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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 109 records · Page 6

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NASA NTRS1973

Coordination procedure for radio relay and communication satellite services

A global rain rate statistic model is used to link microwave propagation statistics to measurable rain statistics in order to develop international telecommunication site criteria for radio relay and communication satellite services that minimize interference between receivers and transmitters. This rain coordination procedure utilizes a rain storm cell size, a statistical description of the rainfall rate within the cell valid for most of the earth's surface, approximations between Raleigh scatter and constancy of precipitation with altitude, and an analytic relation between radar reflectivity and rain rate.

Eckerman, J.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Development of advanced fuel cell system, phase 3

A multiple task research and development program was performed to improve the weight, life, and performance characteristics of hydrogen-oxygen alkaline fuel cells for advanced power systems. Gradual wetting of the anode structure and subsequent long-term performance loss was determined to be caused by deposition of a silicon-containing material on the anode. This deposit was attributed to degradation of the asbestos matrix, and attention was therefore placed on development of a substitute matrix of potassium titanate. An 80 percent gold 20 percent platinum catalyst cathode was developed which has the same performance and stability as the standard 90 percent gold - 10 percent platinum cathode but at half the loading. A hybrid polysulfone/epoxy-glass fiber frame was developed which combines the resistance to the cell environment of pure polysulfone with the fabricating ease of epoxy-glass fiber laminate. These cell components were evaluated in various configurations of full-size cells. The ways in which the baseline engineering model system would be modified to accommodate the requirements of the space tug application are identified.

Handley, L. M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The effect of an interaction of magnetic flux and supergranulation on the decay of magnetic plages

This paper studies how the properties of large-scale convection affect the decay of plages. The plage decay, caused by the random-walk dispersion of flux tubes, is suggested to be severely affected by differences between the mean size of cellular openings within and around plages. The smaller cell size within a plage largely explains the smaller diffusion coefficient within plages as compared to that of the surrounding regions. The semipermeability of the plage periphery, together with the dependence of the diffusion coefficient on the flux-tube density, can explain the observed slow decay of plages (predicting a typical life time of about a month for a medium-sized plage), the existence of a well-defined plage periphery, and the observed characteristic mean magnetic flux density of about 100 G. One effect of the slowed decay of the plage by the semipermeability of the plage periphery is the increase of the fraction of the magnetic flux that can cancel with flux of the opposite polarity along the neutral line to as much as 80 percent as compared to at most 50 percent in the case of nonuniform diffusion. This may explain why only a small fraction of the magnetic flux is observed to escape from the plage into the surrounding network.

Schrijver, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Electrolytes for Use in High Energy Lithium-ion Batteries with Wide Operating Temperature Range

Met programmatic milestones for program. Demonstrated improved performance with wide operating temperature electrolytes containing ester co-solvents (i.e., methyl butyrate) containing electrolyte additives in A123 prototype cells: Previously demonstrated excellent low temperature performance, including 11C rates at -30 C and the ability to perform well down to -60 C. Excellent cycle life at room temperature has been displayed, with over 5,000 cycles being demonstrated. Good high temperature cycle life performance has also been achieved. Demonstrated improved performance with methyl propionate-containing electrolytes in large capacity prototype cells: Demonstrated the wide operating temperature range capability in large cells (12 Ah), successfully scaling up technology from 0.25 Ah size cells. Demonstrated improved performance at low temperature and good cycle life at 40 C with methyl propionate-based electrolyte containing increasing FEC content and the use of LiBOB as an additive. Utilized three-electrode cells to investigate the electrochemical characteristics of high voltage systems coupled with wide operating temperature range electrolytes: From Tafel polarization measurements on each electrode, it is evident the NMC-based cathode displays poor lithium kinetics (being the limiting electrode). The MB-based formulations containing LiBOB delivered the best rate capability at low temperature, which is attributed to improved cathode kinetics. Whereas, the use of lithium oxalate as an additive lead to the highest reversible capacity and lower irreversible losses.

low temperature batteries↗

NASA NTRS1975

Progress in the development of the hollow fiber sodium-sulfur secondary cell

This report describes the development and status of the sodium-sulfur secondary cell which uses fine hollow glass fibers as the electrolyte. Laboratory size cells containing up to 7000 fibers and having capacities up to 5 ampere-hours have been built and operated. These cells have been run at various cycle depths up to 95% of capacity. Lifetime does not depend on depth of discharge up to at least 50% depth and possibly deeper. Rates of charge and discharge of the nominally one hour cells have been varied from three times the design rate to 0.05 times the design rate. Smaller cells operate with essentially no internal resistance increase during their lifetimes of over four months on continuous charge/discharge at the one hour rate. Larger cells assembled with somewhat different mechanical assembly techniques have shorter lives. Two types of failure modes are observed: progressive weakening and breaking of the fibers inside the cell assembly, and fiber breakage at the fiber/tube sheet interface.

Levine, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

High-efficiency module design

Progress on the development of a high efficiency module is described. The effort includes development of high efficiency cells using crystalline silicon wafers from float zone silicon. Module-size cells, 53 sq cm in area, were fabricated with efficiency of 18%. Operating temperature reduction is also studied.

Spitzer, M. B.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Microstructure and stability of melt spun INCONEL 713 LC

The alloy IN-714LC was used in an investigation of the effect of process parameters on the microstructure of a rapidly solidified melt-spun material. The resultant ribbon microstructure consisted of several distinct regions, each of which corresponds to a different thermal history during processing. A chill zone of equiaxed randomly-oriented grains exists in a region of the foil which was in contact with the wheel during casting. This zone develops into a dendritic growth morphology with distance away from the lower ribbon surface. Dendrites inclined in the direction of wheel rotation result from growth into a flowing stream. TEM studies showed that a cell structure formed, the cell size decreasing with increasing wheel speed. Aging studies indicated that the cell structure plays an important role in gamma prime precipitation. Results relating to heat treatments (as would be encountered in compaction and use) and the stability of the melt-spun structure are considered.

Antolovich, S. D.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Cell separation using electric fields

The present invention involves methods and devices which enable discrete objects having a conducting inner core, surrounded by a dielectric membrane to be selectively inactivated by electric fields via irreversible breakdown of their dielectric membrane. One important application of the invention is in the selection, purification, and/or purging of desired or undesired biological cells from cell suspensions. According to the invention, electric fields can be utilized to selectively inactivate and render non-viable particular subpopulations of cells in a suspension, while not adversely affecting other desired subpopulations. According to the inventive methods, the cells can be selected on the basis of intrinsic or induced differences in a characteristic electroporation threshold, which can depend, for example, on a difference in cell size and/or critical dielectric membrane breakdown voltage. The invention enables effective cell separation without the need to employ undesirable exogenous agents, such as toxins or antibodies. The inventive method also enables relatively rapid cell separation involving a relatively low degree of trauma or modification to the selected, desired cells. The inventive method has a variety of potential applications in clinical medicine, research, etc., with two of the more important foreseeable applications being stem cell enrichment/isolation, and cancer cell purging.

Mangano, Joseph A.↗

NASA NTRS2009

Cell separation using electric fields

Mangano, Joseph↗

NASA NTRS1985

Develop and test fuel cell powered on-site integrated total energy systems: Phase 3, full-scale power plant development

A 25 cell stack of the 13 inch x 23 inch cell size (about 4kW) remains on test after 6000 hours, using simulated reformate fuel. A similar stack was previously shut down after 7000 hours on load. These tests were carried out for the purpose of assessing the durability of fuel cell stack components developed through the end of 1983. In light of the favorable results obtained, a 25kW stack that will contain 175 cells of the same size is being constructed using the same technology base. The components for the 25kW stack have been completed. A methanol steam reformer with a design output equivalent to 50kW has been constructed to serve as a hydrogen generator for the 25kW stack. This reformer and the balance of the fuel processing sub system are currently being tested and debugged. The stack technology development program focused on cost reduction in bipolar plates, nonmetallic cooling plates, and current collecting plates; more stable cathode catalyst support materials; more corrosion resistant metal hardware; and shutdown/start up tolerance.

Kaufman, A.↗

NASA NTRS2016

By-Pass Diode Temperature Tests of a Solar Array Coupon under Space Thermal Environment Conditions

By-Pass diodes are a key design feature of solar arrays and system design must be robust against local heating, especially with implementation of larger solar cells. By-Pass diode testing was performed to aid thermal model development for use in future array designs that utilize larger cell sizes that result in higher string currents. Testing was performed on a 56-cell Advanced Triple Junction solar array coupon provided by SSL. Test conditions were vacuum with cold array backside using discrete by-pass diode current steps of 0.25 A ranging from 0 A to 2.0 A.

Wright, Kenneth H.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Lithium-doped solar cells for space use

Lithium doped p-n solar cells meet the basic requirements for space use. The efficiencies of the Lopex lithium cells which range from 10.5 to 12.8% are equal to or better than C.G. lithium cell and 10 ohms-cm n-p cell efficiencies. Reduction in the stresses introduced during boron diffusion has eliminated cell size restrictions and both 2 x 2 and 2 x 6 cm lithium doped cells have been fabricated. The Ti-Ag contacts which are tested 100% with a tape peel test, and pull tested and humidity tested on a sample basis are comparable to the Ti-Ag contacts on n-p cells.

Payne, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Reduction of solar cell efficiency by edge defects across the back-surface-field junction - A developed perimeter model

Material imperfections, impurity clusters and fabrication defects across the back-surface-field junction can degrade the performance of high-efficiency solar cells. The degradation from defects appearing on the circumference of a solar cell is analyzed using a two-region developed perimeter device model. The width of the defective perimeter region is characterized by the range or the distance-of-influence of the defective edge and this width is about two diffusion lengths. The defective edge is characterized by a surface recombination velocity. Family of theoretical curves and numerical examples are presented to show that significant reduction of open-circuit voltage can occur in high-efficiency cells which are thin compared with the diffusion length. In one example, the degradation is decreased from 135 mV to 75 mV when the cell size is increased from 10 to 100 times the diffusion length in a thin cell whose thickness is 1% of the diffusion length.

Sah, C. T.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Escherichia coli growth under modeled reduced gravity

Bacteria exhibit varying responses to modeled reduced gravity that can be simulated by clino-rotation. When Escherichia coli was subjected to different rotation speeds during clino-rotation, significant differences between modeled reduced gravity and normal gravity controls were observed only at higher speeds (30-50 rpm). There was no apparent affect of removing samples on the results obtained. When E. coli was grown in minimal medium (at 40 rpm), cell size was not affected by modeled reduced gravity and there were few differences in cell numbers. However, in higher nutrient conditions (i.e., dilute nutrient broth), total cell numbers were higher and cells were smaller under reduced gravity compared to normal gravity controls. Overall, the responses to modeled reduced gravity varied with nutrient conditions; larger surface to volume ratios may help compensate for the zone of nutrient depletion around the cells under modeled reduced gravity.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS1976

Optimized metallization patterns for large-area silicon solar cells

Design criteria is presented for optimizing the front-surface metallization pattern of large-area silicon solar cells. A computer program calculates the spacing of metal fingers which minimizes resistive and shadowing losses. Finger spacing and efficiency for the optimum design are presented as a function of finger width and cell size. It is shown that quantitative evaluation of metallization pattern options can be made without cell fabrication.

Matzen, W. T.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Testing Update on 20 and 25-Ah Lithium Ion Cells

Eagle-Picher Energy Products has worked on lithium ion batteries for approximately 8 years. During that period EPEPC developed and delivered several cell sizes on a program funded by the USAF and Canadian DND. Designs are wound cylindrical cells from 7 to 40-Ah. Most cells delivered were approximately 25-Ah due to requirements of Mars missions. Several iterations of cells were manufactured and delivered for evaluation. The first design was 20-Ah, Design I, and the second was a 25-Ah, Design II.

Bruce, Gregg C.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Synchrony in human, mouse and bacterial cell cultures--a comparison

Growth characteristics of synchronous human MOLT-4, human U-937 and mouse L1210 cultures produced with a new minimally-disturbing technology were compared to each other and to synchronous Escherichia coli B/r. Based on measurements of cell concentrations during synchronous growth, synchrony persisted in similar fashion for all cells. Cell size and DNA distributions in the mammalian cultures also progressed synchronously and reproducibly for multiple cell cycles. The results demonstrate that unambiguous multi-cycle synchrony, critical for verifying the absence of significant growth imbalances induced by the synchronization procedure, is feasible with these cell lines, and possibly others.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS2012

Heat Shield Employing Cured Thermal Protection Material Blocks Bonded in a Large-Cell Honeycomb Matrix

A document describes a new way to integrate thermal protection materials on external surfaces of vehicles that experience the severe heating environments of atmospheric entry from space. Cured blocks of thermal protection materials are bonded into a compatible, large-cell honeycomb matrix that can be applied on the external surfaces of the vehicles. The honeycomb matrix cell size, and corresponding thermal protection material block size, is envisioned to be between 1 and 4 in. (.2.5 and 10 cm) on a side, with a depth required to protect the vehicle. The cell wall thickness is thin, between 0.01 and 0.10 in. (.0.025 and 0.25 cm). A key feature is that the honeycomb matrix is attached to the vehicle fs unprotected external surface prior to insertion of the thermal protection material blocks. The attachment integrity of the honeycomb can then be confirmed over the full range of temperature and loads that the vehicle will experience. Another key feature of the innovation is the use of uniform-sized thermal protection material blocks. This feature allows for the mass production of these blocks at a size that is convenient for quality control inspection. The honeycomb that receives the blocks must have cells with a compatible set of internal dimensions. The innovation involves the use of a faceted subsurface under the honeycomb. This provides a predictable surface with perpendicular cell walls for the majority of the blocks. Some cells will have positive tapers to accommodate mitered joints between honeycomb panels on each facet of the subsurface. These tapered cells have dimensions that may fall within the boundaries of the uniform-sized blocks.

Zell, Peter↗