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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 541 records · Page 30

Drastic reduction of adsorption of CO and H2 on (111)-type Pd layers

Clean surfaces of (111)-type Pd layers, grown from the vapor phase on Mo(110) at room temperature, were used to study the adsorption of CO and H2 by temperature-programmed desorption, Auger electron spectroscopy, and low-energy electron diffraction. Mild annealing of the as-grown layers during a single desorption cycle (to about 600 K) drastically reduces the adsorption for both adsorbates. Low-dose argon-ion bombardment introduces surface imperfections which restore a high adsorption probability. The results are interpreted in terms of particular (111)-type surface structures that persist tp layer thicknesses of about four monolayers; the results raise questions with respect to the surface structure of supported thin epitaxial islands and particles of Pd and possibly also with respect to conventional methods of preparing bulk surfaces of Pd for adsorption studies.

Poppa, H.↗

Development of an impact- and solvent-resistant thermoplastic composite matrix

Synthesis, moldability and chloroform, acetone and tricresyl phosphate resistance of 16 polymer compositions are described. These aliphatic heterocyclic polymers include polyimides, polybenzimidazoles, and N-arylenepolybenzimidazoles. A solution condensation (cresol) method to prepare imidized aliphaic polyimides is described. Two polyimides and one polybenzimidazole demonstrate no crazing or cracking during 500 hr exposure to the cited solvents under stress. Modification of one aliphatic polyimide with several aromatic amines suggests that m-phenylenediamine is singular in its behavior to improve the chloroform resistance of that class of polyimides.

Delano, C. B.↗

Characterizing Semiconductor Alloys for Infrared Sensors

Report presents results of continuing program aimed at characterizing mercury/cadmium/tellurium alloys and eventually developing improved methods of preparing alloys for use as infrared sensors. Work covered by report includes series of differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements of alloy compositions with x varied from 9 to 1 in 0.1 increments.

Lehoczky, B. S. L.↗

Study of the pore structure of ceramics prepared by the slip casting method

The porosity of the slip cast Si3N4 is similar to that of pressed Si3N4 formed at 2500 kg/sq cm. The porosity of cast Si oxynitride is equivalent to that of samples stressed at 10,000 kg/sq cm. Crucibles formed from these materials by slip casting have high thermal shock and corrosion resistance.

Guzman, I. Y.↗

Importance of Gravity for Plant Growth and Behavior

Flight experiments on the importance of gravity to plant growth and behavior are reported. The following studies were undertaken: (1) hyperastic responses to incremental changes of an axially imposed centripetal force; (2) Spacelab-1 experiments, methods for preparing soil in flight hardware containers were impound, to ensure desired moisture content and minimal contamination probability; (3) mesocotyl growth patterns were established by Avena lore exposure to red light during early seedling outogency; (4) the development of flight hardware; (5) choice of member of seedlings in each cube; (6) data processing and reduction; (7) clinostat validation; circummutation in space was more vigorous than on Earth based clinostat.

Brown, A. H.↗

Development of an impact- and solvent-resistant thermoplastic composite matrix, phase 3

The polyimide from BTDA 1,6-hexanediamine and m-phenylenediamine was selected from a prior study for the present study. Methods to prepare prepreg which would provide low void composites at low molding pressures from the thermoplastic polyimide were studied. Cresol solutions of the polyimide were applied to a balanced weave carbon fabric and the cresol removed prior to composite molding. Low void composites were prepared from smoothed prepregs at high pressures (34.5 MPa) and temperatures as low as 260 C. Lower molding pressures lead to higher void composites. Need for a lower melt viscosity in the neat resin is suggested as a requirement to achieve low void composites at low pressures. Some mechanical properties are included.

Delano, C. B.↗

Polyether/Polyester Graft Copolymers

Higher solvent resistance achieved along with lower melting temperature. New technique provides method of preparing copolymers with polypivalolactone segments grafted onto poly (2,6-dimethyl-phenylene oxide) backbone. Process makes strong materials with improved solvent resistance and crystalline, thermally-reversible crosslinks. Resulting graft copolymers easier to fabricate into useful articles, including thin films, sheets, fibers, foams, laminates, and moldings.

Bell, Vernon L., Jr.↗

Fluid and protein shifts after postural changes in humans

The effects of head-up, one-step, slow-graded, and rapid-graded tilt positions on blood density (BD), plasma density (PD), and erythrocyte density (ED) in male and female subjects are evaluated using a mass density detection method. The preparation of the samples and procedures for density and hematocrit measurements are described. The formula for calculating the density and volume of fluid shifted between intravascular and extravascular compartments is derived. The data reveal that ED does not change with varying tilt positions; however, PD and BD increase linearly with increasing angles of tilt, thereby resembling the time course of hemodilution and hemoconcentration.

Hinghofer-Szalkay, H.↗

Gas chromatographic instrumentation for the analysis of aerosols and gases in Titan's atmosphere

Instrumentation presently being developed by NASA for the collection and analysis of organic gases and aerosols in Titan's atmosphere is described together with the results of the preliminary experiments. For the aerosols, stepwise pyrolysis was shown to be a suitable method for preparing complex organic material for gas chromatography (GC), and a pyrolysis-gas chromatograph was developed and successfully used to analyze a simulated Titan aerosol. Atmospheric gases will be collected by a low-pressure gas sampling system using large-volume sample loops and analyzed by GC. The results of preliminary studies using a 20 cu cm sampling system and a very sensitive metastable ionization detector showed that hydrocarbon components at the 10 ppb level can be detected. Studies are in progress on shortening the overall analysis time by improving the pyrolysis system, the gas sampling system, and the associated gas chromatograph. Further development of the gas sampling system is planned to ensure rapid collection of samples adequate for analysis by GC over the entire range of pressures to be encountered during the probe's descent.

Scattergood, T. W.↗

Iptycenes - Extended triptycenes

Properties of iptycenes and particular structural features of several iptycenes are briefly discussed, as are certain extensions beyond the compounds presented here. Methods for preparing useful synthons are described. Three new, much improved syntheses of triptycene, itself a useful iptycene synthon, are presented. In addition, improved syntheses of pentiptycenes and heptiptycene are described.

Hart, Harold↗

The 1987 Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment: the Nimbus-7 TOMS Data Atlas

Total ozone data taken by the Nimbus-7 Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) played a central role in the successful outcome of the 1987 Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment. The near-real-time TOMS total ozone observations were suppled within hours of real time to the operations center in Punta Arenas, Chile, over a telecommunications network designed specifically for this purpose. The TOMS data preparation and method of transfer over the telecommunications links are reviewed. This atlas includes a complete set of the near-real-time TOMS orbital overpass data over regions around the Palmer Peninsula of Antarctica for the period of August 8 through September 29, 1987. Also provided are daily polar orthographic projections of TOMS total ozone measurements over the Southern Hemisphere from August through November 1987. In addition, a chronology of the salient points of the experiment, along with some latitudinal cross sections and time series at locations of interest of the TOMS total ozone observations are presented. The TOMS total ozone measurements are evaluated along the flight tracks of each of the ER-2 and DC-8 missions during the experiment. The ozone hole is shown here to develop in a monotonic progression throughout late August and September. The minimum total ozone amount was found on 5 October, when its all-time lowest value of 109 DU is recorded. The hole remains well defined, but fills gradually from mid-October through mid-November. The hole's dissolution is observed here to begin in mid-November, when it elongates and begins to rotate. By the end of November, the south pole is no longer located within the ozone hole.

Krueger, Arlin J.↗

New secondary batteries utilizing electronically conductive polymer cathodes

The objectives of this project are to characterize the transport properties in electronically conductive polymers and to assess the utility of these films as cathodes in lithium/polymer secondary batteries. During this research period, progress has been made in a literature survey of the historical background, methods of preparation, the physical and chemical properties, and potential technological applications of polythiophene. Progress has also been made in the characterization of polypyrrole flat films and fibrillar films. Cyclic voltammetry and potential step chronocoulometry were used to gain information on peak currents and potentials switching reaction rates, charge capacity, and charge retention. Battery charge/discharge studies were also performed.

Martin, Charles R.↗

Tissue simulating gel for medical research

A tissue simulating gel and a method for preparing the tissue simulating gel are disclosed. The tissue simulating gel is prepared by a process using water, gelatin, ethylene gylcol, and a cross-linking agent. In order to closely approximate the characteristics of the type of tissue being simulated, other material has been added to change the electrical, sound conducting, and wave scattering properties of the tissue simulating gel. The result of the entire process is a formulation that will not melt at the elevated temperatures involved in hyperthermia medical research. Furthermore, the tissue simulating gel will not support mold or bacterial growth, is of a sufficient mechanical strength to maintain a desired shape without a supporting shell, and is non-hardening and non-drying. Substances were injected into the tissue simulating gel prior to the setting-up thereof just as they could be injected into actual tissue, and the tissue simulating gel is translucent so as to permit visual inspection of its interior. A polyurethane spray often used for coating circuit boards can be applied to the surface of the tissue simulating gel to give a texture similar to human skin, making the tissue simulating gel easier to handle and contributing to its longevity.

Companion, John A.↗

Effect of Polymer Electrode Morphology on Performance of a Lithium/Polypyrrole Battery

A variety of conducting polymer batteries were described in the recent literature. In this work, a Li/Polypyrrole secondary battery is described. The effect of controlling the morphology of the polymer on enhancement of counterion diffusion in the polymer phase is explored. A method of preparing conducting polymers was developed which yields high surface area per unit volume of electrode material. A porous membrane is used as a template in which to electrochemically polymerize pyrrole, then the membrane is dissolved, leaving the polymer in a fibrillar form. Conventionally, the polymer is electrochemically polymerized as a dense polymer film on a smooth Pt disk electrode. Previous work has shown that when the polymer is electrochemically polymerized in fribrillar form, charge transport rates are faster and charge capacities are greater than for dense, conventionally grown films containing the same amount of polymer. The purpose is to expand previous work by further investigating the possibilities of the optimization of transport rates in polypyrrole films by controlling the morphology of the films. The utility of fibrillar polypyrrole as a cathode material in a lithium/polymer secondary battery is then assessed. The performance of the fibrillar battery is compared to the performance of an analogous battery which employed a conventionally grown polypyrrole film. The study includes a comparison of cyclic voltammetry, shape of charge/discharge curves, discharge time and voltage, cycle life, coulombic efficiencies, charge capacities, energy densities, and energy efficiencies.

Nicholson, Marjorie Anne↗

The Way to Increased Airplane Engine Power

The purpose of this paper is to give an outline of the present state of development and point out the possibilities available for the further increase in the power/displacement ratio, the economy, and the reliability of the engine. Some of the aspects discussed are methods of increasing take-off power, the various methods of preparation of the fuel mixture and their effect on power, economy, and safety.

Vohrer, Eugen↗

Ceramic silicon-boron-carbon fibers from organic silicon-boron-polymers

Novel high strength ceramic fibers derived from boron, silicon, and carbon organic precursor polymers are discussed. The ceramic fibers are thermally stable up to and beyond 1200 C in air. The method of preparation of the boron-silicon-carbon fibers from a low oxygen content organosilicon boron precursor polymer of the general formula Si(R2)BR(sup 1) includes melt-spinning, crosslinking, and pyrolysis. Specifically, the crosslinked (or cured) precursor organic polymer fibers do not melt or deform during pyrolysis to form the silicon-boron-carbon ceramic fiber. These novel silicon-boron-carbon ceramic fibers are useful in high temperature applications because they retain tensile and other properties up to 1200 C, from 1200 to 1300 C, and in some cases higher than 1300 C.

Riccitiello, Salvatore R.↗

Spacecraft maximum allowable concentrations for selected airborne contaminants, volume 1

As part of its efforts to promote safe conditions aboard spacecraft, NASA requested the National Research Council (NRC) to develop guidelines for establishing spacecraft maximum allowable concentrations (SMAC's) for contaminants, and to review SMAC's for various spacecraft contaminants to determine whether NASA's recommended exposure limits are consistent with the guidelines recommended by the subcommittee. In response to NASA's request, the NRC organized the Subcommittee on Guidelines for Developing Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations for Space Station Contaminants within the Committee on Toxicology (COT). In the first phase of its work, the subcommittee developed the criteria and methods for preparing SMAC's for spacecraft contaminants. The subcommittee's report, entitled Guidelines for Developing Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations for Space Station Contaminants, was published in 1992. The executive summary of that report is reprinted as Appendix A of this volume. In the second phase of the study, the Subcommittee on Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations reviewed reports prepared by NASA scientists and contractors recommending SMAC's for 35 spacecraft contaminants. The subcommittee sought to determine whether the SMAC reports were consistent with the 1992 guidelines. Appendix B of this volume contains the first 11 SMAC reports that have been reviewed for their application of the guidelines developed in the first phase of this activity and approved by the subcommittee.

National Research Council↗

Electrically conducting polyimide film containing tin complexes

Disclosed is a thermally-stable SnO2-surfaced polyimide film wherein the electrical conductivity of the SnO2 surface is within the range of about 3.0 x 10(exp -3) to about 1 x 10(exp -2) ohms(exp -1). Also disclosed is a method of preparing this film from a solution containing a polyamic acid and SnCl4 (DMSO)2.

St.clair, Anne K.↗