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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

Insect Residue Contamination on Wing Leading Edge Surfaces: A Materials Investigation for Mitigation

Flight tests have shown that residue from insect strikes on aircraft wing leading edge surfaces may induce localized transition of laminar to turbulent flow. The highest density of insect populations have been observed between ground level and 153 m during light winds (2.6 -- 5.1 m/s), high humidity, and temperatures from 21 -- 29 C. At a critical residue height, dependent on the airfoil and Reynolds number, boundary layer transition from laminar to turbulent results in increased drag and fuel consumption. Although this represents a minimal increase in fuel burn for conventional transport aircraft, future aircraft designs will rely on maintaining laminar flow across a larger portion of wing surfaces to reduce fuel burn during cruise. Thus, insect residue adhesion mitigation is most critical during takeoff and initial climb to maintain laminar flow in fuel-efficient aircraft configurations. Several exterior treatments investigated to mitigate insect residue buildup (e.g., paper, scrapers, surfactants, flexible surfaces) have shown potential; however, implementation has proven to be impractical. Current research is focused on evaluation of wing leading edge surface coatings that may reduce insect residue adhesion. Initial work under NASA's Environmentally Responsible Aviation Program focused on evaluation of several commercially available products (commercial off-the-shelf, COTS), polymers, and substituted alkoxy silanes that were applied to aluminum (Al) substrates. Surface energies of these coatings were determined from contact angle data and were correlated to residual insect excrescence on coated aluminum substrates using a custom-built "bug gun." Quantification of insect excrescence surface coverage was evaluated by a series of digital photographic image processing techniques.

Lorenzi, Tyler M.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Organic-Inorganic Hybrids Using Novel Phenylethynyl Imide Silanes

In this presentation, polyimide-silica hybrids using novel phenylethynyl imide silanes are reported. The phenylethynyl group is present in the organic precursor as either a pendent or an end group to bond chemically with the polyimide adhesive containing phenylethynyl groups during processing, while the silane group of the organic precursor would chemically react with the inorganic precursor through oxane bond formation. The chemical compositions of these novel hybrids were examined using X-ray mapping modes of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed a silicon gradient interphase between the high surface energy substrate and the polyimide adhesive. Novel aromatic phenylethynyl imide silanes (APEISs) and pendent phenylethynyl imide oligomeric disilanes (PPEIDSs) have been synthesized, and sol-gel solutions containing the new silanes, a phenylethynyl terminated imide oligomer (PETI-5), and an inorganic precursor were formulated to develop a gradient hybrid interphase between a titanium alloy and the adhesive. Two different sol-gel systems were investigated to develop organic-inorganic hybrids. Hybrid I was composed of an organic precursor containing both phenylethynyl and silane groups (PPEIDS) and an inorganic precursor. Functional group concentrations were controlled by the variation of the molecular weight of the imide backbone of PPEIDS. Hybrid II was composed of organic and inorganic precursors and a coupling agent containing both phenylethynyl and silane groups. Morphology and chemical composition of the hybrid interphase between the inorganic substrate and the adhesive were investigated, and the bond strength and durability were evaluated using lap shear tests at various conditions. The assessment of how the bonding at an interface is affected by various sol-gel solution compositions and environments is reported.

Park, C.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Modification of Surface Energy via Direct Laser Ablative Surface Patterning

Surface energy of a substrate is changed without the need for any template, mask, or additional coating medium applied to the substrate. At least one beam of energy directly ablates a substrate surface to form a predefined topographical pattern at the surface. Each beam of energy has a width of approximately 25 micrometers and an energy of approximately 1-500 microJoules. Features in the topographical pattern have a width of approximately 1-500 micrometers and a height of approximately 1.4-100 micrometers.

Wohl, Christopher J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Durable low surface-energy surfaces

A formulation for forming a low surface-energy surface on a substrate having (i) a fluoroalkyl silane having a low surface energy part, (ii) a liquid crystal silane operable for enhancing the orientation of the molecules of the fluoroalkyl silane and for crosslinking with the fluoroalkyl silane, and, (iii) a transport medium for applying the fluoroalkyl silane and the liquid crystal silane to the surface of a substrate. In one embodiment the formulation can includes a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the fluoroalkyl silane. In another embodiment the formulation has a condensation catalyst for enhancing chemical bonding of the fluoroalkyl silane to the substrate. The transport medium can be an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol.

Willis, Paul B.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Electronic structure of BaO/W cathode surfaces

The local electronic structure of the emissive layer of barium dispenser thermionic cathodes is investigated theoretically using the relativistic scattered-wave approach. The interaction of Ba and O with W, Os, and W-Os alloy surfaces is studied with atomic clusters modeling different absorption environments representative of B- and M-type cathodes. Ba is found to be strongly oxidized, while O and the metal substrate are in a reduced chemical state. The presence of O enhances the surface dipole and Ba binding energy relative to Ba on W. Model results for W-Os alloy substrates show only relatively small changes in Ba and O for identical geometries, but very large charge redistributions inside the substrate, which are attributed to the electronegativity difference between Os and W. If Os is present in the surface layer, the charge transfer from Ba to the substrate and the Ba binding energy increase relative to W. Explanations are offered for the improved electron emission from alloy surfaces and the different emission enhancement for different alloy substrates.

Muller, Wolfgang↗
NASA NTRS1980

Theoretical model applicable to the experimental determination of surface anchoring energies of nematic liquid crystals

For a cell configuration consisting of a thin nematic layer bounded by two parallel plane surfaces, with opposing surfaces suitably treated to produce dissimilar molecular orientations, the elastic continuum theory for nematic liquid crystals was applied to derive an expression relating surface anchoring energies to elastic constants, director orientations at the substrate surfaces, and cell thickness. A numerical comparison with the elastically isotropic result over a range K sub 3 = 1.5 K sub 1 to K sub 3 = 10 K sub 1 showed the effect of elastic anisotropy could be quite significant. Surface anchoring energies calculated for anisotropic of K sub 3 = 2 K sub 1 and K sub 3 + 10 K sub 1 were approximately 50% and 500%, respectively, than the isotropic values.

Wintucky, E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Silicon Schottky photovoltaic diodes for solar energy conversion

Various factors in Schottky barrier solar cell fabrication are evaluated in order to improve understanding of the current flow mechanism and to isolate processing variables that improve efficiency. Results of finger design, substrate resistivity, surface finishing and activation energy studies are detailed. An increased fill factor was obtained by baking of the vacuum system to remove moisture.

Anderson, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Ion-Plated Soft Metallic Films Reduce Friction and Wear

Ion plating is ion-assisted or glow-discharge surface-deposition technique. In this process, ions or energetic atoms transfer energy, momentum, and charge to substrate and deposited surface film. Process controlled to modify physical characteristics of surface, subsurface chemical conditions, and surface and subsurface microstructures as well. Ion plating with such soft, thin metallic films as gold, silver, or lead has great potential for producing self-contained lubricating surfaces. Such films reduce friction, wear, and corrosion on sliding or rotating mechanical surfaces used in wide range of environments.

Spalvins, T.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Evolution and Control of 2219 Aluminum Microstructural Features through Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication

Electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) is a new layer-additive process that has been developed for near-net shape fabrication of complex structures. EBF3 uses an electron beam to create a molten pool on the surface of a substrate. Wire is fed into the molten pool and the part translated with respect to the beam to build up a 3-dimensional structure one layer at a time. Unlike many other freeform fabrication processes, the energy coupling of the electron beam is extremely well suited to processing of aluminum alloys. The layer-additive nature of the EBF3 process results in a tortuous thermal path producing complex microstructures including: small homogeneous equiaxed grains; dendritic growth contained within larger grains; and/or pervasive dendritic formation in the interpass regions of the deposits. Several process control variables contribute to the formation of these different microstructures, including translation speed, wire feed rate, beam current and accelerating voltage. In electron beam processing, higher accelerating voltages embed the energy deeper below the surface of the substrate. Two EBF3 systems have been established at NASA Langley, one with a low-voltage (10-30kV) and the other a high-voltage (30-60 kV) electron beam gun. Aluminum alloy 2219 was processed over a range of different variables to explore the design space and correlate the resultant microstructures with the processing parameters. This report is specifically exploring the impact of accelerating voltage. Of particular interest is correlating energy to the resultant material characteristics to determine the potential of achieving microstructural control through precise management of the heat flux and cooling rates during deposition.

Taminger, Karen M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Development of energy-absorbing reaction-sintered Si3N4 surface layers on hot-pressed Si3N4

Energy-absorbing Si3N4 surface layers on dense Si3N4 substrates were formed by in-place nitridation of fine-grained silicon powder. Ballistic impact tests performed on samples with 1-mm thick layers at room temperature and 1370 C showed up to an eightfold increase in the energy necessary to fracture the substrate. For maximum impact resistance, a small amount (about 20 vol %) of residual Si must be present in the reaction-sintered Si3N4 surface layer. Thermal cycling to 1370 C did not affect impact resistance, even though a considerable amount of SiO2 formed within the reaction-sintered Si3N4 layer during cycling. Erosion testing of samples in a Mach 0.8 burner rig at 1370 C resulted in minimal surface recession of the surface layer. Chemically vapor-deposited SiC-coated material similarly tested exhibited no surface recession.

Brennan, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Cluster adsorption on amorphous and crystalline surfaces - A molecular dynamics study of model Pt on Cu and model Pd on Pt

Molecular dynamics was used to study the structure, dispersion and short-time behavior of ten-atom clusters adsorbed onto amorphous and crystalline substrates, in which the cluster atoms differed from the substrate atoms. Two adatom-substrate model systems were chosen; one, in which the interaction energy between adatom pairs was greater than that between substrate pairs, and the other, in which the reverse was true. At relatively low temperature ranges, increased dispersion of cluster atoms occurred: (a) on the amorphous substrate as compared to the FCC(100) surface, (b) with increasing reduced temperature, and (c) with adatom-substrate interaction energy stronger than adatom-adatom interaction. Two-dimensional clusters (rafts) on the FCC(100) surface displayed migration of edge atoms only, indicating a mechanism for the cluster rotation and shape changes found in experimental studies.

Garofalini, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Evolution and Control of 2219 Aluminum Microstructural Features Through Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication

The layer-additive nature of the electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) process results in a tortuous thermal path producing complex microstructures including: small homogeneous equiaxed grains; dendritic growth contained within larger grains; and/or pervasive dendritic formation in the interpass regions of the deposits. Several process control variables contribute to the formation of these different microstructures, including translation speed, wire feed rate, beam current and accelerating voltage. In electron beam processing, higher accelerating voltages embed the energy deeper below the surface of the substrate. Two EBF3 systems have been established at NASA Langley, one with a low-voltage (10-30kV) and the other a high-voltage (30-60 kV) electron beam gun. Aluminum alloy 2219 was processed over a range of different variables to explore the design space and correlate the resultant microstructures with the processing parameters. This report is specifically exploring the impact of accelerating voltage. Of particular interest is correlating energy to the resultant material characteristics to determine the potential of achieving microstructural control through precise management of the heat flux and cooling rates during deposition.

Taminger, Karen M.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Below-Band-Gap Laser Ablation Of Diamond For TEM

Thin, electron-transparent layers of diamond for examination in transmission electron microscope (TEM) fabricated from thicker diamond substrates by using laser beam to ablate surface of substrate. Involves use of photon energy below band gap. Growing interest in use of diamond as bulk substrate and as coating material in variety of applications has given rise to increasing need for TEM for characterization of diamond-based materials. Below-band-gap laser ablation method helps to satisfy this need. Also applied in general to cutting and etching of diamonds.

George, Thomas↗
NASA NTRS2006

Advanced Coating Removal Techniques

An important step in the repair and protection against corrosion damage is the safe removal of the oxidation and protective coatings without further damaging the integrity of the substrate. Two such methods that are proving to be safe and effective in this task are liquid nitrogen and laser removal operations. Laser technology used for the removal of protective coatings is currently being researched and implemented in various areas of the aerospace industry. Delivering thousands of focused energy pulses, the laser ablates the coating surface by heating and dissolving the material applied to the substrate. The metal substrate will reflect the laser and redirect the energy to any remaining protective coating, thus preventing any collateral damage the substrate may suffer throughout the process. Liquid nitrogen jets are comparable to blasting with an ultra high-pressure water jet but without the residual liquid that requires collection and removal .As the liquid nitrogen reaches the surface it is transformed into gaseous nitrogen and reenters the atmosphere without any contamination to surrounding hardware. These innovative technologies simplify corrosion repair by eliminating hazardous chemicals and repetitive manual labor from the coating removal process. One very significant advantage is the reduction of particulate contamination exposure to personnel. With the removal of coatings adjacent to sensitive flight hardware, a benefit of each technique for the space program is that no contamination such as beads, water, or sanding residue is left behind when the job is finished. One primary concern is the safe removal of coatings from thin aluminum honeycomb face sheet. NASA recently conducted thermal testing on liquid nitrogen systems and found that no damage occurred on 1/6", aluminum substrates. Wright Patterson Air Force Base in conjunction with Boeing and NASA is currently testing the laser remOval technique for process qualification. Other applications of liquid nitrogen operations include cutting of both soft and hard materials. While the laser will not cut materials, it can be used to roughen surfaces and to remove other materials from the substrate including oil, grease, and mold. The space program can benefit from several of these applications with the need for precise removal of coatings and other organic compounds in areas adjacent to sensitive space flight hardware. Significant advantages are evident when comparing liquid nitrogen and laser removal operations over current techniques of media blasting and sanding.

Seibert, Jon↗
NASA NTRS1983

A potential energy scaling Monte Carlo simulation of thin film nucleation and growth

The initial growth of thin Ge fims on the (100) surface of an Fe substrate is investigated theoretically by means of Monte Carlo simulations based on a potential-energy-scaling technique. The substrate is modeled as a 20 x 20-square array with periodic boundary conditions, as described by Heinbockel et al. (1983), and the movement of surface atoms under the influence of the substrate interaction potential and the lateral interaction of neighboring atoms is explored via continuous updating (on the time scale of single events) of the potential energy at each site in the array. Results for the clustering of nine dispersed atoms over 1.0 s at 600 K and for deposition at 5 x 10 to the -14th/sq cm s over 2.0 s at 500 K are presented graphically.

Outlaw, R. A.↗