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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 91 records · Page 5

Thermal death of a hydrocarbon bacterium in a nonaqueous fluid

A hydrocarbon-utilizing Brevibacterium which grew into the oil phase of an oil-water system was tested for survival at elevated temperature. Cells suspended in oil and cells that had been resuspended in aqueous solution were tested by placing 1-ml samples of the cell suspension in small test tubes immersed in a controlled-temperature water bath. The resultant survival curves in oil consisted of two parts, a flat shoulder obtained in the first half of the heating period, followed by a break indicating rapid die-off. The break in the curves occurred after 50% of the cells were killed. This occurred at exposures of 25, 15, and 8 min for 78, 88.6, and 96.2 C, respectively. The survival curve for 63.5 C in the aqueous solution was a rapid, exponential die-off. The actual increase in survival of the organism in oil is reflected by the length of the shoulder portion. The shoulder occurs only in an oil medium and is increased by decreasing temperature and increasing age of the culture.

Severance, M. M.↗

Gap/silicon Tandem Solar Cell with Extended Temperature Range

A two-junction solar cell has a bottom solar cell junction of crystalline silicon, and a top solar cell junction of gallium phosphide. A three (or more) junction solar cell has bottom solar cell junctions of silicon, and a top solar cell junction of gallium phosphide. The resulting solar cells exhibit improved extended temperature operation.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗

Silicon solar cells by ion implantation and pulsed energy processing

A new method for fabrication of silicon solar cells is being developed around ion implantation in conjunction with pulsed electron beam techniques to replace conventional furnace processing. Solar cells can be fabricated totally in a vacuum environment at room temperature. Cells with 10% AM0 efficiency have been demonstrated. High efficiency cells and effective automated processing capabilities are anticipated.

Kirkpatrick, A. R.↗

Effect of KOH concentration on LEO cycle life of IPV nickel-hydrogen flight cell - Update II

An update of validation test results confirming the breakthrough in LEO cycle life of nickel-hydrogen cells containing 26 percent KOH electrolyte is presented. A breakthrough in the LEO cycle life of individual pressure vessel (IPV) nickel-hydrogen cells has been previously reported. The cycle life of boiler plate cells containing 26 percent potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte was about 40,000 LEO cycles, compared to 3500 cycles for cells containing 31 percent KOH. The cycle regime was a stressful accelerated LEO, which consisted of a 27.5 min charge followed by a 17.5 min discharge (2X normal rate). The depth-of-discharge was 80 percent. Six 48-Ah Hughes recirculation design IPV nickel-hydrogen flight battery cells are being evaluated. Three of the cells contain 26 percent KOH (test cells), and three contain 31 percent KOH (control cells). They are undergoing real time LEO cycle life testing. The cycle regime is a 90-min LEO orbit consisting of a 54-min charge followed by a 36-min discharge. The depth-of-discharge is 80 percent. The cell temperature is maintained at 10 C. The three 31 percent KOH cells failed (cycles 3729, 4165, and 11355). One of the 26 percent KOH cells failed at cycle 15314. The other two 26 percent KOH cells were cycled for over 16,000 cycles during the continuing test.

Smithrick, John J.↗

Preliminary Findings of the Photovoltaic Cell Calibration Experiment on Pathfinder Flight 95-3

The objective of the photovoltaic (PV) cell calibration experiment for Pathfinder was to develop an experiment compatible with an ultralight UAV to predict the performance of PV cells at AM0, the solar spectrum in space, using the Langley plot technique. The Langley plot is a valuable technique for this purpose and requires accurate measurements of air mass (pressure), cell temperature, solar irradiance, and current-voltage(IV) characteristics with the cells directed normal to the direct ray of the sun. Pathfinder's mission objective (95-3) of 65,000 ft. maximum altitude, is ideal for performing the Langley plot measurements. Miniaturization of electronic data acquisition equipment enabled the design and construction of an accurate and light weight measurement system that meets Pathfinder's low payload weight requirements.

Vargas-Aburto, Carlos↗

Nickel cadmium cell composite reliability model

Ni-Cd battery reliability has become a critical design parameter with the increasing need for longer life and optimally designed secondary battery power systems in space as well as in more mundane applications. It is the purpose of this paper to present a state-of-the-art Ni-Cd cell reliability model as a function of cumulative cyclic operation, cell temperature and cyclic depth-of-discharge. In addition, a simple and convenient cell failure analysis technique will be presented in which the reliability, the distribution, and the distribution parameters can be determined by visual inspection.

Kirsch, W. W.↗

Performance Characteristics of Lithium-Ion Prototype Batteries for Mars Surveyor Program 2001 Lander

A viewgraph presentation outlines the scientific payload, expected launch date and tasks, and an image of the Mars Surveyor 2001 Lander components. The Lander's battery specifications are given. The program objectives for the Li-ion cells for the Lander are listed, and results performance evaluation and cycle life performance tests are outlined for different temperatures. Cell charge characteristics are described, and test data is presented for charge capacity at varying temperatures. Capacity retention and storage characteristics tests are described and results are shown.

Smart, M. C.↗

Feasibility Study 30 Watts per Pound Rollup Solar Array

Principal efforts in this reporting period were applied to preparation of the detail design of the array structure and mechanisms and to manufacturing drawings for a demonstration model of the selected design concept. Analytical support focused on substantiation of the detail design. Additional studies were performed of dynamic criteron effects on components of the wrap drum. Thermal studies were extended to evaluate another thin film (preferred) material for the substrate and its influence on solar cell temperatures. Electrical design considerations included feasibility studies and ramifications of using a new, larger size, solar cell and a new coverglass application concept. Preliminary evaluations suggest improvement in the array power to weight characteristic and net savings in the estimated cost of cell installation. Weight estimates have been up-dated in keeping with refinements in detail design. Performance of this contractor's rollout solar array design is now projected as capable of producing 31.6 watts per pound of weight; excludes estimated improvements from use of new solar cell design.

Source record↗

Double-sided solar-cell package

Cost-effective solar-cell package is proposed for development of practical solar-cell system. Since cells are enclosed in inexpensive plastic tubes, forced-air-cooling loop is proposed to maintain cell temperature at adequate levels. Loop must include desiccant to remove moisture from hermetic enclosures to prevent cell corrosion.

Shelpuk, B.↗

Overcharge and overdischarge protection of ambient temperature secondary lithium cells

A cathode additive is provided for protecting an ambient temperature secondary lithium cell from overcharging or overdischarging. The cathode additive is chosen to create an upper voltage plateau which is slightly higher than a characteristic charge cutoff voltage of the cathode of the cell. The cathode additive additionally creates a lower voltage plateau which is slightly lower than the characteristic discharge cutoff voltage of the cell. Preferably, the cathode additive is a transition metal oxide or a sulfide and may, for example, include a mixture of Li2Mn2O4 and Li(0.1)MoO2.

Huang, Chen-Kuo↗

CO2 laser annealing of 50-microns-thick silicon solar cells

A test program is conducted to determine thin solar cell annealing effects using a laser energy source. A CO2 continuous-wave laser was used in annealing experiments on 50 micrometers-thick silicon solar cells after proton irradiation. Test cells were irradiated to a fluence of 1.0 x 10 to the 12th power protons/sq cm with 1.9 MeV protons. After irradiation, those cells receiving full proton dosage were degraded by an average of 30% in output power. In annealing tests laser beam exposure times on the solar cell varied from 2 seconds to 16 seconds reaching cell temperatures of from 400 C to 500 C. Under those conditions annealing test results showed recovery in cell output power of from 33% to 90%.

Walker, F. E.↗

A blackbody-pumped CO2-N2 transfer laser

A compact blackbody-pumped CO2-N2 transfer laser was constructed and the significant operating parameters were investigated. Lasing was achieved at 10.6 microns by passing preheated N2 through a 1.5-mm-diameter nozzle to a laser cavity where the N2 was mixed with CO2 and He. An intrinsic efficiency of 0.7 percent was achieved for an oven temperature of 1473 K and N2 oven pressure of 440 torr. The optimum laser cavity consisted of a back mirror with maximum reflectivity and an output mirror with 97.5-percent reflectivity. The optimum gas mixture was 1CO2/.5He/6N2. The variation of laser output was measured as a function of oven temperature, nozzle diameter, N2 oven pressure, He and CO2 partial pressures, nozzle-to-oven separation, laser cell temperature, and output laser mirror reflectivity. With these parameters optimized, outputs approaching 1.4 watts were achieved.

Deyoung, R. J.↗

The electrolyte challenge for a direct methanol-air polymer electrolyte fuel cell operating at temperatures up to 200 C

Novel polymer electrolytes are being evaluated for use in a direct methanol-air fuel cell operating at temperatures in excess of 100 C. The evaluation includes tests of thermal stability, ionic conductivity, and vapor transport characteristics. The preliminary results obtained to date indicate that a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell is feasible. For example, Nafion 117 when equilibrated with phosphoric acid has a conductivity of at least 0.4 Omega(exp -1)cm(exp -1) at temperatures up to 200 C in the presence of 400 torr of water vapor and methanol vapor cross over equivalent to 1 mA/cm(exp 2) under a one atmosphere methanol pressure differential at 135 C. Novel polymers are also showing similar encouraging results. The flexibility to modify and optimize the properties by custom synthesis of these novel polymers presents an exciting opportunity to develop an efficient and compact methanol fuel cell.

Savinell, Robert↗

Significant reduction in arc frequency biased solar cells: Observations, diagnostics, and mitigation technique(s)

A variety of experiments were performed which identify key factors contributing to the arcing of negatively biased high voltage solar cells. These efforts have led to reduction of greater than a factor of 100 in the arc frequency of a single cell following proper remediation procedures. Experiments naturally lead to and focussed on the adhesive/encapsulant that is used to bond the protective cover slip to the solar cell. An image-intensified charge coupled device (CCD) camera system recorded UV emission from arc events which occurred exclusively along the interfacial edge between the cover slip and the solar cell. Microscopic inspection of this interfacial region showed a bead of encapsulant along this entire edge. Elimination of this encapsulant bead reduced the arc frequency by two orders of magnitude. Water contamination was also identified as a key contributor which enhances arcing of the encapsulant bead along the solar cell edge. Spectrally resolved measurements of the observable UV light shows a feature assignable to OH(A-X) electronic emission, which is common for water contaminated discharges. Experiments in which the solar cell temperature was raised to 85 C showed a reduced arcing frequency, suggesting desorption of H2O. Exposing the solar cell to water vapor was shown to increase the arcing frequency. Clean dry gases such as O2, N2, and Ar show no enhancement of the arcing rate. Elimination of the exposed encapsulant eliminates any measurable sensitivity to H2O vapor.

Upschulte, B. L.↗

Convective Array Cooling for a Solar Powered Aircraft

A general characteristic of photovoltaics is that they increase in efficiency as their operating temperature decreases. Based on this principal, the ability to increase a solar aircraft's performance by cooling the solar cells was examined. The solar cells were cooled by channeling some air underneath the cells and providing a convective cooling path to the back side of the array. A full energy balance and flow analysis of the air within the cooling passage was performed. The analysis was first performed on a preliminary level to estimate the benefits of the cooling passage. This analysis established a clear benefit to the cooling passage. Based on these results a more detailed analysis was performed. From this cell temperatures were calculated and array output power throughout a day period were determined with and without the cooling passage. The results showed that if the flow through the cooling passage remained laminar then the benefit in increased output power more than offset the drag induced by the cooling passage.

Colozza, Anthony J.↗