Results for “Multifunctional materials” — Page 3

NASA NTRS2009

Electrical Resistance of SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites for Damage Detection and Life-Prediction

Ceramic matrix composites (CMC) are suitable for high temperature structural applications such as turbine airfoils and hypersonic thermal protection systems due to their low density high thermal conductivity. The employment of these materials in such applications is limited by the ability to accurately monitor and predict damage evolution. Current nondestructive methods such as ultrasound, x-ray, and thermal imaging are limited in their ability to quantify small scale, transverse, in-plane, matrix cracks developed over long-time creep and fatigue conditions. CMC is a multifunctional material in which the damage is coupled with the material s electrical resistance, providing the possibility of real-time information about the damage state through monitoring of resistance. Here, resistance measurement of SiC/SiC composites under mechanical load at both room temperature monotonic and high temperature creep conditions, coupled with a modal acoustic emission technique, can relate the effects of temperature, strain, matrix cracks, fiber breaks, and oxidation to the change in electrical resistance. A multiscale model can in turn be developed for life prediction of in-service composites, based on electrical resistance methods. Results of tensile mechanical testing of SiC/SiC composites at room and high temperatures will be discussed. Data relating electrical resistivity to composite constituent content, fiber architecture, temperature, matrix crack formation, and oxidation will be explained, along with progress in modeling such properties.

Smith, Craig↗

NASA NTRS2012

Electromagnetic Characterization Of Metallic Sensory Alloy

Ferromagnetic shape-memory alloy (FSMA) particles undergo changes in both electromagnetic properties and crystallographic structure when strained. When embedded in a structural material, these attributes can provide sensory output of the strain state of the structure. In this work, a detailed characterization of the electromagnetic properties of a FSMA under development for sensory applications is performed. In addition, a new eddy current probe is used to interrogate the electromagnetic properties of individual FSMA particles embedded in the sensory alloy during controlled fatigue tests on the multifunctional material.

Wincheski, Russell A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Instrumentation concepts and requirements for a space vacuum research facility

An earth-orbiting molecular shield that offers a unique opportunity for conducting physics, chemistry, and material processing experiments under a combination of environmental conditions that are not available in terrestrial laboratories is equipped with apparatus for forming a molecular beam from the freestream. Experiments are carried out using a moderate energy, high flux density, high purity atomic oxygen beam in the very low density environment within the molecular shield. As a minimum, the following instruments are required for the molecular shield: (1) a mass spectrometer; (2) a multifunction material analysis instrumentation system; and (3) optical spectrometry equipment. The design is given of a furlable molecular shield that allows deployment and retrieval of the system (including instrumentation and experiments) to be performed without contamination. Interfaces between the molecular shield system and the associated spacecraft are given. An in-flight deployment sequence is discussed that minimizes the spacecraft-induced contamination in the vicinity of the shield. Design approaches toward a precursor molecular shield system are shown.

Norton, H. N.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Needs and Opportunities in the Development of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Methods for Future Long-Duration Human Space Exploration

Weight, functionality, and sustainability are all critical concerns for future, long-duration, human exploration of space. Exploration missions will be mass-limited, since the amount of supplies and instruments that future astronauts will be able to take with them will be limited by launch vehicle and spacecraft mass and efficiency. Astronauts will need to have the capability to repair or replace worn-out or broke hardware and produce new components to be able to function for long periods at locations far-removed from Earth. Ultra-lightweight, multifunctional materials will be required to enable significant reductions in launch vehicle, spacecraft, and habitat mass in order to maximize payload. "Mass-less Exploration" concepts must be developed that will recycle materials and waste and convert available planetary materials into new feedstock materials and utilize in-space additive manufacturing to use these materials to produce the

composites↗

NASA NTRS2003

Graphite/Ultra-High Modulus Polyethylene Hybrid Fiber Composites with Epoxy and Polyethylene Matrices for Cosmic Radiation Shielding

One of the most significant technical challenges in long-duration space missions is that of protecting the crew from harmful radiation. Protection against such radiation on a manned Mars mission will be of vital importance both during transit and while on the surface of the planet. The development of multifunctional materials that serve as integral structural members of the space vehicle and provide the necessary radiation shielding for the crew would be both mission enabling and cost effective. Additionally, combining shielding and structure could reduce total vehicle mass. Hybrid laminated composite materials having both ultramodulus polyethylene (PE) and graphite fibers in epoxy and PE matrices could meet such mission requirements. PE fibers have excellent physical properties, including the highest specific strength of any known fiber. Moreover, the high hydrogen (H) content of polyethylene makes the material an excellent shielding material for cosmic radiation. When such materials are incorporated into an epoxy or PE matrix a very effective shielding material is expected. Boron (B) may be added to the matrix resin or used as a coating to further increase the shielding effectiveness due to B s ability to slow thermal neutrons. These materials may also serve as micrometeorites shields due to PE s high impact energy absorption properties. It should be noted that such materials can be fabricated by existing equipment and methods. It is the objective of this work therefore to: (a) perform preliminary analysis of the radiation transport within these materials; (b) fabricate panels for mechanical property testing before and after radiation exposure. Preliminary determination on the effectiveness of the combinations of material components on both shielding and structural efficiency will be made.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2004

Nanotube Activities at NASA-Johnson Space Center

Nanotube activities at NASA-Johnson Space Center include production, purification, characterization as well as applications of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). A parametric study of the pulsed laser ablation process is recently completed to monitor the effect of production parameters including temperature, buffer gas, flow rate, pressure, and laser fluence. Enhancement of production is achieved by rastering the graphite target and by increasing the target surface temperature with a cw laser. In-situ diagnostics during production included time resolved passive emission and laser induced fluorescence from the plume. The improvement of the purity by a variety of steps in the purification process is monitored by characterization techniques including SEM, TEM, Raman, UV-VIS-NIR and TGA. A recently established NASA-JSC protocol for SWCNT characterization is undergoing revision with feedback from nanotube community. Efforts at JSC over the past five years in composites have centered on structural polymer/nanotube systems. Recent activities broadened this focus to multifunctional materials, supercapacitors, fuel cells, regenerable CO2 absorbers, electromagnetic shielding, radiation dosimetry and thermal management systems of interest for human space flight. Preliminary tests indicate improvement of performance in most of these applications because of the large Surface area as well as high electrical and thermal conductivity exhibited by SWCNTs. Comparison with existing technologies and possible future improvements in the SWCNT materials sill be presented.

Arepalli, Sivaram↗

NASA NTRS2006

Carbon Nanotube Activities at NASA-Johnson Space Center

Research activities on carbon nanotubes at NASA-Johnson Space Center include production, purification, characterization and their applications for human space flight. In-situ diagnostics during nanotube production by laser oven process include collection of spatial and temporal data of passive emission and laser induced fluorescence from C2, C3 and Nickel atoms in the plume. Details of the results from the "parametric study" of the pulsed laser ablation process indicate the effect of production parameters including temperature, buffer gas, flow rate, pressure, and laser fluence. Improvement of the purity by a variety of steps in the purification process is monitored by characterization techniques including SEM, TEM, Raman, UV-VIS-NIR and TGA. A recently established NASA-JSC protocol for SWCNT characterization is undergoing revision with feedback from nanotube community. Efforts at JSC over the past five years in composites have centered on structural polymednanotube systems. Recent activities broadened this focus to multifunctional materials, supercapacitors, fuel cells, regenerable CO2 absorbers, electromagnetic shielding, radiation dosimetry and thermal management systems of interest for human space flight. Preliminary tests indicate improvement of performance in most of these applications because of the large surface area as well as high electrical and thermal conductivity exhibited by SWCNTs.

Arepalli, Sivaram↗

NASA NTRS2002

Parametric Study of Carbon Nanotube Production by Laser Ablation Process

Carbon nanotubes form a new class of nanomaterials that are presumed to have extraordinary mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. The single wall nanotubes (SWNTs) are estimated to be 100 times stronger than steel with 1/6th the weight; electrical carrying capacity better than copper and thermal conductivity better than diamond. Applications of these SWNTs include possible weight reduction of aerospace structures, multifunctional materials, nanosensors and nanoelectronics. Double pulsed laser vaporization process produces SWNTs with the highest percentage of nanotubes in the output material. The normal operating conditions include a green laser pulse closely followed by an infrared laser pulse. Lasers ab late a metal-containing graphite target located in a flow tube maintained in an oven at 1473K with argon flow of 100 sccm at a 500 Torr pressure. In the present work a number of production runs were carried out, changing one operating condition at a time. We have studied the effects of nine parameters, including the sequencing of the laser pulses, pulse separation times, laser energy densities, the type of buffer gas used, oven temperature, operating pressure, flow rate and inner flow tube diameters. All runs were done using the same graphite target. The collected nanotube material was characterized by a variety of analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Results indicate trends that could be used to optimize the process and increase the efficiency of the production process.

Arepalli, Sivaram↗

NASA NTRS2015

Shape Memory Alloy Research and Development at NASA Glenn - Current and Future Progress

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of multifunctional materials that have the ability to recover large deformations or generate high stresses in response to thermal, mechanical and or electromagnetic stimuli. These abilities have made them a viable option for actuation systems in aerospace, medical, and automotive applications, amongst others. However, despite many advantages and the fact that SMA actuators have been developed and used for many years, so far they have only found service in a limited range of applications. In order to expand their applications, further developments are needed to increase their reliability and stability and to address processing, testing and qualification needed for large-scale commercial application of SMA actuators.

Challenges↗

NASA NTRS2015

Thin, Flexible IMM Solar Array

NASA needs solar arrays that are thin, flexible, and highly efficient; package compactly for launch; and deploy into large, structurally stable high-power generators. Inverted metamorphic multijunction (IMM) solar cells can enable these arrays, but integration of this thin crystalline cell technology presents certain challenges. The Thin Hybrid Interconnected Solar Array (THINS) technology allows robust and reliable integration of IMM cells into a flexible blanket comprising standardized modules engineered for easy production. The modules support the IMM cell by using multifunctional materials for structural stability, shielding, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) stress relief, and integrated thermal and electrical functions. The design approach includes total encapsulation, which benefits high voltage as well as electrostatic performance.

Walmsley, Nicholas↗

NASA NTRS2016

Development of Shape Memory Alloys- Challenges and Solutions

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of multifunctional materials that have the ability to recover large deformations or generate high stresses in response to thermal, mechanical andor electromagnetic stimuli. These abilities have made them a viable option for actuation systems in aerospace, medical, and automotive applications, amongst others. However, despite many advantages and the fact that SMA actuators have been developed and used for many years, so far they have only found service in a limited range of applications. In order to expand their applications, further developments are needed to increase their reliability and stability and to address processing, testing and qualification needed for large-scale commercial application of SMA actuators. In this seminar, historical inhibitors of SMA applications and current research efforts by NASA Glenn Research Center and collaborators will be discussed. Relationships between fundamental physicalscientific understanding, and the direct transition to engineering and design of mechanisms using these novel materials will be highlighted. Examples will be presented related to targeted alloy development, microstructural control, and bulk-scale testing as a function of stresses, temperatures and harsh environments. The seminar will conclude with a summary of SMA applications under development and current advances.

Shape Memory Alloy↗

NASA NTRS2017

Shape Memory Alloy Rock Splitters (SMARS)

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) may be used for static rock splitting. The SMAs may be used as high-energy multifunctional materials, which have a unique ability to recover large deformations and generate high stresses in response to thermal loads.

Benafan, Othmane↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Forcespun Polymers as Precursors to Boron Nitride Fibers

The need for multifunctional materials in aerospace technologies is currently driving the development of new novel composite materials. Specifically, insulation materials with high thermal conductivity, high electrical resistivity, and are chemically inert are needed for high voltage power applications. Boron nitride (BN) nanomaterials fit these criteria and can be incorporated into composites for further material design. The synthesis of boron nitride through a polymer derived ceramic route allows for the morphology of the resulting BN to be tailored. This is especially beneficial since the polymers can be shaped or spun into fibers prior to the ceramic conversion. This project utilizes the Forcespinning technique to produce boron-containing polymer fibers that are converted to boron nitride through a heat treatment. The chemical compositions and fiber morphologies were studied and reported here.

Boron nitride, Fibers, Forcespinning↗

NASA NTRS2018

Lightweight, Durable, and Multifunctional Electrical Insulation Material Systems for High Voltage Applications

Newly developed multilayer structures of well-known polymer insulation materials significantly improved dielectric breakdown voltage, VB, or dielectric strength, K, if well-bonded, when compared to those of single material insulations or the commercial SOA systems, such as Teflon-Kapton-Teflon (TKT), at the same overall thickness. To date, the greatest improvement of the new structures from a few candidate materials, including various types of Kapton PIs and PFA or PET as bond layer (BL), was about 61% higher than that of the Kapton PI alone films, 40.1 vs. 24.9 kV, which was translated to 86.3% decrease in insulation thickness, thus significant volume and weight reduction of the final system. However, it was of interest to note that most improvements of the multilayer structures occurred at thicker overall thicknesses, above ~ 0.15 mm. Extensive analyses also showed that K of the multilayer structures increased with (i) decreasing individual layer thickness regardless of material type, (ii) increasing total accumulated thickness of PI or overall PI/BL ratio, and (iii) increasing number of interface or total number of layers, but only above the aforementioned overall thickness limit. Increases in VB of the multilayer structures were directly correlated with damage evolution and failure mode. With further material-design-process optimizations of the multilayer structures, it was expected to achieve other multifunctionalities, such as high partial discharge (PD) resistance, improved durability, EMI shielding, and high thermal dissipation in addition to high dielectric strength. These new structures can be used in various high voltage and high temperature applications, such as future hybrid or all electric aircraft wiring and power transmission as well as many other non-aerospace high power cables, electronic parts and components, printed circuit board, and so forth. The multilayer insulation system can be easily processed and manufactured with various conductor types via calendaring, compression-molding, stamping, laminating, vacuum-bagging and autoclaving, or 3D printing, even for complex 3-D components. Based on their unique structural configurations and potential capabilities, the new insulation system was identified as micro-multilayer multifunctional electrical insulation (MMEI). Patent application of the MMEI concept and current design configurations was filed for a 1-year provisional application (OAI-58834, Serial No.: 62/659,234), pending conversion to a U.S. utility application. This paper presents details of the MMEI structures, their dielectric performance analyses, potential mechanisms, and commercial scaleup feasibility assessment.

Electric aircrafts↗

NASA NTRS2018

Lightweight, Durable, and Multifunctional Electrical Insulation Material Systems for High Voltage Applications

Newly developed multilayer structures of well-known polymer insulation materials significantly improved dielectric breakdown voltage, VB, or dielectric strength, K, if well-bonded, when compared to those of single material insulations or the commercial SOA systems, such as Teflon-Kapton-Teflon (TKT), at the same overall thickness. To date, the greatest improvement of the new structures from a few candidate materials, including various types of Kapton PIs and PFA or PET as bond layer (BL), was about 61% higher than that of the Kapton PI alone films, 40.1 vs. 24.9 kV, which was translated to 86.3% decrease in insulation thickness, thus significant volume and weight reduction of the final system. However, it was of interest to note that most improvements of the multilayer structures occurred at thicker overall thicknesses, above ~ 0.15 mm. Extensive analyses also showed that K of the multilayer structures increased with (i) decreasing individual layer thickness regardless of material type, (ii) increasing total accumulated thickness of PI or overall PI/BL ratio, and (iii) increasing number of interface or total number of layers, but only above the aforementioned overall thickness limit. Increases in VB of the multilayer structures were directly correlated with damage evolution and failure mode. With further material-design-process optimizations of the multilayer structures, it was expected to achieve other multifunctionalities, such as high partial discharge (PD) resistance, improved durability, EMI shielding, and high thermal dissipation in addition to high dielectric strength. These new structures can be used in various high voltage and high temperature applications, such as future hybrid or all electric aircraft wiring and power transmission as well as many other non-aerospace high power cables, electronic parts and components, printed circuit board, and so forth. The multilayer insulation system can be easily processed and manufactured with various conductor types via calendaring, compression-molding, stamping, laminating, vacuum-bagging and autoclaving, or 3D printing, even for complex 3-D components. Based on their unique structural configurations and potential capabilities, the new insulation system was identified as micro-multilayer multifunctional electrical insulation (MMEI). Patent application of the MMEI concept and current design configurations was filed for a 1-year provisional application (OAI-58834, Serial No.: 62/659,234), pending conversion to a U.S. utility application. This paper presents details of the MMEI structures, their dielectric performance analyses, potential mechanisms, and commercial scaleup feasibility assessment.

Multifunctional↗

NASA NTRS2011

Preliminary Assessment of Potential Habitat Composites' Durability when Exposed to a Long-Term Radiation Environment and Micrometeoroid Impacts

NASA's exploration goals include extending human presence beyond low earth orbit (LEO). As a result, habitation for crew is a critical requirement for meeting this goal. However, habitats are very large structures that contain a multitude of subsystems to sustain human life over long-durations in space, and one of the key challenges has been keeping weight to a minimum in order to reduce costs. Thus, light-weight and multifunctional structural materials are of great interest for habitation. NASA has started studying polymeric composite materials as potential lightweight and multifunctional structural materials for use in long-duration spaceflight. However, little is known about the survivability of these materials when exposed to the space environment outside of LEO for long durations. Thus, a study has been undertaken to investigate the durability of composite materials when exposed to long-duration radiation. Furthermore, as an addition to the primary study, a secondary preliminary investigation has been started on the micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) susceptibility of these materials after radiation exposure. The combined effects of radiation and MMOD impacts are the focus of this paper.

Rojdev, Kristina↗

NASA NTRS2018

Creating a Multifunctional Composite Stator Slot Material System to Enable High Power Density Electric Machines for Electrified Aircraft Applications

Increasing the power density and efficiency of electric machines (motors and generators) is integral to bringing Electrified Aircraft (EA) to commercial realization. However, power density and efficiency are not qualities that can be developed independently. At the heart of any electric machine are the conductors (usually copper) that carry current and generate magnetic fields. Increased power density means increased current density and increased joule heating in a smaller volume. To increase efficiency at the wire level means minimizing electrical resistance and hence power lost to joule heating. There are fundamental challenges with concomitantly increasing both power density and efficiency since the copper resistivity is very temperature sensitive at common electric machine operating conditions. Simple calculations of the linear increase in resistivity of copper as a function of temperature, reveals that a one degree Celsius increase in temperature results in a 0.39% decrease in efficiency. Conversely, a 20 degree Celsius decrease in copper temperature produces a 7.8% increase in efficiency. Therefore, improved thermal management concepts for electric machine building blocks such as stator winding are a priority for improving efficiency and power density. This paper proposing changing the view of component materials in the stator slots from individual components with singular functionality to a composite system where the components take on a multifunctional roles. In the composite framework, achievable material development goals are defined that together have maximum system impact on the thermal environment inside of high power density electric machines for aerospace applications.

thermal management↗

NASA NTRS2008

Multifunctional Nanotube Polymer Nanocomposites for Aerospace Applications: Adhesion between SWCNT and Polymer Matrix

Multifunctional structural materials can enable a novel design space for advanced aerospace structures. A promising route to multifunctionality is the use of nanotubes possessing the desired combination of properties to enhance the characteristics of structural polymers. Recent nanotube-polymer nanocomposite studies have revealed that these materials have the potential to provide structural integrity as well as sensing and/or actuation capabilities. Judicious selection or modification of the polymer matrix to promote donor acceptor and/or dispersion interactions can improve adhesion at the interface between the nanotubes and the polymer matrix significantly. The effect of nanotube incorporation on the modulus and toughness of the polymer matrix will be presented. Very small loadings of single wall nanotubes in a polyimide matrix yield an effective sensor material that responds to strain, stress, pressure, and temperature. These materials also exhibit significant actuation in response to applied electric fields. The objective of this work is to demonstrate that physical properties of multifunctional material systems can be tailored for specific applications by controlling nanotube treatment (different types of nanotubes), concentration, and degree of alignment.

Park, Cheol↗