Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “responsive material”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 919 records · Page 51

Investigating Material Behavior in Atmospheric Entry Conditions: Arc-Jet Testing Insights from Meteorite Ablation to High-Temperature Coatings.

Arc-jet testing is an indispensable tool in elucidating the complex interactions materials undergo when subjected to the extreme thermal and mechanical stresses of atmospheric entry. By replicating these harsh conditions, arc-jets enable researchers to explore critical phenomena such as ablation, melting, and spallation, generating invaluable data that informs the development of sophisticated, physics-based models. These models are pivotal not only in predicting material performance for spacecraft re-entry systems but also in assessing the threat posed by celestial bodies as they encounter Earth’s atmosphere. One of the leading facilities for such investigations is the Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System (HyMETS) at NASA’s Langley Research Center. A pioneering test campaign conducted at HyMETS focused on unraveling the ablation mechanisms of an ordinary chondrite meteorite (Tamdakht H5) and a terrestrial analog (basalt). These studies unveiled distinct material behaviors: Tamdakht demonstrated a remarkably stable melt flow, with mass loss primarily driven by the volatilization of elements such as iron and sodium, whereas basalt exhibited more aggressive surface degradation due to the rapid decomposition of hydrated minerals, culminating in significant spallation and surface material ejection. Beyond meteorite analysis, HyMETS has also been integral in the exploration of advanced Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) such as Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA), a material with extensive flight heritage in missions like Stardust, Mars Science Laboratory, Mars 2020, and Osiris-REx. PICA, when coated with NuSil CV-1144-0—a polysiloxane resin designed to prevent particle shedding—undergoes a remarkable transformation upon heating. The resin pyrolyzes to form a thin, oxidation-resistant silicon oxycarbide layer that profoundly influences the material’s thermal response through a sophisticated four-stage process. Initially, the silicon oxycarbide acts as a formidable barrier, impeding reactive interactions with the PICA char and effectively suppressing surface temperature rise and material recession. However, as the heating persists, the protective layer decomposes via carbothermal reduction, exposing the underlying char, which in turn leads to a dramatic spike in surface temperature and accelerated material erosion. In the final stage, equilibrium is reached, with recession rates aligning with those of the virgin material. This intricate understanding of PICA-NuSil behavior under extreme conditions offers valuable insights, enhancing material response models and advancing the development of next-generation TPS for space exploration.

Chemistry↗

Response Of Ceramic Insulation To Aerothermodynamic Heating

Thermal conductivities determined from engineering model used to predict accurately thermal responses of multicomponent insulation on spacecraft. Types of insulation studied include such composite parts as alumina-enhanced thermal barrier backed by low-density fibrous refractory material. Internal responses of various types of multicomponent insulation to aerothermodynamic heating calculated with help of computer program that implements engineering model for thermal conductivity. Transfer of heat by internal radiation plays major role in responses of fibrous materials at high temperatures and incorporated into model and program. Used in future spacecraft and exposed during reentry and aerobraking maneuvers in outer atmosphere to environments even harsher than that of Space Shuttle.

Stewart, David A.↗

Fundamental Property Requirements for Thermal and Mechanical Response Analysis of Thermal Protection Materials and Systems

Spacecraft that are designed to reenter the Earth's atmosphere, or enter the atmosphere of another planet, require Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) in order to survive the extreme thermal environments during the atmospheric flight. Analytical modeling of thermal and mechanical response is a fundamental aspect of the design of TPS and development of TPS materials. The analyses are used to understand the response of the materials and systems under representative environments. Performing these analyses, and evaluating the results, requires a variety of fundamental inputs, including: thermal and mechanical material properties; predicted or measured ground test and flight environments; and information about adjacent structure or attachments. We explain the nature of the analyses, highlight the essential fundamental data that are required, and describe the impact of the accuracy in the input data on the final results. We also describe the important priorities in material characterization testing in support of analyses.

Squire, Thomas↗

Influence of Cooling Hole Geometry and Material Conductivity on the Thermal Response of Cooled Silicon Nitride Plate

To complement the effectiveness of ceramic materials and the applicability to turbine engine applications, a parametric study using the finite element method was carried out. This study conducted thorough analyses of a thermal-barrier-coated silicon nitride (Si3N4) plate specimen with cooling channels, where its thermal conductivity was verified in an attempt to minimize the thermal stresses and reach an optimal rate of stress. The thermal stress profile was generated for specimens with circular and square cooling channels. Lower stresses were reported for a higher magnitude of thermal conductivity and in particular for the circular cooling channel arrangement. Contour plots for the stresses and the temperature are presented and discussed.

Abdul-Aziz, Ali↗

The Uniaxial Tensile Response of Porous and Microcracked Ceramic Materials

The uniaxial tensile stress-strain behavior of three porous ceramic materials was determined at ambient conditions. Test specimens in the form of thin beams were obtained from the walls of diesel particulate filter honeycombs and tested using a microtesting system. A digital image correlation technique was used to obtain full-field 2D in-plane surface displacement maps during tensile loading, and in turn, the 2D strains obtained from displacement fields were used to determine the Secant modulus, Young s modulus and initial Poisson s ratio of the three porous ceramic materials. Successive unloading-reloading experiments were performed at different levels of stress to decouple the linear elastic, anelastic and inelastic response in these materials. It was found that the stress-strain response of these materials was non-linear and that the degree of nonlinearity is related to the initial microcrack density and evolution of damage in the material.

anelasticity↗

Design and Synthesis of Annulated Benzothiadiazoles via Dithiolate Formation for Ambipolar Organic Semiconductors

Substituted 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole ( BTD ) is a widely used electron acceptor unit for functional organic semiconductors. Difluorination or annulation on the 5,6-position of the benzene ring is among the most adapted chemical modifications to tune the electronic properties, though each sees its own limitations in regulating the frontier orbital levels. Herein, a hitherto unreported 5,6-annulated BTD acceptor, denoted as ssBTD , is designed and synthesized by incorporating an electron-withdrawing 2-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)malononitrile moiety via aromatic nucleophilic substitution of the 5,6-difluoroBTD ( ffBTD ) precursor. Unlike the other reported BTD annulation strategies, this modification leads to the simultaneous decrease in both frontier orbital energies, a welcoming feature for photovoltaic applications. Incorporation of ssBTD into conjugated polymers results in materials boasting broad light absorption, dramatic solvatochromic and thermochromic responses (>100 nm shift and a band gap difference of ~0.28 eV), and improved crystallinity in the solid state. Such physical properties are in accordance with the combined electron-withdrawing effect and significantly increased polarity associated with the ssBTD unit, as revealed by detailed theoretical studies. Furthermore, the thiolated ssBTD imbues the polymer with ambipolar charge transport property, in contrast to the ffBTD -based polymer, which transports holes only. While the low mobilities (10 -4 to 10 -5 cm 2 V -1 s -1 ) could be further optimized, detailed studies validate that the thioannulated BTD is a versatile electron-accepting unit for the design of functional stimuli-responsive optoelectronic materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Atomistic material behavior at extreme pressures

Computer simulations are routinely performed to model the response of materials to extreme environments, such as neutron (or ion) irradiation. The latter involves high-energy collisions from which a recoiling atom creates a so-called atomic displacement cascade. These cascades involve coordinated motion of atoms in the form of supersonic shockwaves. These shockwaves are characterized by local atomic pressures >15 GPa and interatomic distances <2 Å. Similar pressures and interatomic distances are observed in other extreme environment, including short-pulse laser ablation, high-impact ballistic collisions and diamond anvil cells. Displacement cascade simulations using four different force fields, with initial kinetic energies ranging from 1 to 40 keV, show that there is a direct relationship between these high-pressure states and stable defect production. An important shortcoming in the modeling of interatomic interactions at these short distances, which in turn determines final defect production, is brought to light.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mechanisms of picosecond laser-induced damage in common multilayer dielectric coatings

Abstract The physical mechanisms and ensuing material modification associated with laser-induced damage in multilayer dielectric high reflectors is investigated for pulses between 0.6 and 100 ps. We explore low-loss multilayer dielectric SiO 2 /HfO 2 mirrors which are commonly employed in petawatt-class laser systems. The spatial features of damage sites are precisely characterized, enabling the direct correlation of the observed damage morphology to the location of energy deposition and the corresponding standing-wave electric-field intensities within the layer structure. The results suggest that there are three discrete damage-initiation morphologies arising from distinctly different mechanisms: the first prevailing at laser pulse lengths shorter than about 2.3 ps, while the other two are observed for longer pulses. Modeling of the thermomechanical response of the material to localized laser-energy deposition was performed for each type of damage morphology to better understand the underlying mechanisms of energy deposition and subsequent material response.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Magnetocaloric Effect of Micro- and Nanoparticles of Gd 5 Si 4

We report that materials exhibiting a large magnetocaloric effect (MCE) at or near room temperature are critical for solid-state refrigeration applications. The MCE is described by a change in entropy (ΔS M ) and/or temperature (ΔT ad ) of a material in response to a change in applied magnetic field. Ball milled materials generally exhibit smaller ΔS M values compared to bulk; however, milling broadens the effect, potentially increasing the relative cooling power (RCP). The as-cast Gd 5 Si 4 is an attractive option due to its magnetic transition at 340 K and associated MCE. Investigation of effect of particles size and transition temperature in the binary material, Gd 5 Si 4 , can lead to development of functionally graded bulk material with higher MCE and RCP than the traditional bulk materials. A two-step ball-milling process, in which coarse powder of Gd 5 Si 4 was first milled with poly(ethylene glycol) followed by milling in heptane was used to produce fine particles of Gd 5 Si 4 that showed a broad distribution in particle size. Magnetic measurement on the milled sample obtained after washing with water show a decrease in Curie temperature and significant broadening of the magnetic transition. Compared to bulk Gd 5 Si 4 , the maximum MCE of the milled samples is also reduced and shifted down by close to 30 K, but the MCE remains substantial over a broader temperature range. Lastly, the RCP of both milled samples increased 75% from the bulk material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructural Effects of High Dose Helium Implantation in ErD 2

Metal hydrides can store hydrogen isotopes with high volumetric density. In metal tritides, tritium beta decay can result in accumulation of helium within the solid, in some cases exceeding 10 at.% helium after only 4 years of aging. Helium is insoluble in most materials, but often does not readily escape, and instead coalesces to form nanoscale bubbles when helium concentrations are near 1 at.%. Blistering or spallation often occurs at higher concentrations. Radioactive particles shed during this process present a potential safety hazard. This study investigates the effects of high helium concentrations on erbium deuteride (ErD 2 ), a non-radioactive surrogate material for erbium tritide (ErT 2 ). To simulate tritium decay in the surrogate, high doses of 120 keV helium ions were implanted into ErD 2 films at room temperature. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy indicated spherical helium bubble formation at a critical concentration of 1.5 at.% and bubble linkage leading to nanoscale crack formation at a concentration of 7.5 at.%. Additionally, crack propagation occurred through the nanocrack region, resulting in spallation extending from the implantation peak to the surface. Electron energy loss spectroscopy was utilized to confirm the presence of high-pressure helium in the nanocracks, suggesting that helium gas plays a predominant role in deformation. This work improves the overall understanding of helium behavior in ErD 2 by using modern characterization techniques to determine: the critical helium concentration required for bubble formation, the material failure mechanism at high concentration, and the nanoscale mechanisms responsible for material failure in helium implanted ErD 2 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Trajectory Based Heating and Ablation Calculations for MESUR Pathfinder Aeroshell

Based on the geometry of Mars Environment Survey (MESUR) Pathfinder aeroshell and an estimated Mars entry trajectory, two-dimensional axisymmetric time dependent calculations have been obtained using GIANTS (Gauss-Siedel Implicit Aerothermodynamic Navier-Stokes code with Thermochemical Surface Conditions) code and CMA (Charring Material Thermal Response and Ablation) Program for heating analysis and heat shield material sizing. These two codes are interfaced using a loosely coupled technique. The flowfield and convective heat transfer coefficients are computed by the GIANTS code with a species balance condition for an ablating surface, and the time dependent in-depth conduction with surface blowing is simulated by the CMA code with a complete surface energy balance condition. In this study, SLA-561V has been selected as heat shield material. The solutions, including the minimum heat shield thicknesses over aeroshell forebody, pyrolysis gas blowing rates, surface heat fluxes and temperature distributions, flowfield, and in-depth temperature history of SLA-561V, are presented and discussed in detail.

Chen, Y. K.↗

Engineered Polymer Architectures for Thermo–Responsive Desiccants in Dehumidification Applications

Humidity control is relevant to many processes in buildings and manufacturing and is responsible for over 600 million tons of CO 2 annually. As such, desiccants that can efficiently remove moisture from air can greatly reduce emissions. A new class of desiccant materials, thermo–responsive desiccants, has been of increased interest in the literature. These materials are generally based on thermo–responsive polymers and exhibit a temperature–dependent isotherm, an attribute that is small in traditional desiccants. In this work, seven key parameters needed to create an effective thermo–responsive polymer desiccant are identified using a combination of modeling and experimental data. Further, it is found that more thermo–responsiveness is not necessarily better for energy efficiency, and that an optimal, “medium” value is desired. Additionally, polymer composition and architecture play key roles in adjusting the seven key parameters. Finally, based on findings from both modeling and experimental work, guidelines on synthesizing future thermo–responsive polymer desiccants are presented.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transports in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments

Assessments of waste form and disposal options start with the degradation of the waste forms and consequent mobilization of radionuclides. Long-term static tests, single-pass flow-through tests, and the pressurized unsaturated flow test are often employed to study the durability of potential waste forms and to help create models that predict their durability throughout the lifespan of the disposal site. These tests involve the corrosion of the material in the presence of various leachants, with different experimental designs yielding desired information about the behavior of the material. Though these tests have proved instrumental in elucidating various mechanisms responsible for material corrosion, the chemical environment to which the material is subject is often not representative of a potential radioactive waste repository where factors such as pH and leachant composition will be controlled by the near-field environment. Near-field materials include, but are not limited to, the original engineered barriers, their resulting corrosion products, backfill materials, and the natural host rock. For an accurate performance assessment of a nuclear waste repository, realistic waste corrosion experimental data ought to be modeled to allow for a better understanding of waste form corrosion mechanisms and the effect of immediate geochemical environment on these mechanisms. Additionally, the migration of radionuclides in the resulting chemical environment during and after waste form corrosion must be quantified and mechanisms responsible for migrations understood. The goal of this research was to understand the mechanisms responsible for waste form corrosion in the presence of relevant repository sediments to allow for accurate radionuclide migration quantifications. The rationale for this work is that a better understanding of waste form corrosion in relevant systems will enable increased reliance on waste form performance in repository environments and potentially decrease the need for expensive engineered barriers.Our current work aims are 1) quantifying and understanding the processes associated with glass alteration in contact with Fe-bearing materials; 2) quantifying and understanding the processes associated with glass alteration in presence of MgO (example of engineered barrier used in WIPP); 3) identifying glass alteration suppressants and the processes involved to reach glass alteration suppression; 4) quantifying and understanding the processes associated with Saltstone and Cast Stone (SRS and Hanford cementitious waste forms) in various representative groundwaters; 5) investigating positron annihilation as a new tool for the study of glass alteration; and 6) quantifying and understanding the processes associated with glass alteration under gamma irradiation.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗