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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 397 records · Page 22

Code Assesses Risks Posed by Meteoroids and Orbital Debris

BUMPER II version 1.92e is a computer code for assessing the risk of damage from impacts of micrometeoroids and orbital debris on the International Space Station (ISS), including those parts of the ISS covered by shielding that affords partial protection against such impacts. (Other versions of BUMPER II have been written for other spacecraft.) Bumper II quantifies the probability of penetration of shielding and the damage to spacecraft equipment as functions of the size, shape, and orientation of the spacecraft; the parameters of its orbit; failure criteria that quantify impact damage at the threshold of failure for each spacecraft surface; and the impact-damage resistance of each spacecraft surface as defined by "ballistic limit equations" that return the size of a failure-causing particle as a function of target parameters (including materials, configurations, thicknesses, and gap distances) and impact conditions (impact velocity and the density and shape of the impactor). BUMPER II version 1.92e contains several dozen ballistic limit equations that are based on results from thousands of hypervelocity impact tests conducted by NASA on ISS shielding and other hardware, and on results from numerical simulations of impacts.

Christiansen, Eric L.↗

Simplified Models for the Study of Postbuckled Hat-Stiffened Composite Panels

The postbuckling response and failure of multistringer stiffened panels is analyzed using models with three levels of approximation. The first model uses a relatively coarse mesh to capture the global postbuckling response of a five-stringer panel. The second model can predict the nonlinear response as well as the debonding and crippling failure mechanisms in a single stringer compression specimen (SSCS). The third model consists of a simplified version of the SSCS that is designed to minimize the computational effort. The simplified model is well-suited to perform sensitivity analyses for studying the phenomena that lead to structural collapse. In particular, the simplified model is used to obtain a deeper understanding of the role played by geometric and material modeling parameters such as mesh size, inter-laminar strength, fracture toughness, and fracture mode mixity. Finally, a global/local damage analysis method is proposed in which a detailed local model is used to scan the global model to identify the locations that are most critical for damage tolerance.

Vescovini, Riccardo↗

Bump Bonding Using Metal-Coated Carbon Nanotubes

Bump bonding hybridization techniques use arrays of indium bumps to electrically and mechanically join two chips together. Surface-tension issues limit bump sizes to roughly as wide as they are high. Pitches are limited to 50 microns with bumps only 8-14 microns high on each wafer. A new process uses oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a metal (indium) in a wicking process using capillary actions to increase the aspect ratio and pitch density of the connections for bump bonding hybridizations. It merges the properties of the CNTs and the metal bumps, providing enhanced material performance parameters. By merging the bumps with narrow and long CNTs oriented in the vertical direction, higher aspect ratios can be obtained if the metal can be made to wick. Possible aspect ratios increase from 1:1 to 20:1 for most applications, and to 100:1 for some applications. Possible pitch density increases of a factor of 10 are possible. Standard capillary theory would not normally allow indium or most other metals to be drawn into the oriented CNTs, because they are non-wetting. However, capillary action can be induced through the ability to fabricate oriented CNT bundles to desired spacings, and the use of deposition techniques and temperature to control the size and mobility of the liquid metal streams and associated reservoirs. This hybridization of two technologies (indium bumps and CNTs) may also provide for some additional benefits such as improved thermal management and possible current density increases.

Lamb, James L.↗

Computational Process Modeling for Additive Manufacturing

Computational Process and Material Modeling of Powder Bed additive manufacturing of IN 718. Optimize material build parameters with reduced time and cost through modeling. Increase understanding of build properties. Increase reliability of builds. Decrease time to adoption of process for critical hardware. Potential to decrease post-build heat treatments. Conduct single-track and coupon builds at various build parameters. Record build parameter information and QM Meltpool data. Refine Applied Optimization powder bed AM process model using data. Report thermal modeling results. Conduct metallography of build samples. Calibrate STK models using metallography findings. Run STK models using AO thermal profiles and report STK modeling results. Validate modeling with additional build. Photodiode Intensity measurements highly linear with power input. Melt Pool Intensity highly correlated to Melt Pool Size. Melt Pool size and intensity increase with power. Applied Optimization will use data to develop powder bed additive manufacturing process model.

Bagg, Stacey↗

Elastic Constants of Solids and Fluids with Initial Pressure via a Unified Approach Based on Equations-of-State

The second and third-order Brugger elastic constants are obtained for liquids and ideal gases having an initial hydrostatic pressure p(sub 1). For liquids the second-order elastic constants are C(sub 11) = A + p(sub 1), C(sub 12) = A -- p(sub 1), and the third-order constants are C(sub 111) = --(B + 5A + 3p(sub 1)), C(sub 112) = --(B + A -- p(sub 1)), and C(sub 123) = A -- B -- p1, where A and B are the Beyer expansion coefficients in the liquid equation of state. For ideal gases the second order constants are C(sub 11) = p(sub 1)gamma + p9sub 1), C(sub 12) = p(sub 1)gamma -- p(sub 1), and the third-order constants are C(sub 111) = p(sub 1)(gamma(2) + 4gamma + 3), C(sub 112) = --p(sub 1)(gamma(2) -- 1), and C(sub 123) = --p(sub 1) (gamma(2) -- 2gamma + 1), where gamma is the ratio of specific heats. The inequality of C(sub 11) and C(sub 12) results in a nonzero shear constant C(sub 44) = (1/2)(C(sub 11) C(sub 12)) = p(sub 1) for both liquids and gases. For water at standard temperature and pressure the ratio of terms p1/A contributing to the second-order constants is approximately 4.3 x 10(-5). For atmospheric gases the ratio of corresponding terms is approximately 0.7. Analytical expressions that include initial stresses are derived for the material 'nonlinearity parameters' associated with harmonic generation and acoustoelasticity for fluids and solids of arbitrary crystal symmetry. The expressions are used to validate the relationships for the elastic constants of fluids.

Cantrell, John H.↗

Computational Process Modeling for Additive Manufacturing (OSU)

Powder-Bed Additive Manufacturing (AM) through Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) or Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is being used by NASA and the Aerospace industry to "print" parts that traditionally are very complex, high cost, or long schedule lead items. The process spreads a thin layer of metal powder over a build platform, then melts the powder in a series of welds in a desired shape. The next layer of powder is applied, and the process is repeated until layer-by-layer, a very complex part can be built. This reduces cost and schedule by eliminating very complex tooling and processes traditionally used in aerospace component manufacturing. To use the process to print end-use items, NASA seeks to understand SLM material well enough to develop a method of qualifying parts for space flight operation. Traditionally, a new material process takes many years and high investment to generate statistical databases and experiential knowledge, but computational modeling can truncate the schedule and cost -many experiments can be run quickly in a model, which would take years and a high material cost to run empirically. This project seeks to optimize material build parameters with reduced time and cost through modeling.

Bagg, Stacey↗

Characterization of DBD Plasma Actuators Performance Without External Flow - Part I: Thrust-Voltage Quadratic Relationship in Logarithmic Space for Sinusoidal Excitation

Results of characterization of Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma actuators without external flow are presented. The results include aerodynamic and electric performance of the actuators without external flow for different geometrical parameters, dielectric materials and applied voltage level and wave form.

Dielectric Barrier Discharge↗

Active Turbine Tip Clearance Control Trade Space Analysis of an Advanced Geared Turbofan Engine

Tip clearance within the high pressure turbine of a gas turbine engine is a significant factor in engine performance and efficiency. In the pursuit of higher efficiency, aero-engine designs are migrating toward compact gas turbine (CGT) technology that seeks to increase the bypass ratio of the gas turbine engine without increasing the size of the fan, which is constrained by its underwing location. The reduced size of CGTs invoke concern over increased sensitivity of engine performance due to turbine tip clearance gap that makes an argument for advanced tip clearance mitigation and control techniques to be employed. This paper evaluates the tip clearance trade space for a conceptual geared turbofan engine with a CGT core. This is accomplished through a modeling and simulation approach that includes a sensitivity analysis of engine performance in response to high pressure turbine tip clearance as well as an evaluation of the sensitivity of tip clearance to various design parameters, including material properties and component cooling characteristics. Also included is a parametric study of actuators that provides preliminary requirements for implementation of active turbine tip clearance control actuation systems. The results produced from these studies are meant to be informative, with special emphasis on the demonstration of a systematic approach. The modeling approach appears to capture expected trends. The studies suggest that the tip clearance gap will have a greater impact on the new CGT engines and that a relatively slow, actively controlled actuation system may be sufficient as long as it has control authority to both open and close the tip clearance gap.

tip clearance control↗

High Performance InGaAs/GaAs Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors

By increasing the quantum well barrier width, incorporating spacer layers between the contacts and the multi quantum well region, and optimizing the materials growth parameters, we have dramatically reduced the dark current by many orders of magnitude and thereby significantly increased the detectivity.

spacer↗

Robust Metal Additive Manufacturing Process Selection and Development for Aerospace Components

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a generic term that captures a variety of fabrication techniques. Each of these manufacturing process has unique advantages, applications for use, and challenges. The most common AM processes in use include Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) and Directed Energy Deposition (DED) as well as many solid state processes. While detailed research has been conducted among many of the processes including parameters and material properties, navigating which processes are best to select is difficult as it is based on component requirements. The focus of this presentation is to provide an overview of considerations for each of metal AM process selection for aerospace components based on various attributes. These attributes include geometric considerations, metallurgical characteristics, cost basis, post-processing and maturity of the processes. The data for these trade selections are based on studies that NASA as performed internally and with academic and industry partners. These studies include multiple AM build experiments to evaluate (1) geometric variations and constraints within the processes, (2) alloy characterization and mechanical testing, (3) pathfinder component development and hotfire evaluations, and (4) certification approaches. This presentation summarizes these results and meant to introduce various considerations when designing a metal AM component.

Additive Manufacturing↗

The Application of Remote Sensing using NASA Earth Observations paired with Sociodemographic Indicators to Identify Communities Most Susceptible to Urban Heat Exposure in Austin, Texas

In recent years, Austin, Texas has experienced an increase in population and urban development. Additionally, the City’s climate—already characterized by periods of extreme heat and drought—continues to change. As temperatures and demand for utilities and cooling resources rise, the number of heat-related deaths and illnesses in socially vulnerable populations (e.g., older, lower-income populations) is expected to increase. The City of Austin, The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health) partnered with NASA DEVELOP to examine the distribution of urban heat throughout the City. This project used land surface temperature, greenness, plant water content, and urban surface material analysis parameters derived from NASA Earth observations from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), Landsat 8 Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS), and Aqua and Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The project team produced three different indices to create a spatial analysis for the study area including a social vulnerability index (SoVI), heat exposure index (HEI), and an overall heat priority index (HPI) score. This overall score was determined with a weighted analysis of heat-related environmental variables from NASA Earth observations and socioeconomic data from the 2019 American Community Survey. Based on the HPI score, the project team identified 121 census block groups out of 605 total that are designated as being most at risk of adverse impacts from extreme heat events. To test the sensitivity of the HPI, the team used a Monte Carlo analysis using different approaches for geographic scale, variable inclusion, census uncertainty, and index aggregation. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the resulting HPI score showed the metric was consistent with the baseline HPI. This provided increased confidence the score can be used as a tool to make informed infrastructure improvement plans in targeted areas (e.g., siting of cooling centers) and ensure equitable sustainable development.

Ryan Hammock↗

Metal Additive Manufacturing Process Selection and Development for Propulsion Components

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a generic term that captures a variety of fabrication processes. Each of these manufacturing process has unique advantages and challenges for use in aerospace propulsion applications. The most commonly used AM processes include Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), Directed Energy Deposition (DED), and solid-state processes as in Cold Spray, Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing, and Additive Friction Stir Deposition. While detailed research has been conducted among many of the AM processes to mature processing parameters and material properties, navigating which processes are best to select is difficult as it is based on specific component requirements. The focus of this presentation is to provide an overview of considerations for each of metal AM process selection for aerospace components based on various key attributes. These key attributes include geometric considerations, metallurgical characteristics, cost basis, post-processing and maturity of the processes. The data for these trade selections are based on studies that NASA as performed internally and with academic and industry partners. These studies include multiple AM build experiments to evaluate (1) geometric variations and constraints within the processes, (2) alloy characterization and mechanical testing, (3) pathfinder component development and hot-fire evaluations, and (4) certification approaches. This presentation summarizes these results and is meant to introduce specific examples which show what to consider when designing a metal AM component for aerospace propulsion applications.

Additive Manufacturing↗

Metal Additive Manufacturing Process Selection and Development Lifecycle for Propulsion Components

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a generic term that captures a variety of fabrication processes. Each of these manufacturing process has unique advantages and challenges for use in aerospace propulsion applications. The most commonly used AM processes include Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), Directed Energy Deposition (DED), and solid-state processes as in Cold Spray, Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing, and Additive Friction Stir Deposition. While detailed research has been conducted among many of the AM processes to mature processing parameters and material properties, navigating which processes are best to select is difficult as it is based on specific component requirements. The focus of this presentation is to provide an overview of considerations for each of metal AM process selection for aerospace components based on various key attributes. These key attributes include geometric considerations, metallurgical characteristics, cost basis, post-processing and maturity of the processes. The data for these trade selections are based on studies that NASA as performed internally and with academic and industry partners. These studies include multiple AM build experiments to evaluate (1) geometric variations and constraints within the processes, (2) alloy characterization and mechanical testing, (3) pathfinder component development and hot-fire evaluations, and (4) certification approaches. This presentation summarizes these results and is meant to introduce specific examples which show what to consider when designing a metal AM component for aerospace propulsion applications.

Paul Gradl↗

Method Development for Experimental Characterization of Dynamic Strength of Aluminum Structures

Space Flight Hardware (SFH) experiences intense vibratory loading during flight, which only lasts a few minutes. When determining the appropriate size of these components to withstand such loading without becoming damaged (plastically deforming or breaking), standard design practice is to assume that the peak dynamic loads are applied statically. In doing so, the resulting stress is compared against a material strength parameter obtained from a quasi-static experiment. Since the near-peak stresses are only experienced over a small fraction of time in reality, this approach leads to design conservatism that unnecessarily increases structural mass as well as the associated inefficiency and financial cost. In an effort to modernize engineering design standards to appropriately consider the higher practical strength of dynamically loaded structures, this overarching research project seeks to develop an experimental test procedure for quantifying the dynamic strength of metallic alloys as a function of excitation frequency. In the ideal case, the characterization test would include an in-situ method for monitoring the onset and progression of plastic deformation of the test specimen undergoing vibratory loading. These new tests are designed to be high intensity (forcing amplitude), short term (60 seconds at full amplitude), and cyclic in nature (sinusoidal excitation via attached stinger to an otherwise cantilevered beam). In addition, the initial metallic alloy under investigation is 6061 aluminum, due to its wide use and applicability for SFH. Thus far, the most promising monitoring method under development with live-capacity is to track hysteresis behavior of the beam from power dissipation trends, calculated via force (from transducer on excitation stinger) and velocity (measurements from Laser Doppler Vibrometer) data and work to distinguish between elastic and plastic features. As a key component of this ongoing method development, any pseudo-live indication of plasticity can be corroborated against the outcome of a pre-post assessment of damage via macroscopic evaluation of beam geometry (i.e. assessing any permanent change in the beam’s tip deflection). Support for experimental design decisions as well as dynamic strength data from tests with excitation frequencies of 10, 40, and 55 Hz will be discussed. This work contributes to the foundation for a new type of vibration-based characterization experiments and generates initial data on the functional strength of 6061 aluminum under the conditions considered. Keywords: vibrations, plastic deformation, aluminum

vibrations↗

Method Development for Experimental Characterization of Dynamic Strength of Aluminum Structures

Space Flight Hardware (SFH) experiences intense vibratory loading during flight, which only lasts a few minutes. When determining the appropriate size of these components to withstand such loading without becoming damaged, standard design practice is to assume that the peak dynamic loads are applied statically. In doing so, the resulting stress is compared against a material strength parameter obtained from a quasi-static experiment. Since the near-peak stresses are only experienced over a small fraction of time in reality, this approach leads to design conservatism that unnecessarily increases structural mass as well as the associated inefficiency and financial cost. In an effort to modernize engineering design standards to appropriately consider the higher practical strength of dynamically loaded structures, this overarching research project seeks to develop an experimental test procedure for quantifying the dynamic strength of metallic alloys as a function of excitation frequency. In the ideal case, the characterization test would include an in-situ method for monitoring the onset and progression of plastic deformation of the test specimen undergoing vibratory loading. These new tests are designed to be high intensity (forcing amplitude), short term (60 seconds at full amplitude), and cyclic in nature (sinusoidal excitation via attached stinger to an otherwise cantilevered beam). In addition, the initial alloy under investigation is 6061 aluminum, due to its wide use and applicability for SFH. Thus far, the primary candidate under development with live-capacity is to track hysteresis behavior of the beam from power dissipation trends, calculated via force (from transducer on excitation stinger) and velocity (measurements from Laser Doppler Vibrometer) data and work to distinguish between elastic and plastic features. As a key component of this ongoing method development, any pseudo-live indication of plasticity could be corroborated against the outcome of a pre-post assessment of damage via macroscopic evaluation of beam geometry (i.e. assessing any permanent change in the beam’s tip deflection). Support for experimental design decisions as well as dynamic strength data from tests with excitation frequencies of 10, 40, and 55 Hz will be discussed. This work contributes to the foundation for a new type of vibration-based characterization experiments and generates initial data on the functional strength of 6061 aluminum under the conditions considered.

vibrations, plastic deformation, aluminum, testing↗

Pulsed eddy current testing

Since a large number of the procedures used for inspecting the external tank are concerned with determining flaws in welds, there is a need to develop an inspection technique, which can be automated, to determine flaws in welds and structures with complex geometries. Techniques whereby an eddy current is generated in a metallic material and the changes in the circuit parameters due to material differences are observed, were chosen as one possible approach. Pulsed eddy current and its relationship to multifrequency techniques is discussed as well as some preliminary results obtained from observing pulsed waveforms with apparatus and algorithms currently in use for ultrasonic testing of welds. It can be shown the pulsed eddy current techniques can provide similar results, can eliminate some of the noncritical parameters affecting the eddy current signals, and can facilitate in the detection of critical parameter such as flaws, subsurface voids, and corrosion.

Workman, G. L.↗