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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Electrical-Impedance-Based Ice-Thickness Gauges

Langley Research Center has developed electrical-impedance-based ice-thickness gauges and is seeking partners and collaborators to commercialize them. When used as parts of active monitoring and diagnostic systems, these gauges make it possible to begin deicing or to take other protective measures before ice accretes to dangerous levels. These gauges are inexpensive, small, and simple to produce. They can be adapted to use on a variety of stationary and moving structures that are subject to accumulation of ice. Examples of such structures include aircraft, cars, trucks, ships, buildings, towers, power lines (see figure), power-generating equipment, water pipes, freezer compartments, and cooling coils. A gauge of this type includes a temperature sensor and two or more pairs of electrically insulated conductors embedded in a surface on which ice could accumulate. The electrical impedances of the pairs of conductors vary with the thickness of any ice that may be present. Somewhat more specifically, when the pairs of conductors are spaced appropriately, the ratio between their impedances is indicative of the thickness of the ice. Therefore, the gauge includes embedded electronic circuits that measure the electrical impedances, plus circuits that process the combination of temperature and impedance measurements to determine whether ice is present and, if so, how thick it is. Of course, in the processing of the impedance measurements, the temperature measurements help the circuitry to distinguish between liquid water and ice. The basic design of a gauge of this type can be adapted to local conditions. For example, if there is a need to monitor ice over a wide range of thickness, then the gauge can include more than two sets of conductors having various spacings.

Weinstein, Leonard↗
NASA NTRS1975

Instrumentation for investigation of corona discharges from insulated wires

A coaxial cylinder configuration is used to investigate the effect of corona impulses on the deterioration of electrical insulation. The corona currents flowing through the resistance develop a voltage which is fed to the measuring set-up. The value of this resistance is made equal to the surge impedance of the coaxial cylinder set up to prevent reflections. This instrumentation includes a phase shifter and Schmidt trigger and is designed to sample, measure, and display corona impulses occurring during any predetermined sampling period of a randomly selectable half cycle of the 60 Hz high voltage wave.

Doreswamy, C. V.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Radiation-induced insulator discharge pulses in the CRRES Internal Discharge Monitor satellite experiment

The Internal Discharge Monitor (IDM) is designed to observe electrical pulses from common electrical insulators in space service. The IDM is flying on the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES). The sixteen insulator samples include G10 circuit boards, FR4 and PTFE fiberglass circuit boards, FEP Teflon, alumina, and wires with common insulations. The samples are fully enclosed, mutually isolated, and space radiation penetrates 0.02 cm of aluminum before striking the samples. The IDM results indicate the rate at which insulator pulses occur. Pulsing began on the seventh orbit. The maximum pulse rate occurred near orbit 600 when over 50 pulses occurred. The average pulse rate is approximately two per orbit, but nearly half of the first 600 orbits experienced no pulses. The pulse rate per unit flux of high energy electrons has not changed dramatically over the first ten months in space. These pulse rates are in agreement with laboratory experience on shorter time scales. Several of the samples have never pulsed. IDM pulses are the seeds of larger satellite electrical anomalies. The pulse rates are compared with space radiation intensities, L shell location, and spectral distributions from the radiation spectrometers on CRRES.

Frederickson, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Update on High-Temperature Coils for Electromagnets

A report revisits the subject matter of "High-Temperature Coils for Electromagnets" (LEW-17164), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 26, No. 8, (August 2002) page 38. To recapitulate: Wires have been developed for use in electromagnets that operate at high temperatures. The starting material for a wire of this type can be either a nickel-clad, ceramic-insulated copper wire or a bare silver wire. The wire is covered by electrical-insulation material that is intended to withstand operating temperatures in the range from 800 to 1,300 F (.430 to .700 C): The starting wire is either primarily wrapped with S-glass as an insulating material or else covered with another insulating material wrapped in S-glass prior to the winding process. A ceramic binding agent is applied as a slurry during the winding process to provide further insulating capability. The turns are pre-bent during winding to prevent damage to the insulation. The coil is then heated to convert the binder into ceramic. The instant report mostly reiterates the prior information and presents some additional information on the application of the ceramic binding agent and the incorporation of high-temperature wire into the windings.

Kascak, Albert F.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Growing Aligned Carbon Nanotubes for Interconnections in ICs

A process for growing multiwalled carbon nanotubes anchored at specified locations and aligned along specified directions has been invented. Typically, one would grow a number of the nanotubes oriented perpendicularly to a silicon integrated-circuit (IC) substrate, starting from (and anchored on) patterned catalytic spots on the substrate. Such arrays of perpendicular carbon nanotubes could be used as electrical interconnections between levels of multilevel ICs. The process (see Figure 1) begins with the formation of a layer, a few hundred nanometers thick, of a compatible electrically insulating material (e.g., SiO(x) or Si(y)N(z) on the silicon substrate. A patterned film of a suitable electrical conductor (Al, Mo, Cr, Ti, Ta, Pt, Ir, or doped Si), having a thickness between 1 nm and 2 m, is deposited on the insulating layer to form the IC conductor pattern. Next, a catalytic material (usually, Ni, Fe, or Co) is deposited to a thickness between 1 and 30 nm on the spots from which it is desired to grow carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Unlike the matted and tangled carbon nanotubes grown by thermal CVD, the carbon nanotubes grown by PECVD are perpendicular and freestanding because an electric field perpendicular to the substrate is used in PECVD. Next, the free space between the carbon nanotubes is filled with SiO2 by means of CVD from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), thereby forming an array of carbon nanotubes embedded in SiO2. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is then performed to remove excess SiO2 and form a flat-top surface in which the outer ends of the carbon nanotubes are exposed. Optionally, depending on the application, metal lines to connect selected ends of carbon nanotubes may be deposited on the top surface. The top part of Figure 2 is a scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of carbon nanotubes grown, as described above, on catalytic spots of about 100 nm diameter patterned by electron-beam lithography. These and other nanotubes were found to have lengths ranging from 2 to 10 m and diameters ranging from 30 to 200 nm, the exact values of length depending on growth times and conditions and the exact values of diameter depending on the diameters and thicknesses of the catalyst spots. The bottom part of Figure 2 is an SEM of an embedded array of carbon nanotubes after CMP.

Li, Jun↗
NASA NTRS1983

New method of determining the onset of ring cracking

A technique is developed for the detection of the onset of circumferential ring cracks in a flat brittle piece of an electrically insulating material. Thin metal films were deposited on both the insulating indentor (diamond) and the insulating brittle flat. The initiation of a ring crack was signified by a step in the monitored electrical contact resistance between the indentor and flat metal films versus the applied force. It was determined by tests performed on polished glass slides using diamond indentors that this technique is both sensitive and reproducible. The onset of crack formation as observed by optical means was found to occur at the same time as the step in the contact resistance when both experiments were carried out simultaneously.

Grzybowski, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS2026

Pulsed Electroacoustic Analysis Capabilities at NASA Glenn Research Center

The High Voltage Testing Laboratory at NASA Glenn Research Center is equipped with a pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) analyzer to study space charge phenomena in dielectric materials. Dielectric materials such as those used in high voltage insulation systems are of great interest due to their crucial role in withstanding high voltages and avoiding electrical breakdown in electrified aircraft power systems. Current research is underway for the development of novel lightweight electrical insulation and the thorough evaluation of these materials is required. The PEA instrumentation at NASA GRC is a nondestructive method to evaluate the space charge phenomena which can give a unique insight on the feasibility and lifetime of material systems. The instrumentation capability and initial results are reported here.

pulsed electroacoustic↗
NASA NTRS1992

Damping and scattering of electromagnetic waves by small ferrite spheres suspended in an insulator

The intentional degradation of electromagnetic waves by their penetration into a media comprised of somewhat sparsely distributed energy absorbing ferrite spheres suspended in an electrical insulator is investigated. Results are presented in terms of generalized parameters involving wave length and sphere size, sphere resistivity, permeability, and spacing; their influence on dissipation of wave power by eddy currents, magnetic hysteresis, and scattering is shown.

Englert, Gerald W.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Single layer, multi-channel band-gear system for rotary joint

A multi-channel band-gear system for a rotary joint has a ring gear assembly with a conducting ring band in electrical contact with corresponding conducting bands of a set of intermediary planetary gears, which in turn are in electrical contact with a conducting sun band of a sun gear assembly. The ring band is formed with a plurality of conducting segments which are electrically insulated from each other and positioned angularly in a circumferential direction of the ring gear, such that separate electrical power/signal channels are formed across the rotary joint. In a preferred embodiment having continuously connected channels, the ring band has four conducting segments at 90.degree. intervals, the sun band has two conducting segments at 180.degree. intervals, and three planetary bands are in rolling electrical contact at 120.degree. intervals between the ring band segments and the sun band segments, forming two continuously connected channels in a single layer of the band-gear system. Multiple sets of ring gear, planetary gear, and sun gear assemblies may be used in a stacked configuration in a single axial layer to further increase the number of channels provided through the band-gear system.

Kong, Kin Yuen↗
NASA NTRS1977

Applications of thermal infrared imagery for energy conservation and environmental surveys

The survey procedures, developed during the winter and summer of 1976, employ color and color infrared aerial photography, thermal infrared imagery, and a handheld infrared imaging device. The resulting imagery was used to detect building heat losses, deteriorated insulation in built-up type building roofs, and defective underground steam lines. The handheld thermal infrared device, used in conjunction with the aerial thermal infrared imagery, provided a method for detecting and locating those roof areas that were underlain with wet insulation. In addition, the handheld infrared device was employed to conduct a survey of a U.S. Army installation's electrical distribution system under full operating loads. This survey proved to be cost effective procedure for detecting faulty electrical insulators and connections that if allowed to persist could have resulted in both safety hazards and loss in production.

Carney, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Mounting improves heat-sink contact with beryllia washer

To conduct heat away from electrical components that must be electrically insulated from a metal heat sink, a metal washer and a coil spring are placed between one end of the electrical component and the beryllia washer mounted on the heat sink. The thermal paths are formed by the component lead and base, the metal and beryllia washers, and the compressed spring.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1980

Apparatus for use in the production of ribbon-shaped crystals from a silicon melt

A susceptor for facilitating induction heating of silicon melt is described. The susceptor comprises a pair of susceptor halves of a thickness less than two skin depths, each being the mirror image of the other, disposed in mutually opposed, electrically insulated relation. The crucible comprises a quartz body supported by the graphite susceptor, whereby the R-F coil is electrically coupled with the melt.

Berkman, S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Improved high modulus carbon fibers

Carbon fibers which are electrically insulating but still maintain the mechanical properties of the original carbon fibers were investigated. Three approaches were taken to increase the electrical resistance of carbon fibers: (1) boron nitride (BN) coatings; (2) doping of carbon fibers to alter their electrical properties; and (3) low temperature final heat treatment. The structure of carbon fibers and its effect upon properties was also studied. Results are presented.

Ansell, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Measuring Combustion Advance in Solid Propellants

Set of gauges on solid-propellant rocket motor with electrically insulating case measures advance of combustion front and local erosion rates of propellant and insulation. Data furnished by gauges aid in motor design, failure analysis, and performance prediction. Technique useful in determining propellant uniformity and electrical properties of exhaust plum. Gauges used both in flight and on ground. Foilgauge technique also useful in basic research on pulsed plasmas or combustion of solids.

Yang, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Insulation Requirements of High-Voltage Power Systems in Future Spacecraft

The scope, size, and capability of the nation's space-based activities are limited by the level of electrical power available. Long-term projections show that there will be an increasing demand for electrical power in future spacecraft programs. The level of power that can be generated, conditioned, transmitted, and used will have to be considerably increased to satisfy these needs, and increased power levels will require that transmission voltages also be increased to minimize weight and resistive losses. At these projected voltages, power systems will not operate satisfactorily without the proper electrical insulation. Open or encapsulated power supplies are currently used to keep the volume and weight of space power systems low and to protect them from natural and induced environmental hazards. Circuits with open packaging are free to attain the pressure of the outer environment, whereas encapsulated circuits are imbedded in insulating materials, which are usually solids, but could be liquids or gases. Up to now, solid insulation has usually been chosen for space power systems. If the use of solid insulation is continued, when voltages increase, the amount of insulation for encapsulation also will have to increase. This increased insulation will increase weight and reduce system reliability. Therefore, non-solid insulation media must be examined to satisfy future spacecraft power and voltage demands. In this report, we assess the suitability of liquid, space vacuum, and gas insulation for space power systems.

Qureshi, A. Haq↗
NASA NTRS1985

Discharge pulse phenomenology

A model was developed which places radiation induced discharge pulse results into a unified conceptual framework. Only two phenomena are required to interpret all space and laboratory results: (1) radiation produces large electrostatic fields inside insulators via the trapping of a net space charge density; and (2) the electrostatic fields initiate discharge streamer plasmas similar to those investigated in high voltage electrical insulation materials; these streamer plasmas generate the pulsing phenomena. The apparent variability and diversity of results seen is an inherent feature of the plasma streamer mechanism acting in the electric fields which is created by irradiation of the dielectrics. The implications of the model are extensive and lead to constraints over what can be done about spacecraft pulsing.

Frederickson, A. R.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Recent trends in all-organic polymer dielectrics for high-temperature electrostatic energy storage capacitors

Electrostatic energy storage (EES) capacitors are critical for renewable energy and high-power systems, driving the search for dielectric materials that combine superior electrical insulation, mechanical flexibility, low density, cost-effectiveness, and processability. Polymer-based dielectrics have emerged as leading candidates, particularly for high electric field applications. However, conventional polymers often fail to meet the demands of high-temperature environments due to increased electrical conductivity and reduced discharged energy density at elevated temperatures, resulting in energy loss and reduced performance. High glass transition temperature (T g) polymers show promise but require further optimization to enhance their energy storage capabilities under thermal and electrical stress. This review provides a comprehensive update on recent advancements in high-T g polymer-based dielectrics for EES capacitors, focusing on both intrinsic polymers and all-organic composites. It outlines key design principles, critical performance parameters, and innovative strategies—such as nanofiller doping, layered architectures, physical blending, and chemical crosslinking—to improve electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The review also highlights emerging trends, including the integration of machine learning algorithms to explore novel polymer structures and expand the chemical design space. By bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application, this review aims to accelerate the development of next-generation dielectric materials capable of balancing multiple performance metrics for high-temperature EES capacitors.

Xie, Zongliang↗