characteristics of copper nanowires have also been studied.

Fucsko, Viola↗
NASA NTRS2002

Effects of annealing electrodeposited bismuth Telluride films

Thermoelectric thin films exhibit different qualities when compared with bulk materials. The goal however is to achieve thermoelectric properties of bulk materials from electrodeposited thin films. Thin films are produced by electrochemical deposition at room temperature. In order to optimize thermoelectric figure of merit proper carrierconcentration must be obtained.

thermoelectric power generation segmented↗
NASA NTRS2013

Systems and Methods for the Electrodeposition of a Nickel-cobalt Alloy

Systems and methods for electrodepositing a nickel-cobalt alloy using a rotating cylinder electrode assembly with a plating surface and an electrical contact. The assembly is placed within a plating bath and rotated while running a plating cycle. Nickel-cobalt alloy deposition is selectively controlled by controlling current density distribution and/or cobalt content in the plating bath while running the plating cycle to deposit an alloy of a desired yield strength onto the plating surface in a single plating cycle. In various embodiments, the rotating cylinder may be used as an insitu monitoring method to assist in obtaining the properties desired.

Ogozalek, Nance Jo↗