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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1997

Solar Cells for Lunar Application

In this work a preliminary study of the vacuum evaporation of silicon extracted from the lunar regolith has been undertaken. An electron gun vacuum evaporation system has been adapted for this purpose. Following the calibration of the system using ultra high purity silicon deposited on Al coated glass substrates, thin films of lunar Si were evaporated on a variety of crystalline substrates as well as on glass and lightweight 1 mil (25 microns) Al foil. Extremely smooth and featureless films with essentially semiconducting properties were obtained. Optical absorption analysis sets the bandgap (about 1.1 eV) and the refractive index (n=3.5) of the deposited thin films close to that of crystalline silicon. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis indicated that these films are essentially comparable to high purity silicon and that the evaporation process resulted in a substantial reduction of impurity levels. All layers exhibited a p-type conductivity suggesting the presence of a p-type dopant in the fabricated layers. While the purity of the 'lunar waste material' is below that of the 'microelectronic-grade silicon', the vacuum evaporated material properties seems to be adequate for the fabrication of average performance Si-based devices such as thin film solar cells. Taking into account solar cell thickness requirements (greater than 10 microns) and the small quantities of lunar material available for this study, solar cell fabrication was not possible. However, the high quality of the optical and electronic properties of evaporated thin films was found to be similar to those obtained using ultra-high purity silicon suggest that thin film solar cell production on the lunar surface with in situ resource utilization may be a viable approach for electric power generation on the moon.

Freundlich, Alex↗
NASA NTRS1985

X-ray diffraction studies of phase transformations in heavy-metal fluoride glasses

Powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry studies of the crystallization properties of five ZrF4-based glass compositions have indicated that the crystalline phase in Zr-Ba-La-Pb fluoride glass is beta-BaZrF6; no such identification of crystal phases was obtainable, however, for the other glasses. Reversible polymorphic phase transformations occur in Zr-Ba-La-Li and Zr-Ba-La-Na fluoride glasses, upon heating to higher temperatures.

Bansal, N. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Characterization of the tribological coating composition 77 wt % CaF2 - 23 wt % Li F fused to IN-750 alloy

A coating composed of 77 wt % CaF2 - 23 wt % LiF fused on IN-750 nickel-based alloy was studied using SEM, XRD, EDX, and optical microscopic methods. The surfaces examined were the as-fused coating with no subsequent treatment, the coating after ultrasonic cleaning in water, and the uncoated polished and etched metal. It was found that the coating reacts during fusion with Ti and Nb rich inclusions in the alloy. Numerous small rectangular crystallites of Ca(Ti,Nb) oxide are formed beneath an overlay of fused fluoride composition. These crystallines are stubby and appear to be embedded in the metal substrate surface. It is known from previous studies that this coating-alloy system has good tribological properties in extreme conditions, such as liquid fluorine. It has been concluded from the present study that the short firmly embedded crystalline protuberances contribute to the coating adherence and thereby to enhanced coating wear life.

Deadmore, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

On diamond, graphitic and amorphous carbons in primitive extraterrestrial solar system materials

Carbon is among the most abundant elements in the universe and carbon chemistry in meteorites and comets is an important key to understanding many Solar System and interstellar processes. Yet, the mineralogical properties and interrelations between various structural forms of elemental carbon remain ambiguous. Crystalline elemental carbons include rhombohedral graphite, hexagonal graphite, cubic diamond, hexagonal diamond (i.e., lonsdaleite or carbon-2H) and chaoite. Elemental carbon also occurs as amorphous carbon and poorly graphitized (or turbostratic) carbon but of all the forms of elemental carbon only graphite is stable under physical conditions that prevail in small Solar System bodies and in the interstellar medium. The recent discovery of cubic diamond in carbonaceous chondrites and hexagonal diamond in chondritic interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) have created a renewed interest in the crystalline elemental carbons that were not formed by shock processes on a parent body. Another technique, Raman spectroscopy, confirms a widespread occurrence of disordered graphite in the Allende carbonaceous chondrite and in chondritic IDPs. Elemental carbons have also been identified by their characteristic K-edge features in electron energy loss spectra (EELS). However, the spectroscopic data do not necessarily coincide with those obtained by selected area electron diffraction (SAED). In order to interpret these data in terms of rational crystalline structures, it may be useful to consider the principles underlying electron diffraction and spectroscopic analyses. Electron diffraction depends on electron scattering, on the type of atom and the distance between atoms in a crystal lattice. Spectroscopic data are a function of the type of atom and the energy of bonds between atoms. Also, SAED is a bulk sampling technique when compared to techniques such as Raman spectroscopy or EELS. Thus, it appears that combined analyses provide contradictory results and that amorphous, or short-range ordered, carbon identified by conventional TEM imaging and SAED may show evidence for sp(3) bonds in EELS spectra. It is suggested that complex, nanometer-scale, mineralogical interrelations are common to all elemental carbons irrespective of their origin. The subsequent thermal history, or energy balance, will determine the ultimate microstructure.

Rietmeijer, Frans J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Characterization of the Sol-Gel Transition for Zirconia-Toughened Alumina Precursors

High purity ZTA ceramic powders with and without yttria were produced using metal alkoxide precursors. ZTA ceramic powders with varying volume percents of zirconia were prepared (7, 15, and 22%). Aluminum tri-sec butoxide, zirconium propoxide, and yttrium isopropoxide were the reagents used. Synthesis conditions were varied to control the hydrolysis and the aging conditions for the sol to gel transition. FTIR analysis and theological characterization were used to follow the structural evolution during the sol to gel transition. The greater extent of hydrolysis and the build-up of structure measured from viscoelastic properties were consistent. Heat treatment was conducted to produce submicron grain fully crystalline ZTA ceramic powders. In all experimental cases a-alumina and tetragonal zirconia phases were confirmed even in the absence of yttria.

Moeti, I.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Comparison of the tribological properties of fluorinated cokes and graphites

The friction, wear, endurance life, and surface morphology of rubbed (burnished) fluorinated graphite and fluorinated coke materials were studied. Two different coke powders, a graphitic carbon powder, and a graphite powder were fluorinated and then tribologically investigated. In addition, one of the coke powders was reduced in size before fluorinating to evaluate the effect of a finer particle size on the tribological properties. For comparison, graphite and coke powders which were not fluorinated were also tribologically evaluated. Elemental analysis by emission spectroscopy was performed on each sample to determine the impurity content and X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to determine the crystallinity. Coke was found to have very little lubricating ability, but fluorinated coke did possess good lubricating properties. However, the fluorinated graphite and fluorinated graphitic carbon (which gave equivalent results) gave superior results to those obtained with the fluorinated cokes. No tribological benefit was found for using small versus a larger particle size of coke, at least when evaluated as a rubbed film.

Fusaro, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Comparison of the tribological properties of fluorinated cokes and graphites

The friction, wear, endurance life, and surface morphology of rubbed (burnished) fluorinated graphite and fluorinated coke materials were studied. Two different coke powders, a graphitic carbon powder, and a graphite powder were fluorinated and then tribologically investigated. In addition, one of the coke powders was reduced in size before fluorinating to evaluate the effect of a finer particle size on the tribological properties. For comparison, graphite and coke powders which were not fluorinated were also tribologically evaluated. Elemental analysis by emission spectroscopy was performed on each sample to determine the impurity content and X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to determine the crystallinity. Coke was found to have very little lubricating ability, but fluorinated coke did possess good lubricating properties. However, the fluorinated graphite and fluorinated graphitic carbon (which gave equivalent results) gave superior results to those obtained with the fluorinated cokes. No tribological benefit was found for using small versus a larger particle size of coke, at least when evaluated as a rubbed film.

Fusaro, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Effects of Fiber Content on Mechanical Properties of CVD SiC Fiber-Reinforced Strontium Aluminosilicate Glass-Ceramic Composites

Unidirectional CVD SiC(f)(SCS-6) fiber-reinforced strontium aluminosilicate (SAS) glass-ceramic matrix composites containing various volume fractions, approximately 16 to 40 volume %, of fibers were fabricated by hot pressing at 1400 C for 2 h under 27.6 MPa. Monoclinic celsian, SrAl2Si2O8, was the only crystalline phase formed, with complete absence of the undesired hexacelsian phase, in the matrix. Room temperature mechanical properties were measured in 3-point flexure. The matrix microcracking stress and the ultimate strength increased with increase in fiber volume fraction, reached maximum values for V(sub f) approximately equal to 0.35, and degraded at higher fiber loadings. This degradation in mechanical properties is related to the change in failure mode, from tensile at lower V(sub f) to interlaminar shear at higher fiber contents. The extent of fiber loading did not have noticeable effect on either fiber-matrix debonding stress, or frictional sliding stress at the interface. The applicability of micromechanical models in predicting the mechanical properties of the composites was also examined. The currently available theoretical models do not appear to be useful in predicting the values of the first matrix cracking stress, and the ultimate strength of the SCS-6/SAS composites.

Bansal, Narottam P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Solar system ice - Amorphous or crystalline?

The meteoritic bombardment of icy surfaces is discussed, focusing on the formation of amorphous ice and its thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. A numerical code has been developed for evaluating the ratio of the volume of the melted and vaporized ice target to the volume of the projectile that has impacted the surface and left a crater. However, water will only vaporize with impact speeds over 4 to 6 km/sec, and subsequent condensation into ice below 150 K will produce amorphous ice. A denser form of amorphous ice exists below 10 K, with the transition into a crystalline form occurring above 150 K. Maximum impact velocities have been defined for all major bodies in the solar system, with the finding that crystalline ice will form in the crater while amorphous ice will form on the ejecta. The amount of each is dependent on the ratio of solidified water to condensed water vapor and on the fraction of solid ejecta.

Smoluchowski, R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The infrared spectrum of Comet Bradfield (1987s) and the silicate emission feature

Infrared (1-20 microns) observations of Comet Bradfield (1987s) from three observatories are reported. Silicate emission is prominent in all the data, from heliocentric distance r = 0.87 to 1.45 AU. A CVF spectrum at r = 1.45 AU shows a peak at 11.3 microns identified as crystalline olivine; the spectral shape is similar to that in Halley. Dust optical properties are similar to those of the grains in Halley's jets. Dust production rate near perihelion was about 10 to the 6th g/s and varied as N exp-2. It is suggested that some differences in grain properties among comets could result from difference in the thermal history of the nuclear surface and the relative fraction of the dust particles originating in the subsurface icy layer versus the devolatilized mantle.

Hanner, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Imide/arylene ether block copolymers

Two series of imide/arylene either block copolymers were prepared using an arylene ether block and either an amorphous or semi-crystalline imide block. The resulting copolymers were characterized and selected physical and mechanical properties were determined. These results, as well as comparisons to the homopolymer properties, are discussed.

Jensen, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Polydiacetylene thin films for nonlinear optical applications

One very promising class of organic compounds for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications are polydiacetylenes, which are novel in that they are highly conjugated polymers which can also be crystalline. Polydiacetylenes offer several advantages over other organic materials: because of their highly conjugated electronic structures, they are capable of possessing large optical nonlinearities with fast response times; because they are crystalline, they can be highly ordered, which is essential for optimizing their NLO properties; and, last, because they are polymeric, they can be formed as thin films, which are useful for device fabrication. We have actively been carrying out ground-based research on several compounds of interest.

Paley, Mark S.↗
NASA NTRS2017

X-Ray Amorphous Phases in Terrestrial Analog Volcanic Sediments: Implications for Amorphous Phases in Gale Crater, Mars

X-ray diffraction (XRD) amorphous phases have been found as major components (approx.15-60 wt%) of all rock and soil samples measured by the CheMin XRD instrument in Gale Crater, Mars. The nature of these phases is not well understood and could be any combination of primary (e.g., glass) and secondary (e.g., allophane) phases. Amorphous phases form in abundance during surface weathering on Earth. Yet, these materials are poorly characterized, and it is not certain how properties like composition and structure change with formation environment. The presence of poorly crystalline phases can be inferred from XRD patterns by the appearance of a low angle rise (< or approx.10deg 2(theta)) or broad peaks in the background at low to moderate 2(theta) angles (amorphous humps). CheMin mineral abundances combined with bulk chemical composition measurements from the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) have been used to estimate the abundance and composition of the XRD amorphous materials in soil and rock samples on Mars. Here we apply a similar approach to a diverse suite of terrestrial samples - modern soils, glacial sediments, and paleosols - in order to determine how formation environment, climate, and diagenesis affect the abundance and composition of X-ray amorphous phases.

Smith, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Detectability of crystalline ferric and ferrous minerals on Mars

Telescopic and spacecraft spectroscopic and geochemical data have been used to constrain the surface mineralogy of Mars and to yield clues about past and present Mars surface weathering/alteration scenarios. Based primarily on their visible to near-IR reflectance properties, several terrestrial iron-bearing minerals have been either identified on Mars or proposed as Mars spectral analogs. Among these are crystalline hematite, pyroxenes, as well as poorly crystalline materials like nonophase hematite and palagonite. Other iron-bearing minerals include nontronite, magnetite, jarosite, and goethite and the have been proposed as Mars surface constituents based on Viking Lander measurements or geochemical modeling. If present on Mars, these materials likely appear as spectral mixtures at the coarse spatial resolution of remotely sensed data. The detectability of any of these components must be evaluated relative to the other components with which they occur. The primary goal of this study is to determine how much of any given mineral would have to be present for it to be detectable in remotely-sensed data. Here, the detectability of iron-bearing minerals was evaluated using detection threshold analysis (DTA), an analytical technique based on spectral mixture analysis.

Sabol, Donald E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Viscoelastic characterization of thin-film polymers exposed to low Earth orbit

The materials made available through the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) satellite provide a set of specimens that can be well characterized and have a known exposure history with reference to atomic oxygen and ultraviolet radiation exposure. Mechanical characteristics measured from control samples and exposed samples provide a data base for predicting the behavior of polymers in low earth orbit. Samples of 1.0 mil thick low density polyethylene were exposed to the low earth orbit environment for a period of six years. These materials were not directly exposed to ram atomic oxygen and offer a unique opportunity for measuring the effect of atomic oxygen and UV radiation on mechanical properties with little concern to the effect of erosion. The viscoelastic characteristics of these materials were measured and compared to the viscoelastic characteristics of control samples. To aid in differentiating the effects of changes in crystallinity resulting from thermal cycling, from the effects of changes in chemical structure resulting from atomic oxygen/UV attack to the polymer, a second set of control specimens, annealed to increase crystallinity, were measured as well. The resulting characterization of these materials will offer insight into the impact of atomic oxygen/UV on the mechanical properties of polymeric materials. The viscoelastic properties measured for the control, annealed, and exposed specimens were the storage and loss modulus as a function of frequency and temperature. From these datum is calculated the viscoelastic master curve derived using the principle of time/temperature superposition. Using the master curve, the relaxation modulus is calculated using the method of Ninomiya and Ferry. The viscoelastic master curve and the stress relaxation modulus provide a direct measure of the changes in the chemical or morphological structure. In addition, the effect of these changes on long-term and short-term mechanical properties is known directly. It should be noted that the dependence on directionality for the polymer films was considered since these films were manufactured by a blown-film process.

Letton, Alan↗
NASA NTRS2003

Material Properties Analysis of Structural Members in Pumpkin Balloons

The efficient design, service-life qualification, and reliability predictions for lightweight aerospace structures require careful mechanical properties analysis of candidate structural materials. The demand for high-quality laboratory data is particularly acute when the candidate material or the structural design has little history. The pumpkin-shaped super-pressure balloon presents both challenges. Its design utilizes load members (tendons) extending from apex to base around the gas envelope to achieve a lightweight structure. The candidate tendon material is highly weight-efficient braided HM cord. Previous mechanical properties studies of Zylon have focused on fiber and yarn, and industrial use of the material in tensile applications is limited. For high-performance polymers, a carefully plamed and executed properties analysis scheme is required to ensure the data are relevant to the desired application. Because no directly-applicable testing standard was available, a protocol was developed based on guidelines fiom professional and industry organizations. Due to the liquid-crystalline nature of the polymer, the cord is very stiff, creeps very little, and does not yield. Therefore, the key material property for this application is the breaking strength. The pretension load and gauge length were found to have negligible effect on the measured breaking strength over the ranges investigated. Strain rate was found to have no effect on breaking strength, within the range of rates suggested by the standards organizations. However, at the lower rate more similar to ULDB operations, the strength was reduced. The breaking strength increased when the experiment temperature was decreased from ambient to 183K which is the lowest temperature ULDB is expected to experience. The measured strength under all test conditions was well below that resulting from direct scale-up of fiber strength based on the manufacturers data. This expected result is due to the effects of the braiding process and material ageing.

Sterling, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Rapid solidification processing

Rapid solidification in materials was studied. Crystalline and noncrystalline metals, polymers, ceramics, solidification mechanism and resulting structure, innovative processing techniques, properties and applications are investigated. The following programs are outlined: alloys which offer high strength at elevated temperatures, and processing methods necessary to achieve these goals; structure and structure property relations in ferrous alloys; Corrosion related aspects and high temperature oxidation resistance of fine grained alloys; relation of solidification theory to structures produced, on innovative processes for rapid solidification, and on solidification at high undercoolings. Studies on rapid solidification of polymeric materials are demonstrated.

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