Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “anisotropic materials”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 361 records · Page 20

Deformation modeling and constitutive modeling for anisotropic superalloys

A study of deformation mechanisms in the single crystal superalloy PWA 1480 was conducted. Monotonic and cyclic tests were conducted from 20 to 1093 C. Both (001) and near-(123) crystals were tested, at strain rates of 0.5 and 50 percent/minute. The deformation behavior could be grouped into two temperature regimes: low temperatures, below 760 C; and high temperatures, above 820 to 950 C depending on the strain rate. At low temperatures, the mechanical behavior was very anisotropic. An orientation dependent CRSS, a tension-compression asymmetry, and anisotropic strain hardening were all observed. The material was deformed by planar octahedral slip. The anisotropic properties were correlated with the ease of cube cross-slip, as well as the number of active slip systems. At high temperatures, the material was isotropic, and deformed by homogeneous gamma by-pass. It was found that the temperature dependence of the formation of superlattice-intrinsic stacking faults was responsible for the local minimum in the CRSS of this alloy at 400 C. It was proposed that the cube cross-slip process must be reversible. This was used to explain the reversible tension-compression asymmetry, and was used to study models of cross-slip. As a result, the cross-slip model proposed by Paidar, Pope and Vitek was found to be consistent with the proposed slip reversibility. The results were related to anisotropic viscoplastic constitutive models. The model proposed by Walter and Jordan was found to be capable of modeling all aspects of the material anisotropy. Temperature and strain rate boundaries for the model were proposed, and guidelines for numerical experiments were proposed.

Milligan, Walter W.↗

Maximum Entropy Theory of Multiscale Coarse-Graining via Matching Thermodynamic Forces: Application to a Molecular Crystal (TATB)

The MSCG/FM (multiscale coarse-graining via force-matching) approach is an efficient supervised machine learning method to develop microscopically informed coarse-grained (CG) models. Here we present a theory based on the principle of maximum entropy (PME) enveloping the existing MSCG/FM approaches. This theory views the MSCG/FM method as a special case of matching the thermodynamic forces from the extended ensemble described by the set of thermodynamic (relevant) system coordinates. This set may include CG coordinates, the stress tensor, applied external fields, and so forth, and may be characterized by nonequilibrium conditions. Following the presentation of the theory, we discuss the consistent matching of both bonded and nonbonded interactions. The proposed PME formulation is used as a starting point to extend the MSCG/FM method to the constant strain ensemble, which together with the explicit matching of the bonded forces is better suited for coarse-graining anisotropic media at a submolecular resolution. The theory is demonstrated by performing the fine coarse-graining of crystalline 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB), a well-known insensitive molecular energetic material, which exhibits highly anisotropic mechanical properties.

1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene↗

Effect of charge and anisotropic diffusivity on ion exchange kinetics in nuclear waste form materials

Motifs of radionuclide absorption particles (absorbers or fillers) for the nuclear waste treatment usually have crystal structures with nano-sized tunnels for fast ion diffusion. On the other hand, the accumulation of ions generates an electric field which affects the ion diffusion. Therefore, the strong anisotropic kinetic properties and the electric field affect ion exchange kinetics, especially in an assembly of these particles which may block the fast diffusion tunnels for each other. In this work, we developed a mesoscale model to describe the effect of anisotropic kinetic properties and electric field on ion exchange kinetics. With the model we simulated the effect of anisotropic diffusivity, electrochemical potential, particle morphology, size and aggregation on ion exchange kinetics during batch experiments. Here, tt is found that 1) ion exchange results in charge accumulation inside the particle because different ions have different diffusivities and different diffusion driving forces. The electric neutrality is not preserved; 2) the electric field speeds up the slower diffusion ions (either uptake or release) and slows down the faster diffusion ions to reduce charge accumulation and maintains charge neutrality; 3) the ion exchange becomes very slow at the later stages because a) diffusion driving force (electrochemical gradient, Cs + concentration in the solution and Na + inside the particle) continuously decreases, as observed in batch experiments; and b) the diffusivity decreases due to the Cs + concentration dependence of ion diffusivity. This can explain the observed experimental phenomena that the radionuclide capacity usually cannot be reached; 4) for needle-like particle and their clusters, both surface area and diffusion distance along the direction with the fastest diffusivities have significant impact on the ion exchange kinetics.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Determining elastic anisotropy of textured polycrystals using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

Abstract Polycrystalline materials can have complex anisotropic properties depending on their crystallographic texture and crystal structure. In this study, we use resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) to nondestructively quantify the elastic anisotropy in extruded aluminum alloy 1100-O, an inherently low-anisotropy material. Further, we show that RUS can be used to indirectly provide a description of the material’s texture, which in the present case is found to be transversely isotropic. By determining the entire elastic tensor, we can identify the level and orientation of the anisotropy originated during extrusion. The relative anisotropy of the compressive (c 11 /c 33 ) and shear (c 44 /c 66 ) elastic constants is 1.5% ± 0.5% and 5.7% ± 0.5%, respectively, where the elastic constants (five independent elastic constants for transversely isotropic) are those associated with the extrusion axis that defines the symmetry of the texture. These results indicate that the texture is expected to have transversely isotropic symmetry. This finding is confirmed by two additional approaches. First, we confirm elastic constants and the degree of elastic anisotropy by direct sound velocity measurements using ultrasonic pulse echo. Second, neutron diffraction (ND) data confirm the symmetry of the bulk texture consistent with extrusion-induced anisotropy, and polycrystal elasticity simulations using the elastic self-consistent model with input from ND textures and aluminum single-crystal elastic constants render similar levels of polycrystal elastic anisotropy to those measured by RUS. We demonstrate the ability of RUS to detect texture-induced anisotropy in inherently low-anisotropy materials. Therefore, as many other common materials have intrinsically higher elastic anisotropy, this technique should be applicable for similar levels of texture, providing an efficient general diagnostic and characterization tool.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Failure Study of Composite Materials by the Yeh-Stratton Criterion

The newly developed Yeh-Stratton (Y-S) Strength Criterion was used to study the failure of composite materials with central holes and normal cracks. To evaluate the interaction parameters for the Y-S failure theory, it is necessary to perform several biaxial loading tests. However, it is indisputable that the inhomogeneous and anisotropic nature of composite materials have made their own contribution to the complication of the biaxial testing problem. To avoid the difficulties of performing many biaxial tests and still consider the effects of the interaction term in the Y-S Criterion, a simple modification of the Y-S Criterion was developed. The preliminary predictions by the modified Y-S Criterion were relatively conservative compared to the testing data. Thus, the modified Y-S Criterion could be used as a design tool. To further understand the composite failure problem, an investigation of the damage zone in front of the crack tip coupled with the Y-S Criterion is imperative.

Yeh, Hsien-Yang↗

Low-power anisotropic molecular electronic memristors

A molecular electronic memristor, programmable resistive memory device, promises to revolutionize next-generation flexible data storage units, offering fast, dense and ultralow power solutions. Here we report anisotropic resistive switching in molecular κ-(BEDT-TTF) 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]Cl memristors, consisting of alternatively segregated bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) and Cu[N(CN) 2 ]Cl layers. Electron resistance switching behavior controlled by charge tunneling in molecular memristors show a low set voltage of 0.5 V (10 V/cm) with the ON/OFF ratio of 2.3×10 3 along a-axis and a high-level endurance of 1.25×10 4 cycles along all axes. Finally, the findings of such molecular electronic crystals promise for low-power data storage memristors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spreading resistance effects in tunneling spectroscopy of α–RuCl 3 and Ir 0.5 Ru 0.5 Cl 3

The Mott insulating state is the progenitor of many interesting quantum phases of matter including the famous high-temperature superconductors and quantum spin liquids. A recent candidate for novel spin liquid phenomena is α–RuCl 3 , a layered honeycomb Mott insulator whose electronic structure has been a source of mystery. In particular, scanning tunneling spectroscopy has indicated a Mott gap in α–RuCl 3 that is much lower than the 2-eV value observed in photoemission measurements. Here, we show that the origin of this discrepancy is a spreading resistance artifact associated with tunneling into highly resistive materials by comparing with prior experiments and numerical modeling. Furthermore, a similar phenomenon is also observed in a substitutional alloy, Ir 0.5 Ru 0.5 Cl 3 , that has a higher resistivity than the parent compound. While the tunneling measurements cannot be used to accurately measure the sample density of states for these materials, we can take advantage of the spreading resistance sensitivity to quantify the anisotropic resistivity of these layered materials and connect to previous macroscopic transport observations.

2-dimensional systems↗

Numerical Evaluation of Mode 1 Stress Intensity Factor as a Function of Material Orientation For BX-265 Foam Insulation Material

Foam; a cellular material, is found all around us. Bone and cork are examples of biological cell materials. Many forms of man-made foam have found practical applications as insulating materials. NASA uses the BX-265 foam insulation material on the external tank (ET) for the Space Shuttle. This is a type of Spray-on Foam Insulation (SOFI), similar to the material used to insulate attics in residential construction. This foam material is a good insulator and is very lightweight, making it suitable for space applications. Breakup of segments of this foam insulation on the shuttle ET impacting the shuttle thermal protection tiles during liftoff is believed to have caused the space shuttle Columbia failure during re-entry. NASA engineers are very interested in understanding the processes that govern the breakup/fracture of this complex material from the shuttle ET. The foam is anisotropic in nature and the required stress and fracture mechanics analysis must include the effects of the direction dependence on material properties. Material testing at NASA MSFC has indicated that the foam can be modeled as a transversely isotropic material. As a first step toward understanding the fracture mechanics of this material, we present a general theoretical and numerical framework for computing stress intensity factors (SIFs), under mixed-mode loading conditions, taking into account the material anisotropy. We present mode I SIFs for middle tension - M(T) - test specimens, using 3D finite element stress analysis (ANSYS) and FRANC3D fracture analysis software, developed by the Cornel1 Fracture Group. Mode I SIF values are presented for a range of foam material orientations. Also, NASA has recorded the failure load for various M(T) specimens. For a linear analysis, the mode I SIF will scale with the far-field load. This allows us to numerically estimate the mode I fracture toughness for this material. The results represent a quantitative basis for evaluating the strength and fracture properties of anisotropic foam insulation material.

Knudsen, Erik↗

Autonomous materials discovery driven by Gaussian process regression with inhomogeneous measurement noise and anisotropic kernels

Abstract A majority of experimental disciplines face the challenge of exploring large and high-dimensional parameter spaces in search of new scientific discoveries. Materials science is no exception; the wide variety of synthesis, processing, and environmental conditions that influence material properties gives rise to particularly vast parameter spaces. Recent advances have led to an increase in the efficiency of materials discovery by increasingly automating the exploration processes. Methods for autonomous experimentation have become more sophisticated recently, allowing for multi-dimensional parameter spaces to be explored efficiently and with minimal human intervention, thereby liberating the scientists to focus on interpretations and big-picture decisions. Gaussian process regression (GPR) techniques have emerged as the method of choice for steering many classes of experiments. We have recently demonstrated the positive impact of GPR-driven decision-making algorithms on autonomously-steered experiments at a synchrotron beamline. However, due to the complexity of the experiments, GPR often cannot be used in its most basic form, but rather has to be tuned to account for the special requirements of the experiments. Two requirements seem to be of particular importance, namely inhomogeneous measurement noise (input-dependent or non-i.i.d.) and anisotropic kernel functions, which are the two concepts that we tackle in this paper. Our synthetic and experimental tests demonstrate the importance of both concepts for experiments in materials science and the benefits that result from including them in the autonomous decision-making process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Surface Reflectance of Mars Observed by CRISM-MRO: 1. Multi-angle Approach for Retrieval of Surface Reflectance from CRISM Observations (mars-reco)

This article addresses the correction for aerosol effects in near-simultaneous multiangle observations acquired by the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. In the targeted mode, CRISM senses the surface of Mars using 11 viewing angles, which allow it to provide unique information on the scattering properties of surface materials. In order to retrieve these data, however, appropriate strategies must be used to compensate the signal sensed by CRISM for aerosol contribution. This correction is particularly challenging as the photometric curve of these suspended particles is often correlated with the also anisotropic photometric curve of materials at the surface. This article puts forward an innovative radiative transfer based method named Multi-angle Approach for Retrieval of Surface Reflectance from CRISM Observations (MARS-ReCO). The proposed method retrieves photometric curves of surface materials in reflectance units after removing aerosol contribution. MARS-ReCO represents a substantial improvement regarding previous techniques as it takes into consideration the anisotropy of the surface, thus providing more realistic surface products. Furthermore, MARS-ReCO is fast and provides error bars on the retrieved surface reflectance. The validity and accuracy of MARS-ReCO is explored in a sensitivity analysis based on realistic synthetic data. According to experiments, MARS-ReCO provides accurate results (up to 10 reflectance error) under favorable acquisition conditions. In the companion article, photometric properties of Martian materials are retrieved using MARS-ReCO and validated using in situ measurements acquired during the Mars Exploration Rovers mission.

CRISM/MRO↗

Uniform Whole Wafer Anisotropic Etching of Structural Ta Thin Films

Tantalum (Ta) has promise as a structural material for micromechanical sensors and actuators. Anisotropic etching of alpha (α) phase Ta is required for micromachining applications. Uniform thickness and etch across a full wafer are desirable features. An experimental investigation is conducted to study plasma etching rate and anisotropy in etching α -Ta in relation to pressure and gas flow ratio. A comparatively low toxicity gas, carbon tetrafluoride (CF4), and argon (Ar) are used. Spectrometry by optical emission spectrometry (OES) and residual gas analysis (RGA) are employed to characterize the plasma to gain insight into the etch mechanisms. At low flow, the etch rate is slow due to an inadequate supply of the etching gas, CF4. The etch rate is also slowed at high flow due to a reduced CF4 residence time. Flow and pressure conditions to achieve a good etch rate and vertical sidewalls are identified and explained by means of a full factorial experiment coupled with emission spectra. Finally, with these conditions, uniform etching of 2.5 μm thick α-Ta across a 4-inch wafer is demonstrated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Highly Anisotropic Quasi‐Direct Organic Metal Halide Hybrids: A Platform for Polarization‐Sensitive Optoelectronics

Low-dimensional organic–inorganic metal halide hybrids (OMHHs) exhibit remarkable optical properties and enhanced environmental stability. We investigate a 1D OMHH with formula C 4 N 2 H 14 PbBr 4 , consisting of Pb–Br chains separated by organic cations, which shows a large Stokes shift (0.83 eV) and broadband emission. Through first-principles calculations and polarized Raman spectroscopy, we characterize the material's vibrational properties and identify the specific phonon modes that drive exciton self-trapping. Our novel GW/Bethe-Salpeter equation force formalism reveals that low-frequency phonons (∼ 100 cm −1 , primarily involving Pb–Br motions) couple strongly with excitons, with a remarkably high Huang-Rhys factor of 137 ± 4, and gives a pathway for ultrafast structural analysis during the absorption process. This phonon-exciton coupling mechanism explains the material's broadband emission and provides a pathway for controlling optical properties through vibrations and for tuning vibrations through optical excitations. The material also exhibits highly anisotropic optical properties and electronic transport, with bands that are dispersive along the Pb–Br chains but nearly flat in perpendicular directions, resulting in direction-dependent electrical conductivity that is calculated to be an order of magnitude higher along the chain direction and consistent with measurements. These combined properties make this system an excellent platform for polarization-sensitive optoelectronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Deformation and stress response of composite laminated shells under internal pressure

This paper presents a theoretical study of the response of filament wound composite shells under internal pressure. Each layer of the material is generally cylindrically anisotropic. By using cylindrically anisotropic elasticity field equations and Lekhnitskii's stress functions, a system of sixth-order ordinary differential equations is obtained. The general expressions for the stresses and displacements in the laminated composite shells under internal pressure are discussed. Two composite systems, graphite/epoxy and glass/epoxy, are selected to demonstrate the influence of degree of material anisotropy and fiber orientations on the axial and induced twisting deformation. Stress distributions of (45/-45)s symmetric angle-ply fiber-reinforced laminated shells are shown to illustrate the effect of radius-to-thickness ratio.

Yuan, F. G.↗

On-Demand Aligned DNA Hydrogel Via Light Scanning

DNA is an anisotropic, water-attracting, and biocompatible material, an ideal building block for hydrogel. The alignment of the anisotropic DNA chains is essential to maximize hydrogel properties, which has been little explored. Here, we present a method to fabricate the anisotropic DNA hydrogel that allows precise control for the polymerization process of photoreactive cationic monomers. Scanning ultraviolet light enables the uniaxial alignment of DNA chains through the polymerization-induced diffusive mass flow using a concentration gradient. In conclusion, while studying anisotropic mechanical properties and orientation recovery according to the DNA chain alignment direction, we demonstrate the potential of directionally controlled DNA hydrogels as smart materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Anisotropic Two-Dimensional Disordered Wigner Solid

The interplay between the Fermi sea anisotropy, electron-electron interaction, and localization phenomena can give rise to exotic many-body phases. An exciting example is an anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) Wigner solid (WS), where electrons form an ordered array with an anisotropic lattice structure. Such a state has eluded experiments up to now as its realization is extremely demanding: First, a WS entails very low densities where the Coulomb interaction dominates over the kinetic (Fermi) energy. Attaining such low densities while keeping the disorder low is very challenging. Second, the low-density requirement has to be fulfilled in a material that hosts an anisotropic Fermi sea. Here, we report transport measurements in a clean (low-disorder) 2D electron system with anisotropic effective mass and Fermi sea. The data reveal that at extremely low electron densities, when the r s parameter, the ratio of the Coulomb to the Fermi energy, exceeds ≃ 38, the current-voltage characteristics become strongly nonlinear at small dc biases. Several key features of the nonlinear characteristics, including their anisotropic voltage thresholds, are consistent with the formation of a disordered, anisotropic WS pinned by the ubiquitous disorder potential.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The preliminary feasibility of intercalated graphite railgun armatures

Graphite intercalation compounds may provide an excellent material for the fabrication of electromagnetic railgun armatures. As a pulse of power is fed into the armature the intercalate could be excited into the plasma state around the edges of the armature, while the bulk of the current would be carried through the graphite block. Such an armature would have both diffuse plasma armatures and bulk conduction armatures. In addition, the highly anisotropic nature of these materials could enable the electrical and thermal conductivity to be tailored to meet the specific requirements of electromagnetic railgun armatures. Preliminary investigations have been performed in an attempt to determine the feasibility of using graphite intercalation compounds as railgun armatures. Issues of fabrication, resistivity, stability, and electrical current spreading have been addressed for the case of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite.

Gaier, James R.↗

Feasibility of intercalated graphite railgun armatures

Graphite intercalation compounds may provide an excellent material for the fabrication of electro-magnetic railgun armatures. As a pulse of power is fed into the armature the intercalate could be excited into the plasma state around the edges of the armature, while the bulk of the current would be carried through the graphite block. Such an armature would have the desirable characteristics of both diffuse plasma armatures and bulk conduction armatures. In addition, the highly anisotropic nature of these materials could enable the electrical and thermal conductivity to be tailored to meet the specific requirements of electromagnetic railgun armatures. Preliminary investigations were performed in an attempt to determine the feasibility of using graphite intercalation compounds as railgun armatures. Issues of fabrication, resistivity, stability, and electrical current spreading are addressed for the case of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite.

Gaier, James R.↗

Lamb Wave Response of Fatigued Composite Samples

Composite materials are being more widely used today by aerospace, automotive, sports equipment, and a number of other commercial industries because of their advantages over conventional metals. Composites have a high strength-to-weight ratio and can be constructed to meet specific design needs. Composite structures are already in use in secondary parts of the Douglas MD-11 and are planned to be used in the new MD-12X. Plans also exist for their use in primary and secondary structures on the Boeing 777. Douglas proposed MD-XX may also incorporate composite materials into primary structures such as the wings and tail. Use of composites in these structures offers weight savings, corrosion resistance, and improved aerodynamics. Additionally, composites have been used to repair cracks in many B-1Bs where traditional repair techniques were not very effective. Plans have also been made to reinforce all of the remaining B-1s with composite materials. Verification of the structural integrity of composite components is needed to insure safe operation of these aerospace vehicles. One aspect of the use of these composites is their response to fatigue. To track this progression of fatigue in aerospace structures, a convenient method to nondestructively monitor this damage needs to be developed. Traditional NDE techniques used on metals are not easily adaptable to composites due to the inhomogeneous and anisotropic nature of these materials. Finding an effective means of nondestructively monitoring fatigue damage is extremely important to the safety and reliability of such structures. Lamb waves offer one method of evaluating these composite materials. As a material is fatigued, the modulus degrades. Since the Lamb wave velocity can be related to the modulus of the material, an effective tool can be developed to monitor fatigue damage in composites by measuring the velocity of these waves. In this work, preliminary studies have been conducted which monitor fatigue damage in composite samples using strain gage measurements as well as Lamb wave velocity measurements. A description of the test samples is followed by the results of two different measurements of Lamb wave velocity. The first technique is a contact measurement done at a single frequency, while the second involves an immersion study of Lamb waves in which dispersion curves are obtained. The results of the Lamb wave monitoring of fatigue damage is compared to the damage progression measured by strain gages. The final section discusses the results and conclusions.

Seale, Michael↗