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At least 145 records · Page 8

State-of-the-art SiAlON materials

The state of the art of SiAlONs is examined. The review includes work on phase relations, crystal structure, synthesis, fabrication, and properties of various SiAlONs. The essential features of compositions, fabrication methods, and microstructure are reviewed. High temperature flexure strength, creep, fracture toughness, oxidation, and thermal shock resistance are discussed. These data are compared to those for some currently produced silicon nitride ceramics to assess the potential of SiAlON materials for use in advanced gas turbine engines.

Dutta, S.↗

Synthesis and characterization of high-Tc superconductors in the Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O system

Both Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O10 and TlCa3BaCu3O8.5 are investigated for superconductivity as a function of the sintering temperature, time, atmosphere, and quench rate in an effort to synthesize the high-Tc superconducting phase in the thallium system. The samples are characterized by electrical resistivity measurements, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Samples of starting composition Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O10 fired in air at 860-900 C and rapidly quenched show a Tc of 96-107 K. In contrast, specimens of starting composition TlCa3BaCu3O8.5 when baked at 900 C and slowly cooled in oxygen superconduct at 116 K and above and consist of Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O(10+x) as the dominant phase. The results also show that, in contrast to the case of YBa2Cu3O(7-x), doping with a small concentration of fluorine sharpens the resistive transition and produces a large Tc increase in thallium-based superconductors.

Bansal, Narottam P.↗

Development of Ceramic Systems for High temperature Coatings

Professor Eslamloo-Grami will synthesize ceramic powders of various compositions based on pyrochlore, perovskite, and magnetoplumbite structures by doping with various oxides. Sol-gel and combustion synthesis routes will be used for powder syntheses. The powders will be characterized for particle size, surface area, microstructure, sintering etc. Thermal conductivity of the hot pressed specimens will also be measured at various temperatures. At the end, a project report will be prepared describing in details the experimental methods, results, discussion, and future research.

Eslamloo-Grami, Maryame↗

Preparation of B-trichloroborazine

The present invention relates to a method of preparing B-trichloroborazine. Generally, the method includes the combination of gaseous boron trichloride in an anhydrous aprotic organic solvent followed by addition of excess gaseous ammonia at ambient temperature or below. The reaction mixture is heated to about 100 to 140 C followed by cooling, removal of the solid ammonium chloride at ambient temperature, distillation of the solvent under vacuum if necessary at a temperature of up to about 112 C, and recovery of the B-trichloroborazine. Solvents include toluene, benzene, xylene, chlorinated hydrocarbons, chlorinated aromatic compounds, or mixtures thereof. Toluene is a preferred solvent. The process provides a convenient synthesis of a material which often decomposes on standing. B-trichloroborazine is useful in a number of chemical reactions, and particularly in the formation of high temperature inorganic polymers and polymer precursors.

Riccitiello, Salvatore R.↗

A Synthesis of Experimental Data Describing the Partitioning of Moderately Volatile Elements in Major Rock Forming Minerals: Implications for the Moon

Highly volatile elements [condensation temperatures below about 700 K] and water are highly informative about lunar bulk composition (hence origin), differentiation and magmatic evolution, and the role of impacts in delivering volatiles to the Moon. Fractionation of volatile elements compared to moderately volatile and refractory elements are informative about high-temperature conditions that operated in the proto-lunar disk. Existing data show clearly that the Moon is depleted in volatile elements compared to the bulk silicate Earth. For example, K/Th is ~400-700 in the Moon compared to 2800-3000 in Earth. A complicating factor is that the abundances of the highly volatile elements in major lunar lithologies vary by approximately two orders of magnitude. Perhaps most interesting, H2O is not correlated with the concentration of volatile elements, indicating a decoupling of highly volatile elements from the even more volatile H2O. We contend that this decoupling could be a significant tracer of processes operating during lunar formation, differentiation, and bombardment, and the combination of analyzing both volatile elements and water is likely to provide significant insight into lunar geochemical history. This variation and lack of correlation raises the question: what were the relative contributions of crystallization in the magma ocean, subsequent mantle overturn, production of secondary magmas, and addition of volatiles by large impacts in producing this apparently large range in volatile abundances? This current study will produce new partitioning data relevant to the role and distribution of the volatile and non-volatile, yet geochemically significant elements (Co, Ni, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sb, Ce, Yb, Tl, Pb, Bi) during the thermal and magmatic evolution of the Moon.

Vander Kaaden, Kathleen E.↗

Microgravity Production of Nanoparticles of Novel Materials Using Plasma Synthesis

The research goal is to study the formation in reduced gravity of high quality nanoparticulate of novel materials using plasma synthesis. Particular emphasis will be placed on the production of powders of non-oxide materials like diamond, SiC, SiN, c-BN, etc. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of gravity on plasma synthesis of these materials, and to determine how the microgravity synthesis can improve the quality and yield of the nanoparticles. It is expected that the reduced gravity will aid in the understanding of the controlling mechanisms of plasma synthesis, and will increase the yield, and quality of the synthesized powder. These materials have properties of interest in several industrial applications, such as high temperature load bearings or high speed metal machining. Furthermore, because of the nano-meter size of the particulate produced in this process, they have specific application in the fabrication of MEMS based combustion systems, and in the development and growth of nano-systems and nano-structures of these materials. These are rapidly advancing research areas, and there is a great need for high quality nanoparticles of different materials. One of the primary systems of interest in the project will be gas-phase synthesis of nanopowder of non-oxide materials.

Frenklach, Michael↗

Pulsed high energy synthesis of fine metal powders

Repetitively pulsed plasma jets generated by a capillary arc discharge at high stagnation pressure (>15,000 psi) and high temperature (>10,000 K) are utilized to produce 0.1-10 .mu.m sized metal powders and decrease cost of production. The plasma jets impact and atomize melt materials to form the fine powders. The melt can originate from a conventional melt stream or from a pulsed arc between two electrodes. Gas streams used in conventional gas atomization are replaced with much higher momentum flux plasma jets. Delivering strong incident shocks aids in primary disintegration of the molten material. A series of short duration, high pressure plasma pulses fragment the molten material. The pulses introduce sharp velocity gradients in the molten material which disintegrates into fine particles. The plasma pulses have peak pressures of approximately one kilobar. The high pressures improve the efficiency of disintegration. High gas flow velocities and pressures are achieved without reduction in gas density. Repetitively pulsed plasma jets will produce powders with lower mean size and narrower size distribution than conventional atomization techniques.

Witherspoon, F. Douglas↗

Flame Synthesis Used to Create Metal-Catalyzed Carbon Nanotubes

Metal-catalyzed carbon nanotubes are highly ordered carbon structures of nanoscale dimensions. They may be thought of as hollow cylinders whose walls are formed by single atomic layers of graphite. Such cylinders may be composed of many nested, concentric atomic layers of carbon or only a single layer, the latter forming a single-walled carbon nanotube. This article reports unique results using a flame for their synthesis. Only recently were carbon nanotubes discovered within an arc discharge and recognized as fullerene derivatives. Today metal-catalyzed carbon nanotubes are of great interest for many reasons. They can be used as supports for the metal catalysts like those found in catalytic converters. Open-ended nanotubes are highly desirable because they can be filled by other elements, metals or gases, for battery and fuel cell applications. Because of their highly crystalline structure, they are significantly stronger than the commercial carbon fibers that are currently available (10 times as strong as steel but possessing one-sixth of the weight). This property makes them highly desirable for strengthening polymer and ceramic composite materials. Current methods of synthesizing carbon nanotubes include thermal pyrolysis of organometallics, laser ablation of metal targets within hydrocarbon atmospheres at high temperatures, and arc discharges. Each of these methods is costly, and it is unclear if they can be scaled for the commercial synthesis of carbon nanotubes. In contrast, flame synthesis is an economical means of bulk synthesis of a variety of aerosol materials such as carbon black. Flame synthesis of carbon nanotubes could potentially realize an economy of scale that would enable their use in common structural materials such as car-body panels. The top figure is a transmission electron micrograph of a multiwalled carbon nanotube. The image shows a cross section of the atomic structure of the nanotube. The dark lines are individual atomic layer planes of carbon, seen here in cross section. They form a nested series of concentric cylinders, much like the growth rings on a tree. This sample was obtained by the supported catalyst method, whereby the nanoscale catalysts are dispersed on a substrate providing their support. The substrate with catalyst particles was immersed within an acetylene diffusion flame to which nitrogen had been added to eliminate soot formation. Upon removal from the flame, the nanotubes were dispersed on a holder suitable for electron microscopy. Although not seen in the figure, the tube diameter reflects that of the catalyst particle.

VanderWal, Randy L.↗

The synthesis and transport properties of the complex salt /TMPD/ /TCNQ/2

The syntheses and transport properties of the complex salt /TMPD/ /TCNQ/2 are described. At high temperatures, the complex is a magnetic semiconductor with transport properties intermediate between those found in the highly conducting and poorly conducting TCNQ salts. The complex undergoes a transition below 50-60 K to a state exhibiting singlet-triplet behavior with weakly alternating exchange coupling.

Somoano, R.↗

Polyimide fiber-glass composite resists high temperatures

Composites synthesized from bismaleimide have superior strength and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures when compared with similar composites prepared with epoxy or silicon polymers of similar cost. Polyimide synthesis technique and processing method yield essentially void-free fiber-glass reinforced composites.

Gilwee, W. J.↗

Low-density, high-strength intermetallic matrix composites by XD (trademark) synthesis

A feasibility study was conducted to evaluate the potential of particulate composites based on low-density, L1(sub 2) trialuminide matrices for high-temperature applications. The compounds evaluated included Al22Fe3Ti8 (as a multiphase matrix), Al67Ti25Cr8, and Al66Ti25Mn9. The reinforcement consisted of TiB2 particulates. The TiB2 composites were processed by ingot and powder metallurgy techniques. Microstructural characterization and mechanical testing were performed in the hot-pressed and hot-isostatic-pressed condition. The casting were sectioned and isothermally forged into pancakes. All the materials were tested in compression as a function of temperature, and at high temperatures as a function of strain rate. The test results are discussed.

Kumar, K. S.↗

Formation of Carbon Nanotubes in a Microgravity Environment

Even though nanotube science has become one of the worlds most rapidly advancing areas of research, very little is known about the processes involved in nanotube synthesis. To study the formation of carbon nanotubes in an environment unhindered by the buoyancy induced flows generated by the high temperatures necessary to vaporize carbon and grow nanotubes, we have designed a miniature carbon arc apparatus that can produce carbon nanotubes under microgravity conditions. During the first phase of this project, we designed, built, and successfully tested the mini carbon arc in both 1g and 2.2 sec drop tower microgravity conditions. We have demonstrated that microgravity can eliminate the strong convective flows from the carbon arc and we have successfully produced single-walled carbon nanotubes in microgravity. We believe that microgravity processing will allow us to better understand the nanotube formation process and eventually allow us to grow nanotubes that are superior to ground-based production.

Alford, J. M.↗

Dielectric Energy Storage Materials for Space Sensors: Effect of Processing on the Performance

This paper explores the development of innovative materials for the dielectric energy storage for space components. The CaCuN 3 Ti 4 O 12 or CCTO belonging to perovskite family is of interest due to its colossal dielectric constant. It was demonstrated that materials synthesized at low temperature show nonequilibrium state and exhibit differences in the dielectric and resistivity values. The goal is to obtain high dielectric constant along with high resistivity values for achieving enhanced breakdown voltage. By using other members of the perovskite structures, it was demonstrated that similar colossal dielectric constant is observed and is dependent on processing methods. We have used heterovalent and dissimilar sized atom to replace Ca +2 ion. Accordingly, we replaced Ca +2 ion with heavy Ga +3 ion and developed gallium-based material system, Ga 2/3 Cu 3 Ti 4 O 12 . Following successful synthesis, we measured its dielectric constant and resistivity and compared with CCTO material system. Results of five sets of samples showed that lower temperature processing demonstrated mechanism of grain growth, but due to copper flow in high temperature processed samples dielectric constant and resistivity values were different.

Dielectric Energy↗

Plasma Chemical Conversion and Resource Generation Beyond Low-Earth Orbit

As humanity gears up for its return to the moon after more than half a century, collaborative efforts between NASA, Artemis Accords Partners, and private industry are underway to establish the necessary infrastructure and technologies for lunar habitation and eventual Mars exploration. However, the traditional ISS resupply and waste management model is impractical and economically infeasible for prolonged missions to the Moon and Mars. Advanced chemical conversion technologies are needed to generate vital consumable products from local planetary resources (ISRU) and recycled gasses and waste within semi-closed loop life-support systems. Low-temperature plasma reactors are emerging power-to-gas technologies with the potential to facilitate various chemical synthesis processes with hardware commonality and redundancy. In plasma-based systems, electrical power is used to ionize a feedstock gas, creating a highly reactive environment that leverages electron excitation chemistry to break stable molecular bonds and form value added products. Unlike thermal chemical processes, plasma reactors operate at non-equilibrium conditions, allowing for lower-temperature operation and instantaneous start-up, making them adaptable to intermittent power availability. Moreover, their scalability permits deployment in both portable astronaut systems and large-scale industrial setups for colonies. One promising application of plasmas is for CO 2 conversion. Carbon dioxide comprises 96% of the Martian atmosphere and is a byproduct of human respiration, which typically must be scrubbed and vented from space habitats. A plasma source integrated with membrane separation technology could generate a stream of oxygen for life support and rocket propellant. CO 2 splitting may also be beneficial as a precursor to manufacture carbon-based products and fuels in situ, like methane, methanol, and polyethylene. Plasma-assisted CO 2 conversion is a simpler case to study without the concern of selectivity and is the first step toward complex chemical synthesis. This work presents preliminary experimental case study from a plasma reactor for CO 2 conversion and casts a vision for the potential of plasma technologies in a sub-architecture for resource production to enable the next generation of human spaceflight activities.

Plasma↗

Sensor for Monitoring Nanodevice-Fabrication Plasmas

The term plasma process diagnostics (PPD) refers to a spectroscopic technique and sensing hardware that have been proposed for monitoring plasma processes used to fabricate electronic devices that feature sizes as small as several nanometers. Nanometer dimensions are characteristic of the quantum level of miniaturization, where single impurity atoms or molecules can drastically change the local properties of the nanostructures. Such changes may be purposely used in nanoscale design but may also be extremely damaging or cause improper operation of the fabricated devices. Determination of temperature and densities of reactants near the developing features is important, since the structural synthesis is affected by characteristics of the local microenvironment. Consequently, sensors capable of nonintrusive monitoring with high sensitivity and high resolution are essential for real-time atomistic control of reaction kinetics and minimizing trace contamination in plasma processes used to fabricate electronic nanodevices. Such process-monitoring sensors are required to be compact, multiparametric, and immune to the harsh environments of processing plasmas. PPD is intended to satisfy these requirements. The specific technique used to implement plasma diagnostics with a PPD sensor would be an advanced version of continuous-wave cavity-ringdown spectroscopy (CW-CRDS) capable of profiling spectral line broadenings in order to derive both Doppler and Stark components. CRDS is based on measurements of the rate of absorption of laser light in an optical resonator. The ultimate sensitivity results from a very long absorption path length within the cavity and immunity to variations in incident laser intensity. The proposed version of this technique would involve the use of multiplexing tunable laser diodes and an actively modulated high-reflectivity optical resonator, thus offering a synergistic combination of simplicity, compactness, high sensitivity, and high resolution. The multiplexing capabilities of diode lasers could be utilized to make the PPD sensor a single, simple, compact, and inexpensive tool for the acquisition of multiparametric data. A PPD sensor would be capable of continuous measurement of such physical parameters as gas temperature, gas velocity, electron number density, and absolute densities of reacting chemical species. A laser beam can be easily adjusted to analyze the immediate vicinity of the growing nanostructures (or features etched down) in real time. The absorption enhancement in an optical cavity would afford the sensitivity needed for measurement of the temperature and densities of species at concentrations significantly lower than measurable by other nonintrusive techniques. It is anticipated that fully developed PPD sensors would enable simultaneous measurement of local temperature and determination of plasma species responsible for the synthesis and functionalization of nanodevices. These sensors would also enable tracking the pathways and origins of damaging contaminants, thereby providing feedback for adjustment of processes to optimize them and reduce contamination. The PPD sensors should also be useful for optimization of conventional microelectronics manufacturing plasma processes. Going beyond plasma processes for fabrication of electronic devices, PPD sensors could be used for monitoring of atoms, molecules, ions, radicals, clusters, and particles in a variety of other settings, including outer space. Because of their high sensitivity, such sensors could also prove useful for detecting traces of illegal drugs and explosives.

Bolshakov, Alexander↗

Chemical research projects office fuel tank sealants review

The status of high-temperature fuel tank sealants for military and potentially commercial supersonic aircraft is examined. The interrelationships of NASA's sealants program comprise synthesis and development of new fluoroether elastomers, sealant prediction studies, flight simulation and actual flight testing of best state-of-the-art fluorosilicone sealants. The technical accomplishments of these projects are reviewed.

Rosser, R. W.↗

A study of enhancing critical current densities (J(sub c)) and critical temperature (T(sub c)) of high-temperature superconductors

The development of pure phase 123 and Bi-based 2223 superconductors has been optimized. The pre-heat processing appears to be a very important parameter in achieving optimal physical properties. The synthesis of pure phases in the Bi-based system involves effects due to oxygen partial pressure, time, and temperature. Orientation/melt-sintering effects include the extreme c-axis orientation of Yttrium 123 and Bismuth 2223, 2212, and 2201 phases. This orientation is conductive to increasing critical currents. A procedure was established to substitute Sr for Ba in Y-123 single crystals.

Vlasse, Marcus↗

Aromatic Polyimides Containing Meta-Biphenoxy Moieties

Synthesis of two novel monomers and subsequent incorporation into aromatic polyimides yields polyimides containing meta-biphenoxy moieties exhibiting stability at high temperatures and having glass-transition temperatures lower than state-of-the-art polyimides containing para-biphenoxy moieties. Because of outstanding thermal stability, low density, resistance to radiation, electrical-insulating capability, toughness, and flexibility, linear aromatic polyimides used increasingly for applications in aerospace and electronics industries and possibly in others.

St. Clair, Terry L.↗