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At least 19 records

Particle Morphology Effects on Flow Characteristics of PS304 Plasma Spray Coating Feedstock Powder Blend

The effects of BaF2-CaF 2 particle morphology on PS304 feedstock powder flow ability have been investigated. BaF2-CaF2 eutectic powders were fabricated by comminution (angular) and by gas atomization (spherical). The fluoride powders were added incrementally to the other powder constituents of the PS304 feedstock: nichrome, chromia, and silver powders. A linear relationship between flow time and concentration of BaF2-CaF2 powder was found. Flow of the powder blend with spherical BaF2-CaF2 was better than the angular BaF2-CaF2. Flow ability of the powder blend with angular fluorides decreased linearly with increasing fluoride concentration. Flow of the powder blend with spherical fluorides was independent of fluoride concentration. Results suggest that for this material blend, particle morphology plays a significant role in powder blend flow behavior, offering potential methods to improve powder flow ability and enhance the commercial potential. These findings may have applicability to other difficult-to-flow powders such as cohesive ceramics.

Stanford, Malcolm K.↗

Investigation of the asymmetric misfit dislocation morphology in epitaxial layers with the zinc-blende structure

The source of the asymmetry in the dislocation morphology exhibited in the epitaxial growth of compound semiconductors on (100) was investigated. A thickness wedge of p- and n-type GaAs(0.95)P(0.05) was grown on GaAs by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, and the effect of misorientation on the resolved shear stress for each slip system was calculated and eliminated as the source of the asymmetry. Another potential source of asymmetry, the thickness gradient, was also eliminated. Results show that the substrate misorientation and the thickness gradient do not significantly contribute to the asymmetry and that the dominant contributor to the asymmetry of misfit dislocations in the (001) epitaxial interface can be attributed to the differences in the Peierls barriers between the two types of dilocations in GaAsP/GaAs.

Fox, Bradley A.↗

Electric field-mediated processing of polymer blend solutions

Multiphase polymer blends in which the minor phases are oriented in a desired direction may demonstrate unique optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. While morphology development in shear fields was studied extensively, little work has focused on effects of electric fields on phase structure. The use of electric fields for blend morphology modulation with particular attention given to solvent casting of blends in d.c. fields was explored. Both homopolymer blends (average phase sizes of several microns) and diblock copolymer/homopolymer blends (average phase sizes of hundreds of Angstroms) were investigated. Summarized are important observations and conclusions.

Wnek, G. E.↗

Design and Synthesis of Novel Block Copolymers for Efficient Opto-Electronic Applications

It has been predicted that nano-phase separated block copolymer systems containing electron rich donor blocks and electron deficient acceptor blocks may facilitate the charge carrier separation and migration in organic photovoltaic devices due to improved morphology in comparison to polymer blend system. This paper presents preliminary data describing the design and synthesis of a novel Donor-Bridge-Acceptor (D-B-A) block copolymer system for potential high efficient organic optoelectronic applications. Specifically, the donor block contains an electron donating alkyloxy derivatized polyphenylenevinylene (PPV), the acceptor block contains an electron withdrawing alkyl-sulfone derivatized polyphenylenevinylene (PPV), and the bridge block contains an electronically neutral non-conjugated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain. The key synthetic strategy includes the synthesis of each individual block first, then couple the blocks together. While the donor block stabilizes and facilitates the transport of the holes, the acceptor block stabilizes and facilitates the transport of the electrons, the bridge block is designed to hinder the probability of electron-hole recombination. Thus, improved charge separation and stability are expected with this system. In addition, charge migration toward electrodes may also be facilitated due to the potential nano-phase separated and highly ordered block copolymer ultra-structure.

Sun, Sam-Shajing↗

Electrical Characterization and Morphological Studies of Conducting Polymer Nanofibers

Doped polyaniline blended with poly(ethylene oxide) has been electrospun in air to give fibers with diameters in the range 3 nm 200 nm. These fibers were captured on wafers of degenerately doped Si/SiO2 by placing the wafer in the path of the fiber jet formed during the electrospinning process. Individual fibers were contacted using shadow mask evaporation and were also captured on prepatterned wafers. Fibers having diameters greater than 100 nm show a slight increase in the conductivity as compared to the bulk film, while fibers with diameters less than 30 nm had lower conductivity than the bulk. Data on Scanning Conductance Microscopy along the length of individual fibers will be presented. For fibers where the diameter was not uniform, we found that below a certain diameter ( approx.15 nm) the fiber was less conducting as compared to thicker diameter fibers. Dependence of the fiber conductivity on a gate bias is underway and these results will also be presented.

Pinto, N. J.↗

Multi-Scale Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of Porous 3D Woven TPS Materials

This work summarizes the process to compute and analyze the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of 3D woven TPS materials such as 3MDCP (3D Mid-Density Carbon-Phenolic). The PuMA [1,2] software, developed at NASA Ames, was used to characterize different 3MDCP samples from their constituents' data, averaging their thermal conductivity and elastic properties in the three main directions to obtain their effective orthotropic thermo-mechanical properties. This was performed in multiple steps: firstly, TPS samples were digitally reconstructed using micro computed tomography (µCT) and their constituents were segmented; then, the porous matrix phase was analyzed at the micro-scale and these results were used, along with the fibers’ constituents information, to model the tows at the meso-scale; finally, results from the constituents were homogenized and used to model the thermo-mechanical behavior of the unit cell at the macro-scale. Additionally, to gain a better understanding of the tows’ morphology and distribution of the carbon-phenolic blended fibers, microscopy images of the tows’ cross-section were segmented using deep learning techniques and analyzed with PuMA. This workflow can be applied to any TPS material to computationally obtain its thermo-mechanical properties, enabling more informed TPS design and manufacturing choices.

Multi-Scale↗

Multi-Scale Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of Porous 3D Woven TPS Materials

This work summarizes the process to compute and analyze the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of 3D woven TPS materials such as 3MDCP (3D Mid-Density Carbon-Phenolic). The PuMA software, developed at NASA Ames, was used to characterize different 3MDCP samples from their constituents' data, averaging their thermal conductivity and elastic properties in the three main directions to obtain their effective orthotropic thermo-mechanical properties. This was performed in multiple steps: firstly, TPS samples were digitally reconstructed using micro computed tomography (µCT) and their constituents were segmented; then, the porous matrix phase was analyzed at the micro-scale and these results were used, along with the fibers’ constituents information, to model the tows at the meso-scale; finally, results from the constituents were homogenized and used to model the thermo-mechanical behavior of the unit cell at the macro-scale. Additionally, to gain a better understanding of the tows’ morphology and distribution of the carbon-phenolic blended fibers, microscopy images of the tows’ cross-section were segmented using deep learning techniques and analyzed with PuMA. This workflow can be applied to any TPS material to computationally obtain its thermo-mechanical properties, enabling more informed TPS design and manufacturing choices.

Multi-Scale↗

Silsesquioxane-derived ceramic fibres

Fibers formed from blends of silsesquioxane polymers were characterized to study the pyrolytic conversion of these precursors to ceramics. The morphology of fibers pyrolyzed to 1400 C revealed primarily amorphous glasses whose conversion to beta-SiC is a function of both blend composition and pyrolysis conditions. Formation of beta-SiC crystallites within the glassy phase is favored by higher than stoichiometric C/Si ratios, while carbothermal reduction of Si-O bonds to form SiC with loss of SiO and CO occurs at higher methyl/phenylpropyl silsesquioxane (lower C/Si) ratios. As the carbothermal reduction is assumed to be diffusion controlled, the fibers can serve as model systems to gain understanding of the silsesquioxane pyrolysis behavior, and therefore are useful in the development of polysilsesquioxane-derived ceramic matrices and coatings as well.

Hurwitz, F. I.↗

Development of tough, moisture resistant laminating resins

Tough, moisture resistant laminating resins for employment with graphite fibers were developed. The new laminating resins exhibited cost, handleability and processing characteristics equivalent to 394K (250 F) curing epoxies. The laminating resins were based on bisphenol A dicyanate and monofunctional cyanates with hydrophobic substituents. These resins sorb only small quantities of moisture at equilibrium (0.5% or less) with minimal glass transition temperature depression and represent an improvement over epoxies which sorb around 2% moisture at equilibrium. Toughening was accomplished by the precipitation of small diameter particles of butadiene nitrile rubber throughout the resin matrix. The rubber domains act as microcrack termini and energy dissipation sites, allowing increased stress accommodation prior to catastrophic failure. A unique blend of amine terminated butadiene nitrile elastomer (MW 2,000) and a high nitrile content butadiene nitrile rubber yielded the desired resin morphology.

Brand, R. A.↗

Electric Field-Mediated Processing of Polymers

Significant opportunities exist for the processing of polymers (homopolymers and blends) using electric fields. We suggest that a broad range of properties can be achieved using a relatively small number of polymers, with electric fields providing the ability to tailor properties via the control of shape, morphology, and orientation. Specific attention is given to electrospinning, but we note that electroaerosol formation and field-modulated film casting represent additional processing options.

Wnek, G. E.↗

Processing of semicrystalline polymers

Our research group has been interested in the processing-structure-property relationships in semicrystalline polymers and blends for many years. In situ real time x ray scattering at elevated temperatures is being used to monitor the development of structure. An ongoing collaboration with Dr. Malcolm Capel at the Brookhaven National Synchrotron Light Source allows the performance of real time wide and small angle x ray scattering to study the phase transformations in semicrystalline polymers. The first part of my presentation will be about our recent use of x ray scattering to study blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with polyarylates. The purpose of the next portion of the presentation is to show how we may study effects of self-deformation of polymers during processing in the gravity environment, using real time x ray scattering. In this way, how processing stresses alter the microstructure of semicrystalline polymers was learned, and ultimately microgravity processing strategies that will result in more uniform morphology in these polymers is hoped to be developed.

Cebe, Peggy↗

Novel High Efficient Organic Photovoltaic Materials: Appendix for Summary of Research

There are many different kinds of conjugated polymers that may be useful in photovoltaic devices. So far, the most popular and successful conjugated polymers used in photovoltaic devices include poly(1,4-)phenylenevinylenes (PPV), C60 and their derivatives. The discovery of electro-luminescence in PPV has stimulated a great deal of interest in developing "plastic" solid-state semiconductor devices. The overall synthetic methodology for the preparation of PPV can be divided into three main categories: (1) side chain derivatization, (2) precursor approach, and (3) in-situ polymerization. In this project, the first method was adopted. As discussed in project proposal and literatures, the overall efficiency of photovoltaic devices containing conjugated polymers is determined by the materials ability to generate excitons from incoming radiation, and then to separate the charges at donor/acceptor interfaces, and then to transport charges to respective electrodes. Given that effective exciton diffusion range are typical less then 30 nm, unique morphological structures are needed. This need led to several research groups to the idea that interpenetrating or bi-continuous networks of donor (electron donating) and acceptor (electron withdrawing) polymers should give better results. One approach involved the use of functionalized PPV. The attachment of electron withdrawing cyano groups to a PPV forms the CN-PPV, making it a strong electron acceptor. Underivatized PPV is a generally considered a hole-transporting material. Using blends of MEH-PPV, a soluble donor PPV derivative, as a hole transporter and CN-PPV as an electron transporter, a quantum efficiencies of up to 6% was achieved.

Sun, Sam↗

Positron annihilation spectroscopic study of high performance semi-interpenetrating network polyimids

Semi-interpenetrating (S-IPN) network polyimids were made from different proportions of LaRC RP46 (a thermosetpolyimid) and LaRC BDTA-ODA (a thermoplastic polyimid). The ultimate goal of this networking is to improve the mechanical properties of the thermoset polyimid. Positron lifetime study was made to calculate lifetime based on second component of the life time spectra and the free volume & microvoid size. All these properties tend to decrease steadily with increasing thermoset content except at the 50 percent thermoset level where these properties show sudden drop. This result contradicts with the initial expectation that the blend properties should change gradually if it were a solid solution of thermoset (TSP) and thermoplastic (TPP) components. Thermal analyses (TMA, DSC, DMA & TGA) were run to complement the positron life time studies. The TMA and DSC studies confirm the contradiction mentioned above. Further experimentation with S-IPN polymers made at TSP/TTP content around 50/50 level are being conducted to explain this anomaly. Scanning electron microscope study of the S-IPN polyimid samples is under way in order to detect morphological differences which might help explain the phenomenon mentioned above.

Ray, Asit K.↗

Star-forming galaxy models: Blending star formation into TREESPH

We have incorporated star-formation algorithms into a hybrid N-body/smoothed particle hydrodynamics code (TREESPH) in order to describe the star forming properties of disk galaxies over timescales of a few billion years. The models employ a Schmidt law of index n approximately 1.5 to calculate star-formation rates, and explicitly include the energy and metallicity feedback into the Interstellar Medium (ISM). Modeling the newly formed stellar population is achieved through the use of hybrid SPH/young star particles which gradually convert from gaseous to collisionless particles, avoiding the computational difficulties involved in creating new particles. The models are shown to reproduce well the star-forming properties of disk galaxies, such as the morphology, rate of star formation, and evolution of the global star-formation rate and disk gas content. As an example of the technique, we model an encounter between a disk galaxy and a small companion which gives rise to a ring galaxy reminiscent of the Cartwheel (AM 0035-35). The primary galaxy in this encounter experiences two phases of star forming activity: an initial period during the expansion of the ring, and a delayed phase as shocked material in the ring falls back into the central regions.

Mihos, J. Christopher↗

Electrospraying and Electrospinning of Polymers for Biomedical Applications. Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) and Poly(Ethylene-Co-Vinylacetate)

Significant opportunities exist for the processing of polymers (homopolymers and blends) using electric fields. Specific attention is given here to electrospinning, but we note that electroaerosol formation and field-modulated film casting represent additional processing options. Of particular interest is the ability to generate polymer fibers of sub-micron dimensions using electrospinning, down to about 0.05 microns (50 nm), a size range that has been traditionally difficult to access. In our work, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), PLA/PGA, poly(lactic acid) PLA, and poly(ethylene-co-vinylacetate) (PEVA) have been deposited from solutions in methylene chloride or chloroform by electrospraying or electrospinning to afford morphologically tailored materials for tissue engineering and related applications. Low solution concentrations tend to favor electrostatic spraying ('electro-aerosolization') while higher concentrations lead to spinning on fibrous mats. Preliminary observations of muscle cell growth on PLA electrospun mats are reported.

Stitzel, Joel D.↗

Development of New Lunar Highland Regolith Simulant, NUW-LHT-5M

Introduction: NASA has a need for large quantities of lunar simulants that closely match future manned lunar missions at landing sites near the Lunar South Pole. The current simulant was designed to approximate NU-LHT-2M, and -4M, except using natural minerals and a fully synthetic, non-basaltic, high calcium glass. Washington Mills in Niagara Falls, NY was contracted to produce this new simulant due to their electric arc furnace (EAF) fusion technology and capabilities for crushing and sizing ceramics. The primary objectives of this work were: (1) to create a commercially produced simulant that contains a high fidelity, high calcium (An90+), low Mg/Fe glass without basaltic constituents; (2) to create a simulant that uses existing, terrestrially mined, and readily available minerals blended with a synthetic glass, and (3) accomplish objectives (1) and (2) using conventional processing methods capable of production levels that can meet substantial current and future demands of NASA projects. Another consideration was that highland simulants closest to meeting these requirements, NU-LHT-2M and -4M types, are out of production and largely out of stock. Design: The design chosen for development and production for this work is NU-LHT-2M, de-signed by Doug Stoeser and Douglas Rickman, which uses Stillwater anorthosite and norite rocks and synthetic glass. The composition targeted the average composition, glass content and particle size distribution of Apollo 16 samples [1]. The design utilizes two Stillwater minerals, anorthosite (37.7 wt.%), norite (17.6 wt.%), a commercially sourced olivine (4.7 wt.%), and a synthetic glass (40 wt.%). Processing: Stillwater rocks were hand collected and initially crushed by the USGS. Further crushing and milling was performed at Washing-ton Mills. For the glass, oxides were blended in the ap-propriate ratios, blended in a v-blender, and placed in a graphite lined, water cooled pot. The mixture was fused in Washington Mills’ pilot scale, 500 kW EAF. The molten glass was then poured into water and quenched to inhibit crystallization. Several pour/quench cycles were required to produce the total quantity of glass needed. Anorthosite, norite and olivine were milled together to the target particle size in a ball mill. The glass was ball milled separately. The complete simulant was produced by blending the milled materials. Particle size distribution, phase and chemical analyses of the materials was were per-formed at Washington Mills. Results: The glass composition was found to match the Apollo 16 oxide content average [1] quite well, with the exception of SiO2 and Fe2O3. The deviation of SiO2 and Fe2O3 from batched content was believed to be due to limitations inherent in the use of the arc furnace technique for these types of materials. A particle size distribution of the full simulant formulation closely matching the average for the Apollo 16 samples was also achieved. Fig. 1 shows the morphology of the final simulant particles. The size distribution is compared to the target in Fig. 2. Conclusions: A new lunar highlands type simulant containing a high-quality synthetic glass, closely matching an average composition of the Apollo 16 regolith was produced. Processing utilized easily scalable mineral and glass making methods.

simulant↗

Portable Electron Microscopy for ISS and Beyond

Advances in space exploration have evolved in lockstep with key technology advances in diverse fields such as materials science, biological science, and engineering risk management. Research in these areas, where structure and physical processes come together, can proceed rapidly in part due to sophisticated ground-based analytical tools that help re-searchers develop technologies and engineering processes that push frontiers of human space exploration. Electron microscopes (EM) are an example of such a workhorse tool, lending a unique blend of strong optical scattering, high native resolution, large depth of focus, and spectroscopy via characteristic X-ray emission, providing exquisite high-magnification structural imaging and chemical analysis. Ground-based EM’s have been essential in NASA research for many years. In particular, in mineralogy and petrology, EM is used to understand the origin and evolution of the solar system, particularly rocky bodies. In microbiology, EM has helped visualize the architecture of tissues and cells. In engineering/materials science, EM has been used to characterize particulate debris in air and water samples, determine pore sizes in ceramics/catalysts, understand the nature of fibers, determine composition and morphology of new and existing materials, and characterize micro-textures of vapor deposited films. EM is highly effective at investigating a wide variety of nanoscale materials/biomaterials at the core of many of NASA’s inquiries. Despite exquisite optical performance and versatility, EM’s are traditionally large, heavy, and have high power consumption. They are also expensive so they tend to be housed at universities and large research institutions, or at major industrial laboratory sites with support staff, supplies, and skilled operators. Since most organizations cannot support their own EM, samples are often sent to these large institutions and service centers to be imaged, at great expense and of-ten with delay of weeks to months for complex analyses. Complexity, high cost, and maintenance associated with collecting EM image data has until now severely limited fields in which EM is used. Making EM accessible outside constrained terrestrial laboratory environments will bring EM’s performance and versatility to a much broader range of scientific and engineering endeavors, including in space.

Own, C. S.↗

Optical observations of NGC 2915: A nearby blue compact dwarf galaxy

This paper presents B and R band Charge Coupled Device (CCD) images and medium resolution spectroscopy of NGC 2915, a relatively isolated BCD (blue compact dwarf) galaxy at a distance of approximately 5 Mpc. NGC 2915 contains two stellar populations: a high surface brightness blue core population and a red diffuse population. The core population contains all of the H II, and numerous embedded objects. It is the locus of current high mass star formation. The brightest embedded objects are likely to be young ionizing clusters, while many of the fainter objects are likely to be individual supergiant stars with masses up to approximately 25 solar mass, or blends of a few such stars. Curious aligned structures on the SE side of the galaxy are seen and their nature discussed. The spectrum of the core is dominated by bright narrow emission lines like that of a high excitation and low metallicity (less than half solar) H II region. The continuum is flat, with Balmer and Ca II features seen in absorption. The velocity of the Ca II features suggest contamination by galactic interstellar absorption. There is a significant velocity gradient in the spectra, probably indicative of rotation. Outside of its core, NGC 2915 resembles a dE (dwarf elliptical) galaxy, in that it has an exponential surface brightness profile, is red ((B-R)(sub 0) = 1.65), and has a low extrapolated central surface brightness (B(0)(sub c) = 22.44). NGC 2915's properties are compared with other BCDs, concentrating on two morphologically similar BCDs that are near enough to resolve into stars: NGC 1705 and NGC 5253. It is noted that the presence of winds in BCDs invalidates closed box chemical evolution models and the remaining constraints on star formation duration are relatively weak. Some BCDs, including NGC 2915, may be able to maintain their present star formation rate for Gyr time scales. This suggests that the overall evolution of these BCDs may be much slower than the approximately 10 Myr burst time scales commonly quoted. However, shortly after the formation of a massive (10(exp 6) solar mass) cluster a BCD will have all the properties of strong starburst galaxy).

Meurer, G. R.↗