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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 577 records · Page 32

A high speed imaging system for nuclear diagnostics

A high speed imaging system based on state-of-the-art photosensor arrays was designed for use in nuclear diagnostics. The system is comprised of a front end rapid scan solid state camera, a high speed digitizer, and a PCM line driver in a downhole package and a memory buffer system in an uphole trailer. The downhole camera takes a snapshot of a nuclear device created flux stream, digitizes the image and transmits it to the uphole memory system before being destroyed. The memory system performs two functions: it retains the data for local display and processing by a microprocessor, and it buffers the data for retransmission at slower rates to a computational facility. In the talk, the impetus for such a system as well as its operation was discussed, along with systems under development which incorporate higher data rates and more resolution.

Eyer, H. H.↗

Materials for thermoelectric energy conversion

The field of thermoelectric energy conversion is reviewed from both a theoretical and an experimental standpoint. The basic theory is introduced and the thermodynamic and solid state views are compared. An overview of the development of thermoelectric materials is presented with particular emphasis being placed on the most recent developments in high-temperature semiconductors. A number of possible device applications are discussed and the successful use and suitability of these devices for space power is manifest.

Wood, C.↗

Non-Markovian dynamics of a superconducting qubit in a phononic bandgap

Reducing decoherence in quantum computers rapidly decreases the overhead needed to construct a logical qubit from physical qubits. In solid-state systems, a class of defects known as two-level systems is a major source of decoherence. Currently, superconducting qubit experiments reduce dissipation due to the two-level systems by using large device dimensions. However, this approach only provides partial protection and results in a trade-off between qubit size and dissipation. In this work, we instead engineer the interactions between a qubit and the surrounding two-level systems using phononics. We fabricate a superconducting qubit on a phononic-bandgap metamaterial that suppresses phonon emission mediated by the two-level systems. The phonon-engineered bath of two-level systems shows increased lifetime and affects the thermalization dynamics of the qubit. Within the phononic bandgap, we observe the emergence of a non-Markovian qubit behaviour. Further, combined with qubit miniaturization, our approach could substantially extend the qubit relaxation times.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Simulation of cosmic-ray induced soft errors and latchup in integrated-circuit computer memories

Soft errors have been induced in solid-state static RAM's by iron nuclei from the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) Bevalac, in experiments designed to prove the ability of iron-group cosmic rays to generate such errors. Subsequently, various delidded device types were tested in beams of argon and krypton ions from the LBL 88-inch Cyclotron, at energies near 2 MeV/nucleon. The latter tests showed that some devices are essentially immune to bit error while others are quite susceptible. Good agreement was obtained with model predictions in cases where the latter exist. Latchup, whose cause is attributed to individual heavy ions, was also observed in some device types.

Kolasinski, W. A.↗

Thruster momentum transfer studies and magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster use in materials/surface modification

This research project involves the systematic study of the MPD thruster for dual uses. Though it was designed as a thruster for space vehicles, the characteristics of the plasma make it an excellent candidate for industrial applications. This project will seek to characterize the system for use in materials processing and characterization. Crystals grown at Fisk University for use with solid state detectors will be studied. Surface modification on ZnCdTe, CdTe, and ZnTe will be studied using AFM, XPS and SAES. In addition to the surface modification studies, design work on a momentum transfer measurement device has been completed. The design and limitations of the device will be presented.

Thompson, E.↗

A Solid-State Compressor for Integration of CO2 Removal and Reduction Assemblies

Integration of CO2 removal and reduction assemblies in a spacecraft air revitalization system requires an interface with the functionality of a vacuum pump/compressor and a buffer tank. The compressor must meet the vacuum needs of the CO2 removal unit and the pressure needs of the CO2 reduction device, and must also store sufficient CO2 to accommodate the differences in cycle times of the two processes. In this presentation, we describe the design and operation of an adsorption-based device sized for use on the International Space Station. The adsorption compressor functions at a power level approximately ten times lower than a comparable mechanical compression/buffer tank system. The unit is also smaller, lighter, and quieter than its mechanical counterpart.

Mulloth, Lila M.↗

Structural and Machine Design Using Piezoceramic Materials: A Guide for Structural Design Engineers

Using piezoceramic materials is one way the design engineer can create structures which have an ability to both sense and respond to their environment. Piezoceramic materials can be used to create structural sensors and structural actuators. Because piezoceramic materials have transduction as a material property, their sensing or actuation functions are a result of what happens to the material. This is different than discrete devices we might attach to the structure. For example, attaching an accelerometer to a structure will yield an electrical signal proportional to the acceleration at the attachment point on the structure. Using a electromagnetic shaker as an actuator will create an applied force at the attachment point. Active material elements in a structural design are not easily modeled as providing transduction at a point, but rather they change the physics of the structure in the areas where they are used. Hence, a designer must not think of adding discrete devices to a structure to obtain an effect, but rather must design a structural system which accounts for the physical principles of all the elements in the structure. The purpose of this manual is to provide practicing engineers the information necessary to incorporate piezoelectric materials in structural design and machine design. First, we will review the solid-state physics of piezoelectric materials. Then we will discuss the physical characteristics of the electrical-active material-structural system. We will present the elements of this system which must be considered as part of the design task for a structural engineer. We will cover simple modeling techniques and review the features and capabilities of commercial design tools that are available. We will then cover practical how-to elements of working with piezoceramic materials. We will review sources of piezoceramic materials and built-up devices, and their characteristics. Finally, we will provide two design examples using piezoceramic materials, first as discrete actuators for vibration isolation, and second as structurally-distributed sensor/actuators for active acoustic control.

Inman, Daniel J.↗

Development of a High Fidelity Dynamic Module of the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Using Adams

NASA's Digital Astronaut Project (DAP) implements well-vetted computational models to predict and assess spaceflight health and performance risks, and enhance countermeasure development. DAP provides expertise and computation tools to its research customers for model development, integration, or analysis. DAP is currently supporting the NASA Exercise Physiology and Countermeasures (ExPC) project by integrating their biomechanical models of specific exercise movements with dynamic models of the devices on which the exercises were performed. This presentation focuses on the development of a high fidelity dynamic module of the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) on board the ISS. The ARED module, illustrated in the figure below, was developed using the Adams (MSC Santa Ana, California) simulation package. The Adams package provides the capabilities to perform multi rigid body, flexible body, and mixed dynamic analyses of complex mechanisms. These capabilities were applied to accurately simulate: Inertial and mass properties of the device such as the vibration isolation system (VIS) effects and other ARED components, Non-linear joint friction effects, The gas law dynamics of the vacuum cylinders and VIS components using custom written differential state equations, The ARED flywheel dynamics, including torque limiting clutch. Design data from the JSC ARED Engineering team was utilized in developing the model. This included solid modeling geometry files, component/system specifications, engineering reports and available data sets. The Adams ARED module is importable into LifeMOD (Life Modeler, Inc., San Clemente, CA) for biomechanical analyses of different resistive exercises such as squat and dead-lift. Using motion capture data from ground test subjects, the ExPC developed biomechanical exercise models in LifeMOD. The Adams ARED device module was then integrated with the exercise subject model into one integrated dynamic model. This presentation will describe the development of the Adams ARED module including its capabilities, limitations, and assumptions. Preliminary results, validation activities, and a practical application of the module to inform the relative effect of the flywheels on exercise will be discussed.

Humphreys, B. T.↗

Development and Testing of a Temperature-swing Adsorption Compressor for Carbon Dioxide in Closed-loop Air Revitalization Systems

The air revitalization system of the International Space Station (ISS) operates in an open loop mode and relies on the resupply of oxygen and other consumables from earth for the life support of astronauts. A compressor is required for delivering the carbon dioxide from a removal assembly to a reduction unit to recover oxygen and thereby dosing the air-loop. We have developed a temperature-swing adsorption compressor (TSAC) that is energy efficient, quiet, and has no rapidly moving parts for performing these tasks. The TSAC is a solid-state compressor that has the capability to remove CO2 from a low- pressure source, and subsequently store, compress, and deliver at a higher pressure as required by a processor. The TSAC is an ideal interface device for CO2 removal and reduction units in the air revitalization loop of a spacecraft for oxygen recovery. This paper discusses the design and testing of a TSAC for carbon dioxide that has application in the ISS and future spacecraft for closing the air revitalization loop.

Mulloth, Lila M.↗

Potential High-Temperature Shape-Memory Alloys Identified in the Ti(Ni,Pt) System

"Shape memory" is a unique property of certain alloys that, when deformed (within certain strain limits) at low temperatures, will remember and recover to their original predeformed shape upon heating. It occurs when an alloy is deformed in the low-temperature martensitic phase and is then heated above its transformation temperature back to an austenitic state. As the material passes through this solid-state phase transformation on heating, it also recovers its original shape. This behavior is widely exploited, near room temperature, in commercially available NiTi alloys for connectors, couplings, valves, actuators, stents, and other medical and dental devices. In addition, there are limitless applications in the aerospace, automotive, chemical processing, and many other industries for materials that exhibit this type of shape-memory behavior at higher temperatures. But for high temperatures, there are currently no commercial shape-memory alloys. Although there are significant challenges to the development of high-temperature shape-memory alloys, at the NASA Glenn Research Center we have identified a series of alloy compositions in the Ti-Ni-Pt system that show great promise as potential high-temperature shape-memory materials.

Noebe, Ronald D.↗

Multifrequency Ultra-High Resolution Miniature Scanning Microscope Using Microchannel And Solid-State Sensor Technologies And Method For Scanning Samples

A miniature, ultra-high resolution, and color scanning microscope using microchannel and solid-state technology that does not require focus adjustment. One embodiment includes a source of collimated radiant energy for illuminating a sample, a plurality of narrow angle filters comprising a microchannel structure to permit the passage of only unscattered radiant energy through the microchannels with some portion of the radiant energy entering the microchannels from the sample, a solid-state sensor array attached to the microchannel structure, the microchannels being aligned with an element of the solid-state sensor array, that portion of the radiant energy entering the microchannels parallel to the microchannel walls travels to the sensor element generating an electrical signal from which an image is reconstructed by an external device, and a moving element for movement of the microchannel structure relative to the sample. Discloses a method for scanning samples whereby the sensor array elements trace parallel paths that are arbitrarily close to the parallel paths traced by other elements of the array.

Wang, Yu↗

An efficient construction of nano-interfaces for excellent coking tolerance of cermet anodes

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising energy conversion devices for the effective and convenient utilization of hydrocarbons (for example, methane) to electricity. However, the development of direct methane SOFCs is primarily hindered by the poor coking tolerance of the state-of-the-art Ni-based cermet anodes. Herein, we efficiently construct nano-interfaces in the anode by infiltrating a Ni 0.6 Y 0.064 Zr 0.336 O 2-δ (NYZ) catalyst onto the traditional Ni-based cermet anode to effectively enhance the coking tolerance. After being reduced in H 2 , Ni and Y 0.16 Zr 0.84 O 2-δ (YSZ) nanoparticles (NPs) are in situ formed on the surface of the Ni-YSZ substrate. The roughened anode demonstrates significantly improved fuel oxidation activity and coking tolerance, due likely to the formation of nano-interfaces. Specifically, when applied in the Ni-YSZ-based anode-supported SOFCs, a high peak power density of 1.785 W cm –2 and a stable operation of ~ 240 h with no observable degradation is achieved at 750 °C in nearly dry methane (3% H 2 O). Finally, a density functional theory study suggests that the excellent coking tolerance is attributed to the formation of OH species on Ni/YSZ nano-interfaces, which would further interact with intermediate carbon species to generate COH intermediates.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

Application of acoustic surface wave technology to shuttle radar

The application of surface acoustic wave (SAW) signal processing devices in the space shuttle was explored. In order to demonstrate the functions which a SAW device might perform, a breadboard pulse compression filter (PCF) module was assembled. The PCF permits a pulse radar to operate with a large duty cycle and low peak power, a regime favorable to the use of solid state RF sources. The transducer design, strong coupling compensation, circuit model analysis, fabrication limitations, and performance evaluation of a PCF are described. The nominal value of the compression ratio is 100:1 with 10-MHz bandwidth centered at 60 MHz and 10-microsecond dispersive delay. The PCF incorporates dispersive interdigital transducers and a piezoelectric lithium niobate substrate.

Source record↗

Interplanetary optical navigation using Charge Coupled Devices

Charge Coupled Devices (CCD) will be used as optical navigation image detectors in space missions planned for the 1980's. This paper presents analyses directed at assessing the performance of an imaging system employing a CCD (i.e., a solid state imager (SSI)), for a Jovian satellite tour environment. CCD operating principles are summarized and methods of calculating theoretical dynamic range presented. Methods of analyzing the SSI's ability to perform the fundamental optical navigation function of imaging a target body and one or more stars, are presented. This capability is expressed as a function of SSI optical and electronic parameters and of astrophysical parameters. The influence of these factors and pointing control errors on navigation picture budgets is analyzed. The effect of the sun's glare is analyzed from the standpoint of its reduction of SSI dynamic range and increase of navigation picture budget. Radiation effects on SSI navigation imaging performance are discussed and a method of analyzing probabilities of distinguishing real from false stars presented.

Davis, R. P.↗

Detectors for energies greater than 10 MeV

The detector telescopes used in gamma ray astronomy in general are more similar to particle detectors than to optical devices, since the high frequency of the radiation precludes the use of reflection or diffraction techniques, but the high energy content of each photon does enable them to be detected with scintillators, track imaging chambers, and solid state detectors. Within the gamma ray range, the basic design of the instrument changes as the energy of the gamma ray exceeds 10 to 20 MeV, and therefore, moves from the region where the Compton effect predominates in the absorption of the gamma ray to that where electron pair production is most important. In the energy range from 10 to 20 MeV to several times 10,000 MeV, gamma ray telescopes are usually built so that the electron pair may be seen and the properties of the electrons measured.

Source record↗

Long-Duration Testing of a Temperature-Swing Adsorption Compressor for Carbon Dioxide for Closed-Loop Air Revitalization Systems

This paper describes the results of long-duration testing of a temperature-swing adsorption compressor that has application in the International Space Station (ISS) and future spacecraft for closing the air revitalization loop. The air revitalization system of the ISS operates in an open loop mode and relies on the resupply of oxygen and other consumables from Earth for the life support of astronauts. A compressor is required for delivering the carbon dioxide from a removal assembly to a reduction unit to recover oxygen and thereby closing the air-loop. The TSAC is a solid-state compressor that has the capability to remove CO2 from a low-pressure source, and subsequently store, compress, and deliver at a higher pressure as required by a processor. The TSAC is an ideal interface device for CO2 removal and reduction units in the air revitalization loop of a spacecraft for oxygen recovery. The TSAC was developed and its operation was successfully verified in integration tests with the flight-like Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) at Marshall Space Flight Center prior to the long-duration tests. Long-duration tests reveal the impacts of repeated thermal cycling on the compressor components and the adsorbent material.

Rosen, Micha↗

Deviatoric stress-induced metallization, layer reconstruction and collapse of van der Waals bonded zirconium disulfide

In contrast to two-dimensional (2D) monolayer materials, van der Waals layered transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit rich polymorphism, making them promising candidates for novel superconductor, topological insulators and electrochemical catalysts. Here, we highlight the role of hydrostatic pressure on the evolution of electronic and crystal structures of layered ZrS2. Under deviatoric stress, our electrical experiments demonstrate a semiconductor-to-metal transition above 30.2 GPa, while quasi-hydrostatic compression postponed the metallization to 38.9 GPa. Both X-ray diffraction and Raman results reveal structural phase transitions different from those under hydrostatic pressure. Under deviatoric stress, ZrS2 rearranges the original ZrS6 octahedra into ZrS8 cuboids at 5.5 GPa, in which the unique cuboids coordination of Zr atoms is thermodynamically metastable. The structure collapses to a partially disordered phase at 17.4 GPa. These complex phase transitions present the importance of deviatoric stress on the highly tunable electronic properties of ZrS2 with possible implications for optoelectronic devices.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗