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Celestial Software Scratches More Than the Surface

While NASA is preparing to send humans back to the Moon by 2020 and then eventually to Mars, the average person can explore the landscapes of these celestial bodies much sooner, without the risk and training, and without even leaving the comfort of home. Geological data and imagery collected from NASA missions are enabling anybody with computer access to virtually follow the footsteps of Apollo astronauts who walked on the Moon or trace the tracks of the exploration rovers currently on Mars.

Source record↗

Scratching the Surface of Martian Habitability

Earth and Mars, though formed at the same time from the same materials, look very different today. Early in their histories they evolved through some of the same processes, but at some point their evolutionary paths diverged, sending them in perhaps irrevocably different directions. Knowledge of the factors that contributed to such different outcomes will help to determine how planets become habitable and how common habitable planets may be. The Mars surface environment is harsh today, but in situ measurements of ancient sedimentary rock by Mars Science Laboratory reveal chemical and mineralogical evidence of past conditions that might have been more favorable for life to exist. But chemistry is only part of what is required to make an environment habitable. Physical conditions constrain the chemical reactions that underlie life processes; the chemical and physical characteristics that make planets habitable are thus entangled.

Mars rover↗

Scratch resistant flexible transparent electrodes and methods for fabricating ultrathin metal films as electrodes

Systems and methods of fabricating electrodes, including thin metallic films, include depositing a first metallic layer on a substrate and passivating the deposited layer. The processes of deposition and passivation may be done sequentially. In some embodiments, a plurality of substrates may be coated with a metallic layer and further processed at a later time, including passivation and disposal of additional layers as discussed herein.

Ren, Zhifeng↗

Mathematics Integrated with Computer Science through Scratch: Curricular Modules for the Middle Grades

A project funded by the National Science Foundation, Computer Science Integrated with Mathematics in Middle Schools (CSIMMS) (DRL-1640039), brought middle-school mathematics teachers together with university computer science (CS) faculty and STEM education faculty to design, develop, and test curriculum modules in which CS is integrated into instruction for middle-school general-mathematics courses. The project developed integrated math/CS curriculum modules (for grades 6, 7, and 8), complete with student tasks and teacher materials to guide classroom implementation. Across the project, sixteen teachers from four middle schools representing different school contexts (both urban and suburban, serving students from a range of demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds) participated as members of the design team and trial testers of the math/CS modules. All modules underwent multiple years of testing and refinement, with extensive input from the teachers who co-designed and implemented them. Approximately 50-100 middle-school students participated in the classes of those who taught each year. The modules in this volume feature a range of models for integrating mathematics and computer science at the 6th and 7th grade levels. All modules foreground the teaching of grade-level mathematics content, with computer science functioning to motivate and/or reinforce these ideas.

Andrews larson, Christine↗

The Mars Environmental Compatibility Assessment MECA Abrasion Tool

The Mars Environmental Compatibility Assessment (MECA) experiment, an instrument suite to be flown on Mars Surveyor 2001, will include a tool for doing simple mineralogical scratch and streak tests on particles from the Martian regolith. The Abrasion Tool will be applied to particles that adhere to highly polished substrates of various hardnesses. Granular soil components will be subjected to a compressive force of about 3 N using a leaf spring. The spring will be applied with a paraffin actuator capable of a 0.76 mm throw to achieve a maximum displacement of about 7.5 mm at the tip of the tool. The pressure per grain will be dependent on the grain size, the number of grains that adhere to the substrate and the number of grains in compression. The pressure per particle is expected to be on the order of 100 MPa - 1 GPa. The MECA sample wheel containing the substrates will be rotated after the particles are placed in compression to produce scratches or pits. A primary goal of the Abrasion Tool is to identify quartz (Mohs' hardness = 7) using substrates of varying hardnesses. Quartz is considered hazardous to future human explorers of Mars because it can cause silicosis of the lungs if it is of respirable size. It is also hazardous to machinery, structures, and space suits because of its ability to abrade and scratch surfaces. Since large quantities of minerals harder than quartz are not expected, any scratches produced on polished quartz substrates might be reasonably attributed to quartz particles, although there may be minerals such as impact metamorphic diamond in the soils. Careful calibration of the tool will be necessary to ensure that grains are not overloaded; for example, a steel ball pressed into glass will produce a Hertzian fracture, even though it is softer than glass. Other minerals, such as magnetite (Mohs'hardness = 6.5) have been shown to scratch glass ceramics such as Zerodur (Mohs' hardness = 6.5). Thus, minerals can be differentiated: note that regardless of the mineral species, if any particle is harder than 6.5 it will certainly be an interesting discovery for both planetary geology and human exploration concerns. The scratches will be identified using the 6X optical microscope and profiled with the atomic force microscope included in the MECA instrument suite. Analysis of the scratch morphology will yield evidence concerning the shape of the particle responsible for producing each scratch. For example, angular grains should leave vertical cracks with microconchoidal lateral chipping, while rounded grains might leave chattermarks, or nested partial Hertzian cracks. Particle shape can thus be inferred from these indentation modes, as well as material hardness. In addition, particle size information may also be available if pits caused by rolling particles can be identified. Converse to scratching, the minerals may be crushed at their contact points, and be smeared onto the target substrates to leave what geologists refer to as "streaks". These are coldwelded trails of mineral material that have structure and color indicative of mineral composition. The AFM will determine the morphology of these streaks, while the microscope will ascertain the color. On the harder substrates, we might expect streaking to dominate; on the softer substrates, scratching may dominate. Progressions of material interactions across the substrate selection will be a valuable source of data for mineral discrimination. It should also be noted that many minerals have coatings (such as iron oxides), and these will have to be differentiated from the host mineral grains; laboratory tests will establish the effects of such coatings on the scratch results. Finally, we note that the microscope will provide corroborative data regarding likely mineral species by grain shapes, fracture patterns, surface textures, colr, and UV fluorescence reactions.

Kuhlman, K. R.↗

The Mars Environmental Compatibility Assessment (MECA) Abrasion Tool

The Mars Environmental Compatibility Assessment (MECA) experiment, an instrument suite to be flown on Mars Surveyor 2001, will include a tool for doing simple mineralogical scratch and streak tests on particles from the Martian regolith. The Abrasion Tool will be applied to particles that adhere themselves to highly polished substrates of various hardnesses. Granular soil components will be subjected to a compressive force of about 3 N using a leaf spring. The spring will be applied with a paraffin actuator capable of a 0.76 mm throw to achieve a maximum displacement of about 7.5 mm at the tip of the tool. The pressure per grain will be dependent on the grain size, the number of grains that adhere to the substrate and the number of grains in compression. The pressure per particle is expected to be on the order of 100 MPa - 1 GPa. The MECA sample wheel containing the substrates will be rotated after the particles are placed in compression to produce scratches or pits. A primary goal of the Abrasion Tool is to identify quartz (Mohs' hardness = 7) using substrates of varying hardnesses. Quartz is considered hazardous to future human explorers of Mars because it can cause silicosis of the lungs if it is of respirable size. It is also hazardous to machinery, structures, and space suits because of its ability to abrade and scratch surfaces. Since large quantities of minerals harder than quartz are not expected, any scratches produced on polished quartz substrates might be reasonably attributed to quartz particles, although there may be minerals such as impact metamorphic diamond in the soils. Careful calibration of the tool will be necessary to ensure that grains are not overloaded; for example, a steel ball pressed into glass will produce a Hertzian fracture, even though it is softer than glass. Other minerals, such as magnetite (Mohs' hardness = 6.5) have been shown to scratch glass ceramics such as Zerodur (Mohs' hardness = 6.5). Thus, minerals can be differentiated: note that regardless of the mineral species, if any particle is harder than 6.5 it will certainly be an interesting discovery for both planetary geology and human exploration concerns. The scratches will be identified using the 6X optical microscope and profiled with the atomic force microscope included in the MECA instrument suite. Analysis of the scratch morphology will yield evidence concerning the shape of the particle responsible for producing each scratch. For example, angular grains should leave vertical cracks with microconchoidal lateral chipping, while rounded grains might leave chatter marks, or nested partial Hertzian cracks. Particle shape can thus be inferred from these indentation modes, as well as material hardness. In addition, particle size information may also be available if pits caused by rolling particles can be identified. Converse to scratching, the minerals may be crushed at their contact points, and be smeared onto the target substrates to leave what geologists refer to as "streaks". These are cold-welded trails of mineral material that have structure and color indicative of mineral composition. The AFM will determine the morphology of these streaks, while the microscope will ascertain the color. On the harder substrates, we might expect streaking to dominate; on the softer substrates, scratching may dominate. Progressions of material interactions across the substrate selection will be a valuable source of data for mineral discrimination. It should also be noted that many minerals have coatings (such as iron oxides), and these will have to be differentiated from the host mineral grains; laboratory tests will establish the effects of such coatings on the scratch results. Finally, we note that the microscope will provide corroborative data regarding likely mineral species by grain shapes, fracture patterns, surface textures, color, and UV fluorescence reactions. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Kuhlman, K. R.↗

Lateral cracks during sliding indentation on various optical materials

A series of static and sliding indentation (ie, scratching) was performed and characterized on a wide range of optical workpiece materials [single crystals of Al 2 O 3 (sapphire), SiC, Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG), CaF 2 , and LiB 3 O 5 (LBO); a SiO 2 –Al 2 O 3 –P 2 O 5 –Li 2 O glass ceramic (Zerodur); and glasses of SiO 2 :TiO 2 (ULE), SiO 2 (fused silica), and P 2 O 5 –Al 2 O 3 –K 2 O–BaO (Phosphate)] at various applied loads using various indenters (Vickers, 10 µm conical, and 200 µm conical). Despite having different load dependencies, the lateral crack depth formed during sliding indentation quantitatively scales with that formed during static indentation, explaining why static indentation has been historically effective in describing various grinding parameters. Depending on the indenter geometry, the amount of residual trench damage (plastic deformation and local fracturing) during sliding indentation was often enhanced by more than an order of magnitude compared with static indentation. A simple ploughing scratch model, which considers both tangential and normal stresses (where the tangential stress is amplified by relatively small tangential contact area), explains this enhancement and other observed trends. Accounting for the high correlation between residual trench depth and volumetric fracturing, the model is extended to estimate the amount of fracture damage as a function of the material properties of the workpiece, indenter geometry, and applied load. Such a model has utility in the design of optimized grinding processes, particularly the abrasive geometry. Finally, at higher loads (>1 N), lateral cracks were often observed to preferentially propagate in the forward scratching direction, as opposed to perpendicular to the scratch as typically observed. High-speed imaging of the scratch process confirms that these cracks propagate ahead of the sliding indenter during the scratching event. Finite element stress analysis suggests the ploughing frictional forces increase the mode I tensile stresses at the leading edge of the sliding indenter explaining the direction of crack propagation of such cracks.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Multifunctional application of nanoscratch technique to characterize cementitious materials

This study aims to further explore the multifunctional applicability of nanoscratch technique to cementitious materials for comprehensive characterization. Based on the investigation of deformation, applied force, and fracture toughness of hardened cement paste during scratching, the methods of phase identification, fracture toughness of individual phase, and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) thickness quantification were proposed and discussed. After redefining the vertical loading rate of scratching, the slope of the square scratching depth vs. scratching length is recognized as a reliable parameter to distinguish the individual phases for the first time. A fracture toughness-based method is proposed to quantify the thickness of ITZ between clinker and hydrates. Meanwhile, the applicability of phase identification by the scratch method is discussed for different transverse scratching speeds and the vertical loading rates. The findings will benefit the investigation and mechanism understanding of cementitious materials at the microscale by utilizing nanoscratch technique.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electrical Arc Ignition Testing of Spacesuit Materials

A viewgraph presentation on electrical arc ignition testing of spacesuit materials is shown. The topics include: 1) Background; 2) Test Objectives; 3) Test Sample Materials; 4) Test Methods; 5) Scratch Test Objectives; 6) Cotton Scratch Test Video; 7) Scratch Test Results; 8) Entire Date Plot; 9) Closeup Data Plot; 10) Scratch Test Problems; 11) Poke Test Objectives; 12) Poke Test Results; 13) Poke Test Problems; 14) Wire-break Test Objectives; 15) Cotton Wire-Break Test Video; 16) High Speed Cotton Wire-break Test Video; 17) Typical Data Plot; 18) Closeup Data Plot; 19) Wire-break Test Results; 20) Wire-break Tests vs. Scratch Tests; 21) Urethane-coated Nylon; and 22) Moleskin.

Smith, Sarah↗

SURFACE FINISHING AND ELECTROLESS NICKEL PLATING OF ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED (AM) METAL COMPONENTS

This study investigates the application of electroless nickel deposition on additively manufactured stainless steel samples. Current additive manufacturing (AM) technologies produce metal components with a rough surface. Rough surfaces generally exhibit fatigue characteristics, increasing the probability of initiating a crack or fracture to the printed part. For this reason, the direct use of as-produced parts in a finished product cannot be actualized, which presents a challenge. Post-processing of the AM parts is therefore required to smoothen the surface. This study analyzes chempolish (CP) and electropolish (EP) surface finishing techniques for post-processing AM stainless steel components CP has a great advantage in creating uniform, smooth surfaces regardless of size or part geometry EP creates an extremely smooth surface, which reduces the surface roughness to the sub-micrometer level. In this study, we also investigate nickel deposition on EP, CP, and as-built AM components using electroless nickel solutions. Electroless nickel plating is a method of alloy treatment designed to increase manufactured component's hardness and surface resistance to the unrelenting environment. The electroless nickel plating process is more straightforward than its counterpart electroplating.. We use low-phosphorus (2-5% P), medium-phosphorus (6-9% P), and high-phosphorus (10-13% P). These Ni deposition experiments were optimized using the L9 Taguchi design of experiments (TDOE), which compromises the prosperous content in the solution, surface finish, plane of the geometry, and bath temperature. The pre-and post-processed surface of the AM parts was characterized by KEYENCE Digital MicroscopeVHX-7000 and Phenom XL Desktop SEM. The experimental results show that electroless nickel deposition produces uniform Ni coating on the additively manufactured components up to 20 μm per hour. Mechanical properties of as-built and Ni coated AM samples were analyzed by applying a standard 10 N scratch test. Nickel coated AM samples were up to two times scratch resistant compared to the as-built samples. This study suggests electroless nickel plating is a robust viable option for surface hardening and finishing AM components for various applications and operating conditions.

Keywords: additive manufacturing, fatigue, chempol↗

The effect of ion plated silver and sliding friction on tensile stress-induced cracking in aluminum oxide

A Hertzian analysis of the effect of sliding friction on contact stresses in alumina is used to predict the critical load for crack generation. The results for uncoated alumina and alumina coated with ion plated silver are compared. Friction coefficient inputs to the analysis are determined experimentally with a scratch test instrument employing an 0.2 mm radius diamond stylus. A series of scratches were made at constant load increments on coated and uncoated flat alumina surfaces. Critical loads for cracking are detected by microscopic examination of cross sections of scratches made at various loads and friction coefficients. Acoustic emission (AE) and friction trends were also evaluated as experimental techniques for determining critical loads for cracking. Analytical predictions correlate well with micrographic evidence and with the lowest load at which AE is detected in multiple scratch tests. Friction/load trends are not good indicators of early crack formation. Lubrication with silver films reduced friction and thereby increased the critical load for crack initiation in agreement with analytical predictions.

Sliney, Harold E.↗

The effect of ion-plated silver and sliding friction on tensile stress-induced cracking in aluminum oxide

A Hertzian analysis of the effect of sliding friction on contact stresses in alumina is used to predict the critical load for crack generation. The results for uncoated alumina and alumina coated with ion plated silver are compared. Friction coefficient inputs to the analysis are determined experimentally with a scratch test instrument employing an 0.2 mm radius diamond stylus. A series of scratches were made at constant load increments on coated and uncoated flat alumina surfaces. Critical loads for cracking are detected by microscopic examination of cross sections of scratches made at various loads and friction coefficients. Acoustic emission (AE) and friction trends were also evaluated as experimental techniques for determining critical loads for cracking. Analytical predictions correlate well with micrographic evidence and with the lowest load at which AE is detected in multiple scratch tests. Friction/load trends are not good indicators of early crack formation. Lubrication with silver films reduced friction and thereby increased the critical load for crack initiation in agreement with analytical predictions.

Sliney, Harold E.↗

Magnetically actuated tuning method for Gunn oscillators

A tunable microwave generator based on the Gunn effect is disclosed. The generator includes a semiconductor material which exhibits the Gunn effect when current flows between anode and cathode end contacts. The material has a plurality of sides each with a scratch at a different distance from the anode contact. A magnetic field is produced by a magnet placed about the semiconductor field. The Lorentz force produced as a function of the current flow and the magnetic field drive the electrons to the surface of one of the sides to cause nucleation to occur at the scratch. A domain formed thereat travels to the anode contact to provide pulses at a frequency which is related to the distance between the scratch and the anode contact.

Sacks, B. H.↗

The Effects of Shot and Laser Peening on Fatigue Life and Crack Growth in 2024 Aluminum Alloy and 4340 Steel

Fatigue and crack growth tests have been conducted on 4340 steel and 2024-T3 aluminum alloy, respectively, to assess the effects of shot peening on fatigue life and the effects of shot and laser peening on crack growth. Two current programs involving fixed and rotary-wing aircraft will not be using shot peened structures. Since the shot peening compressive residual stress depth is usually less than the 0.05-inch initial damage tolerance crack size, it is believed by some that shot peening should have no beneficial effects toward retarding crack growth. In this study cracks were initiated from an electronic-discharged machining flaw which was cycled to produce a fatigue crack of approximately 0.05-inches in length and then the specimens were peened. Test results showed that after peening the crack growth rates were noticeably slower when the cracks were fairly short for both the shot and laser peened specimens resulting in a crack growth life that was a factor of 2 to 4 times greater than the results of the average unpeened test. Once the cracks reached a length of approximately 0.1-inches the growth rates were about the same for the peened and unpeened specimens. Fatigue tests on 4340 steel showed that the endurance limit of a test specimen with a 0.002-inch-deep machining-like scratch was reduced by approximately 40 percent. However, if the "scratched" specimen was shot peened after inserting the scratch, the fatigue life returned to almost 100 percent of the unflawed specimens original fatigue life.

Everett, R. A., Jr.↗

Investigation and Mitigation of a Prominent Off-Axis Stray Light Path in Rubin Observatory Commissioning

The "scratched tape" stray light feature is the most prominent and prevalent stray light artifact identified during the commissioning of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The scratched tape feature originates when light from large off-axis angles (~20 deg) passes between the mid-level and center-section light baffles, reflects off the primary mirror, and illuminates the LSST Camera focal plane. This scenario represented an unobstructed stray light path to the sky during Rubin commissioning due to delays in the integration of the dome slit light-wind screen. This document describes the identification, modeling, characterization, and mitigation of the scratched tape stray light artifact.

Drlica-Wagner, Alex [Fermilab; Chicago U., Astron.↗