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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

Reinforcing of thermoplastic polycarbonate and polysulfone with carbon fibers: Production and characteristics of UD-compound objects

The production and characteristics of the carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics polycarbonate and polysulfone are described. The production of prepregs from defined polymer solutions is emphasized along with methods of optimizing the production of compounds. The characteristics of unidirectionally reinforced thermoplastics, such as shear strength, bending strength, and impact resistance are compared with regard to fracture behavior, the influence of intermediate layers, and the behavior under cryogenic conditions and under slightly elevated temperatures. The problem of adhesion between high strength carbon fibers and thermoplastics is examined, taking into account the effect of moisture on the shear strength and the impact resistance.

Fitzer, E.↗

Advanced meteoroid and debris shielding concepts

The results of the shielding screening and optimization work conducted at the NASA Johnson Space Center Hypervelocity Impact Research Laboratory (HIRL) are described. The impact tests to investigate and optimize certain aspects of the aluminum mesh double-bumper concept, which was considered the best performer in the screening test, are analyzed. Preliminary results indicate that the aluminum mesh double-bumper concept shows a 30 to 40 percent weight reduction compared to an aluminum Whipple shield in the velocity range study, besides such advantages as an increased resistance to penetration and the fact that the aluminum mesh does not produce damaging secondary ejecta particles. It is suggested that the ballistic protection can be improved even more if an intermediate layer of a high-strength cloth is attached near the rear wall.

Christiansen, Eric L.↗

Filament wound metal lined propellant tanks for future Earth-to-orbit transports

For future Earth-to-orbit transport vehicles, reusability and lighter weights are sought for the main propellant tanks. To achieve this, a filament wound tank with a metal liner and an intermediate layer of foam-filled honeycomb is proposed. A hydrogen tank is used as an example. To accommodate mismatches in the expansion of liner and overwrap a design is proposed wherin the liner is configured so that the extension of the liner under pressure matches the expected contraction of the same liner due to the presence of a cryogen. In operation, the liner is pressurized at a rate such that the pressure strain matches the contraction due to decrease in temperature. As an alternate approach, compressive pre-stress is placed in the liner such that it will not separate from the overwrap. A finite element program is used to show stresses in the liner and overwrap for various tank pressures for the pre-stressed liner concept. A fracture mechanics analysis is made of the liners to determine tank life. The tank concept shown has a similar weight to the Shuttle external hydrogen tank, but the filament wound tank is expected to be reusable. Integration of the propellant tanks into a future transport vehicle is discussed.

Macconochie, Ian O.↗

Pretreatment of lubricated surfaces with sputtered cadmium oxide

Cadmium oxide is used with a dry solid lubricant on a surface to improve wear resistance. The surface topography is first altered by photochemical etching to a predetermined pattern. The cadmium oxide is then sputtered onto the altered surface to form an intermediate layer to more tightly hold the dry lubricant, such as graphite.

Fusaro, Robert L.↗

Equatorial ion composition, 140-200 km, based on Atmosphere Explorer E data

We have used in situ measurements of ion composition and horizontal winds, taken from equatorial orbiting Atmosphere Explorer E in eccentric orbit during 1975-1976 to investigate the bottomside ionosphere at altitudes 140-200 km. Representative daytime altitude profiles of ionization were stable against wide variations in horizontal wind patterns. Special features that sometimes appeared in the structured nightside ionization were apparent ion composition waves, intermediate layers of enhanced ionization, and ionization depletions similar to equatorial ionization bubbles. Apparent ion composition waves displayed a horizontal wave length of about 650 km. Enhanced layers of ionization appeared to be newly separated from the bottomside midnight F layer; its ions were primarily NO(+) and O2(+) without significant densities of metallic ions, an indication that metallic ions are not required to produce the layers at altitudes above 140 km. Equatorial ionization depletions were observed at lower altitudes than previously reported and displayed molecular ion depletions as well as O(+) depletions.

Miller, N. J.↗

Langley Research Center - Soluble Imide (LaRC-SI)

This report is about experimenting and developing uses for the new thermal plastic developed by Dr. Robert Bryant called the 'Langley Research Center - Soluble Imide' (LaRC-SI). The three developments are: the use of the LaRC-SI as a dielectric for thin film sensors, as an adhesive to place diamonds on surfaces to increase thermal conductivity, and as an intermediate layer to allow the placement of metal on aluminum nitride. The LaRC-SI was developed by Dr. Robert G. Bryant, a chemical engineer at NASA Langley Research Center. The unique properties of this material is that it is an amorphous thermoplastic. This means that it can be reformed at elevated temperature and pressures. It can be applied in the form of a spray, spin, dip coating, paint, or spread with a doctors blade. The LaRC-SI has excellent adhesive and dielectric properties. It can also be recycled. Potential applications for this material are resin for mechanical parts such as gears, bearings and valves, advanced composites like carbon fiber, high strength adhesives, thin film circuits, and as a dielectric film for placing electrical components on conductive materials.

Stang, David↗

Development of Protective Coatings for Chromium-Base Alloys

Chromium alloy sheet was clad with 5 to 10-mil-thick oxidation-resistant nickel-base alloy foils. Specimens also contained 1/2 to 1-mil-thick intermediate layers of platinum, tungsten, and/or W-25Re. Cladding was done by the isostatic hot gas-pressure bonding,.process. The clad chromium-alloy specimens were cyclic oxidation tested at 2100 F and 2300 F for up to 200 hours to determine the effectiveness of these metal claddings in protecting the chromium alloy Cr-5W from oxidation and contamination. Cladding systems consisting of 5-mil-thick Ni-20Cr-20W modified with 3 to 5 weight percent aluminum and containing a 1 /2-mil tungsten diffusion barrier demonstrated potential for long-time service at temperatures as high as 2300 F.

English, J. J.↗

Controlling Growth Orientation of Phthalocyanine Films by Electrical Fields

Organic Phthalocyanine films have many applications ranging from data storage to various non-linear optical devices whose quality is affected by the growth orientation of Phthalocyanine films. Due to the structural and electrical properties of Phthalocyanine molecules, the film growth orientation depends strongly on the substrate surface states. In this presentation, an electrical field up to 4000 V/cm is introduced during film growth. The Phthalocyanine films are synthesized on quartz substrates using thermal evaporation. An intermediate layer is deposited on some substrates for introducing the electrical field. Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used for measuring surface morphology, film structure, and optical properties, respectively. The comparison of Phthalocyanine films grown with and without the electrical field reveals different morphology, film density, and growth orientation, which eventually change optical properties of these films. These results suggest that the growth method in the electrical field can be used to synthesized Phthalocyanine films with a preferred crystal orientation as well as propose an interaction mechanism between the substrate surface and the depositing molecules. The details of growth conditions and of the growth model of how the Phthalocyanine molecules grow in the electrical field will be discussed.

Zhu, S.↗

Multi-wavelength Observations of Solar Active Region NOAA 7154

We report on observations of a solar active region in May 1992 by the Solar Plasma Diagnostic Experiment (SPDE) in coordination with the Yohkoh satellite (producing soft X-ray images) and ground-based observatories (producing photospheric magnetograms and various filtergrams including those at the CN 3883 A line). The main focus is a study of the physical conditions of hot (T is approximately greater than 3 MK) coronal loops at their foot-points. The coronal part of the loops is fuzzy but what appear to be their footpoints in the transition region down to the photosphere are compact. Despite the morphological similarities, the footpoint emission at 10(exp 5) K is not quantitatively correlated with that at approximately 300 km above the tau (sub 5000) = 1 level, suggesting that the heat transport and therefore magnetic field topology in the intermediate layer is complicated. High resolution imaging observations with continuous temperature coverage are crucially needed.

Bruner, M. E.↗

Two-axis magnetic field sensor

A ferromagnetic thin-film based magnetic field sensor with first and second sensitive direction sensing structures each having a nonmagnetic intermediate layer with two major surfaces on opposite sides thereof having a magnetization reference layer on one and an anisotropic ferromagnetic material sensing layer on the other having a length in a selected length direction and a smaller width perpendicular thereto and parallel to the relatively fixed magnetization direction. The relatively fixed magnetization direction of said magnetization reference layer in each is oriented in substantially parallel to the substrate but substantially perpendicular to that of the other. An annealing process is used to form the desired magnetization directions.

Jander, Albrecht↗

Performance of Whipple Shields at Impact Velocities above 9 km/s

Whipple shields were first proposed as a means of protecting spacecraft from the impact of micrometeoroids in 1947 [1] and are currently in use as micrometeoroid and orbital debris shields on modern spacecraft. In the intervening years, the function of the thin bumper used to shatter or melt threatening particles has been augmented and enhanced by the use of various types and configurations of intermediate layers of various materials. All shield designs serve to minimize the threat of a spall failure or perforation of the main wall of the spacecraft as a result of the impact of the fragments. With increasing use of Whipple shields, various ballistic limit equations (BLEs) for guiding the design and estimating the performance of shield systems have been developed. Perhaps the best known and most used are the "new" modified Cour-Palais (Christiansen) equations [2]. These equations address the three phases of impact: (1) ballistic (<3 km/s), where the projectile is moving too slowly to fragment and essentially penetrates as an intact projectile; (2) shatter (3 to 7 km/s), where the projectile fragments at impact and forms an expanding cloud of debris fragments; and (3) melt/vaporization (>7 km/s), where the projectile melts or vaporizes at impact. The performance of Whipple shields and the adequacy of the BLEs have been examined for the first two phases using the results of impact tests obtained from two-stage, light-gas gun test firings. Shield performance and the adequacy of the BLEs has not been evaluated in the melt/vaporization phase until now because of the limitations of launchers used to accelerate projectiles with controlled properties to velocities above 7.5 km/s. A three-stage, light-gas gun, developed at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) [3], is capable of launching small, aluminum spheres to velocities above 9 km/s. This launcher was used to evaluate the ballistic performance of two Whipple shield systems, various thermal protection system materials, and other spacecraft-related materials to the impact of 1.6-mm- to 2.6-mm-diameter, 2017-T4 aluminum spheres at impact velocities ranging from 8.91 km/s to 9.28 km/s. Test results, details of the shield systems, and nominal ballistic limits for the two Whipple shields are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Christiansen, Eric L.↗

Mechanical Properties and Durability of Advanced Environmental Barrier Coatings in Calcium-Magnesium-Alumino-Silicate Environments

Environmental barrier coatings are being developed and tested for use with SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) gas turbine engine components. Several oxide and silicate based compositons are being studied for use as top-coat and intermediate layers in a three or more layer environmental barrier coating system. Specifically, the room temperature Vickers-indentation-fracture-toughness testing and high-temperature stability reaction studies with Calcium Magnesium Alumino-Silicate (CMAS or "sand") are being conducted using advanced testing techniques such as high pressure burner rig tests as well as high heat flux laser tests.

Miladinovich, Daniel S.↗

Multimetallic catalysts

A multimetallic catalyst having a substrate, intermediate layer and catalyst layer. The catalyst exhibits selectivity greater than 90% and a conversion rate of greater than 30%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Study on Emulsification/Demulsification Behavior and Mechanism of Produced Liquid from Polymer Flooding on Alaska North Slope

Heavy oil reservoirs on Alaska North Slope (ANS) are unconsolidated and contain abundant clay minerals, where the first-ever field pilot is currently implemented to validate the use of polymer floods for heavy oil enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The polymer molecules and/or fine clay particles carried with the produced liquid could potentially affect the oil/water separation, which is one of the major concerns for field operators. This dissertation aims to investigate the emulsification behavior of produced liquid, understand the emulsifying mechanism, and seek an adaptive and cost-effective method to treat the produced liquid from polymer flooding. Emulsions were prepared by mechanically mixing the actual heavy oil and the produced water from the pilot site, of which the stability was investigated by bottle test method or multiple light scattering method. Drop size distribution and interfacial properties were measured via microscope and pendant drop technique to probe the stability mechanism further. Results showed that oil-continuous or water-continuous emulsion could be generated depending on the water cut, clay types, clay concentration, and polymer concentration. In the crude oil/water system, the increasing water cut triggered the phase inversion of oil-continuous emulsion to water-continuous emulsion, resulting in faster separation and lower emulsion stability. Whereas, clay particles, no matter added to the oil or water phase, resulted in an unfavorable phase inversion from the loose water-continuous emulsion to the tight oil-continuous emulsion as clay concentration increased. For all four types of clay except Ca-montmorillonite, clay particles added to water led to an earlier phase inversion and higher emulsion stability than that added to the oil. The dual function of polymer on emulsion stability was observed. On the one hand, both sheared and unsheared polymer tended to convert the oil-continuous emulsion formed in either crude oil/water system or complex crude oil/water/clay particle system to the water-continuous emulsion, acting as a weak demulsifier to accelerate the oil/water separation. On the other hand, the addition of polymer to the water-continuous emulsion could result in enhanced emulsion stability, which is primarily attributed to the increased viscosity of the continuous phase and the decreased drop size of the dispersed oil phase. Particularly, the sheared polymer had a weaker ability to stabilize the o/w emulsion than the unsheared polymer due to the lower viscosity of the sheared polymer solution resulting from the breakdown of the polymer macromolecules. As for the chemical demulsification tests, the performance of demulsifiers showed a complex dependency upon the water cut, the shearing intensity, demulsifier type and dosage, and the polymer concentration. A compound emulsion breaker, E12+E18, exhibited the most satisfactory demulsification performance despite the varied test conditions. For severe water-continuous emulsions that might require a multi-fold dosage of demulsifier, a less expensive electrolyte, KCl, was proposed to be used in combination with demulsifier E12+E18 to improve the demulsification performance. In the proposed demulsifier formula, the effectiveness of the commercial demulsifier relied on its destructive effect on the interfacial film, while the efficacy of KCl was mainly dependent on its viscosity reduction effect on the continuous phase. This dissertation illustrates that intermediate layer elimination and water clarification are the major challenges for produced liquid treatment from polymer flooding. It also provides practical and theoretical guidance in advance for the demulsification strategy of the produced liquid from the ongoing first-ever polymer flooding pilot on ANS.

Chang, Hongli↗

Control rods for light water reactors

A control rod for a nuclear fuel assembly is described herein that includes a neutron absorbing material having a melting point greater than 1500° C. that does not form a eutectic with a melting point less than 1500° C., and may further include a cladding material having a melting point greater than 1500° C. The cladding material is selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, zirconium, a zirconium alloy, tungsten, and molybdenum. The absorbing material is selected from the group consisting of Gd2O3, Ir, B4C, Re, and Hf. The metal cladding or the absorbing material may be coated with an anti-oxidation coating of Cr with or without a Nb intermediate layer.

Lahoda, Edward J.↗

Integration of semiconductor membranes with piezoelectric substrates

Piezoelectrically actuated devices constructed from thin semiconductor membranes bonded directly to piezoelectric substrates are provided. Methods for fabricating these devices are also provided. The bonding of the semiconductor to the piezoelectric material does not require the use of any intermediate layers, such as bonding agents.

Lagally, Max G.↗

Online monitoring the hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride for intermediates by cryogenic layering and FTIR

Uranium hexafluoride (UF 6 ) is a commonly utilized material feedstock in uranium enrichment processes due to its high vapor pressure and ease of sublimation. When exposed to air, UF 6 undergoes spontaneous hydrolysis to form uranyl fluoride (UO 2 F 2 ) particulates which are utilized for the detection of undeclared nuclear activities by nuclear safeguards organizations. In this study, the kinetics of the hydrolysis reaction and how they relate to particle morphology of the product are still debated in the literature. Here, we report the direct, in situ observation of UF 6 reaction intermediates by cooling the reaction to cryogenic temperatures to significantly reduce the rate of hydrolysis. The reaction is then observable by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The conversion of UF 6 to UOF 4 is observed as well as several other bands associated with possible long lived intermediate complexes. Chemometrics are used to further elucidate the reaction pathway from UF 6 to UO 2 F 2 .

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗