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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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Evaluation and verification of epitaxial process sequence for silicon solar cell production

The applicability of solar cell and module processing sequences, to be used on lower cost epitaxial silicon wafers was evaluated. The extent to which the process sequences perform effectively when applied to film solar cells formed by epitaxial deposition of Si on potentially inexpensive substrates of upgraded metallurgical grade Si is examined. It is concluded that these substrates are satisfactory in their cell performance.

Redfield, D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Instant-replay data system for combustion tests

A portable, inexpensive, easily programmed, and flexible pressure measuring and display system is described and evaluated in a multi-port combustion model. The data reduction system consists of a desk-top graphics display system and calculator with data tape storage and standard data communications interfacing capabilities, while a hard copy unit provides a permanent record of all plots and tables. The system offers the advantages of recording and comparing a large number of pressures at high data rates along with the display of the results in a meaningful graphical form for near real time analysis. Some discussion of combustor and engine experiments are included as examples of the data system application.

Trexler, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Control of volume resistivity in inorganic-organic separators

Control of resistivity in NASA inorganic-organic separators is achieved by incorporating small percentages of high surface area, fine-particle silica with other ingredients in the separator coating. The volume resistivity appears to be predictable from coating composition, that is, from the surface area of filler particles in the coating. The approach has been applied to two polymer-'plasticizer'-filler coating systems, where the filler content of each is below the generally acknowledged critical pigment volume concentration of the coating. Application of these coating systems to 0.0254 cm thick (10 mil) fuel-cell grade asbestos sheet produces inexpensive, flexible, microporous separators that perform at least as well as the original inorganic-organic concept, the Astropower separator.

Sheibley, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Theoretical considerations of soil retention

The performance of solar energy devices is adversely affected by surface soiling, and generally, the loss of performance increases with increases in the quantity of soil retained on their surfaces. To minimize performance losses caused by soiling, solar devices should not only be deployed in low soiling geographical areas, but employ surfaces or surfacing materials having low affinity for soil retention, maximum susceptibility to be naturally cleaned by wind, rain and snow, and to be readily cleanable by simple and inexpensive maintenance cleaning techniques. This article describes known and postulated mechanisms of soil retention on surfaces, and infers from these mechanisms that low soiling and easily cleanable surfaces should have low surface energy, and be hard, smooth, hydrophobic and chemically clean of sticky materials and water soluble salts.

Cuddihy, E. F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Silicon by sodium reduction of silicon tetrafluoride

High purity silicon can be prepared from the reaction of Na with SiF4 to form Si and NaF. The SiF4 is obtained from inexpensive H2SiF6 by precipitation and decomposition of Na2SiF6. Concentrations of B and P are each in the 0.1 ppm wt range in the product Si, separated from NaF by aqueous leaching.

Sanjurjo, A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Nickel contacts for low cost solar cells

It is noted that nickel metallization of silicon solar cells offers a relatively inexpensive method of making electrical contact with the surface of the cell. More expensive methods, involving precious metals and costly processes, are widely used; these have been developed for space applications, where considerations of reliability predominate over those of cost. Since recent interest in terrestrial applications of solar cells has led to an increased concern over cost, nickel has assumed a position as a major candidate for solar cell metallization. It is shown that sintering can improve the integrity of the nickel-silicon bond. Evidence that the nickel-silicon contact can survive moderate environmental stress is presented.

Anderson, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Articulated primary mirror /APM/ for the Solar Optical Telescope /SOT/

Allowing the location of the primary vs secondary mirrors to be movable in space, the articulated primary mirror (APM) was designed as an inexpensive alternative, providing stable imagery, for the Solar Optical Telescope (SOT). Requirements of high resolution in the sub-arc-second region, and the ability to point the telescope through the Instrument Pointing System (IPS) were satisfied. Alignment sensors, contained within the subsystem, locate the points of coincidence of the foci of the primary and secondary optics (conic foci). These are utilized as inputs for subsystem actuators to correct via the digital controller algorithm.

Gowrinathan, S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

An application of Landsat and computer technology to potential water pollution from soil erosion

Agricultural activity has been recognized as the primary source of nonpoint source water pollution. Water quality planners have needed information that is timely, accurate, easily reproducible, and relatively inexpensive to utilize to implement 'Best Management Practices' for water quality. In this paper, a case study shows how the combination of satellite data, which can give accurate land-cover/land-use information, and a computerized geographic information system, can assess nonpoint pollution at a regional scale and be cost effective.

Campbell, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Description of a user-oriented geographic information system - The resource analysis program

This paper describes the Resource Analysis Program, an applied geographic information system. Several applications are presented which utilized soil, and other natural resource data, to develop integrated maps and data analyses. These applications demonstrate the methods of analysis and the philosophy of approach used in the mapping system. The applications are evaluated in reference to four major needs of a functional mapping system: data capture, data libraries, data analysis, and mapping and data display. These four criteria are then used to describe an effort to develop the next generation of applied mapping systems. This approach uses inexpensive microcomputers for field applications and should prove to be a viable entry point for users heretofore unable or unwilling to venture into applied computer mapping.

Tilmann, S. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Geostationary multipurpose platforms

In addition to the advantages generally associated with orbital platforms, such as improved reliability, economies of scale, simple connectivity of elements, reduced tracking demands and the restraint of orbital object population growth, geostationary platforms yield: (1) continuous access by fixed ground antennas for communications services; (2) continuous monitoring of phenomena over chosen regions of the earth's surface; (3) a preferred location for many solar-terrestrial physics experiments. The geostationary platform also offers a low-risk and economical solution to the impending saturation of the orbital arc/frequency spectrum, maximizing the capacity of individual slots and increasing the utility of the entire arc. It also allows the use of many small, simple and inexpensive earth stations through complexity inversion and high power per beam. Block diagram and operational flowcharts are provided.

Bekey, I.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Dip-Coating Fabrication of Solar Cells

Inexpensive silicon solar cells made by simple dip technique. Cooling shoes direct flow of helium on graphite-coated ceramic substrate to solidify film of liquid silicon on graphite surface as substrate is withdrawn from molten silicon. After heaters control cooling of film and substrate to prevent cracking. Gas jets exit at points about 10 mm from substrate surfaces and 6 to 10 mm above melt surface.

Koepke, B.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Portable Pipe Wrapper

New tool applies fragile layered insulation to cryogenic tubing. Used routinely to apply two layers of fiberglass and one of aluminum foil on pipe used as inner line in vacuum jacketed cryogenic plumbing. Wrapper is easy to use and made from inexpensive, readily available parts. Wheeled to whatever location is convenient for wrapping.

Dennis, G. B.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Low-Cost Electrically-Heated Glass Panels

Inexpensive process converts architectural reflective-coated glass into electrically heated panels. Technique utilizes reflective layer as heating element in ordinary glass. Panels have many applications, including automobile windows, home-heating panels, temperature-controlled windows or containers, and food warming trays.

Shlichta, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Simple geometric algorithms to aid in clearance management for robotic mechanisms

Global geometric shapes such as lines, planes, circles, spheres, cylinders, and the associated computational algorithms which provide relatively inexpensive estimates of minimum spatial clearance for safe operations were selected. The Space Shuttle, remote manipulator system, and the Power Extension Package are used as an example. Robotic mechanisms operate in quarters limited by external structures and the problem of clearance is often of considerable interest. Safe clearance management is simple and suited to real time calculation, whereas contact prediction requires more precision, sophistication, and computational overhead.

Copeland, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Structure of the knowledge base for an expert labeling system

One of the principal objectives of the NASA AgRISTARS program is the inventory of global crop resources using remotely sensed data gathered by Land Satellites (LANDSAT). A central problem in any such crop inventory procedure is the interpretation of LANDSAT images and identification of parts of each image which are covered by a particular crop of interest. This task of labeling is largely a manual one done by trained human analysts and consequently presents obstacles to the development of totally automated crop inventory systems. However, development in knowledge engineering as well as widespread availability of inexpensive hardware and software for artificial intelligence work offers possibilities for developing expert systems for labeling of crops. Such a knowledge based approach to labeling is presented.

Rajaram, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A prototype interface unit for microprocessor based Loran-C receiver

An inexpensive data/command entry and CRT display system capable of alphanumeric and graphics moe operation and designed to operate in place of a separate ASCII terminal, is documented. The software to interface this unit to the 6502-based Loran C receiver is also described. The system simplifies receiver operations to a level typical of current avionics systems.

Novacki, S. M., III↗
NASA NTRS1982

Reconnaissance and recovery of the brighter asteroids. Brief summary of the entire project

An inexpensive method of baking large (8- by 10-inch) IIIa-J plates in 2 percent forming gas was found and successfully tested. The large storage capacity and fine grain structure of the emulsion made the sky fog negligible on plates of one-hour exposure at Link. Plates were taken through the end of October 18, 1981 on various asteroids from the recent critical lists published in the Minor Planet Circulars and the Russian Ephemeris of Minor Planets.

Edmonson, F. K.↗