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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

Electronic structures of HgTe and CdTe surfaces and HgTe/CdTe interfaces

A Green's-function method has been used to study the surface and interface electronic structures of the II-VI compounds HgTe and CdTe. Localized surface and resonance states near the cation-terminated (100) surface of CdTe and the anion-terminated surface of HgTe have been found for the ideal surfaces. The energies and strengths of these surface states are altered by surface perturbations. The bulk states near the surface are drastically modified by the creation of the surface, but the band gaps remain unchanged. Numerical evaluation of the local densities of states at the Gamma and J points shows that, at the (100) interface of HgTe/CdTe, the previously observed surface states are no longer present. However, in the interface region, bulk states of one material penetrate some distance into the other material.

Schick, J. T.↗

Structure and Dynamics of Interfaces: Drops and Films

We aim to acquire measurements of the structure and dynamics of certain liquid-fluid interfaces using an ensemble of techniques in collaboration: (1) Total internal reflection (TIR) Surface light scattering spectroscopy (SLSS), (2) Brewster angle microscopy (BAM), and (3) Drop-shape analysis. SLSS and BAM can be done on a shared interfacial footprint. Results using a 50-50 mixture of pentane-isohexane, which extends the range of NASA's Confined Vapor Bubble (CVB) experiment, yield surface tension results that differ from the expected Langmuir Fit. These results were confirmed using both the SLSS and drop-shape analysis approaches.

pentane-isohexane mixture↗

Penalty-Based Interface Technology for Prediction of Delamination Growth in Laminated Structures

An effective interface element technology has been developed for connecting and simulating crack growth between independently modeled finite element subdomains (e.g., composite plies). This method has been developed using penalty constraints and allows coupling of finite element models whose nodes do not necessarily coincide along their common interface. Additionally, the present formulation leads to a computational approach that is very efficient and completely compatible with existing commercial software. The present interface element has been implemented in the commercial finite element code ABAQUS as a User Element Subroutine (UEL), making it easy to test the approach for a wide range of problems. The interface element technology has been formulated to simulate delamination growth in composite laminates. Thanks to its special features, the interface element approach makes it possible to release portions of the interface surface whose length is smaller than that of the finite elements. In addition, the penalty parameter can vary within the interface element, allowing the damage model to be applied to a desired fraction of the interface between the two meshes. Results for double cantilever beam DCB, end-loaded split (ELS) and fixed-ratio mixed mode (FRMM) specimens are presented. These results are compared to measured data to assess the ability of the present damage model to simulate crack growth.

Averill, Ronald C.↗

Parallel structural optimization with different parallel analysis interfaces

The real benefit of structural optimization techniques is in the application of these techniques to large structures such as full vehicles or full aircraft. For these structures, however, the sequential computer's time and memory requirements prohibit the solutions. With the rapid development of parallel computers, parallel processing of large scale structural optimization problems is achievable. In this paper we discuss the parallel processing of structural optimization problems with parallel structural analysis. Two different types of interface between the optimization and analysis routines are developed and tested.

El-Sayed, Mohamed E. M.↗

The conical scanner evaluation system design

The software design for the conical scanner evaluation system is presented. The purpose of this system is to support the performance analysis of the LANDSAT-D conical scanners, which are infrared horizon detection attitude sensors designed for improved accuracy. The system consists of six functionally independent subsystems and five interface data bases. The system structure and interfaces of each of the subsystems is described and the content, format, and file structure of each of the data bases is specified. For each subsystem, the functional logic, the control parameters, the baseline structure, and each of the subroutines are described. The subroutine descriptions include a procedure definition and the input and output parameters.

Cumella, K. E.↗

Local atomic and electronic structure of oxide/GaAs and SiO2/Si interfaces using high-resolution XPS

The chemical structures of thin SiO2 films, thin native oxides of GaAs (20-30 A), and the respective oxide-semiconductor interfaces, have been investigated using high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Depth profiles of these structures have been obtained using argon ion bombardment and wet chemical etching techniques. The chemical destruction induced by the ion profiling method is shown by direct comparison of these methods for identical samples. Fourier transform data-reduction methods based on linear prediction with maximum entropy constraints are used to analyze the discrete structure in oxides and substrates. This discrete structure is interpreted by means of a structure-induced charge-transfer model.

Grunthaner, F. J.↗

Ultrasonic Inspection During Autoclave Cure of Reflowable-Interface Composite Joints

In structural bonds, the interface between adherend and adhesive is nearly two-dimensional making the interface susceptible to minute quantities of contamination, which can cause weak bonds. Regulatory organizations such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) often require redundant load paths in secondary-bonded primary-structures due to uncertainty in bond performance. To address this issue, the NASA Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS): Adhesive Free Bonding of Composites (AERoBOND) project is investigating reformulated aerospace epoxy-matrix resins to enable reflow and diffusion of the resin at the joint interface during a secondary bonding and cure process that can eliminate the material discontinuity at the interface. Implementing in-situ process monitoring enables assessing the bond quality during processing rather than waiting for post-fabrication mechanical testing to be completed. In this paper, an in-situ ultrasonic inspection system is used to monitor the joining of three composite laminates assembled using the AERoBOND technique. For each panel, the amplitude of the wave reflection at the joint was measured throughout the cure cycle. The results indicate the timing and extent of reflow and cure of the epoxy resin at the joint. Factors indicating end of cure were ascertained and a metric was developed to qualitatively predict acceptable mode-II fracture toughness based on the ultrasonic amplitude at the joint line during cure. In addition, since the inspection system scans an area of the joint, high-resolution localized results can be obtained across the joint.

Tyler B Hudson↗

Composite Development and Applications for RLV Tankage

The development of polymer composite cryogenic tanks is a critical step in creating the next generation of launch vehicles. Future launch vehicles need to minimize the gross liftoff weight (GLOW), which is possible due to the 28%-41% reduction in weight that composite materials can provide over current aluminum technology. The development of composite cryogenic tanks, feedlines, and unpressurized structures are key enabling technologies for performance and cost enhancements for Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs). The technology development of composite tanks has provided direct and applicable data for feedlines, unpressurized structures, material compatibility, and cryogenic fluid containment for highly loaded complex structures and interfaces. All three types of structure have similar material systems, processing parameters, scaling issues, analysis methodologies, NDE development, damage tolerance, and repair scenarios. Composite cryogenic tankage is the most complex of the 3 areas and provides the largest breakthrough in technology. A building block approach has been employed to bring this family of difficult technologies to maturity. This approach has built up composite materials, processes, design, analysis and test methods technology through a series of composite test programs beginning with the NASP program to meet aggressive performance goals for reusable launch vehicles. In this paper, the development and application of advanced composites for RLV use is described.

Wright, Richard J.↗

HAPI: An API Standard for Accessing Heliophysics Time Series Data

Heliophysics data analysis often involves combining diverse science measurements, many of them captured as time series. Although there are now only a few commonly used data file formats, the diversity in mechanisms for automated access to and aggregation of such data holdings can make analysis that requires intercomparison of data from multiple data providers difficult. The Heliophysics Application Programmer's Interface (HAPI) is a recently developed standard for accessing distributed time series data to increase interoperability. The HAPI specification is based on the common elements of existing data services, and it standardizes the two main parts of a data service: the request interface and the response data structures. The interface is based on the REpresentational State Transfer (REST) or RESTful architecture style, and the HAPI specification defines five required REST endpoints. Data are returned via a streaming format that hides file boundaries; the metadata is detailed enough for the content to be scientifically useful, e.g., plotted with appropriate axes layout, units, and labels. Multiple mature HAPI-related open-source projects offer server-side implementation tools and client-side libraries for reading HAPI data in multiple languages (IDL, Java, MATLAB, and Python). Multiple data providers in the US and Europe have added HAPI access alongside their existing interfaces. Based on this experience, data can be served via HAPI with little or no information loss compared to similar existing web interfaces. Finally, HAPI has been recommended as a COSPAR standard for time series data delivery.

Robert S. Weigel↗

Improved Pyrotechnic Shock Scaling Method Based on Shock Response Spectrum and Statistical Energy Analysis

It has been more than forty years since the pyrotechnic shock scaling method was introduced. The scaling method estimates the attenuation of the Shock Response Spectrum (SRS) based on the distance from the source, structural configurations, types of structural joints and interfaces, and intervening structure [1]. The method has been successfully used in the spacecraft community countless times and still is frequently used to develop pyrotechnic shock requirements at various levels of assembly of a spacecraft. However, since the method was derived empirically from a limited set of shock test data [2], the aerospace community has been looking for an alternative approach. In this paper, a computational scaling method based on Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) is re-visited. SEA is traditionally used as a method for investigating the diffusion of acoustic and vibratory energies of a system at steady-state [3]. Previously, an approach using the SRS as an acceleration constraint condition to the SEA model was introduced to estimate the attenuation from a shock source [4,5]. In the current investigation, additional examples are provided to further validate the approach. In addition, responses in the time domain are produced by the Local Modal Phase Reconstruction (LMPR) approach which was recently introduced to the community [6].

Fernandez, Juan P.↗

Centaur Standard Shroud (CSS) static ultimate load structural tests

A series of tests were conducted on the jettisonable metallic shroud used on the Titan/Centaur launch vehicle to verify its structural capabilities and to evaluate its structural interaction with the Centaur stage. A flight configured shroud and the interfacing Titan/Centaur structural assemblies were subjected to tests consisting of combinations of applied axial and shear loads to design ultimate values, including a set of tests on thermal conditions and two dynamic response tests to verify the analytical stiffness model. The strength capabilities were demonstrated at ultimate (125 percent of design limit) loads. It was also verified that the spring rate of the flight configured shroud-to-Centaur forward structural deflections of the specimen became nonlinear, as expected, above limit load values. This test series qualification program verified that the Titan/Centaur shroud and the Centaur and Titan interface components are qualified structurally at design ultimate loads.

Source record↗

Surface chemistry of liquid metals

The fundamental surface chemistry of the behavior of liquid metals spreading on a solid substrate is not at all well understood. Each of these questions involves knowing the details of the structure of interfaces and their dynamics. For example the structure of a monolayer of tin oxide on pure liquid tin is unknown. This is in contrast to the relatively large amount of data available on the structure of copper oxide monolayers on solid, pure copper. However, since liquid tin has a vapor pressure below 10(exp -10)torr for a reasonable temperature range above its melting point, it is possible to use the techniques of surface science to study the geometric, electronic and vibrational structures of these monolayers. In addition, certain techniques developed by surface chemists for the study of liquid systems can be applied to the ultra-high vacuum environment. In particular we have shown that light scattering spectroscopy can be used to study the surface tension tensor of these interfaces. The tin oxide layer in particular is very interesting in that the monolayer is rigid but admits of bending. Ellipsometric microscopy allows the visualization of monolayer thick films and show whether island formation occurs at various levels of dosing.

Mann, J. Adin, Jr.↗

XPS study of the chemical structure of the nickel/silicon interface

The chemical nature of the Ni/Si, Ni/Ni2Si, and Si/Ni2Si interfaces is studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Two approaches are employed: (1) the Ni/silicide and Si/silicide interfaces are examined by dynamically monitoring the advancing reaction front during in situ growth and (2) as-deposited Ni/Si interfacial properties are analyzed by sequential evaporating monolayer Ni films on Si. These experiments show that the Ni/Ni2Si interface consists of a Ni-rich silicide phase, while the Si/Ni2Si interface has a transitional region that is correspondingly Si-rich silicide.

Grunthaner, P. J.↗

Development of Software to Model AXAF-I Image Quality

This draft final report describes the work performed under the delivery order number 145 from May 1995 through August 1996. The scope of work included a number of software development tasks for the performance modeling of AXAF-I. A number of new capabilities and functions have been added to the GT software, which is the command mode version of the GRAZTRACE software, originally developed by MSFC. A structural data interface has been developed for the EAL (old SPAR) finite element analysis FEA program, which is being used by MSFC Structural Analysis group for the analysis of AXAF-I. This interface utility can read the structural deformation file from the EAL and other finite element analysis programs such as NASTRAN and COSMOS/M, and convert the data to a suitable format that can be used for the deformation ray-tracing to predict the image quality for a distorted mirror. There is a provision in this utility to expand the data from finite element models assuming 180 degrees symmetry. This utility has been used to predict image characteristics for the AXAF-I HRMA, when subjected to gravity effects in the horizontal x-ray ground test configuration. The development of the metrology data processing interface software has also been completed. It can read the HDOS FITS format surface map files, manipulate and filter the metrology data, and produce a deformation file, which can be used by GT for ray tracing for the mirror surface figure errors. This utility has been used to determine the optimum alignment (axial spacing and clocking) for the four pairs of AXAF-I mirrors. Based on this optimized alignment, the geometric images and effective focal lengths for the as built mirrors were predicted to cross check the results obtained by Kodak.

Ahmad, Anees↗

Finite element-finite difference thermal/structural analysis of large space truss structures

A technique of automated and efficient thermal-structural processing of truss structures that interfaces the finite element and finite difference method was developed. The thermal-structural analysis tasks include development of the thermal and structural math models, thermal analysis, development of an interface and data transfer between the models, and finally an evaluation of the thermal stresses and displacements in the structure. Consequently, the objective of the developed technique was to minimize the model development time, in order to assure an automatic transfer of data between the thermal and structural models as well as to minimize the computer resources needed for the analysis itself. The method and techniques described are illustrated on the thermal/structural analysis of the Space Station Freedom main truss.

Warren, Andrew H.↗

Penalty-Based Finite Element Interface Technology for Analysis of Homogeneous and Composite Structures

An effective and robust interface element technology able to connect independently modeled finite element subdomains has been developed. This method is based on the use of penalty constraints and allows coupling of finite element models whose nodes do not coincide along their common interface. Additionally, the present formulation leads to a computational approach that is very efficient and completely compatible with existing commercial software. A significant effort has been directed toward identifying those model characteristics (element geometric properties, material properties, and loads) that most strongly affect the required penalty parameter, and subsequently to developing simple 'formulae' for automatically calculating the proper penalty parameter for each interface constraint. This task is especially critical in composite materials and structures, where adjacent sub-regions may be composed of significantly different materials or laminates. This approach has been validated by investigating a variety of two-dimensional problems, including composite laminates.

Averill, Ronald C.↗

Ballistic Electron Emission Microscopy of Metal/Group IV Interfaces

Ballistic electron emission microscopy and spectroscopy, together with related techniques, have been applied with great success to the study of buried interfaces. These probes, known collectively as BEEM, have yielded important information on interface transport, interface band structure, and carrier scattering, with lateral spatial resolution on the nanometer scale. Recent applications of the technique to polycrystalline metal/semiconductor interfaces have demonstrated an ability to spatially map both conduction band and valence band semiconductor structure. BEEM studies of epitaxial silicide/silicon interfaces have been particularly fruitful, as the rich silicide band structure results in complex and often surprising transport behavior...

Hecht, M. H.↗