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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 73 records · Page 4

OM-VPE grown materials for high efficiency solar cells

Organometallic sources are available for all the III-V elements and a variety of dopants; thus it is possible to use the technique to grow a wide variety of semiconductor compounds. AlGaAsSb and AlGaInAs alloys for multijunction monolithic solar cells were grown by OM-VPE. While the effort concentrated on terrestrial applications, the success of OM-VPE grown GaAs/AlGaAs concentrator solar cells (23% at 400 suns) demonstrates that OM-VPE is suitable for growing high efficiency solar cells in large quantities for space applications. In addition, OM-VPE offers the potential for substantial cost reduction of photovoltaic devices with scale up and automation and due to high process yield from reproducible, uniform epitaxial growths with excellent surface morphology.

Saxena, R.↗

The electrochemical fluorination of polymeric materials for high energy density aqueous and non-aqueous battery and fuel cell separators

A computerized system was established and the electrochemical fluorination of trichloroethylene, polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl alcohol in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride was attempted. Both solid substrates as well as membranes were used. Some difficulties were found in handling and analyzing the solid substrates and membranes. Further studies are needed in this area. A microprocessor aided electrochemical fluorination system capable of obtaining highly reproducible experimental results was established.

Liu, C. C.↗

Study of relationships of material properties and high efficiency solar cell performance on material composition

The performance improvements obtainable from extending the traditionally thin back-surface-field (BSF) layer deep into the base of silicon solar cells under terrestrial solar illumination (AM1) are analyzed. This extended BSF cell is also known as the back-drift-field cell. About 100 silicon cells were analyzed, each with a different emitter or base dopant impurity distribution whose selection was based on physically anticipated improvements. The four principal performance parameters (the open-circuit voltage, the short-circuit current, the fill factor, and the maximum efficiency) are computed using a FORTRAN program, called Circuit Technique for Semiconductor-device Analysis, CTSA, which numerically solves the six Shockley Equations under AM1 solar illumination at 88.92 mW/cm, at an optimum cell thickness of 50 um. The results show that very significant performance improvements can be realized by extending the BSF layer thickness from 2 um (18% efficiency) to 40 um (20% efficiency).

Sah, C. T.↗

Materials sub-panel

The following subject areas are covered: general issues (unique operating/storage environments, adapt existing materials/develop rocket materials, long lead time for new materials, high cost, integration of materials development and manufacturing technology, and availability of materials data); technical issues (materials characterization for operating and storage environments, advanced materials development, availability and dissemination of materials properties, advanced materials tests facilities, fire hazards, and propellants); major objectives (materials characterization, advanced materials development, and materials data base development/maintenance); and candidate programs (materials characterization, advanced materials development, and aerospace materials data base).

Bhat, Bil↗

Highly Engineered Materials Program

Industry partners and the MSFC have entered into a joint program for characterization studies of various materials which may be viable candidates for future optical systems. We will present the current status of this program. The two phase testing scenario will be discussed including the various tests to be done in each of the test phases. Phase one of the test program has all partners involved while phase two may involve a down-selection of partners based on phase one results.

Carter, James M.↗

A Case for High-Fidelity Material Response Modeling

Material response modeling of heatshields for planetary entry vehicles has remained largely unchanged since Aerotherm Corp. introduced the CMA program in 1967. Modern models, like FIAT, have tread the same path, introducing efficiencies and better material property data along the way, but otherwise following the same underlying model paradigm. The CMA approach has worked well for heatshield design up to this point. However, there are three motivations for the material response community to pursue higher fidelity beyond simplified, CMA-derived models. The first motivation is that missions are becoming increasingly demanding and complex and, as they do, confidence in simplified models naturally decreases. Second, reliability of materials is now as much or more of a driving concern for mission designers than thermal response. Third, NASA and other agencies are increasingly interested in flight instrumentation for engineering science. This latter motivation places far stricter requirements on model accuracy in order to meet requirements for flight environment reconstruction.

Barnhardt, Michael D.↗

High Tc superconducting materials and devices

The high Tc Y1Ba2Cu3O(7-x) ceramic materials, initially developed in 1987, are now being extensively investigated for a variety of engineering applications. The superconductor applications which are presently identified as of most interest to NASA-LaRC are low-noise, low thermal conductivity grounding links; large-area linear Meissner-effect bearings; and sensitive, low-noise sensors and leads. Devices designed for these applications require the development of a number of processing and fabrication technologies. Included among the technologies most specific to the present needs are tapecasting, melt texturing, magnetic field grain alignment, superconductor/polymer composite fabrication, thin film MOD (metal-organic decomposition) processing, screen printing of thick films, and photolithography of thin films. The overall objective of the program was to establish a high Tc superconductivity laboratory capability at NASA-LaRC and demonstrate this capability by fabricating superconducting 123 material via bulk and thin film processes. Specific objectives include: order equipment and set up laboratory; prepare 1 kg batches of 123 material via oxide raw material; construct tapecaster and tapecaster 123 material; fabricate 123 grounding link; fabricate 123 composite for Meissner linear bearing; develop 123 thin film processes (nitrates, acetates); establish Tc and Jc measurement capability; and set up a commercial use of space program in superconductivity at LaRC. In general, most of the objectives of the program were met. Finally, efforts to implement a commercial use of space program in superconductivity at LaRC were completed and at least two industrial companies have indicated their interest in participating.

Haertling, Gene H.↗

Correlation Function Approach for Estimating Thermal Conductivity in Highly Porous Fibrous Materials

Heat transport in highly porous fiber networks is analyzed via two-point correlation functions. Fibers are assumed to be long and thin to allow a large number of crossing points per fiber. The network is characterized by three parameters: the fiber aspect ratio, the porosity and the anisotropy of the structure. We show that the effective thermal conductivity of the system can be estimated from knowledge of the porosity and the correlation lengths of the correlation functions obtained from a fiber structure image. As an application, the effects of the fiber aspect ratio and the network anisotropy on the thermal conductivity is studied.

Martinez-Garcia, Jorge↗

Loss mechanisms in high-efficiency solar cells: Study of material properties and high-efficiency solar-cell performance on material composition: Project tasks

Loss mechanisms in high-efficiency solar cells were discussed. Fundamental limitations and practical solutions were stressed. Present cell efficiency is limited by many recombination sites: emitter, base, contacts, and oxide/silicon interface. Use of polysilicon passivation was suggested. After reduction of these losses, a 25% efficient cell could be built. A floating emitter cell design was shown that had the potential of low recombination losses.

Sah, C. T.↗

Recent progress towards developing a high field, high-T(sub c) superconducting magnet for magnetic suspension and balance systems

This paper reviews superconducting magnets and high T(sub c) superconducting oxide ceramic materials technology to identify areas of fundamental impasse to the fabrication of components and devices that tap what are believed to be the true potential of these new materials. High T(sub c) ceramics pose problems in fundamentally different areas which need to be solved unlike low T(sub c) materials. The authors map out an experimental plan designed to research process technologies which, if suitably implemented, should allow these deficiencies to be solved. Finally, assessments are made of where and on what regimes magnetic system designers should focus their attention to advance the practical development of systems based on these new materials.

Derochemont, L. Pierre↗

Fabricating binary optics: An overview of binary optics process technology

A review of binary optics processing technology is presented. Pattern replication techniques have been optimized to generate high-quality efficient microoptics in visible and infrared materials. High resolution optical photolithography and precision alignment is used to fabricate maximally efficient fused silica diffractive microlenses at lambda = 633 nm. The degradation in optical efficiency of four-phase-level fused silica microlenses resulting from an intentional 0.35 micron translational error has been systematically measured as a function of lens speed (F/2 - F/60). Novel processes necessary for high sag refractive IR microoptics arrays, including deep anisotropic Si-etching, planarization of deep topography and multilayer resist techniques, are described. Initial results are presented for monolithic integration of photonic and microoptic systems.

Stern, Margaret B.↗