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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 433 records · Page 24
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

All high Tc edge-geometry weak links utilizing Y-Ba-Cu-O barrier layers

High quality YBa2Cu3O(7-x) normal-metal/YBa2Cu3O(7-x) edge-geometry weak links have been fabricated using nonsuperconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O barrier layers deposited by laser ablation at reduced growth temperatures. Devices incorporating 25-100 A thick barrier layers exhibit current-voltage characteristics consistent with the resistively shunted junction model, with strong microwave and magnetic field response at temperatures up to 85 K. The critical currents vary exponentially with barrier thickness, and the resistances scale linearly with Y-Ba-Cu-O interlayer thickness and device area, indicating good barrier uniformity, with an effective mormal metal coherence length of 20 A.

Hunt, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Emerging polyheterocyclic films, coatings and resins - Thermoplastic polyquinolines

The processing and performance characteristics of a soluble, thermoplastic polyquinoline suggest its utility in a variety of high performance applications. The polymer is characterized by excellent thermal and oxidative stability, very low moisture absorption, good mechanical properties, very low dielectric constant, and an unusually low thermal expansion coefficient. This polymer, designated PQ-100 (TM), can be cast into strong, transparent, free standing films from common solvents. Coatings of variable thickness can be spin-coated on to silicon and other surfaces. After processing into films, PQ-100 (TM) can be rendered insoluble in a wide range of solvents using a proprietary process. The low CTE contributes to very low residual stress when the polymer is spin-coated onto silicon wafers. PQ-100 (TM) is currently under evaluation for use as an interlayer dielectric substrate in high-density interconnect applications, including multichip modules. Many of the characteristics of the polymer also suggest its utility as a high-performance film and as a matrix resin for specialty composite applications.

Hendricks, Neil H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

All-YBa2Cu3O(7-x) edge-geometry weak links

High quality YBa2Cu3O(7-x)/normal-metal/YBa2Cu3O(7-x) edge-geometry weak links are fabricated using nonsuperconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O barrier layers deposited by laser ablation at reduced growth temperatures. Devices incorporating 25-100-A-thick barrier layers exhibit current-voltage characteristics consistent with the resistively-shunted-junction model, as well as ac Josephson steps. Magnetic field modulation of the critical currents shows Fraunhofer-like behavior with a periodicity which scales with device area. The critical currents vary exponentially with barrier thickness indicating an effective normal metal coherence length of 20 A. The average resistances scale linearly with Y-Ba-Cu-O interlayer thickness and device area. The scaling behavior of the device parameters combined with the well-behaved magnetic field modulation of the critical currents demonstrates good barrier-layer uniformity with low pinhole densities. Near the transition temperature, the critical currents exhibit a temperature dependence proportional to (1 - T/Tc) squared.

Hunt, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Energetics and structural properties of twist grain boundaries in Cu

Structural and energetics properties of atoms near a grain boundary are of great importance from theoretical and experimental standpoints. From various experimental work it is concluded that diffusion at low temperatures at polycrystalline materials take place near grain boundary. Experimental and theoretical results also indicate changes of up to 70 percent in physical properties near a grain boundary. The Embedded Atom Method (EAM) calculations on structural properties of Au twist grain boundaries are in quite good agreement with their experimental counterparts. The EAM is believed to predict reliable values for the single vacancy formation energy as well as migration energy. However, it is not clear whether the EAM functions which are fitted to the bulk properties of a perfect crystalline solid can produce reliable results on grain boundaries. One of the objectives of this work is to construct the EAM functions for Cu and use them in conjunction with the molecular static simulation to study structures and energetics of atoms near twist grain boundaries in Cu. This provides tests of the EAM functions near a grain boundary. In particular, we determine structure, single vacancy formation energy, migration energy, single vacancy activation energy, and interlayer spacing as a function of distance from grain boundary. Our results are compared with the available experimental and theoretical results from grain boundaries and bulk.

Karimi, Majid↗
NASA NTRS1992

Damage tolerance of a composite sandwich with interleaved foam core

A composite sandwich panel consisting of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) skins and a syntactic foam core was selected as an appropriate structural concept for the design of wind tunnel compressor blades. Interleaving of the core with tough interlayers was done to prevent core cracking and to improve damage tolerance of the sandwich. Simply supported sandwich beam specimens were subjected to low-velocity drop-weight impacts as well as high velocity ballistic impacts. The performance of the interleaved core sandwich panels was characterized by localized skin damage and minor cracking of the core. Residual compressive strength (RCS) of the skin, which was derived from flexural test, shows the expected trend of decreasing with increasing size of the damage, impact energy, and velocity. In the case of skin damage, RCS values of around 50 percent of the virgin interleaved reference were obtained at the upper impact energy range. Based on the similarity between low-velocity and ballistic-impact effects, it was concluded that impact energy is the main variable controlling damage and residual strength, where as velocity plays a minor role.

Ishai, Ori↗
NASA NTRS1992

Satellites of Mars - Geologic history

The small, irregularly shaped satellites of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, provide the most detailed view of the geomorphic forms and processes important on small solar system bodies. The satellites appear to be very similar in composition, strongly resembling carbonaceous asteroids; however, recent groundbased spectra suggest that their surfaces have little bound or interlayer water. Despite their similar compositions, sizes and environments, Phobos and Deimos have radically different surface features. Phobos is densely covered by craters that are nearly lunar in appearance; Deimos' craters are subdued and largely filled in by debris. Phobos shows only local downslope movement of regolith; Deimos has it on a global scale. Phobos is criss-crossed by linear depressions; Deimos has none. Crater ejecta appear to be retained near their sources on Phobos while the ejecta are widespread on Deimos. The reasons for the differences between the satellites are not known; imaging of asteroids should tell us which, if either, satellite is typical of the many small bodies that populate the asteroid belt.

Thomas, P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Lattice-matched heteroepitaxy of wide gap ternary compound semiconductors

A variety of applications are identified for heteroepitaxial structures of wide gap I-III-VI2 and II-IV-V2 semiconductors, and are assessed in comparison with ternary III-V alloys and other wide gap materials. Non-linear optical applications of the I-III-VI2 and II-IV-V2 compound heterostructures are discussed, which require the growth of thick epitaxial layers imposing stringent requirements on the conditions of heteroepitaxy. In particular, recent results concerning the MOCVD growth of ZnSi(x)Ge(1-x)P2 alloys lattice-matching Si or GaP substrates are reviewed. Also, heterostructures of Cu(z)Ag(1-z)GaS2 alloys that lattice-match Si, Ge, GaP or GaAs substrates are considered in the context of optoelectronic devices operating in the blue wavelength regime. Since under the conditions of MOCVD, metastable alloys of the II-IV-V2 compounds and group IV elements are realized, II-IV-V2 alloys may also serve as interlayers in the integration of silicon and germanium with exactly lattice-matched tetrahedrally coordinated compound semiconductors, e.g. ZnSi(x)Ge(1-x)P2.

Bachmann, Klaus J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Fabrication and properties of functionally graded NiAl/Al2O3 composites

A modified sedimentation process was used in the production of a functionally gradient material (FGM), NiAl/Al2O3. A simple finite element model was used to guide our design and fabrication efforts by estimating residual stress states as a function of composite structure. This approach could lead to tailored designs that enhance or avoid specific residual stress states. Thermal cycling tests were factored into the model to predict time dependent or steady-state internal temperature and stress profiles. Four-point bend tests were conducted to establish the mechanical load-displacement behavior of a single interlayer FGM at room temperature, 800 and 1000 K. Room temperature bend strength of the FGM was 3-4 times that of the base NiAl. At elevated temperatures, composite fracture occurred in a gradual, noncatastrophic mode involving NiAl retardation of a succession of cracks originating in the alumina face.

Miller, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Tribological characteristics of sputtered Au/Cr films on alumina substrates at elevated temperatures

Research to evaluate the tribological properties of alumina pins sliding against thin sputtered gold films deposited on alumina disk substrates is described. A 250 A thick chromium interlayer was first deposited onto the alumina test disks to enhance adhesion and high temperature wetting of the gold films. The Au/Cr films were tribotested in pure sliding in a pin-on-disk tribometer under a 4.9 N load at 1m/s. The test atmosphere was room air at temperatures of 25, 500, and 800 C and the test duration varied from 60 to 540 min. The use of the Au/Cr films reduced friction by about a factor of two compared to the unlubricated alumina sliding couple. The coatings prevented wear of the alumina substrate disks and reduced pin wear by one to two orders of magnitude. In addition, wear lives in excess of 200,000 sliding passes (9 hr) were observed during sliding at 800 C. The results suggest that these films show promise for the practical lubrication of many high temperature sliding components.

Benoy, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Lattice-matched heteroepitaxy of wide gap ternary compound semiconductors

A variety of applications are identified for heteroepitaxial structures of wide gap I-III-VI(sub 2) and II-IV-V(sub 2) semiconductors, and are assessed in comparison with ternary III-V alloys and other wide gap materials. Non-linear optical applications of the I-III-VI(sub 2) and II-IV-V(sub 2) compound heterostructures are discussed, which require the growth of thick epitaxial layers imposing stringent requirements on the conditions of heteroepitaxy. In particular, recent results concerning the MOCVD growth of ZnSi(x)Ge(1-x)P2 alloys lattice matching Si or GaP substrates are reviewed. Also, heterostructures of Cu(z)Ag(1-z)GaS2 alloys that lattice-match Si, Ge, GaP, or GaAs substrates are considered in the context of optoelectronic devices operating in the blue wavelength regime. Since under the conditions of MOCVD, metastable alloys of the II-IV-V(sub 2) compounds and group IV elements are realized, II-IV-V(sub 2) alloys may also serve as interlayers in the integration of silicon and germanium with exactly lattice-matched tetrahedrally coordinated compound semiconductors, e.g. ZnSi(x)Ge(1-x)P2.

Bachmann, Klaus J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Reflectance spectra of sulfate-and carbonate-bearing Fe(3+)-doped montmorillonites as Mars soil analogs

Ferric smectites and ferrihydrite may be common alteration products of igneous lithologies on Mars, and experiments involving montmorillonite enriched with Fe(3+) support the likelihood of ferric smectites on Mars. Mossbauer spectroscopy has been used to identify ferrihydrite (Fe4(O,OH,H2O)12) as the primary ferric material in Fe(3+)-doped montmorillonite. Ferrihydrite is especially interesting due to its role as a precursor in the formation of hematite and goethite. Reflectance spectroscopy in the visible and infrared regions are coupled with Mossbauer spectroscopy in this study to characterize the ferric material in montmorillonites containing Fe(3+), as well as carbonates or sulfates, in the interlayer region.

Bishop, Janice L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Terrestrial bitumen analogue of orgueil organic material demonstrates high sensitivity to usual HF-HCl treatment

The relationship between the chemical composition and the interlayer spacing (d002) of organic materials (OM's) is known for various terrestrial OM's. We improved this general trend by correlation with corresponding trend of natural solid bitumens (asphaltite-kerite-anthraxolite) up to graphite. Using the improved trend we identified bitumen analogs of carbonaceous chondrite OM's residued after HF-HCl treatment. Our laboratory experiment revealed that these analogs and, hence, structure and chemical composition of carbonaceous chondrite OM's are very sensitive to the HF-HCl treatment. So, usual extraction of OM from carbonaceous chondrites may change significantly structural and chemical composition of extracted OM.

Korochantsev, A. V.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Multilayer relaxation and surface structure of ordered alloys

Using BFS, a new semiempirical method for alloys, we study the surface structure of fcc ordered binary alloys in the Ll(sub 2) structure (Ni3Al and Cu3Au). We show that the surface energy is lowest for the mixed composition truncation of the low-index faces of such systems. Also, we present results for the interlayer relaxations for planes close to the surface, revealing different relaxations for atoms of different species producing a rippled surface layer.

Kobistek, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Degradation of optical components in space

This report concerns two types of optical components: multilayer filters and mirrors, and self-scanned imaging arrays using charge coupled device (CCD) readouts. For the filters and mirrors, contamination produces a strong reduction in transmittance in the ultraviolet spectral region, but has little or no effect in the visible and infrared spectral regions. Soft substrates containing halides are unsatisfactory as windows or substrates. Materials choice for dielectric layers should also reflect such considerations. Best performance is also found for the harder materials. Compaction of the layers and interlayer diffusion causes a blue shift in center wavelength and loss of throughput. For sensors using CCD's, shifts in gate voltage and reductions in transfer efficiency occur. Such effects in CCD's are in accord with expectations of the effects of the radiation dose on the device. Except for optical fiber, degradation of CCD's represents the only ionizing-radiation induced effect on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) optical systems components that has been observed.

Blue, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Space flight printed wiring board measling investigation

A flight printed wiring board (PWB) for a satellite project was observed to have a high incidence of measling. Other PWB's produced for the program by the same manufacturer did not exhibit the degree of measling as did the 'measle-prone' board. Measling susceptibility during hand soldering and measling effects on PWB insulation resistance were investigated for three production PWB's. Measling resistance was significantly different between the three boards: the 'worst' exhibited five times the number of measles as the 'best' board. 'Severe' measling (that which is likely to affect board reliability) did not exist on the 'best' board, even under extreme soldering conditions (399 degrees C for 12-15 sec.), whereas the 'worst' board showed an average of one 'severe' measle for every two pads under more normal soldering conditions (288-343 degrees C for 2-5 sec.). Both soldering time and temperature affected measling, with time having a slightly greater influence (2 percent versus 12 percent). Measling effects on PWB insulation resistance were inconclusive. These were evaluated by in situ resistance measurements on the same three boards at elevated temperature and humidity. The measured resistance for all three boards decreased for exposures greater than 50 degrees C and 50 percent relative humidity. The 'measle-prone' board showed a resistance decrease at only 25 degrees C and 50 percent relative humidity. However, no definitive difference was detected between measled and not-measled (control) samples. The boards evaluated were production boards, so the effect of interlayer traces connecting the plated-through holes was not controlled. It is likely the resistance measurements were over different volumes of PWB laminate, which would account for the widely varying resistances measured. Thermomechanical measurements on board laminate materials did not reveal any differences attributed to measling. Differences in glass transition temperature were significantly different when measured by DTA, but not by SDT. Laminate thermal expansion differences were significant for the 35 degrees C evaluations, but not for any higher temperatures.

Thomas, Walter B., III↗
NASA NTRS1993

Ferric sulfate montmorillonites as Mars soil analogs

Spectroscopic analyses have shown that Fe(3+)-doped smectites prepared in the laboratory exhibit important similarities to the soils on Mars. Ferrihydrite in these smectites has features in the visible to near-infrared region that resemble the energies and band-strengths of features in reflectance spectra observed for several bright regions on Mars. Ferric - sulfate - montmorillonite samples have been prepared more recently because they are a good compositional match with the surface material on Mars as measured by Viking. Reflectance spectra of montmorillonite doped with ferric sulfate in the interlayer regions include a strong 3 micron band that persists under dry conditions. This is in contrast to spectra of similarly prepared ferric-doped montmorillonites, which exhibit a relatively weaker 3 micron band under comparable dry environmental conditions. Presented here are reflectance spectra of a suite of ferric-sulfate exchanged montmorillonites prepared with variable ferric sulfate concentrations and variable pH conditions.

Bishop, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

A quick look method of detecting water of hydration in small solar system bodies

The action of aqueous alteration of the near-subsurface material on asteroids and probably some satellites in the Solar System constitutes part of the formation history of the Solar System. The C-class asteroids (and subclasses B, G, and F) were initially believed to have undergone aqueous alteration based on their low albedos and neutral broadband visible and near-infrared colors. These spectra exhibit a sharp drop at wavelengths shorter than 0.55 microns due to a strong ferric oxide intervalence change transfer transition. This IVCT comprises multiple absorptions that are not uniquely indicative of phyllosilicates, but rather are present in the spectrum of any object containing Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) in its surface material. A definitive indication of aqueous alteration came when the broad IR absorption feature having a minimum near 3.0 microns indicative of structural hydroxyl (OH) and interlayer and and absorbed water in phyllosilicates was identified in the IR photometry of many C-class asteroids. Additional mineralogical compositional evidence of aqueously-altered asteroids has come as the result of high SNR narrowband spectrophotometry in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions taken using a CCD/spectrograph combination. An absorption feature centered at 0.7 microns indicative of an Fe(2+) - Fe(3+) charge transfer transition in oxidized iron in phyllosilicates in spectra of some low-albedo asteroids, especially C and G class, and CM2 carbonaceous chondrite meteorites was identified in the CCD spectra. The correlation and covariance of the 0.7-micron and 3.0-micron features were examined by comparing observations of asteroids common to both the CCD reflectance spectra and the 3.0-micron multicolor photometry data sets. Thirty-one pairs of observations were included in this training group. The results of the statistical study indicate that with a 95% confidence level, 84% of the objects observed either having or not having the 0.7-micron feature will correspondingly have the 3.0-micron water of hydration feature.

Vilas, F.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Modelling of Surfaces. Part 2: Metallic Alloy Surfaces Using the BFS Method

Using BFS, a new semiempirical method for alloys, we study the surface structure of fcc ordered binary alloys. We concentrate on the calculation of surface energies and surface relaxations for the L1(sub 0) and L1(sub 2) ordered structures. Different terminations of the low-index faces are studied. Also, we present results for the interlayer relaxations for planes close to the surface, revealing different relaxations for atoms of different species producing a rippled surface layer.

Bozzolo, Guillermo↗