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At least 163 records · Page 9

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NASA NTRS1993

Catalytic crystallization of ices by small silicate smokes at temperatures less than 20K

Samples of methanol and water ices condensed from the vapor onto aluminum substrates at low temperatures (below approximately 80 K) form amorphous ices; annealing at temperatures in excess of 140-155 K is usually required to convert such amorphous samples to crystalline ices. However, we have found that when either methanol or water vapor is deposited on to aluminum substrates that have been coated with a thin (0.1-0.5 mm) layer of amorphous silicate smoke, the ices condense in crystalline form. We believe that crystalline ice forms as the result of energy liberated at the ice/silicate interface perhaps due to weak bonding of the ice at defect sites on the grains and the very high surface to volume ratio and defect density of these smokes. Annealing of amorphous water ice mixed with more volatile components such as methane, carbon monoxide, etc., has been suggested as an efficient way to produce clatherates in the outer solar nebula and thus explain the volatile content of comets and icy satellites of the outer planets. This hypothesis may need to be re-examined if amorphous ice does not form on cold silicate grains.

Moore, M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Properties of TiO2 thin films and a study of the TiO2-GaAs interface

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) films prepared by chemical vapor deposition were investigated in this study for the purpose of the application in the GaAs metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistor. The degree of crystallization increases with the deposition temperature. The current-voltage study, utilizing an Al-TiO2-Al MIM structure, reveals that the d-c conduction through the TiO2 film is dominated by the bulk-limited Poole-Frenkel emission mechanism. The dependence of the resistivity of the TiO2 films on the deposition environment is also shown. The results of the capacitance-voltage study indicate that an inversion layer in an n-type substrate can be achieved in the MIS capacitor if the TiO2 films are deposited at a temperature higher than 275 C. A process of low temperature deposition followed by the pattern definition and a higher temperature annealing is suggested for device fabrications. A model, based on the assumption that the surface state densities are continuously distributed in energy within the forbidden band gap, is proposed to interpret the lack of an inversion layer in the Al-TiO2-GaAs MIS structure with the TiO2 films deposited at 200 C.

Chen, C. Y.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Treated Carbon Nanofibers for Storing Energy in Aqueous KOH

A surface treatment has been found to enhance the performances of carbon nanofibers as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors in which aqueous solutions of potassium hydroxide are used as the electrolytes. In the treatment, sulfonic acid groups are attached to edge plane sites on carbon atoms. The treatment is applicable to a variety of carbon nanofibers, including fibrils and both single- and multiple-wall nanotubes. The reason for choosing nanofibers over powders and other forms of carbon is that nanofibers offer greater power features. In previous research, it was found that the surface treatment of carbon nanofibers increased energy-storage densities in the presence of acid electrolytes. Now, it has been found that the same treatment increases energy-storage densities of carbon nanofibers in the presence of alkaline electrolytes when the carbon is paired with a NiOOH electrode. This beneficial effect varies depending on the variety of carbon substrate to which it is applied. It has been conjectured that the sulfonic acid groups, which exist in a deprotonated state in aqueous KOH solutions, undergo reversible electro-chemical reactions that are responsible for the observed increases in energystorage capacities. The increases can be considerable: For example, in one case, nanofibers exhibited a specific capacitance of 34 Farads per gram before treatment and 172 Farads per gram (an increase of about 400 percent) after treatment. The most promising application of this development appears to lie in hybrid capacitors, which are devices designed primarily for storing energy. These devices are designed to be capable of (1) discharge at rates greater than those of batteries and (2) storing energy at densities approaching those of batteries. A hybrid capacitor includes one electrode like that of a battery and one electrode like that of an electrochemical capacitor. For example, a hybrid capacitor could contain a potassium hydroxide solution as the electrolyte, a carbon capacitor electrode, and a nickel hydroxide battery electrode. By making the capacitor electrode of treated carbon nanofibers instead of another carbon material, one could obtain greater energy-storage capacity.

Firsich, David W.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Properties of undoped and manganese-doped InGaAsP grown by liquid phase electroepitaxy

Undoped and manganese-doped InGaAsP epilayers lattice matched to InP substrate have been grown by the liquid phase electroepitaxy technique. The dependence of growth velocity on current density for both undoped and doped layers has been studied. Layers of good surface morphology with hole concentrations in the range from 8 x 10 to the 16th to 4 x 10 to the 18th/cu cm have been achieved. The activation energy of the manganese acceptor level was estimated to vary from 57 to 32 meV with increasing hole concentration. The temperature dependence of carrier mobility data was analyzed in terms of different scattering mechanisms and the values of acceptor and donor densities determined were compared with those obtained from the temperature variation of Hall concentration data. Dependences of photoluminescence peak energy and intensity on the temperature and incident excitation levels have been investigated.

Iyer, Shanthi N.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Etch Profile Simulation Using Level Set Methods

Etching and deposition of materials are critical steps in semiconductor processing for device manufacturing. Both etching and deposition may have isotropic and anisotropic components, due to directional sputtering and redeposition of materials, for example. Previous attempts at modeling profile evolution have used so-called "string theory" to simulate the moving solid-gas interface between the semiconductor and the plasma. One complication of this method is that extensive de-looping schemes are required at the profile corners. We will present a 2D profile evolution simulation using level set theory to model the surface. (1) By embedding the location of the interface in a field variable, the need for de-looping schemes is eliminated and profile corners are more accurately modeled. This level set profile evolution model will calculate both isotropic and anisotropic etch and deposition rates of a substrate in low pressure (10s mTorr) plasmas, considering the incident ion energy angular distribution functions and neutral fluxes. We will present etching profiles of Si substrates in Ar/Cl2 discharges for various incident ion energies and trench geometries.

Hwang, Helen H.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Optical Scattering and Microstructure of Ion Beam Deposited Metal Coatings

Thin films of gold and platinum have been deposited onto super-polished fused silica substrates using thermal evaporation, ion assisted deposition (IAD), sputtering and ion assisted sputtering. The influence of ion beam flux, coating material and deposition rate on the films microroughness have been investigated. Coatings of gold and platinum have been bombarded with low energy (10-20 eV) Ar ions from an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source during deposition. Short range surface microroughness of coated surfaces has been examined using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), while long range surface microroughness has been characterized using an angle resolved optical scatterometer. Results indicate that bombardment with low energy ions causes significant reduction in microroughness of metal coatings.

metal↗

NASA NTRS2004

Microscopic and Metallurgical Aspects of the Space Shuttle Columbia Accident Investigation and Reconstruction

The Space Shuttle Columbia was descending for a landing at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on February 1, 2003. Approximately 20 minutes prior to touchdown, the Columbia began disintegrating over the western United States; the majority of debris eventually impacted in eastern Texas and western Louisiana. A monumental effort eventually recovered approximately 84,000 pieces of debris, approximately 38% of the Orbiter's original dry weight. The debris was transported to KSC, where the items were catalogued and evaluated. Critical areas of interest, such as the left and right leading edge surfaces and the underside of the ship, were placed upon a grid to aid in the reconstruction. Items of interest included metallic structures, reinforced carbon-carbon composites, and ceramic heat insulation tiles. Many of the leading edge elements had re-solidified metallic deposits spattered on them. These deposits became known as slag and were one of the main focuses of the investigation. In order to help determine the sequence of events inside the left wing during the accident, the slag's composition, layering order, and directionality of deposition were studied. A myriad of analytical tests were performed in an attempt to ascertain the compositional and depositional characteristics of selected slag deposits, including the ordering of deposited layers within each individual slag deposit harvested. Initially, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) were performed to quickly characterize the overall composition of individual slag deposits: SEM utilizes a narrowlyfocused high-energy electron beam impinging upon a specimen. The incident beam excites and liberates lower energy secondary electrons, which are detected and analyzed, providing a visual representation of the sample's surface topography. EDX also relies on an incident electron beam, except an EDX unit measures X-ray energies generated by the impinging beam. Each element generates a unique X-ray signature; the EDX detector measures these discreet energies. EDX actually penetrates approximately 2 microns into the bulk of the sample. However, random examination of various portions of slag, coupled with the semiquantitative nature of the SEM/EDX analysis, did not yield convincingly pertinent data. Therefore, X-ray dot mapping was conducted, which provided more understandable data, both in terms of slag layering and composition. An X-ray dot map is generated by performing numerous EDX scans for individual elements, then compiling the scans in a visual representation. Eventually, specimens consisting of not only the slag, but of the adjacent RCC substrate as well were cross-sectioned. X-Ray dot mapping of the materialographicallymounted and -polished cross- sections provided a visual representation of both the layering sequence and compositional characteristics of the slag. Contemporaneously, Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis/X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (ESCA/XPS) and powdered X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) were performed to further characterize the deposits and to attempt to identify what, if any, compounds were present. The ESCA/XPS analysis allowed the analyst to "sputter" into the sample with an electron gun, aiding in the identification of the layering sequence. XPS uses photons, rather than electrons, which impinge upon the surface of the sample. XPS measures the electrons emitted from within the first 5 nm of the sample's surface. The XRD measures the scatter angles of incident X-rays; the angle and intensity of scatter depend upon the crystalline structure of the pulverized sample. XRD is considered a qualitative rather than quantitative technique. ESCA/XPS revealed that the final layer to deposit was predominantly carbonaceous. XRD was successful in identifying specific compounds, such as Al 2O3, Al and/or Al3 21SiO47, mullite (3(Al2)O3 -SiO2), and nickel-aluminides. Eventually, Electron MicroProbe Analysis (EMPA) was conducted on the marialographically-prepared cross- sections of selected slag deposits. Microprobe combines SEM and Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (WDS), and, like EDX, uses a narrowly-focused high-energy electron beam impinging upon a specimen to elicit, in the case of EPMA, characteristic X-rays with specific wavelengths. This quantitative, analytical tool proved the most useful in determining depositional layering and composition of the slag deposits. This information was utilized in verifying the location of the breach in the left leading edge of the wing of the Columbia.

McDaniels, Steven J.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Focused Picosecond Gaussian Laser Beam

Measurement of the waist diameter of a focused Gaussian-beam at the 1/e(sup 2) intensity, also referred to as spot size, is key to determining the fluence in laser processing experiments. Spot size measurements are also helpful to calculate the threshold energy and threshold fluence of a given material. This work reports an application of a conventional method, by analyzing single laser ablated spots for different laser pulse energies, to determine the cross-sectional area of a focused Gaussian-beam, which has a nominal pulse width of approx. 10 ps. Polished tungsten was used as the target material, due to its low surface roughness and low ablation threshold, to measure the beam waist diameter. From the ablative spot measurements, the ablation threshold fluence of the tungsten substrate was also calculated.

Ledesma, Rodolfo↗

NASA NTRS2006

Electromagnetic energy coupling mechanism with matrix architecture control

The present invention relates generally to reconfigurable, solid-state matrix arrays comprising multiple rows and columns of reconfigurable secondary mechanisms that are independently tuned. Specifically, the invention relates to reconfigurable devices comprising multiple, solid-state mechanisms characterized by at least one voltage-varied parameter disposed within a flexible, multi-laminate film, which are suitable for use as magnetic conductors, ground surfaces, antennas, varactors, ferrotunable substrates, or other active or passive electronic mechanisms.

Knowles, Gareth↗

NASA NTRS2004

Numerical Simulation of Nanostructure Growth

Nanoscale structures, such as nanowires and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), are often grown in gaseous or plasma environments. Successful growth of these structures is defined by achieving a specified crystallinity or chirality, size or diameter, alignment, etc., which in turn depend on gas mixture ratios. pressure, flow rate, substrate temperature, and other operating conditions. To date, there has not been a rigorous growth model that addresses the specific concerns of crystalline nanowire growth, while demonstrating the correct trends of the processing conditions on growth rates. Most crystal growth models are based on the Burton, Cabrera, and Frank (BCF) method, where adatoms are incorporated into a growing crystal at surface steps or spirals. When the supersaturation of the vapor is high, islands nucleate to form steps, and these steps subsequently spread (grow). The overall bulk growth rate is determined by solving for the evolving motion of the steps. Our approach is to use a phase field model to simulate the growth of finite sized nanowire crystals, linking the free energy equation with the diffusion equation of the adatoms. The phase field method solves for an order parameter that defines the evolving steps in a concentration field. This eliminates the need for explicit front tracking/location, or complicated shadowing routines, both of which can be computationally expensive, particularly in higher dimensions. We will present results demonstrating the effect of process conditions, such as substrate temperature, vapor supersaturation, etc. on the evolving morphologies and overall growth rates of the nanostructures.

Hwang, Helen H.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Free-standing thin film Ge single crystals grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

The films, which are approximately 10 microns in thickness, are grown epitaxially on polished (100) NaCl substrates at 450 C by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Upon cooling, the films are separated from the substrate by differential shear stress, leaving free-standing films of Ge which can be handled. Growths are attained by nucleating at minimum plasma power for very brief intervals and then raising the power to 65 W to increase the growth rate to approximately 10 microns/h. It is found that substrate exposure to the plasma at too high a power for too long a time sputters and erodes the surface, thereby substantially degrading the nucleation process and the ultimate growths. It is noted that the free-standing films are visually specular and exhibit a high degree of crystalline order when examined by X-ray diffraction. Auger electron spectroscopy and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays reveal no detectable bulk contamination.

Outlaw, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Adhesion and wear resistance of materials

Recent studies into the nature of bonding at the interface between two solids in contact or a solid and deposited film have provided a better understanding of those properties important to the adhesive wear resistance of materials. Analytical and experimental progress are reviewed. For simple metal systems the adhesive bond forces are related to electronic wave function overlap. With metals in contact with nonmetals, molecular-orbital energy, and density of states, respectively can provide insight into adhesion and wear. Experimental results are presented which correlate adhesive forces measured between solids and the electronic surface structures. Orientation, surface reconstruction, surface segregation, adsorption are all shown to influence adhesive interfacial strength. The interrelationship between adhesion and the wear of the various materials as well as the life of coatings applied to substrates are discussed. Metallic systems addressed include simple metals and alloys and these materials in contact with themselves, both oxide and nonoxide ceramics, diamond, polymers, and inorganic coating compounds, h as diamondlike carbon.

Buckley, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Relaminarization of turbulent flow on a flat plate by localized surface heating

Relaminarization of a turbulent boundary layer in air on a flat plate is demonstrated experimentally using localized surface heating. Localized heating is achieved by electrically heating a wire embedded in a thermally insulated substrate (Space Shuttle Tile) on the surface. The stability of the flow downstream of the applied control point increases with decreasing stream temperature in the flow direction. The mean and perturbation velocity profiles without control show that the flow is turbulent. With control, these profiles sequentially change from intermittently turbulent to a fully laminar state. In the relaminarization stage, the turbulent energy is dissipated by molecular transport due to viscous and conductivity mechanisms. The new profile adjusts to a lower Reynolds number based on the momentum thickness than that of the previous turbulent state.

Maestrello, Lucio↗

NASA NTRS1998

High performance zinc anode for battery applications

An improved zinc anode for use in a high density rechargeable alkaline battery is disclosed. A process for making the zinc electrode comprises electrolytic loading of the zinc active material from a slightly acidic zinc nitrate solution into a substrate of nickel, copper or silver. The substrate comprises a sintered plaque having very fine pores, a high surface area, and 80-85 percent total initial porosity. The residual porosity after zinc loading is approximately 25-30%. The electrode of the present invention exhibits reduced zinc mobility, shape change and distortion, and demonstrates reduced dendrite buildup cycling of the battery. The disclosed battery is useful for applications requiring high energy density and multiple charge capability.

Casey, John E., Jr.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Microcalorimeter Absorber Optimization for 0.2 to 12 keV X-Rays

The Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics (ATHENA) mission requires high quantum efficiency (QE) x-ray absorption, >90.6% at 7 keV and low specific heat capacity, 0.731 pJ/K. The designed ATHENA x-ray absorbers are cantilevered square tiles (pitch of 317 microns) of 1.05 μm thick Au and 5.51 μm thick Bi electroplated films supported by stems that connect the absorber to the detector below. We discuss some of the methods used to produce x-ray absorbers meeting these specifications for ATHENA. To tune the thermal conductance of the device and the effect on the normal-to superconducting transition shape, the stems need to be small diameter and can have a weak bottle-neck connection to the substrate. A funnel shape of the stem using a proximity exposed photoresist mold has been developed to improve the strength of the connections. Further requirements on the absorbers include low levels of fine particulate remaining on the substrate after production and zero shorts between absorbers due to incomplete ion milling or trapped fine particular between absorbers. To optimize for post patterning substrate cleanliness and absorber yield, we have examined several methods of absorber fabrication. Three such methods are 1) an ion mill/wet etch combination, 2) a photoresist mold for electroplating followed by wet or dry etch to remove the seed layer, and 3) an electroplating process with leveling to smooth the surface followed by ion mill to separate the absorbers. The different combinations of wet and dry etches lead to different yields and surface appearance of the absorber sidewalls. We present results on the achieved pixel yields and the energy resolution of pixels made with the various fabrication methods. We discuss the impact of absorber patterning method on performance, uniformity, and yield.

Edward J Wassell↗

NASA NTRS2009

Silicon Nanowire Growth at Chosen Positions and Orientations

It is now possible to grow silicon nanowires at chosen positions and orientations by a method that involves a combination of standard microfabrication processes. Because their positions and orientations can be chosen with unprecedented precision, the nanowires can be utilized as integral parts of individually electronically addressable devices in dense arrays. Nanowires made from silicon and perhaps other semiconductors hold substantial promise for integration into highly miniaturized sensors, field-effect transistors, optoelectronic devices, and other electronic devices. Like bulk semiconductors, inorganic semiconducting nanowires are characterized by electronic energy bandgaps that render them suitable as means of modulating or controlling electronic signals through electrostatic gating, in response to incident light, or in response to molecules of interest close to their surfaces. There is now potential for fabricating arrays of uniform, individually electronically addressable nanowires tailored to specific applications. The method involves formation of metal catalytic particles at the desired positions on a substrate, followed by heating the substrate in the presence of silane gas. The figure illustrates an example in which a substrate includes a silicon dioxide surface layer that has been etched into an array of pillars and the catalytic (in this case, gold) particles have been placed on the right-facing sides of the pillars. The catalytic thermal decomposition of the silane to silicon and hydrogen causes silicon columns (the desired nanowires) to grow outward from the originally catalyzed spots on the substrate, carrying the catalytic particles at their tips. Thus, the position and orientation of each silicon nanowire is determined by the position of its originally catalyzed spot on the substrate surface, and the orientation of the nanowire is perpendicular to the substrate surface at the originally catalyzed spot.

Getty, Stephanie A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Viking gas exchange reaction - Simulation on UV-irradiated manganese dioxide substrate

The exchange of O2 for H2O, analogous to that recorded on Mars by the Viking GEX experiment, has been observed on humidifying powdered beta-MnO2 (pyrolusite) which had been irradiated by UV in a humidified analog of the Martian atmosphere. Pyrolusite irradiated in a dry atmosphere did not release O2 on humidification. The XPS spectra of Mn and O of the reactive pyrolusite were shifted toward higher binding energies during UV irradiation. These shifts are consistent with the creation of a surface layer of a Mn(V) or Mn(VI) compound. The destruction of such a layer on humidification could account for the observed O2 release. Although manganese has not been identified in the Martian regolith, the upper limit of the Mn concentration is sufficiently high that O2 release from pyrolusite could have been responsible for the results of the Viking GEX experiment.

Blackburn, T. R.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Improving Tracer Particle Surface Properties for Wind Tunnel Research

The surface properties of micron size polystyrene latex microspheres (PSLs) modified with quaternary alkylammonium (QA) surfactants were investigated, with a focus on the relationship between surface chemistry and adhesion. These investigations were motivated by the need to develop non-fouling tracer particles for wind tunnel studies. The goals were to relate the work of adhesion between particles and substrates to the type and amount of QA modifier in order to optimize the performance of PSL tracers. Surfactant-free emulsion polymerization (SFEP) can produce PSLs for wind tunnel tracers. Covalentlybound charged groups (derived from the initiator) stabilize PSL surfaces in water. This work used PSLs with anionic surface groups. Previous studies indicated that surface-bound charged groups on PSLs have a significant impact on their interfacial energy. Modifying charged surface groups therefore offers a method to modulate PSL interfacial properties. In this work, PSLs and films were modified by adsorption of QA surfactants.

Schmitz, Russell C.↗