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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2004

Fabrication and Testing of Habitat Components Using In-Situ Materials for Martian Exploration

The development of Mars for human activity will require the utilization of Martian materials in building habitats and working structures. One approach is to use polymer binders with regolith to form structural elements. Not only can useful composite materials be produced in this way but the radiation protection properties are also increased. This is important since only modest protection from space radiation is provided by the Martian atmosphere. We have studied composites fabricated using Martian regolith simulant and polymers which can be synthesized from local Martian materials for their potential use as radiation shields for manned Mars missions. To validate shielding effectiveness, composites are irradiated with a 55 MeV proton beam and neutron beams up to 800 MeV. Shielding effects on microelectronic devices are measured by placing them behind samples of the composites during irradiation. To measure structural properties of the composites, preliminary characterization and mechanical testing are made for the composites.

Kim, M.-H. Y.↗
NASA NTRS2005

E-Beam Processing of Polymer Matrix Composites for Multifunctional Radiation Shielding

Aliphatic polymers were identified as optimum radiation shielding polymeric materials for building multifunctional structural elements for in-space habitats. Conceptual damage tolerant configurations of polyolefins have been proposed, but many manufacturing issues relied on methods and materials which have sub-optimal radiation shielding characteristics (for example, epoxy matrix and adhesives). In the present approach, we shall investigate e-beam processing technologies for inclusion of high-strength aliphatic polymer reinforcement structures into a highly cross-linked polyolefin matrix. This paper reports the baseline thermo-mechanical properties of low density polyethylene and highly crystallized polyethylene.

Hou, Tan-Hung↗
NASA NTRS1989

Infrared/submillimeter optical properties data base

The general goal was to build a data base containing optical properties, such as reflectance, transmittance, refractive index, in the far infrared to submillimeter wavelength region. This data base would be limited to selected crystalline materials and temperature between 300 and 2 K. The selected materials were: lithium, lead, and strontium; the bromides of potassium and thallium; the carbides of silicone and tungsten; and the materials of KRS5, KRS6, diamond, and sapphire. Last summer, barium fluoride was selected as prototype material for building the data base. This summer the literature search, preparation of the data for barium fluoride was completed. In addition the literature search for data related to the compounds mentioned was completed. The current status is that barium fluoride is in a form suitable for a NASA internal publication. The papers containing the data on the other materials were xeroxed and they are ready to be reduced. On the reverse side, the top figure is a sample combination of data for the index of refraction at 300 K. The lower figure shows the transmittance vs wavelength at 300 and 80 K. These figures are a sample of many which were developed. Since barium fluoride was studied more than most of the materials listed above, it is clear that additional measurements should be made to fill in the gaps present on both temperature and wavelength data.

Alley, Phillip W.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Chemical Fingerprinting of Materials Developed Due To Environmental Issues

This paper presents viewgraphs on chemical fingerprinting of materials developed due to environmental issues. Some of the topics include: 1) Aerospace Materials; 2) Building Blocks of Capabilities; 3) Spectroscopic Techniques; 4) Chromatographic Techniques; 5) Factors that Determine Fingerprinting Approach; and 6) Fingerprinting: Combination of instrumental analysis methods that diagnostically characterize a material.

Smith, Doris A.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Bridging the Gap Between Microscale Modeling and Additive Manufacturing for TPS

An overview of the now open-source NASA ARC software PuMA will be provided. On top of the well-documented ability to import and compute material properties from micro-CT images, PuMA has the ability to design microstructures and compute/predict material properties such as: porosity, permeability, tortuosity, thermal and electrical conductivity, tensile strength, etc. Therefore, a whole new range of capabilities is available, and provides users with the ability to build TPS materials (both fibrous and woven types) and optimize their properties based on missions and requirements. This talk will aim to provide a seed to start bridging the gap between microscale modeling of TPS materials and additive manufacturing.

Conductivity↗
NASA NTRS1988

Environmental projects. Volume 4: Asbestos survey

The Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex (GDSCC), near Barstow, California, operates in support of six large parabolic dish antennas. Many of the buildings and structures at the GDSCC were erected before it became known that asbestos posed a hazard to human health. Thus, because of concern with asbestos, two field surveys were conducted at the GDSCC in October/November 1986 and in September 1987 to locate, classify, and quantify all asbestos-containing materials in buildings, structures, roofs and boilers. The report describes the results of the two surveys and describes methods for both asbestos management and asbestos abatement. The surveys found that GDSCC practices involving asbestos are conscientious and forward-thinking. A program, due to start in FY 1988 and to be completed in FY 1990, is planned to remove all friable (easily pulverized) asbestos-containing materials discovered during the two field surveys for asbestos at the GDSCC.

Kushner, L.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Playing with DIRT: Building the Framework for a Comprehensive In-Situ Soil Materials Testing Database

Long-term, sustainable planetary exploration will require the ability to "live off the land," relying on In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) and In-Situ Construction as core capabilities. Reduction of both risk and launch mass for lunar construction will require evaluating and comparing regolith materials for use as feedstocks suitable for in-situ beneficiation and fabrication of building components. These material assessment capabilities will inform lunar infrastructure design decisions, with co-benefits for terrestrial construction using in-situ materials. Current planetary construction technology development relies on lunar mapping and orbital data, Apollo-era sample analyses, current simulant inventories, and tests conducted using analog site soils. Requirements for lunar infrastructure design decisions and construction systems will be determined based on specific environmental conditions, mission architectures, and the materials available within traverse range of lunar feedstock processing depots. Critical for success is the capability to identify, evaluate and make effective use of a wide range of materials as they are found in-situ on the lunar surface. This paper discusses the development of a digital repository for data on soil and regolith properties, beginning with their structural performance in both cementitious and non-cementitious building material formulations. The Database for In-situ Resource Testing (DIRT) compiles a catalog of raw materials, additives, and formulations, with notations pertaining to material sources and preparation techniques entered via a web-based user interface. Design of consistent data schemas for site-sourced materials evaluation will facilitate linkage with relevant terrestrial and planetary materials databases while enabling guided data input via templates for participation by broader groups of collaborators. Results of these analyses are compiled in a centralized repository to generate insights applicable for regolith resources and landing sites yet to be precisely defined. Collection of thorough records of material characteristics, applications and performance will support innovative construction solutions not only for space infrastructure but for sustainable, resilient design in the terrestrial built environment.

Sarah Joey Seitz↗
NASA NTRS2004

The Office of the Materials Division

I was assigned to the Materials Division, which consists of the following branches; the Advanced Metallics Branch/5120-RMM, Ceramics Branch/5130-RMC, Polymers Branch/5150-RMP, and the Durability and Protective Coatings Branch/5160-RMD. Mrs. Pamela Spinosi is my assigned mentor. She was assisted by Ms.Raysa Rodriguez/5100-RM and Mrs.Denise Prestien/5100-RM, who are both employed by InDyne, Inc. My primary assignment this past summer was working directly with Ms. Rodriguez, assisting her with setting up the Integrated Financial Management Program (IFMP) 5130-RMC/Branch procedures and logs. These duties consisted of creating various spreadsheets for each individual branch member, which were updated daily. It was not hard to familiarize myself with these duties since this is my second summer working with Ms Rodriguez at NASA Glenn Research Center. RMC ordering laboratory, supplies and equipment for the Basic Materials Laboratory (Building 106) using the IF'MP/Purchase Card (P-card), a NASA-wide software program. I entered into the IFMP/Travel and Requisitions System, new Travel Authorizations for the 5130-RMC Civil Servant Branch Members. I also entered and completed Travel Vouchers for the 5130-RMC Ceramics Branch. I assisted in the Division Office creating new Emergency Contact list for the Materials Division. I worked with Dr. Hugh Gray, the Division Chief, and Dr. Ajay Misra, the 5130-RMC Branch Chief, on priority action items, with a close deadline, for a large NASA Proposal. Another project was working closely with Ms. Rodriguez in organizing and preparing for Dr. Ajay K. Misra's SESCDP (two year detail). This consisted of organizing files, file folders, personal information, and recording all data material onto CD's and printing all presentations for display in binders. I attended numerous Branch meetings, and observed many changes in the Branch Management organization.

Ramsey, amanda J.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Life Cycle Assessment and Design of LignoBlock: A Lignin Bound Block on the Path Towards a Green Transition of the Construction Industry

Lignin-based biopolymer-bound soil composites (BSCs) are a new class of sustainable construction materials that utilize a bio-based biopolymer — lignin — as a binder. Prior use of lignin suggests that lignin is a promising candidate for the development of bio-based construction materials. Inspired by these applications, lignin-based BSCs were developed using lignoboost lignin, lignoforce lignin, alkali lignin, and hydrolysis lignin. Uni-axial compressive testing of lignin-based BSC shows that the compressive strength for these BSCs range from 1.6–8.1 MPa, which makes them appropriate for low compressive strength construction applications. We performed a life cycle assessment (LCA) of lignin-based BSC, with the functional unit being a CMU-sized block ( V =6423 cm -3 ). The major advantage of BSC lies in the elimination of ordinary portland cement, which is common to many construction materials, including many forms of concrete. Furthermore, the use of lignin in lignin-based BSC results in carbon sequestration (lignin ≈ 60 wt% carbon), potentially making construction materials made from lignin-based BSC carbon negative. Additionally, a design guide for estimating the life cycle carbon footprint of lignin-based BSC for a required compressive strength was developed. By utilizing the results from material tests and the LCA, designers are now able to use lignin effectively in construction applications, as they can now design lignin-based BSC for a target compressive strength with a full understanding of the life cycle carbon footprint implications.

Lignin↗
NASA NTRS1978

Fire-retardant foams

Family of polyimide resins are being developed as foams with exceptional fire-retardant properties. Foams are potentially useful for seat cushions in aircraft and ground vehicles and for applications such as home furnishings and building-construction materials. Basic formulations can be modified with reinforcing fibers or fillers to produce celular materials for variety of applications. By selecting reactants, polymer structure can be modified to give foams with properties ranging from high resiliency and flexibility to brittleness and rigidity.

Gagliani, J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Curtain Wall Creates Ventilation Channel

Curtain-wall structure proposed for removing methane and airborne coal dust from hydrojet-jaw mining machines. Channel between curtain wall and mine wall forms closed exhaust passage. Through it, gas and dust continuously removed so high concentrations of these explosive materials not build up.

Lewis, E. V.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Crystalline-silicon photovoltaics summary module design and reliability

The evolution of the design and reliability of solar modules was described. Design requirements involved 14 different considerations, including residential building and material electrical codes, wind-loading, hail impact, operating temperature levels, module flammability, and interfaces for both the array structure and the operation of the system. Reliability research involved in diverse investigations including glass-fracture strength, soiling levels, electrochemical corrosion, and bypass-diode qualification tests. Based on these internationally recognized studies, performance assessments, and failure analyses, the Flat-plate Solar Array Project in its 11-year duration served to nuture the development of 45 different solar module designs from 15 PV manufacturers.

Ross, R. G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Plasma Spraying Reclaims Compressor Housings

Plasma-spraying process used to build up material in worn and pitted areas. Newly applied material remachined to specified surface contours. Effective technique for addition of metal to out-of-tolerance magnesium-alloy turbine-engine compressor housings.

Leissler, George W.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Protective Coats For Zinc-Rich Primers

Report describes tests of topcoats for inorganic zinc-rich primers on carbon steel. Topcoats intended to provide additional protection against corrosion in acidic, salty seacoast-air/rocket-engine-exhaust environment of Space Shuttle launch site. Tests focused on polyurethane topcoats on epoxy tie coats on primers. Part of study involved comparison between "high-build" coating materials and thin-film coating materials.

Macdowell, Louis G, III↗
NASA NTRS1995

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of high porosity foam materials in microgravity

Ceramic and metalloceramic foam materials are important construction, building, and thermal insulation materials for space stations of the 21st century. Delivery of these materials from Earth to space using rockets is not profitable due to the low density of these materials. Production of foam materials in space using traditional methods requires large energy consumption. Using SHS in space solves this problem.

Shteinberg, Alexander S.↗
NASA NTRS2004

E-beam-Cure Fabrication of Polymer Fiber/Matrix Composites for Multifunctional Radiation Shielding

Aliphatic polymers were identified as optimum radiation polymeric shielding materials for building multifunctional structural elements. Conceptual damage-tolerant configurations of polyolefins have been proposed but many issues on the manufacture remain. In the present paper, we will investigate fabrication technologies with e-beam curing for inclusion of high-strength aliphatic polymer fibers into a highly cross-linked polyolefin matrix. A second stage of development is the fabrication methods for applying face sheets to aliphatic polymer closed-cell foams.

Wilson, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Pulse Power Capability Of High Energy Density Capacitors Based on a New Dielectric Material

A new dielectric composite consisting of a polymer coated onto a high-density metallized Kraft has been developed for application in high energy density pulse power capacitors. The polymer coating is custom formulated for high dielectric constant and strength with minimum dielectric losses. The composite can be wound and processed using conventional wound film capacitor manufacturing equipment. This new system has the potential to achieve 2 to 3 J/cu cm whole capacitor energy density at voltage levels above 3.0 kV, and can maintain its mechanical properties to temperatures above 150 C. The technical and manufacturing development of the composite material and fabrication into capacitors are summarized in this paper. Energy discharge testing, including capacitance and charge-discharge efficiency at normal and elevated temperatures, as well as DC life testing were performed on capacitors manufactured using this material. TPL (Albuquerque, NM) has developed the material and Aerovox (New Bedford, MA) has used the material to build and test actual capacitors. The results of the testing will focus on pulse power applications specifically those found in electro-magnetic armor and guns, high power microwave sources and defibrillators.

Winsor, Paul↗