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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 127 records · Page 7

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NASA NTRS2004

Chemical stability enhancement of lithium conducting solid electrolyte plates using sputtered LiPON thin film

Sputter deposition of LiPON films directly onto high Li+ conductivity solid electrolyte plates has been investigated as a means to minimize the reactivity of the plates to metallic Li. The LiPON films were shown to effectively passivate the plates in contact with metallic Li, in contrast to unpassivated plates that reacted immediately in contact with Li metal.

LiPON lithium metals electrolyte plates↗

NASA NTRS1978

The behavior of superfluid helium in zero gravity

Studies of the behavior of superfluid helium in zero gravity including fluid distribution within the cryostat, thickness of superfluid films, and heat transfer in such films, were conducted in one gravity in the laboratory and in zero-g flights on aircraft and sounding rocket. The studies show that the bulk motions are sufficiently well damped to allow control of their effects on experiments and spacecraft attitude control systems, and that the superfluid films will be able to maintain the high degree of temperature uniformity found in laboratory superfluid helium cryostats. The presentation includes film clips of the motions on the superfluid in zero-g.

Mason, P.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Microwave conductivity of laser ablated YBaCuO superconducting films and its relation to microstrip transmission line

The discovery of high temperature superconductor oxides has raised the possibility of a new class of millimeter and microwave devices operating at temperatures considerably higher than liquid helium temperatures. Therefore, materials properties such as conductivity, current density, and sheet resistance as a function of temperature and frequency, possible anisotropies, moisture absorption, thermal expansion, and others, have to be well characterized and understood. The millimeter wave response was studied of laser ablated YBa2Cu3O(7-x)/LaAlO3 thin films as a function of temperature and frequency. In particular, the evaluation of their microwave conductivity was emphasized, since knowledge of this parameter provides a basis for the derivation of other relevant properties of these superconducting oxides, and for using them in the fabrication of actual passive circuits. The microwave conductivity for these films was measured at frequencies from 26.5 to 40.0 GHz, in the temperature range from 20 to 300 K. The values of the conductivity are obtained from the millimeter wave power transmitted through the films, using a two fluid model.

Bhasin, K. B.↗

NASA NTRS1978

A Comparison of the Lubricating Mechanisms of Graphite Fluoride and Molybdenum Disulfide Films

A microscopic study of 440C steel sliding surfaces lubricated by graphite fluoride or molybdenum disulfide solid lubricant rubbed films was conducted. The sliding surfaces, along with the friction, wear, and wear life were observed as a function of the number of sliding revolutions in three different atmospheres: moist air, dry air, or dry argon. In general, the lubricating mechanisms of the two solid lubricants were found to be relatively similar; that is, a dynamic, thin, layer-like film was formed between the two metallic surfaces. The mechanisms of failure were found to be somewhat different, however. Failure of MoS2 films was very dependent on atmospheric degradation, while that of graphite fluoride films was more dependent on flow of the lubricant film out of the contact zone.

Fusaro, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Electronically conducting polymers with silver grains

The present invention provides electronically conducting polymer films formed from photosensitive formulations of pyrrole and an electron acceptor that have been selectively exposed to UV light, laser light, or electron beams. The formulations may include photoinitiators, flexibilizers, solvents and the like. These solutions can be used in applications including printed circuit boards and through-hole plating and enable direct metallization processes on non-conducting substrates. After forming the conductive polymer patterns, a printed wiring board can be formed by sensitizing the polymer with palladium and electrolytically depositing copper.

Murphy, Oliver J.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Method of forming electronically conducting polymers on conducting and nonconducting substrates

Murphy, Oliver J.↗

NASA NTRS1967

Conduction through TiO sub 2 thin films with large ionic space charge.

Thin film Al-titanium dioxide-Al sandwiches capacitance and conductance dependence on frequency, obtaining ionic space charge density

Maserjian, J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Effect of thermal cycling on stress in metallic films on ceramic substrates

The hydrogen maser is the most stable frequency standard currently available for averaging intervals of hours to weeks. A major contributor to maser frequency variations is the maser's microwave resonant cavity: by means of the cavity pulling effect, a change in the cavity's resonance frequency produces a proportional change in the maser's output frequency. To minimize variations in the cavity's dimensions, and thus in its resonance frequency, maser cavities are often constructed of a low-expansivity glass-ceramic material coated on its surface with a conductive metallic film. It was previously shown that silver films like those used in SAO maser cavities develop tensile stress when cooled to room temperature after being fired onto the cavity, and that the stress in such films relaxes with time at a rate proportional to the level of stress. Stress relaxation in maser cavity coatings can alter the shape, and hence the resonance frequency, of the cavity, resulting in a slow variation in the maser's output frequency. The possibility was investigated of reversing the initial tensile stress by precooling the coated cavity material. It was hypothesized that cooling the material well below its normal working temperature and then warming it to its normal temperature would result in a lower tensile stress or even a compressive stress. Under such a condition stress relaxation, and thus any consequent frequency drifts, might be reduced or reversed.

Mattison, Edward M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A viscous flow study of shock-boundary layer interaction, radial transport, and wake development in a transonic compressor

A numerical study based on the 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equation has been conducted to investigate the detailed flow physics inside a transonic compressor. 3D shock structure, shock-boundary layer interaction, flow separation, radial mixing, and wake development are all investigated at design and off-design conditions. Experimental data based on laser anemometer measurements are used to assess the overall quality of the numerical solution. An additional experimental study to investigate end-wall flow with a hot-film was conducted, and these results are compared with the numerical results. Detailed comparison with experimental data indicates that the overall features of the 3D shock structure, the shock-boundary layer interaction, and the wake development are all calculated very well in the numerical solution. The numerical results are further analyzed to examine the radial mixing phenomena in the transonic compressor. A thin sheet of particles is injected in the numerical solution upstream of the compressor. The movement of particles is traced with a 3D plotting package. This numerical survey of tracer concentration reveals the fundamental mechanisms of radial transport in this transonic compressor.

Hah, Chunill↗

NASA NTRS1978

A comparison of the lubricating mechanisms of graphite fluoride and molybdenum disulfide films

A microscopic study of 440 C steel sliding surfaces lubricated by graphite fluoride or molybdenum disulfide solid lubricant rubbed films was conducted. The sliding surfaces, along with the friction, wear, and wear life were observed as a function of the number of sliding revolutions in three different atmospheres: moist air (10,000 ppm H2O), dry air (less than 20 ppm H2O), or dry argon (less than 20 ppm H2O). In general, the lubricating mechanisms of the two solid lubricants were found to be relatively similar; that is, a dynamic, thin, layer-like film (which sheared on relative motion) was formed between the two metallic surfaces. The mechanisms of failure were found to be somewhat different, however. Failure of MoS2 films was very dependent on atmospheric degradation, while that of graphite fluoride films was more dependent on flow of the lubricant film out of the contact zone

Fusaro, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS2011

SansEC Sensing Technology - A New Tool for Designing Space Systems and Components

This paper presents concepts for using the NASA developed SansEC sensing technology for reconfiguring/modifying many space subsystems to add to their original function the ability to be sensors/sensor arrays without the addition of the electrical circuitry typically used for sensors. Each sensor is a self-resonating planar pattern of electrically conductive material that is an open-circuit single component without electrical connections. The sensors are wirelessly powered using external oscillating magnetic fields and when electrically excited respond with their own magnetic fields whose frequency, amplitude and bandwidth can be correlated with the magnitude of multiple unrelated physical quantities. These sensors have been demonstrated for numerous measurements required for spacecraft and inflatable/expandable structures. SansEC sensors are damage resilient and simple to fabricate. Thin films of conductive material can be used to create sensor arrays that function as sensing skins. Each sensor on the skin can be tailored for a science or engineering measurement. Additionally, each sensor has an inherent damage detection capability. These sensing skins can be used to redesign inflatable habitat multi-layer insulation to provide additional functions of environmental measurement and micrometeorite/orbital debris damage detections. The sensing skins can be deposited on planetary exploratory vehicles to increase the number of measurements with negligible weight increase.

Woodard, Stanley E.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Carbon Nanotube Tip Probes: Stability and Lateral Resolution in Scanning Probe Microscopy and Application to Surface Science to Semiconductors

In this paper we present results on the stability and lateral resolution capability of carbon nanotube (CNT) scanning probes as applied to atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface topography images of ultra-thin films (2-5 nm thickness) obtained with AFM are used to illustrate the lateral resolution capability of single-walled carbon nanotube probes. Images of metal films prepared by ion beam sputtering exhibit grain sizes ranging from greater than 10 nm to as small as approximately 2 nm for gold and iridium respectively. In addition, imaging stability and lifetime of multi-walled carbon nanotube scanning probes are studied on a relatively hard surface of silicon nitride (Si3N4). AFM images Of Si3N4 surface collected after more than 15 hrs of continuous scanning show no detectable degradation in lateral resolution. These results indicate the general feasibility of CNT tips and scanning probe microscopy for examining nanometer-scale surface features of deposited metals as well as non-conductive thin films. AFM coupled with CNT tips offers a simple and nondestructive technique for probing a variety of surfaces, and has immense potential as a surface characterization tool in integrated circuit manufacturing.

Nguyen, Cattien V.↗

NASA NTRS2013

Ceramic Composite Thin Films

A ceramic composite thin film or layer includes individual graphene oxide and/or electrically conductive graphene sheets dispersed in a ceramic (e.g. silica) matrix. The thin film or layer can be electrically conductive film or layer depending the amount of graphene sheets present. The composite films or layers are transparent, chemically inert and compatible with both glass and hydrophilic SiOx/silicon substrates. The composite film or layer can be produced by making a suspension of graphene oxide sheet fragments, introducing a silica-precursor or silica to the suspension to form a sol, depositing the sol on a substrate as thin film or layer, at least partially reducing the graphene oxide sheets to conductive graphene sheets, and thermally consolidating the thin film or layer to form a silica matrix in which the graphene oxide and/or graphene sheets are dispersed.

Ruoff, Rodney S.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Self-protected electrodes limit field-emission current

One cathode includes array of square-shaped conductor columns. Columns are electrically interconnected by conducting plate on bottom. Each column provides field-emission current. Another cathode includes array of rodlike conductors. Layer is covered by control film made of conducting material. Film is isolated from each conductor.

Lees, W. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Improved thermal-conducting and current-confining film

Ge film that replaces SiO2 coating in method of fabricating room-temperature CW laser diodes achieves greater heat dissipation while maintaining effectiveness as current-confining medium. Film also lessens certain unwanted strain parameters and ultimately increases lifetime of lasers. Method is applicable to fabrication of InP and (AlGa)As CW lasers.

Hawrylo, F. Z.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Electrically conductive palladium-containing polyimide films

Palladium addition makes light, flexible film with low resistivity to relieve space charging. Polyimide film is prepared in four steps: preparation of polyamic acid in polar solvent; addition of soluable palladium complex salt; fabrication of film of "palladium polyamic acid" solution; and thermal imidization of film to palladium-containing polyimide by 300 C heating. Lowered resistivities were achieved without loss in film flexibility or increase in film weight.

St.clair, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Anton permselective membrane

Experimental composite membranes were synthesized on a lab scale consisting of a thin layer of anion permselective resin supported by and bonded to a porous physically strong and conductive substrate film. These showed good selectivity and also substantially lower electrical resistivities than the homogenous candidate membranes optimized in the previous contract. A wide range of resin porosities were examined for three candidate membrane systems, CDIL, CP4L, and A3L to identify the formulation giving the best overall redox cell performance. Candidate anion membranes showed large increases in resistivity after a short time of immersion in concentrated FeCl/HCl solution. Largely on the basis of resistance stability the CDIL formulation was selected as prime candidate and about thirty-five membranes (one foot square) were produced for experimental static and dynamic evaluation.

Alexander, S. S.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Charging control techniques

Transparent conductive thin films of indium oxide and indium-tin oxide were evaluated for their properties to control charge buildup on satellite materials. Both oxide coatings were evaluated for their uniformity, stability, reproducibility and characteristics on various substrate materials such as FEP Teflon, Kapton, and glass. The process development toward optimization and characterization of these thin semiconductor oxide coatings and the evaluation on large sizes performed for qualification for use on thermal control satellite materials is described. The materials have been characterized in multiple energy electron plasma environment and at low temperatures. All radiation measurements of the coatings under simulated substorm conditions have exhibited the characteristics of stable charge control. Measurement of surface potential during and after irradiation by electrons up to 30 KeV and ionizing gamma radiation show an effective stable grounding surface.

Schmidt, R. E.↗