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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 55 records · Page 3

Gas permeation measurements on small polymer specimens

Mass spectrometry was used to measure oxygen and nitrogen permeabilities while polarography was used to measure oxygen permeabilities for several contact lens materials. Applicable sample holders were designed and fabricated to accommodate curved and flat specimens. A prepared standard was used to calibrate the mass spectrometric analyses. The oxygen permeability values determined by mass spectrometry were significantly greater than those determined by polarography. This was attributed to the phase boundary phenomena and the limiting oxygen permeance of water inherent in the polarographic technique. Polarographic values determined were in good agreement with proprietary values obtained by polarography, with the exception of one material.

Burns, Karen S.↗

In-Space Production of Storable Propellants

Our exploration of the feasibility of in-space production of storable propellants from resourcesavailable on asteroids, and also on Mars and the Moon, has considered the process of sampleacquisition; the energy requirements for heating and volatile release; the thermodynamic behaviorof gas release from minerals and organic polymers containing hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, sulfur,and nitrogen; purification of the released water and carbon dioxide; the storage and transportation of these materials in the condensed state; synthesis of fuels including methanol and dimethyl ether(DME); and the co-production, concentration, stability, and storage of the complementary oxidizer high-test hydrogen peroxide (HTP). We call attention to the ability of the storable propellant/oxidizer combination of DME and HTP to carry out deep-space missions and to perform retrieval and relocation of any and all space-derived resources, such as retrieving asteroidal metal to high Earth orbit. This study's analyses are based on returning resources to a storage/processing/dispensing facility in a Highly Eccentric Earth Orbit (HEEO) with a perigee above geosynchronous orbit and an apogee approach or beyond the Moon's orbit.The methane/LOX option, notable for good engine performance, has not been included in this study because our scope includes only fully storable propellants.

Lewis, John S.↗

Chelate-modified polymers for atmospheric gas chromatography

Chromatographic materials were developed to serve as the stationary phase of columns used in the separation of atmospheric gases. These materials consist of a crosslinked porous polymer matrix, e.g., a divinylbenzene polymer, into which has been embedded an inorganic complexed ion such as N,N'-ethylene-bis-(acetylacetoniminato)-cobalt (2). Organic nitrogenous bases, such as pyridine, may be incorporated into the chelate polymer complexes to increase their chromatographic utility. With such materials, the process of gas chromatography is greatly simplified, especially in terms of time and quantity of material needed for a gas separation.

Christensen, W. W.↗

The effect of oxygen concentration on the boundary-lubricating characteristics of a C ether and a polyphenyl ether to 300 C

Ball-on-disk sliding friction experiments were carried out at 17 m/min (100 rev/min) to investigate the effect of oxygen concentration varying from 20% (air) to 0.001% (nitrogen) on the boundary-lubricating characteristics of an unformulated C ether in the temperature range 20-300 C. Results were then compared with those obtained for a five-ring polyphenylether in air and in nitrogen. The C ether yielded lower wear and lower friction coefficients than a five-ring polyphenylether in both air and nitrogen over most of the temperature range. Friction polymer was observed around the wear scars of most test specimens, with much greater quantities of friction polymer produced in a low-oxygen environment. Thus, with respect to friction polymer production, the C ether behaved very much like the polyphenylether.

Jones, W. R., Jr.↗

Space shuttle revitalization system

The Space Shuttle air revitalization system is discussed. The sequential steps in loop closure are examined and a schematic outline of the regenerative air revitalization system is presented. Carbon dioxide reduction subsystem concepts are compared. Schemes are drawn for: static feedwater electrolysis cell, solid polymer electrolyte water electrolysis cell, air revitalization system, nitrogen generation reactions, nitrogen subsystem staging, vapor compression distillation subsystem, thermoelectric integrated membrane evaporation subsystem, catalytic distillation water reclamation subsystem, and space shuttle solid waste management system.

Quattrone, P. D.↗

Thermochemical and flammability properties of some thermoplastic and thermoset polymers - A review

The thermochemical and flammability properties of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers are discussed. The results of a thermogravimetric analysis of the polymers conducted on a DuPont 950 thermogravimetric analyzer using both nitrogen and air atmospheres are presented. Experimental data on smoke evolution are given, and the methodology for assessing the relative toxicity of the pyrolysis effluents is described. The values obtained from the flammability tests are compared with the stoichiometric char yield, and it is shown that the ignition tendency of the polymers is a linear function of the resin char yield

Kourtides, D. A.↗

Viscoelastic cationic polymers containing the urethane linkage

A method for the synthesis and manufacturing of elastomeric compositions and articles containing quaternary nitrogen centers and condensation residues along the polymeric backbone of the centers is presented. Linear and cross-linked straight chain and block polymers having a wide damping temperature range were synthesized. Formulae for the viscoelastic cationic polymers are presented.

Rembaum, A.↗

Polymer-gas reactions (air pollutants: NO2 and SO2) as function of pressure, UV light, temperature, and morphology: A survey

Reactions of various polymers, such as polystyrene and its stereo-specific isomers, butylrubber, nylon, etc., with nitrogen dioxide and sulfur-dioxide were studied over the past few years. More recently, work has been initiated on the influence of polymer morphology on degradation of polymers in presence of these gases, near UV radiation and oxygen. Unexpected effects have been observed during chain scission near room temperature. Thus, for instance, isotactic polystyrene of various crystallinities, as far as extent and type are concerned, show marked differences in their degradation characteristics. Thus, for instance, crystalline polymers show faster degradation than amorphous ones, which seems to be contrary to expectations. However, this phenomenon can be explained in quite a consistent manner. The importance of all these reactions in connection with air pollution is briefly discussed.

Jellinek, H. H. G.↗

Pathogenetic validation of the use of biological protective agents and early treatment in cases of radiation injury simulating radiation effects under space flight conditions

In considering a radiation safety system for space flights, the various measures to protect man against radiation include drug prophylaxis. At the present time a great deal of experimental material has been accumulated on the prevention and treatment of radiation injuries. Antiradiation effectiveness has been established for sulfur- and nitrogen-containing substances, auxins, cyanides, polynucleotides, mucopolysaccharides, lipopolysaccharides, aminosaccharides, synthetic polymers, vitamins, hormones, amino acids and other compounds which can be divided into two basic groups - biological and chemical protective agents.

Rogozkin, V. D.↗

Cryogenic Mixed Mode I – Mode II Fracture Toughness of Various Polymer Composite Materials

The present study investigates the mixed mode interlaminar fracture toughness of six polymer matrix composite materials at both room temperature and cryogenic liquid nitrogen temperature. The single leg bending test employed gives a mix of Mode I (opening) and Mode II (in-plane shearing) cracking. The tested thermoplastic-matrix composites were shown to have total mixed mode toughnesses 3.1–4.3 times higher than those of representative thermoset resin composites.

Carbon fiber↗

Fire- and heat-resistant laminating resins based on maleimido-substituted aromatic cyclotriphosphazenes

A novel class of flame- and heat-resistant polymers has been synthesized by the thermal polymerization of maleimido-substituted aromatic cyclotriphosphazenes. The polymer obtained from tris-(aminophenoxy)tris(maleimidophenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene has good thermal stability and is noteworthy for its high char yield, viz., 82 percent at 800 C in nitrogen and 81 percent at 700 C in air. Graphite-fabric laminates prepared with this polymer did not burn in pure oxygen, even at 300 C, and were tested for mechanical properties. Hexakis(4-maleimidophenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene and some fluorine-containing monomers have also been synthesized. The structures of these cyclic phosphazene precursors and polymers were characterized by FT IR spectrophotometry, H-1 NMR, F-19 NMR, and P-31 solid-state magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The curing behavior of the polymer precursors and the thermal stabilities of the polymers were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA).

Kumar, D.↗

Thermomechanical behavior of a polynorbornadiene

A high-temperature linear amorphous hydrocarbon polymer synthesized cationically from 2,5-norbornadiene was studied thermomechanically with respect to physical transitions and stability in nitrogen. The glass transition temperature was determined to be 320 C (at less than 1 cps), which is probably the highest known for a linear hydrocarbon addition polymer. The thermomechanical technique of torsional braid analysis, together with thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, infrared analysis, and solubility studies, was used to investigate the sequential events of the glass transition and degradation. The polymer is of particular interest since it is a high-temperature plastic which in the bulk form would probably need to be processed at high speeds in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature in an inert atmosphere. The presence of tertiary hydrogen atoms should render it amenable to degradation by the earth's environment.

Roller, M. B.↗

Determination of ammonia in ethylene using ion mobility spectrometry

A simple procedure to analyze ammonia in ethylene by ion mobility spectrometry is described. The spectrometer is operated with a silane polymer membrane., 63Ni ion source, H+ (H2O)n reactant ion, and nitrogen drift and source gas. Ethylene containing parts per billion (ppb) (v/v) concentrations of ammonia is pulled across the membrane and diffuses into the spectrometer. Preconcentration or preseparation is unnecessary, because the ethylene in the spectrometer has no noticeable effect on the analytical results. Ethylene does not polymerize in the radioactive source. Ethylene's flammability is negated by the nitrogen inside the spectrometer. Response to ammonia concentrations between 200 ppb and 1.5 ppm is near linear, and a detection limit of 25 ppb is calculated.

NASA Discipline Environmental Health↗

New Hydrophilic, Composite Membranes for Air Removal from Water Coolant Systems

Liquid coolants are commonly used as thermal transport media to increase efficiency and flexibility in aerospace vehicle design. The introduction of gas bubbles into the coolant can have negative consequences, including: loss of centrifugal pump prime, irregular sensor readings, and blockage of coolant flow to remote systems. One solution to mitigate these problems is the development of a passive gas removal device, or gas trap, installed in the flight cooling system. In this study, a new hydrophilic, composite membrane has been developed for passage of the coolant fluid and retention of gas bubbles. The trapped bubbles are subsequently vented from the system by a thin, hydrophobic, microporous membrane. The original design for this work employed a homogeneous membrane that was susceptible to fouling and pore plugging. Spare gas traps of this variety have degraded during storage, and recreation of the membranes has been complicated due to problems with polymer duplication and property variations in the final membranes. In this work, replacements have been developed based on deposition of a hydrophilic polymer on the bore-side of a porous polyethylene (PE) tube. The tube provides excellent chemical and mechanical stability, and the hydrophilic layer provides retention of gas bubbles. Preliminary results have shown that intimate contact is required between the deposited layer and the substrate to overcome material differences. This has been accomplished by presoaking the membrane tube in the solvent to raise its surface energy. Polymer solutions of various concentrations have been used to promote penetration of the polymer layer into the porous substrate and to control separation layer thickness. The resulting composite membranes have shown repeatable decrease in nitrogen permeability, which is indicative of a decrease in membrane pore size. Studies with water permeation have yielded similar results. We have observed some swelling of the added polymer layer, which causes a slight decrease in membrane pore size, and should result in improved bubble retention. Preliminary studies have also been performed on gas retention in flowing systems. Initial results have been promising, with negligible gas permeation for the coated membranes compared to 100% gas permeation in the uncoated tube.

Ritchie, Stephen M. C.↗

Helping Aircraft Engines Lighten Up

High-temperature polyimide/carbon fiber matrix composites are developed by the Polymers Branch at NASA's Glenn Research Center. These materials can withstand high temperatures and have good processing properties, which make them particularly useful for jet and rocket engines and for components such as fan blades, bushings, and duct segments. Applying polyimide composites as components for aerospace structures can lead to substantial vehicle weight reductions. A typical polyimide composite is made up of layers of carbon or glass fibers glued together by a high-temperature polymer to make the material strong, stiff, and lightweight. Organic molecules containing carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen within the polyimide keep the material s density low, resulting in the light weight. The strength of a component or part made from a polyimide comes mainly from the reinforcing high-strength fibers. The strength of the carbon fibers coupled with the stiffness of polyimides allows engineers to make a very rigid structure without it being massive. Another benefit of a polyimide s suitability for aerospace applications is its reduced need for machining. When polyimide parts are removed from a mold, they are nearly in their final shape. Usually, very little machining is needed before a part is ready for use.

Source record↗

CO2 Acquisition Membrane (CAM)

The objective of CAM is to develop, test, and analyze thin film membrane materials for separation and purification of carbon dioxide (CO2) from mixtures of gases, such as those found in the Martian atmosphere. The membranes are targeted toward In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) applications that will operate in extraterrestrial environments and support future unmanned and human space missions. A primary application is the Sabatier Electrolysis process that uses Mars atmosphere CO2 as raw material for producing water, oxygen, and methane for rocket fuel and habitat support. Other applications include use as an inlet filter to collect and concentrate Mars atmospheric argon and nitrogen gases for habitat pressurization, and to remove CO2 from breathing gases in Closed Environment Life Support Systems (CELSS). CAM membrane materials include crystalline faujasite (FAU) zeolite and rubbery polymers such as silicone rubber (PDMS) that have been shown in the literature and via molecular simulation to favor adsorption and permeation of CO2 over nitrogen and argon. Pure gas permeation tests using commercial PDMS membranes have shown that both CO2 permeance and the separation factor relative to other gases increase as the temperature decreases, and low (Delta)P(Sub CO2) favors higher separation factors. The ideal CO2/N2 separation factor increases from 7.5 to 17.5 as temperature decreases from 22 C to -30 C. For gas mixtures containing CO2, N2, and Ar, plasticization decreased the separation factors from 4.5 to 6 over the same temperature range. We currently synthesize and test our own Na(+) FAU zeolite membranes using standard formulations and secondary growth methods on porous alumina. Preliminary tests with a Na(+) FAU membrane at 22 C show a He/SF6 ideal separation factor of 62, exceeding the Knudsen diffusion selectivity by an order of magnitude. This shows that the membrane is relatively free from large defects and associated non-selective (viscous flow) transport mechanisms. The Membrane Test Facility (MTF) has been developed to measure membrane permeance over a wide range of temperature and pressure. The facility uses two volume compartments separated by the membrane that are instrumented to measure temperature, delta pressure across the membrane, and gas composition. A thermal shroud supports and encloses the membrane, and provides temperature control. Methods were developed to determine membrane permeance using the first order decay of the pressure difference between the sealed compartments, using the total pressure for pure gases, and partial pressure of each species in gas mixtures. The technique provides an end-to-end measurement of gas permeance that includes concentration polarization effects. Experiments have shown that in addition to membrane permeance properties, the geometry and design of associated structures play an important role in how membrane systems will function on Mars.

Mason, Larry W.↗