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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

Development of coatings to control electroosmosis in zero gravity electrophoresis

A major problem confronting the operation of free fluid electrophoresis in zero gravity is the control of electrokinetic phenomena and, in particular, electroosmosis. Due to the severity of counter flow, as a result of electroosmosis, the electrical potential developed at the surface of shear must be maintained at near, or as close to, zero millivolts as possible. Based upon this investigation, it has been found that the amount of bound water or the degree of hydroxylation plays a major role in the control of this phenomena. Of necessity, factors, such as adhesion, biocompatibility, protein adsorption, and insolubility were considered in this investigation because of the long buffer-coating exposure times required by present space operations. Based upon tests employing microcapillary electrophoresis, it has been found that gamma amino propyl trihydroxysilane produced a coating which provides the lowest potential (minus 3.86 mv) at the surface of shear between the stationary and mobile layers. This coating has been soaked in both borate and saline buffers, up to three months, in a pH range of 6.5 to 10 without deleterious effects or a change in its ability to control electrokinetic effects.

Krupnick, A. C.↗

Performance of LI-1542 reusable surface insulation system in a hypersonic stream

The thermal and structural performance of a large panel of LI-1542 reusable surface insulation tiles was determined by a series of cyclic heating tests using radiant lamps and aerothemal tests in the Langley 8-foot high-temperature structures tunnel. Aerothermal tests were conducted at a free-stream Mach number of 6.6, a total temperature of 1830 K, Reynolds numbers of 2.0 and 4,900,000 per meter, and dynamic pressures of 29 and 65 kPa. The results suggest that pressure gradients in gaps and flow impingement on the header walls at the end of longitudinal gaps are sources for increased gap heating. Temperatures higher than surface radiation equilibrium temperature were measured deep in gaps and at the header walls. Also, the damage tolerance of the LI-1542 tiles appears to be very high. Tile edge erosion rate was slow; could not be tolerated in a shuttle application. Tiles soaked with water and subjected to rapid depressurization and aerodynamic heating showed no visible evidence of damage.

Hunt, L. R.↗

Initial development of an ablative leading edge for the space shuttle orbiter

A state-of-the-art preliminary design for typical wing areas is developed. Seven medium-density ablators (with/without honeycomb, flown on Apollo, Prime, X15A2) are evaluated. The screening tests include: (1) leading-edge models sequentially subjected to ascent heating, cold soak, entry heating, post-entry pressure fluctuations, and touchdown shock, and (2) virgin/charred models subjected to bondline strains. Two honeycomb reinforced 30 pcf elastomeric ablators were selected. Roughness/recession degradation of low speed aerodynamics appears acceptable. The design, including attachments, substructure and joints, is presented.

Daforno, G.↗

Concentration changes during eutectic solidification

Thermotransport (or thermal diffusion, Soret effect) is shown to cause significant amount of segregation during the directional solidification of aluminum-copper eutectic. The concentration changes are predicted quantitatively and they are a function of temperature gradient, rate of melting and solidification and the time of soaking. There is a fair agreement between the experiments and calculations. A process is suggested where these concentration changes may be minimized.

Bhat, B. N.↗

High temperature antenna development for space shuttle, volume 2

An S-band antenna system and a group of off-the-shelf aircraft antenna were exposed to temperatures simulating shuttle orbital cold soak and entry heating. Radiation pattern and impedance measurements before and after exposure to the thermal environments were used to evaluate the electrical performance. The results of the electrical and thermal testing are given. Test data showed minor changes in electrical performance and established the capability of these antenna to withstand both the low temperatures of space flight and the high temperatures of entry.

Kuhlman, E. A.↗

Preparation, testing and analysis of zinc diffusion samples, NASA Skylab experiment M-558

Transport mechanisms of zinc atoms in molten zinc were investigated by radiotracer techniques in unit and in near-zero gravity environments. Each melt in the Skylab flight experiments was maintained in a thermal gradient of 420 C to 790 C. Similar tests were performed in a unit gravity environment for comparison. After melting in the gradient furnace followed by a thermal soak period (the latter was used for flight samples only), the samples were cooled and analyzed for Zn-65 distribution. All samples melted in a unit gravity environment were found to have uniform Zn-65 distribution - no concentration gradient was observed even when the sample was brought rapidly to melting and then quenched. Space-melted samples, however, showed textbook distributions, obviously the result of diffusion. It was evident that convection phenomena were the dominant factors influencing zinc transport in unit gravity experiments, while diffusion was the dominant factor in near-zero gravity experiments.

Braski, D. N.↗

Experimental evaluation of joint designs for a space-shuttle orbiter ablative leading edge

The thermal performance of two types of ablative leading-edge joints for a space-shuttle orbiter were tested and evaluated. Chordwise joints between ablative leading-edge segments, and spanwise joints between ablative leading-edge segments and reusable surface insulation tiles were exposed to simulated shuttle heating environments. The data show that the thermal performance of models with chordwise joints to be as good as jointless models in simulated ascent-heating and orbital cold-soak environments. The suggestion is made for additional work on the joint seals, and, in particular, on the effects of heat-induced seal-material surface irregularities on the local flow.

Tompkins, S. S.↗

Fiber reinforced solids possessing great fracture toughness: The role of interfacial strength

The results of angle-ply investigations for strength and toughness of brittle fiber/brittle filament composites are presented. General results are discussed for both unidirectional and angle-ply intermittently bonded boron/epoxy composites as affected by soaking and freezing water environments. A description of and the operating instructions are included for the modified 230 mm (9 inch) wide intermittent coating tape making apparatus.

Atkins, A. G.↗

Temperature reference for microwave radiometer calibration

New temperature reference avoids need to physically remove antenna and replace it with calibrating termination. Device is piece of porous microwave absorber fitted with cap of nonporous plastic foam. Absorbent material is soaked with cryogen. Procedure ensures that temperature at which microwaves are absorbed is exactly that of cryogen.

Love, A. W.↗

Application and utilization of a space chamber for the drying and decontamination of books, documents and other materials

Truckloads of materials such as rare books, papers, engineering drawings, blue prints, art work, leather objects such as shoes, and clothing were successfully dried, decontaminated and impregnated against future infestation by microorganisms in a large 12 x 24 foot vacuum chamber designed originally for testing unmanned spacecraft. The process is unique in that it allows either frozen or wet material, soaked by some castastrophic event to be dried and sterilized in the same chamber with a minimum of handling and transportation.

Koesterer, M. G.↗

Monotectic and syntectic alloys experiment MA-044

The flight test furnace run of the monotectic and syntectic alloys experiment was successfully performed during the Apollo Soyuz Test Project mission. All three experiment cartridges were returned intact. A second ground based test was conducted after the mission to provide one g samples with an equivalent thermal history. The examinations of all flight and ground based cartridges and ampoules have been completed. Encouraging results have been obtained in the preliminary analysis of one flight aluminum antimonide sample as compared to ground based and prototype test counterparts. In terms of reduction of the unwanted second phase, the low g sample shows a homogeneity improvement by a factor of 5 to 20. Preliminary examination of one lead zinc flight sample shows a dispersion of lead in the zinc matrix. However, complete homogenization of the material did not occur. A thermal analysis of flight data shows that the average soak temperature for the head zinc ampoules was 20 C lower than planned but 35 C above the published consolute temperature..

Ang, C. Y.↗

Thermal-environment testing of a 30-cm engineering model thruster

An experimental test program was carried out to document all 30-cm electron bombardment Hg ion bombardment thruster functions and characteristics over the thermal environment of several proposed missions. An engineering model thruster was placed in a thermal test facility equipped with -196 C walls and solar simulation. The thruster was cold soaked and exposed to simulated eclipses lasting in duration from 17 to 72 minutes. The thruster was operated at quarter, to full beam power in various thermal configurations which simulated multiple thruster operation, and was also exposed to 1 and 2 suns solar simulation. Thruster control characteristics and constraints; performance, including thrust magnitude and direction; and structural integrity were evaluated over the range of thermal environments tested.

Mirtich, M. J.↗

Monotectic and syntectic alloys. Experiment MA-044

The flight test furnace run of the monotectic and syntectic alloys experiment was successfully performed during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission in July 1975. Examination of the returned sample cartridges and the formal comparative characterization of the low-g and one-g processed samples of lead-zinc and aluminum antimonide were completed. The results for aluminum antimonide show that polycrystalline and multiphased material can be homogenize in space under low-g conditions. Microstructural study on the lead-zinc flight samples shows that complete interdiffusion of lead and zinc had not been achieved, even though the flight data indicated a soak temperature in the miscible region that was 40 K above the published consolute temperature.

Lacy, L. L.↗

Design, fabrication, and structural testing of a lightweight shadow shield for deep-space application

Two full-scale, lightweight, double-sheeted shadow shields were developed as the primary element of a deep-space thermal protection system for liquid-hydrogen propellant tankage. The thermal and mechanical considerations used in s, the method of fabrication, and the environmental testing results on a prototype shield are discussed. Testing consisted of a transient cooldown period, a prolonged cold soak, and a transient warmup. The mechanical and thermal analyses used in the shield design are sufficient to produce a lightweight rugged shadow shield assembly that is structurally adequate for its intended application.

Miao, D.↗

Thermal-environmental testing of a 30-cm engineering model thruster

An experimental test program was carried out to document all 30-cm electron bombardment Hg ion bombardment thruster functions and characteristics over the thermal environment of several proposed missions. An engineering model thruster was placed in a thermal test facility equipped with -196 C walls and solar simulation. The thruster was cold soaked and exposed to simulated eclipses lasting in duration from 17 to 72 minutes. The thruster was operated at quarter, to full beam power in various thermal configurations which simulated multiple thruster operation, and was also exposed to 1 and 2 suns solar simulation. Thruster control characteristics and constraints; performance, including thrust magnitude and direction; and structural integrity were evaluated over the range of thermal environments tested.

Mirtich, M. J.↗

Natural-oxide solar-collector coatings

Optically selective coatings for solar collectors are produced by thermally treating stainless steel in furnace after series of cleaning and soaking operations. Coatings have withstood 18-month exposure tests at 100 percent relative humidity and temperatures of 95 F. Room temperature coatings are valuable as they are inexpensive to produce, highly production oriented, and environmentally stable.

Krupnick, A. C.↗

Flight IV technical report for experiment 74-37 contained polycrystalline solidification in low-G

Experiments were performed to study the effect of a low-gravity environment on the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) during polycrystalline solidification. Solutions of H2O-30 wt% NH4Cl and H2O-37 wt% NH4Cl were solidified in semicylindrical molds with radial heat extraction. Both solutions were quenched from the same soak temperature (90 C); the respective superheat temperatures were, therefore, approximately 57 and 23 C. The lower superheat resulted in a completely columnar structure, and the higher superheat resulted in a 1/3 columnar - 2/3 equiaxed microstructure; these results were independent of the relationship between heat flow direction and gravity. Grain multiplication mechanisms observed were showering, thermal inversion driven convection cells, and compositionally induced density inversion driven convection cells.

Papazian, J. M.↗