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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 NTRS1984

Development of a lightweight nickel electrode

Nickel electrodes made using lightweight plastic plaque are about half the weight of electrodes made from state of the art sintered nickel plaque. This weight reduction would result in a significant improvement in the energy density of batteries using nickel electrodes (nickel hydrogen, nickel cadmium and nickel zinc). These lightweight electrodes are suitably conductive and yield comparable capacities (as high as 0.25 AH/gm (0.048 AH/sq cm)) after formation. These lightweight electrodes also show excellent discharge performance at high rates.

Britton, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Factors Affecting Nickel-oxide Electrode Capacity in Nickel-hydrogen Cells

The nickel-oxide electrode common to the nickel hydrogen and nickel cadmium cell is by design the limiting or capacity determining electrode on both charge and discharge. The useable discharge capacity from this electrode, and since it is the limiting electrode, the useable discharge capacity of the cell as well, can and is optimized by rate of charge, charge temperature and additives to electrode and electrolyte. Recent tests with nickel hydrogen cells and tests performed almost 25 years ago with nickel cadmium cells indicate an improvement of capacity as a result of using increased electrolyte concentration.

Ritterman, P. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Assessment of commercially available and experimental hydrogen electrodes

NASA Lewis Research Center is currently involved in advanced cell component development for nickel-hydrogen cells and batteries. Long life, high energy density, improved performance and reliability are required for energy storage systems in future space missions. Commercially available as well as experimental hydrogen electrodes were assessed and copared to the state-of-the-art hydrogen electrode that is currently being used in nickel-hydrogen batteries. These electrodes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and standard electrochemical polarization measurements. Production variables such as Teflon content and platinum catalyst loading were considered in order to assess various hydrogen electrods with regard to the different electrode manufacturing processes.

Charleston, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Secondary-electron-emission losses in multistage depressed collectors and traveling-wave-tube efficiency improvements with carbon collector electrode surfaces

Secondary-electron-emission losses in multistage depressed collectors (MDC's) and their effects on overall traveling-wave-tube (TWT) efficiency were investigated. Two representative TWT's and several computer-modeled MDC's were used. The experimental techniques provide the measurement of both the TWT overall and the collector efficiencies. The TWT-MDC performance was optimized and measured over a wide range of operating conditions, with geometrically identical collectors, which utilized different electrode surface materials. Comparisons of the performance of copper electrodes to that of various forms of carbon, including pyrolytic and iisotropic graphites, were stressed. The results indicate that: (1) a significant improvement in the TWT overall efficiency was obtained in all cases by the use of carbon, rather than copper electrodes, and (2) that the extent of this efficiency enhancement depended on the characteristics of the TWT, the TWT operating point, the MDC design, and collector voltages. Ion textured graphite was found to be particularly effective in minimizing the secondary-electron-emission losses. Experimental and analytical results, however, indicate that it is at least as important to provide a maximum amount of electrostatic suppression of secondary electrons by proper MDC design. Such suppression, which is obtained by ensuring that a substantial suppressing electric field exists over the regions of the electrodes where most of the current is incident, was found to be very effective. Experimental results indicate that, with proper MDC design and the use of electrode surfaces with low secondary-electron yield, degradation of the collector efficiency can be limited to a few percent.

Ramins, P.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Approximations useful for the prediction of electrostatic discharges for simple electrode geometries

The report provides approximations for estimating the capacitance and the ratio of electric field strength to potential for a certain class of electrode geometries. The geometry consists of an electrode near a grounded plane, with the electrode being a surface of revolution about the perpendicular to the plane. Some examples which show the accuracy of the capacitance estimate and the accuracy of the estimate of electric field over potential can be found in the appendix. When it is possible to estimate the potential of the electrode, knowing the ratio of electric field to potential will help to determine if an electrostatic discharge is likely to occur. Knowing the capacitance will help to determine the strength of the discharge (the energy released by it) if it does occur. A brief discussion of discharge mechanisms is given. The medium between the electrode and the grounded plane may be a neutral gas, a vacuum, or an unchanged homogeneous isotropic dielectric.

Edmonds, L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Design, fabrication and performance of small, graphite electrode, multistage depressed collectors with 200-W, CW, 8- to 18-GHz traveling-wave tubes

Small multistage depressed collectors (MDC's) which used pyrolytic graphite, ion-beam-textured pyrolytic graphite, and isotropic graphite electrodes were designed, fabricated, and evaluated in conjuntion with 200-W, continuous wave (CW), 8- to 18-GHz traveling-wave tubes (TWT's). The design, construction, and performance of the MDC's are described. The bakeout performance of the collectors, in terms of gas evolution, was indistinguishable from that of typical production tubes with copper collectors. However, preliminary results indicate that some additional radiofrequency (RF) and dc beam processing time (and/or longer or higher temperature bakeouts) may be needed beyond that of typical copper electrode collectors. This is particularly true for pyrolytic graphite electrodes and for TWT's without appendage ion pumps. Extended testing indicated good long-term stability of the textured pyrolytic graphite and isotropic graphite electrode surfaces. The isotropic graphite in particular showed considerable promise as an MDC electrode material because of its high purity, low cost, simple construction, potential for very compact overall size, and relatively low secondary electron emission yield characteristics in the as-machined state. However, considerably more testing experience is required before definitive conclusions on its suitability for electronic countermeasure systems and space TWT's can be made.

Ebihara, Ben T.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The role of oxygen in porous molybdenum electrodes for the alkali metal thermoelectric converter

A model for chemical reactions in porous molybdenum electrodes is presented which is based on thermochemical and kinetic data, known sodium-molybdenum-oxygen chemistry, X-ray diffraction analysis of molybdenum and molybdenum oxide electrodes, and the electrochemical behavior of the cell. Enhanced sodium transport through the electrode in its optimum performance state is found to be due to the high sodium ion conductivity of molten Na2MoO4 in the pores, and the electrical conduction to the molybdenum matrix by Na2Mo3O6. The decline of electrode performance is shown to be due to a combination of loss mechanisms for the Na-Mo-O compounds including reduction at short circuit, disproportionation of Na2Mo3O6 at open circuit, and the evaporation of Na2MoO4 at elevated temperature. It is suggested that operation of the cell at moderate voltage of about 0.5 V corresponding to maximum power may be a more stable condition for the porous electrode than open-circuit stand or short-circuit, where degradation reactions are heightened.

Williams, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) electrode lifetime studies

Experimental studies are being conducted at JPL to identify long life, high area power density electrodes for AMTEC. Power versus time measurements are being made in a demountable electrode test cell and, for longer term experiments, a self-contained recirculating cell. The experimental apparatus and procedures are described in detail. The results show that thin film molybdenum electrodes can be designed to produce power near 0.5 W/sq cm for over two hundred hours. Also, platinum/tungsten electrodes exhibit power densities that are stable near 0.5 W/sq cm. If the performance of these electrodes is verified for longer periods (thousands of hours), then practical AMTEC systems will be possible.

Bankston, C. Perry↗

NASA NTRS1986

Assessment of commercially available and experimental hydrogen electrodes

NASA Lewis Research Center is currently involved in advanced cell component development for nickel-hydrogen cells and batteries. Long life, high energy density, improved performance and reliability are required for energy storage systems in future space missions. Commercially available as well as experimental hydrogen electrodes were assessed and compared to the state-of-the-art hydrogen electrode that is currently being used in nickel-hydrogen batteries. These electrodes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and standard electrochemical polarization measurements. Production variables such as Teflon content and platinum catalyst loading were considered in order to assess various hydrogen electrodes with regard to the different electrode manufacturing processes.

Charleston, Jo Ann↗

NASA NTRS1989

Performance of a multistage depressed collector with machined titanium electrodes

The performance of a multistage depressed collector (MDC) with machined titanium electrodes was evaluated in conjunction with an 800-W, 8- to 18-GHz travelling-wave tube (TWT) and was compared with the performances of geometrically identical copper and isotropic graphite electrode MDC's operated with the same TWT. The titanium electrode MDC produced a modest (about 3 percent) improvement in the MDC and the TWT overall efficiencies as compared with the copper electrode MDC, but its performance was substantially lower than that of the isotropic graphite electrode MDC.

Ramins, Peter↗

NASA NTRS1989

Design, fabrication, and performance of brazed, graphite electrode, multistage depressed collectors with 500-W, continuous wave, 4.8- to 9.6-GHz traveling-wave tubes

A small, isotropic graphite electrode, multistage depressed collector (MDC) was designed, fabricated, and evaluated in conjunction with a 500-W, continuous wave (CW), 4.8- to 9.6-GHz traveling-wave tube (TWT). The carbon electrode surfaces were used to improve the TWT overall efficiency by minimizing the secondary electron emission losses in the MDC. The design and fabrication of the brazed graphite MDC assembly are described. The brazing technique, which used copper braze filler metal, is compatible with both vacuum and the more commonly available hydrogen atmosphere brazing furnaces. The TWT and graphite electrode MCC bakeout, processing, and outgassing characteristics were evaluated and found to be comparable to TWT's equipped with copper electrode MDC's. The TWT and MDC performance was optimized for broadband CW operation at saturation. The average radiofrequency (RF), overall, and MDC efficiencies were 14.9, 46.4, and 83.6 percent, respectively, across the octave operating band. A 1500-hr CW test, conducted without the use of an appendage ion pump, showed no gas buildup and excellent stability of the electrode surfaces.

Ramins, Peter↗

NASA NTRS1989

Lightweight fibrous nickel electrodes for nickel-hydrogen batteries

The NASA Lewis Research Center is currently developing nickel electrodes for nickel-hydrogen batteries. These electrodes are lighter in weight and have higher energy densities than the heavier state-of-the-art sintered nickel electrodes. Lightweight fibrous materials or plaques are used as conductive supports for the nickel hydroxide active material. These materials are commercial products that are fabricated into nickel electrodes by electrochemically impregnating them with active material. Evaluation is performed in half cells structured in the bipolar configuration. Initial performance tests include capacity measurements at five discharge levels, C/2, 1.0C, 1.37C, 2.0C, and 2.74C. The electrodes that pass the initial tests are life cycle-tested in a low Earth orbit regime at 80 percent depth of discharge.

Britton, Doris L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Electrocatalysts for oxygen electrodes in fuel cells and water electrolyzers for space applications

In most instances separate electrocatalysts are needed to promote the reduction of O2 in the fuel cell mode and to generate O2 in the energy storage-water electrolysis mode in aqueous electrochemical systems operating at low and moderate temperatures (T greater than or equal to 200 C). Interesting exceptions are the lead and bismuth ruthenate pyrochlores in alkaline electrolytes. These catalysts on high area carbon supports have high catalytic activity for both O2 reduction and generation (1,2). Rotating ring-disk electrode measurements provide evidence that the O2 reduction proceeds by a parallel four-electron pathway. The ruthenates can also be used as self-supported catalysts to avoid the problems associated with carbon oxidation, but the electrode performance so far achieved in the research at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is considerably less. At the potentials involved in the anodic mode the ruthenate pyrochlores have substantial equilibrium solubility in concentrated alkaline electrolyte. This results in the loss of catalyst into the bulk solution and a decline in catalytic activity. Furthermore, the hydrogen generation counter electrode may become contaminated with reduction products from the pyrochlores (lead, ruthenium). A possible approach to this problem is to immobilize the pyrochlore catalyst within an ionic-conducting solid polymer, which would replace the fluid electrolyte within the porous gas diffusion O2 electrode. For bulk alkaline electrolyte, an anion-exchange polymer is needed with a transference number close to unity for the Oh(-) ion. Preliminary short-term measurements with lead ruthenates using a commercially available partially-fluorinated anion-exchange membrane as an overlayer on the porous gas-fed electrode indicate lower anodic polarization and virtually unchanged cathodic polarization.

Prakash, Jai↗

NASA NTRS1988

Approximations useful for the prediction of electrostatic discharges for simple electrode geometries

Edmonds, Larry D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Impedances of electrochemically impregnated nickel electrodes as functions of potential, KOH concentration, and impregnation method

Impedances of fifteen electrodes form each of the four U.S. manufactures were measured at 0.200 V vs. the Hg/HgO reference electrode. This corresponds to a voltage of 1.145 for a Ni/H2 cell. Measurements were also made of a representative sample of these at 0.44 V. At the higher voltage, the impedances were small and very similar, but at the lower voltage there were major differences between manufacturers. Electrodes from the same manufacturers showed only small differences. The impedances of electrodes from two manufacturers were considerably different in 26 percent KOH from those in 31 percent KOH. These preliminary results seen to correlate with the limited data from earlier life testing of cells from these manufacturers. The impedances of cells being tested for Space Station Freedom are being followed, and more impendance measurements of electrodes are being performed as functions of manufacturer, voltage, electrolyte concentration, and cycle history in hopes of finding better correlations of impedance with life.

Reid, Margaret A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Laser interferometric measurement of ion electrode shape and charge exchange erosion

A projected fringe profilometry system was applied to surface contour measurements of an accelerator electrode from an ion thrustor. The system permitted noncontact, nondestructive evaluation of the fine and gross structure of the electrode. A 3-D surface map of a dished electrode was generated without altering the electrode surface. The same system was used to examine charge exchange erosion pits near the periphery of the electrode to determine the depth, location, and volume of material lost. This electro-optical measurement system allowed rapid, nondestructive, digital data acquisition coupled with automated computer data processing. In addition, variable sensitivity allowed both coarse and fine measurements of objects having various surface finishes.

Macrae, Gregory S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Raman spectral observation of a new phase observed in nickel electrodes cycled to failure

A ‘new phase’ is reported in nickel electrodes from Ni/H2 boilerplate cells which were cycled to failure in electrolyte of variable KOH concentration (21–36%). Raman spectra clearly show the presence of this phase, and these spectra have been used to estimate the amounts present on these electrodes. Ten of twelve electrodes examined contain this new phase. The cycle life at higher KOH concentrations (31 and 36%) was greatly reduced, and nickel electrodes from these cells exhibited extensive amounts of this new phase. The presence of this ‘new phase’ correlates with cell failure defined by low end of discharge voltages. It is proposed that the lowered capacity and failure of these electrodes was caused by loss of active mass and formation of a phase with reduced electrochemical activity. These results indicate that formation of this new phase is accelerated at higher KOH concentrations.

Patricia L Loyselle↗

NASA NTRS1991

Laser interferometric measurement of ion electrode shape and charge exchange erosion

A novel projected fringe profilometry system was applied to surface contour measurements of an accelerator electrode from an ion thruster. The system permitted noncontact, nondestructive evaluation of the fine and gross structure of the electrode. A 3D surface map of a dished electrode was generated without altering the electrode surface. The same system was used to examine charge exchange erosion pits near the periphery of the electrode to determine the depth, location, and volume of material lost. This electro-optical measurement system allowed rapid nondestructive digital data acquisition coupled with automated computer data-processing. In addition, variable sensitivity allowed both coarse and fine measurements of objects having various surface finishes.

Macrae, Gregory S.↗