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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Mechanical and thermophysical properties of graphite/polyimide composite materials

An on-going program to characterize advanced composites for up to 50,000 hours of exposure to simulated supersonic cruise environments is summarized. Results are presented for up to 25,000 hours of thermal exposure and 10,000 hours of flight simulation at temperatures up to 560K (550 F) with emphasis on HTS/710 graphite/polyimide composite material. Results to date indicate that the maximum use temperature for HTS/710 may be reduced to 505K (450 F) for long-time (1000 hours) application such as the supersonic transport. Preliminary thermophysical properties data for HTS/PMR15 graphite/polyimide were generated. These data include thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, and specific heat from 115K (-252 F) to 590K (600 F) and emittance at room temperature and 590K (600 F). The purpose in generating these data was to validate use of state-of-the-art property measurement methods for advanced graphite fiber reinforced resin matrix composites. Based on results to this point, thermal expansion measurements for composites are most difficult to perform. A high degree of caution in conducting thermal expansion tests and analyzing results is required to produce reliable data.

Rummler, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Subsurface Thermophysical Properties of Europa's Leading and Trailing Hemispheres as Revealed by ALMA

We present best-fit values of porosity—and the corresponding effective thermal inertiae—determined from three different depths in Europa's near-subsurface (∼1–20 cm). The porosity of the upper ∼20 cm of Europa's subsurface varies between 75% and 50% (Γeff ≈ 50–140 J m −2 K −1 s −1/2 ) on the leading hemisphere and 50%–40% (Γeff ≈ 140–180 J m −2 K −1 s −1/2 ) on the trailing hemisphere. Residual maps produced by comparison with these models reveal thermally anomalous features that cannot be reproduced by globally homogeneous porosity models. These regions are compared to Europa's surface terrain and known compositional variations. We find that some instances of warm thermal anomalies are co-located with known geographical or compositional features on both the leading and trailing hemisphere; cool temperature anomalies are well correlated with surfaces previously observed to contain pure, crystalline water ice and the expansive rays of Pwyll crater. Anomalous regions correspond to locations with subsurface properties different from those of our best-fit models, such as potentially elevated thermal inertia, decreased emissivity, or more porous regolith. We also find that ALMA observations at ∼3 mm sound below the thermal skin depth of Europa (∼10–15 cm) for a range of porosity values, and thus do not exhibit features indicative of diurnal variability or residuals similar to other frequency bands. Future observations of Europa at higher angular resolution may reveal additional locations of variable subsurface thermophysical properties, while those at other wavelengths will inform our understanding of the regolith compaction length and the effects of external processes on the shallow subsurface.

Alexander E Thelen↗
NASA NTRS2003

Thermophysical Properties of Mars' North Polar Layered Deposits and Related Materials from Mars Odyssey THEMIS

The presence of a thick sequence of horizontal layers of ice-rich material at Mars north pole, dissected by troughs and eroding at its margins, is undoubtedly telling us something about the evolution of Mars climate [1,2] we just don t know what yet. The North Polar Layered Deposits (NPLD) most likely formed as astronomically driven climate variations led to the deposition of conformable, areally extensive layers of ice and dust over the polar region. More recently, the balance seems to have fundamentally shifted to net erosion, as evidenced by the many troughs within the NPLD and the steep, arcuate scarps present near its margins, both of which expose layering. We defined a number of Regions of Interest ROI) for THEMIS to target as part of the Mars Odyssey Participating Scientist program. We use these THEMIS data in order to understand the morphology and color/thermal properties of the NPLD and related materials over relevant (i.e., m to km) spatial scales. We have assembled color mosaics of our ROIs in order to map the distribution of ices, the different layered units, dark material, and underlying basement. The color information from THEMIS is crucial for distinguishing these different units which are less distinct on Mars Orbiter Camera images. We wish to understand the nature of the marginal scarps and their relationship to the dark material. Our next, more ambitious goal is to derive the thermophysical properties of the different geologic materials using THEMIS and Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer TES) data.

Vasavada, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Thermophysical Property Measurement and Materials Research in the NASA/MSFC Electrostatic Levitator

Containerless processing is an important tool for materials research. The freedom from a crucible allows processing of liquid materials in a metastable undercooled state, as well as allowing processing of high temperature and highly reactive melts. Electrostatic levitation (ESL) is a containerless method which provides a number of unique advantages, including the decoupling of positioning force from sample heating, the ability to operate in ultra-high vacuum or at moderate gas pressure (approx. 3 atm), and the ability to process non-conducting materials. ESL also has the potential to reduce internal flow velocities below those possible with electromagnetic, acoustic, or aero-acoustic techniques. In electrostatic levitation, the acceleration of gravity (or residual acceleration in reduced gravity) is opposed by the action of an applied electric field on a charged sample. Microgravity allows electrostatic levitation to work even more effectively. In microgravity, ESL can position larger samples than is possible on the ground, or it can position samples which maintain their charge poorly. Microgravity also reduces the effects of buoyant convection and sedimentation. The ESL facility at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is in use for thermophysical property measurements and materials research by a number of different internal and external investigators. The methods for obtaining access to the facility, as well as a summary of current capabilities and some future directions will be discussed.

Rogers, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Thermophysical properties of gas phase uranium tetrafluoride

Thermophysical data of gaseous uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) are theoretically obtained by taking into account dissociation of molecules at high temperatures (2000-6000 K). Determined quantities include specific heat, optical opacity, diffusion coefficient, viscosity, and thermal conductivity. A computer program is developed for the calculation.

Watanabe, Yoichi↗
NASA NTRS1991

Calculating Thermophysical Properties Of 12 Fluids

MIPROPS is set of computer programs giving thermophysical and transport properties of selected fluids. Calculates properties of fluids in both liquid and vapor states over wide range of temperatures and pressures. Fluids included: helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, argon, nitrogen trifluoride, methane, ethylene, ethane, propane, isobutane, and normal butane. All programs except helium program incorporate same equation of state. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Cleghorn, T. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Effect of processing variables on the thermophysical properties of polybenzimidazole foams

The relationships are described among prepolymer purity, processing parameters, and additives to the thermophysical and chemical properties of polybenzimidazole foams in the density range from 24 to 80 kg/cu m. Foam properties are shown to be affected by differences in prepolymer purity, curing schedule, and the presence of additives in the foam. High-temperature compressive properties were improved by postcuring at 527 C. Surfactant additives were found to improve uniformity of cell size. Foams were characterized according to high-temperature mechanical properties, density, porosity, thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, and specific heat.

Kourtides, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Dynamic measurements of thermophysical properties of metals and alloys at high temperatures by subsecond pulse heating techniques

Rapid (subsecond) heating techniques developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology for the measurements of selected thermophysical and related properties of metals and alloys at high temperatures (above 1000 C) are described. The techniques are based on rapid resistive self-heating of the specimen from room temperature to the desired high temperature in short times and measuring the relevant experimental quantities, such as electrical current through the specimen, voltage across the specimen, specimen temperature, length, etc., with appropriate time resolution. The first technique, referred to as the millisecond-resolution technique, is for measurements on solid metals and alloys in the temperature range 1000 C to the melting temperature of the specimen. It utilizes a heavy battery bank for the energy source, and the total heating time of the specimen is typically in the range of 100-1000 ms. Data are recorded digitally every 0.5 ms with a full-scale resolution of about one part in 8000. The properties that can be measured with this system are as follows: specific heat, enthalpy, thermal expansion, electrical resistivity, normal spectral emissivity, hemispherical total emissivity, temperature and energy of solid-solid phase transformations, and melting temperature (solidus). The second technique, referred to as the microsecond-resolution technique, is for measurements on liquid metals and alloys in the temperature range 1200 to 6000 C. It utilizes a capacitor bank for the energy source, and the total heating time of the specimen is typically in the range 50-500 micro-s. Data are recorded digitally every 0.5 micro-s with a full-scale resolution of about one part in 4000. The properties that can be measured with this system are: melting temperature (solidus and liquidus), heat of fusion, specific heat, enthalpy, and electrical resistivity. The third technique is for measurements of the surface tension of liquid metals and alloys at their melting temperature. It utilizes a modified millisecond-resolution heating system designed for use in a microgravity environment.

Cezairliyan, Ared↗
NASA NTRS2024

Microgravity Effects on Nonequilibrium Melt Processing of Neodymium Titanate: Thermophysical Properties, Atomic Structure, Glass Formation and Crystallization

The relationships between materials processing and structure can vary between terrestrial and reduced gravity environments. As one case study, we compare the nonequilibrium melt processing of a rare-earth titanate, nominally 83TiO 2 -17Nd 2 O 3 , and the structure of its glassy and crystalline products. Density and thermal expansion for the liquid, supercooled liquid, and glass are measured over 300–1850 °C using the Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) in microgravity, and two replicate density measurements were reproducible to within 0.4%. Cooling rates in ELF are 40–110 °C s −1 lower than those in a terrestrial aerodynamic levitator due to the absence of forced convection. X-ray/neutron total scattering and Raman spectroscopy indicate that glasses processed on Earth and in microgravity exhibit similar atomic structures, with only subtle differences that are consistent with compositional variations of ~2 mol. % Nd 2 O 3 . The glass atomic network contains a mixture of corner- and edge-sharing Ti-O polyhedra, and the fraction of edge-sharing arrangements decreases with increasing Nd 2 O 3 content. X-ray tomography and electron microscopy of crystalline products reveal substantial differences in microstructure, grain size, and crystalline phases, which arise from differences in the melt processes.

thermophysical properties↗
NASA NTRS1975

Temperatures and thermophysical properties of the lunar outermost layer

Comparisons of calculated diurnal and eclipse temperatures of the lunar outermost layer are made with earth-based infrared and millimeter data. The thermophysical model upon which the calculations are based incorporates variable physical properties. The thermal conductivity is a function of both density (depth) and temperature; the specific heat is a function of temperature; the density is a function of depth; and the dielectric constant and loss tangent are functions of density (depth). Laboratory measurements and Apollo-sample results are incorporated in the property data. Calculational cases are based largely upon different density profiles. The model is consistent with the data, and the comparisons of theoretical and observational temperatures are very favorable. For such comparisons, further sophistication of the thermophysical model of the outermost layer is probably not justified.

Jones, W. P.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Thermophysical properties of foodstuffs

Minimum overall nutritional deterioration of foodstuffs is generally attained by maximizing the rate of heat input and minimizing the duration of heating. Measurement of thermophysical data for foodstuffs is discussed in terms of specific heat, latent energy, enthalpy, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and density. Since phase change in foodstuffs occurs over a temperature range rather than at a discrete temperature, enthalpy is preferred over sensible and latent energy measurements as it can be used to fix the state of a sample very accurately; also, in the fusion process there is no precise way of separating sensible and latent energies. The first step in determining property data for foodstuffs is to describe the material in conventionally accepted terms. Future work should be concentrated in the area of thermal diffusivity and enthalpy measurements.

Witte, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Parahydrogen Thermophysical Properties V05 Final Report

The NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion (SNP) Program works to mature both nuclear electric and nuclear thermal propulsion capabilities. The nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) sub-effort focuses on development of technologies enabling human exploration of Mars – with a nominal performance target of 900 second vacuum specific impulse (Ivac). This Ivac target demands a hydrogen (molecular hydrogen, or dihydrogen) monopropellant NTP engine system, as other propellant choices fall well short of this target for realistically attainable reactor system temperatures (< 3000 K).

Parahydrogen↗