Phenomenological study of radiation damage and recovery of metal-oxide field effect transistors
Phenomenological study of radiation damage and recovery of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors
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Phenomenological study of radiation damage and recovery of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors
Phenomenological study of radiation damage and recoverability of metal oxide field effect transistors
Future human space travel will consist primarily of long-duration missions onboard the International Space Station (ISS) or exploration-class missions to Mars, its moons, or nearby asteroids. These missions will expose astronauts to increased risk of oxidative and inflammatory damage from a variety of sources, including radiation, psychological stress, reduced physical activity, diminished nutritional status, and hyperoxic exposure during extravehicular activity. Evidence exists that increased oxidative damage and inflammation can accelerate the development of atherosclerosis. PURPOSE The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether biomarkers of oxidative and inflammatory stress are elevated during and after long-duration spaceflight and investigate if a relation exists between levels of these biomarkers and structural and functional indices of atherosclerotic risk measured in the carotid and brachial arteries. This is the first study to propose assessing atherosclerotic risk using biochemical, structural, and functional measures before, during, and immediately after spaceflight, and structural and functional measures for up to 5 years after landing. METHODS We will study 12 astronauts before, during, and up to 5 years after long-duration ISS missions. A panel of biomarkers of oxidative and inflammatory stress will be measured twice before flight, early (flight days 15 and 60) and late (2 weeks before landing) during the mission, and early in the postflight recovery phase (approx 3 days after landing). Arterial structure and vascular compliance will be measured at the same times and also at 1, 3, and 5 years after landing (surveillance). Arterial function will be measured using the same preflight, postflight, and surveillance schedule as arterial structure and vascular compliance measures, but will not be measured inflight. Biomarkers, some of which we have previously shown to be elevated with spaceflight, will be measured in venous blood samples and 24-h (in-flight) and 48-h (pre- and post-flight) urine pools. Arterial structure will be assessed from measures of carotid intima-media thickness, which have been shown to be better indicators of atherosclerotic than the Framingham Risk Score. Arterial function will be assessed using brachial flow-mediated dilation, a well-validated measure used to assess endothelium-dependent vasodilation and is a sensitive predictor of atherosclerotic risk. Arterial pulse pressure measured in the brachial artery and stroke volume measured from cardiac ultrasound will be used to assess hemodynamic status, cardiac function, and systemic vascular compliance. Three astronauts are actively participating in the preflight data collection and training activities. One astronaut has completed all preflight activities and will participate in the first in-flight data collection sessions by the end of 2013. The first post-flight data collection sessions will occur in the spring of 2014. EXPECTED RESULTS We hypothesize that biomarkers of oxidative and inflammatory stress will increased with spaceflight and will correlate with increased carotid intima-media thickness during and after flight and with decreased flow-mediated dilation after the mission. Furthermore, we hypothesize that measures of oxidative stress will return to baseline after flight, but biomarkers of inflammatory stress and vascular indices of atherosclerotic risk will remain elevated.
Future human space travel will primarily consist of long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) or exploration class missions to Mars, its moons, or nearby asteroids. These missions will expose astronauts to increased risk of oxidative and inflammatory damage primarily from radiation, but also from psychological stress, reduced physical activity, diminished nutritional status, and, in the case of extravehicular activity, hyperoxic exposure. There is evidence that increased oxidative damage and inflammation can accelerate the development of atherosclerosis. PURPOSE The purpose of this proposal is to identify biomarkers of oxidative and inflammatory stress and to correlate them to indices of atherosclerosis risk before, during, and after long-duration spaceflight. METHODS To meet the objectives of the study, we will study astronauts before, during, and up to 5 years after long-duration missions aboard ISS. Biomarkers of oxidative and inflammatory stress, some of which we have previously shown to be elevated with spaceflight, will be measured before, during, and after spaceflight. Arterial structure will be monitored using ultrasound to measure carotid intima-medial thickness before, during, and after weightlessness. Carotid intima-medial thickness has been shown to be a better indicator than Framingham Risk scores for prediction of atherosclerosis. Arterial function will be monitored using brachial flow-mediated dilation before flight and after landing. Brachial flow-mediated dilation is a good index of endothelium-dependent vasodilation, which is a sensitive predictor of atherosclerotic risk. This is the first study to propose assessing atherosclerotic risk using biochemical, structural, and functional measures before, during, and immediately after spaceflight and structural functional measures for up to 5 years after landing. EXPECTED RESULTS We hypothesize that these biomarkers of oxidative and inflammatory stress will be increased with spaceflight and will correlate with increased carotid intima-medial thickness in- and postflight and with decreased flow-mediated dilation after the mission. Furthermore, we hypothesize that measures of oxidative stress will return to baseline after flight, but that biomarkers of inflammatory stress and vascular indices of atherosclerosis risk will remain elevated.
Spaceflight environment poses challenges to the human body. Both microgravity and radiation may lead to excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and resulting oxidative stress and tissue damage. Specifically in bone, elevated ROS can contribute to excess bone resorption by osteoclasts over bone formation by osteoblasts, reduced viability of osteocytes, and ultimately, osteoporosis. Thus, we hypothesized that suppression of mitochondrial ROS in bone cells improves overall bone structure in the adult skeleton and skeletal defenses from spaceflight. To begin to test our hypothesis, we (1) modified ROS levels in bone cells using mCAT (Malonyl CoA-acyl carrier protein transacylase) mice, which overexpress the human anti-oxidant catalase gene targeted to the mitochondria. We also increased ROS and stimulated skeletal remodeling by exposing mice to simulated spaceflight (hindlimb-unloading and total body-irradiation) or sham treatment. When challenged with treatment, bones from wildtype mice showed elevated levels of oxidative damage whereas mCAT mice did not. Treatment caused expected bone loss in wildtype mice. Treatment caused deficits in microarchitecture of mCAT mice, although lower in magnitude than wildtype. In conclusion, our results indicate mitochondrial ROS generation in osteoblast and osteoclast lineage cells of skeletal tissue contributes to skeletal remodeling and quenching oxidative damage may improve the skeletal responses to spaceflight.
In support of the development of the J-2X engine, 201 low pressure, liquid oxygen / liquid hydrogen (LOX/LH2) J-2X Augmented Spark Igniter (ASI) subsystem ignition tests were conducted at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The main objective of these tests was to start the ASI within the anticipated J-2X engine start box, as well as outside of it, to check for ignition margin. The setup for the J-2X ASI component testing simulated, as much as possible, the tank-head start-up configuration of the ASI within the J-2X Engine. The ignition tests were divided into 124 vacuum start tests to simulate altitude start on a flight engine, and 77 sea-level start tests to simulate the first set of ground tests for the J-2X Engine at Stennis Space Center (SSC). Other ignition parameters that were varied included propellant tank pressures, oxidizer temperature entering the ASI oxidizer feedline, oxidizer valve timing, spark igniter condition (new versus damaged), and oxidizer and fuel feedline orifice sizes. Propellant blowdowns using venturis sized to simulate the ASI resistance allowed calculation of transient propellant mass flow rates as well as global mixture ratio for all ignition tests. Global mixture ratio within the ASI at the time of ignition varied from 0.2 to 1.2. Detailed electronics data obtained from an instrumented ignition lead allowed characterization of the breakdown voltage, sustaining voltage and energy contained in each spark as the ASI propellants ignited. Results indicated that ignition always occurred within the first five sparks when both propellants were present in the ASI chamber.
Future human space travel will consist primarily of long-duration missions onboard the International Space Station (ISS) or exploration-class missions to Mars, its moons, or nearby asteroids. These missions will expose astronauts to increased risk of oxidative and inflammatory damage from a variety of sources, including radiation, psychological stress, reduced physical activity, diminished nutritional status, and hyperoxic exposure during extravehicular activity. Evidence exists that increased oxidative damage and inflammation can accelerate the development of atherosclerosis.
Problem statement: During spaceflight, astronauts are subjected to microgravity as well as radiation, both of which have adverse effects on bones, soft tissues and organs, possibly by shared mechanisms. For this reason there is a need to identify broad-spectrum countermeasures to protect multiple tissues from both insults.6.The spaceflight environment poses multiple challenges to homeostasis, including microgravity and ionizing radiation. Together, these factors contribute to cellular stress, and effects include increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative and DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and cell senescence. We have shown that a purified diet supplemented with dried plum (DP, 25) conferred full protection of cancellous structure from the rapid bone loss caused by exposure to ionizing radiation (Schreurs et al. 2016). Based on these promising results for a new countermeasure to prevent space radiation induced-tissue damage, we will conduct additional studies to advance the potential countermeasure to a higher CRL level. We will test the DP diet for its ability to prevent bone loss caused by simulated microgravity as well as exposure to radiation. This will be achieved by exposing mice to each factor (simulated microgravity and radiation) alone and in combination. We hypothesize that spaceflight conditions lead to oxidative damage and bone loss, and that DP, a dietary additive rich in antioxidant and polyphenolic compounds, is an effective countermeasure for multiple tissues, including bone. To test this hypothesis we will accomplish the following aims: Aim 1 Determine if the antioxidant rich diet DP prevents simulated microgravity-induced bone loss. Aim 2 Determine if DP prevents simulated spaceflight-induced bone loss (microgravity and radiation combined). Aim 3 Determine if DP is effective as a countermeasure for adverse effects of simulated microgravity and radiation on non-skeletal tissues (brain, eye).
The electrical characteristics of proton-irradiated bipolar transistors are affected by ionization damage to the insulating oxide and displacement damage to the semiconductor bulk. While both types of damage degrade the transistor, it is important to understand the mechanisms individually and to be able to analyze them separately. In this paper, a method for analyzing the effects of ionization and displacement damage using gate-controlled lateral PNP bipolar junction transistors is described. This technique allows the effects of oxide charge, surface recombination velocity, and bulk traps to be measured independently.
A device is described for counting aerosols and sorting them according to either size, mass or energy. The component parts are an accelerator, a capacitor sensor and a readout. The accelerator is a means for accelerating the aerosols toward the face of the capacitor sensor with such force that they partially penetrate the capacitor sensor, momentarily discharging it. The readout device is a means for counting the number of discharges of the capacitor sensor and measuring the amplitudes of these different discharges. The aerosols are accelerated by the accelerator in the direction of the metal layer with such force that they penetrate the metal and damage the oxide layers, thereby allowing the electrical charge on the capacitor to discharge through the damaged region. Each incident aerosol initiates a discharge path through the capacitor in such a fashion as to vaporize the conducting path. Once the discharge action is complete, the low resistance path no longer exists between the two capacitor plates and the capacitor is again able to accept a charge. The active area of the capacitor is reduced in size by the damaged area each time a discharge occurs.
As the temperature capability of Ni-base superalloy powder metallurgy disks is steadily increased, environmental resistance and protection of advanced nickel-based turbine disk components are becoming increasingly important. Localized surface hot corrosion attack and damage from oxidation have been shown to impair disk fatigue life and may eventually limit disk operating temperatures. NASA Research Announcement (NRA) contracts have been awarded to GE Aviation and Honeywell Aerospace to separately develop fatigue resistant metallic and ceramic coatings for corrosion resistance and the corrosion/fatigue results of selected coatings will be presented. The microstructural response of a bare ME3 disk superalloy has been evaluated for moderate (704 C) and aggressive (760-816 C) oxidizing exposures up to 2,020 hours. Cross section analysis reveals sub-surface damage (significant for aggressive exposures) that consists of Al2O3 "fingers", interfacial voids, a recrystallized precipitate-free layer and GB carbide dissolution. The effects of a Nichrome corrosion coating on this microstructural response will also be presented.
Experimental study conducted on thermo-oxidative degradation of composite-material specimens made of silicon carbide fibers in matrices of reaction-bonded silicon nitride. In SiC/Si3N4 composites of study, interphase is 3-micrometers-thick carbon-rich coat on surface of each SiC fiber. Thermo-oxidative degradation of these composites involves diffusion of oxygen through pores of composites to interphases damaged by oxidation. Nondestructive tests reveal critical exposure times.
A rocket engine's combustion chamber is lined with material that is highly conductive to heat in order to dissipate the huge thermal load (evident in a white-hot exhaust plume). Because of its thermal conductivity copper is the best choice of liner material. However, the mechanical properties of pure copper are inadequate to withstand the high stresses, hence, copper alloys are needed in this application. But copper and its alloys are prone to oxidation and related damage, especially "blanching" (an oxidation-reduction mode of degradation). The space shuttle main engine combustion chamber is lined with a Cu-Ag-Zr alloy, "NARloy-Z", which exhibits blanching. A superior liner is being sought for the next generation of RLVs (Reusable Launch Vehicles) It should have improved mechanical properties and higher resistance to oxidation and blanching, but without substantial penalty in thermal conductivity. GRCop84, a Cu-8Cr-4Nb alloy (Cr2Nb in Cu matrix), developed by NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and Case Western Reserve University, is a prime contender for RLV liner material. In this study, the oxidation resistance of GRCop-84 and other related/candidate copper alloys are investigated and compared
The damage mechanisms influencing the axial strain-controlled Low-Cycle Fatigue (LCF) behavior of alloy 800H at 850 C have been evaluated under conditions of equal tension/compression ramp rates (Fast-Fast (F-F): 4 X 10(sup -3)/s and Slow-Slow (S-S): 4 X 10(sup -5)/s) and asymmetrical ramp rates (Fast-Slow (F-S): 4 x 10(sup -3)/s / 4 X 10(sup -5/s and Slow-Fast (S-F): 4 X 10(sup -5) / 4 X 10(sup -3)/s) in tension and compression. The fatigue life, cyclic stress response, and fracture modes were significantly influenced by the waveform shape. The fatigue lives displayed by different loading conditions were in the following order: F-F greater than S-S greater than F-S greater than S-F. The fracture mode was dictated by the ramp rate adopted in the tensile direction. The fast ramp rate in the tensile direction led to the occurrence of transgranular crack initiation and propagation, whereas the slow ramp rate caused intergranular initiation and propagation. The time-dependent processes and their synergistic interactions, which were at the basis of observed changes in cyclic stress response and fatigue life, were identified. Oxidation, creep damage, dynamic strain aging, massive carbide precipitation, time-dependent creep deformation, and deformation ratcheting were among the several factors influencing cyclic life. Irrespective of the loading condition, the largest effect on life was exerted by oxidation processes. Deformation ratcheting had its greatest influence on life under asymmetrical loading conditions. Creep damage accumulated the greatest amount during the slow tensile ramp under S-F conditions.
Microgravity and ionizing radiation may contribute to cellular stress; resulting in increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and cell death. We hypothesized that suppression of excess ROS in osteoblasts and osteoclasts will improve bone microarchitecture. To test our hypothesis, we used irradiated transgenic mCAT mice overexpressing human anti-oxidant catalase gene targeted to the mitochondria (main site for ROS production). mCAT mice expressed the transgene and displayed elevated catalase activity in bone and ex vivo osteoblast and osteoclast cultures. Treated bone from wildtype mice showed elevated levels of oxidative damage whereas mCAT mice did not. Also, increased catalase activity correlated with decreased MDA levels and that increased oxidative damage correlated with decreased % bone volume. Ex-vivo osteoblast colony growth positively correlated with osteoblast catalase activity. mCAT mice displayed reduced % bone volume. Treatment caused significant bone loss in wildtype mice. Treatment also caused slight deficits in microarchitecture of mCAT mice. In conclusion, ROS signaling in both osteoblast and osteoclast lineage cells contribute to skeletal development and remodeling and quenching oxidative damage could play a role in bone loss prevention.
Loop of flexible, small diameter, nickel wire protects metal oxide silicon /MOS/ transistors from a damaging electrostatic potential. The wire is attached to a music-wire spring, slipped over the MOS transistor case, and released so the spring tensions the wire loop around all the transistor leads, shorting them together. This allows handling without danger of damage.
This paper addresses the application of ultrasonic sensing to damage assessment in ceramics and ceramic matrix composites. It focuses on damage caused by thermal shock or oxidation at elevated temperatures, which often results in elastic anisotropy. This damaged-induced anisotropy is determined by measuring the velocities of ultrasonic waves in different propagation directions. Thermal shock damage is assessed in ceramic samples of reaction bonded silicon nitride (RBSN). Thermal shock treatment from different temperatures up to 1000 C is applied to produce the microcracks. Results indicate that most microcracks produced by thermal shock are located near sample surfaces. Ultrasonic measurements using the surface wave method are found to correlate well with measurements of degradation of mechanical properties obtained independently by other authors using destructive methods. Oxidation damage is assessed in silicon carbide fiber/reaction bonded silicon nitride matrix (SCS-6/RBSN) composites. The oxidation is done by exposing the samples in a flowing oxygen environment at elevated temperatures, up to 1400 C, for 100 hr. The Youngs' modulus in the fiber direction as obtained from ultrasonic measurements decreases significantly at 600 C but retains its original value at temperatures above 1200 C. This agrees well with the results of destructive tests by other authors. On the other hand, the transverse moduli obtained from ultrasonic measurements decrease continually until 1200 C. Measurements on the shear stiffnesses show behavior similar to the transverse moduli. The results of this work show that the damage-induced anisotropy in both ceramics and ceramic matrix composites can be determined successfully by ultrasonic methods. This suggests the possibility of assessing damage severity using ultrasonic techniques.
Thick thermal barrier coating systems in a diesel engine experience severe thermal low cycle fatigue (LCF) and high cycle fatigue (HCF) during engine operation. In this paper, the mechanisms of fatigue crack initiation and propagation in a ZrO2-8wt.% Y2O3 thermal barrier coating, under simulated engine thermal LCF and HCF conditions, are investigated using a high power CO2 laser. Experiments showed that the combined LCF/HCF tests induced more severe coating surface cracking, microspallation and accelerated crack growth, as compared to the pure LCF test. Lateral crack branching and the ceramic/bond coat interface delaminations were also facilitated by HCF thermal loads, even in the absence of severe interfacial oxidation. Fatigue damages at crack wake surfaces, due to such phenomena as asperity/debris contact induced cracking and splat pull-out bending during cycling, were observed especially for the combined LCF/HCF tests. It is found that the failure associated with LCF is closely related to coating sintering and creep at high temperatures, which induce tensile stresses in the coating after cooling. The failure associated with HCF process, however, is mainly associated with a surface wedging mechanism. The interaction between the LCF, HCF and ceramic coating creep, and the relative importance of LCF and HCF in crack propagation are also discussed based on the experimental evidence.