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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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17 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Microsample Characterization of Coatings for Grcop-84 for High Heat Flux Applications

A multidisciplinary Johns Hopkins University-NASA Glenn team is undertaking a collaborative research program to elucidate and model the thermal stability and mechanical integrity of candidate coatings for GRCop-84. GRCop-84 is a high conductivity, high strength copper alloy that was recently developed at NASA Glenn for use in high temperature, high heat flux applications. With potential applications in rocket motor combustion chamber liners, nozzle ramps and other actively cooled structures, this new material offers great potential for decreasing weight and increasing reliability of third generation reusable launch vehicles. Current emphasis has turned toward the development of environmentally resistant and thermal barrier coatings for this alloy. Metallic coatings such as NiCrAlY and Cu-8-30%Cr have shown promise in: prohibiting blanching, reducing dog-house failures, increasing operating temperatures and decreasing cooling requirements. The focus of this research program is to develop a fundamental understanding of the substrate-coating interactions that occur during thermal cycling (inter-diffusion, viscoplasticity, morphological evolution, crack formation, etc.) and to derive a science-based protocol for future coating selection, optimization and reliability assurance. The microsample tensile testing approach adopted for this study allows us to characterize small-scale and highly scale-specific coatings and properties in a way not possible by conventional means. In addition to providing much needed design data, the integration of microsample testing with detailed microstructural observations provides a mechanistic foundation for coating optimization and life prediction modeling.

Hemker, Kevin↗
NASA NTRS1973

Microsampling techniques for infrared spectroscopic analysis of lunar and terrestrial minerals

Microsampling techniques have been developed for infrared analysis of single mineral grains from lunar rocks and dusts, allowing a detailed molecular structure characterization of these complex fine-grained samples. The methods include special devices for isolating single grains, preparing micropellets from the grains, and obtaining in situ microspecular reflectance spectra from grains in polished rock samples. Although specifically developed for the work on lunar samples, the special techniques for single grain infrared analysis were found to be equally useful in studies of complex terrestrial mineral samples. For example, infrared microanalysis has contributed substantially in solving problems concerned with our natural resources, such as the structural characterization of minerals from commercial iron ores, marine deposits, coal, and fly ash derived from coal.

Estep, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Microsample Characterization of Coatings for GRCop-84 for High Temperature High Heat Flux Application

NASA's Glenn Research Center has developed GRCop-84 (Cu-8at.%Cr-4% Nb), a high conductivity, high strength copper alloy for use as liners in rocket engine combustion chambers, nozzle ramps and other actively-cooled components subject to high heat fluxes. Two metallic coatings, NiCrAlY and Cu-26%Cr, are being considered for preventing blanching, reducing 'dog- house' failures and providing better environmental resistance to the GRCop-84 liners. This presentation will outline a study of coating-substrate interactions that occur as a result of thermal cycling and coating specific properties at different temperatures. A furnace has been built to thermally cycle the samples under argon. The microsample testing approach is being used to measure the coating-substrate interfacial strength. Cu-26Cr/GRCop-84 samples did not show any obvious interdiffusion after 300 thermal cycles. Interfacial strength tests of these samples were affected by porosity present in the samples. A complete set of observations and results for Cu-26Cr and NiCrAlY coatings will be presented.

Jain, Piyush↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluation of Properties for Microsample Identification

A study was conducted to determine if individual particle characteristics could be used to identify particles of interest, sub-samples, from bulk post-detonation debris. Three archived post-detonation debris samples were used for this effort. Particles from these samples were identified as active (produced fission tracks), and inactive (did not produce fission tracks), as the first defining characteristic. Morphology was the secondary characteristic to select particles for further study, i.e. spherical/non-spherical. Once particles were identified and isolated, they were characterized by optical microscopy for size in µm, number of fission tracks, morphology, transmitted light color, and reflected light color. Particles were then analyzed by scanning electron microscopy for morphology, elemental content, and compound identification. Raman spectroscopy was attempted on five particles with indeterminate results due to environmental mixing (heterogeneity) during the events of particle formation. Once all non-destructive analyses were completed all particles were analyzed by thermal ionization mass spectrometry to determine isotopic atom percents of plutonium and uranium, and an estimate of atoms of plutonium and uranium in each particle. An estimate of the ratio of uranium to plutonium was also obtained (U/Pu). Data analytics of the data from the particles showed that combining characteristics of the particles have a high probability of identifying particles of interest from bulk post-detonation debris samples. Please note that this version of the report is an abridged version of the full report (Wagnon et al. 2025) that has been edited to be appropriate for public release.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
NASA NTRS2015

Using Dust from Asteroids as Regolith Microsamples

More robust links need to be forged between meteorites and their parent bodies to understand the composition, diversity and distribution of the asteroids. A major link can be sample analysis of the parent body material and comparison with meteorite data. Dust is present around all airless bodies, generated by micrometeorite impact into their airless surfaces, which in turn lofts regolith particles into a "cloud" around the body. The composition, flux, and size distribution of dust particles can provide insight into the geologic evolution of airless bodies. For example, the Cassini Cosmic Dust Analyzer detected salts and minerals emitted by plumes at Enceladus, evidence for a subsurface ocean with a silicate seafloor. Dust analysis instruments may enable future missions to obtain elemental, isotopic and mineralogical composition of regolith particles without returning the samples to terrestrial laboratories.

dust↗
NASA NTRS2015

Using Dust from Asteroids as Regolith Microsamples

Meteorite science is rich with compositional indicators by which we classify parent bodies, but few sample groups are definitively linked with asteroid spectra. More robust links need to be forged between meteorites and their parent bodies to understand the composition, diversity and distribution. A major link can be sample analysis of the parent body material and comparison with meteorite data. Hayabusa, the first sample return mission of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), was developed to rendezvous with and collect samples from asteroid Itokawa and return them to Earth. Thousands of sub-100 micron particles were recovered, apparently introduced during the spacecraft impact into the surface of the asteroid, linking the asteroid Itokawa to LL chondrites [1]. Upcoming missions Hayabusa 2 and OSIRIS-REx will collect more significant sample masses from asteroids. In all these cases, the samples are or will be a collection of regolith particles. Sample return to earth is not the only method for regolith particle analysis. Dust is present around all airless bodies, generated by micrometeorite impact into their airless surfaces, which in turn lofts regolith particles into a "cloud" around the body. The composition, flux, and size-frequency distribution of dust particles can provide significant insight into the geological evolution of airless bodies [2]. For example, the Cassini Cosmic Dust Analyzer (CDA) detected salts in Enceladus' icy plume material, providing evidence for a subsurface ocean in contact with a silicate seafloor [3]. Similar instruments have flown on the Rosetta, LADEE, and Stardust missions. Such an instrument may be of great use in obtaining the elemental, isotopic and mineralogical composition measurement of dust particles originating from asteroids without returning the samples to terrestrial laboratories. We investigated the ability of a limited sample analysis capability using a dust instrument to forge links between asteroid regolith particles and known meteorite groups. We further set limits on the number of individual particles statistically needed to robustly reproduce a bulk composition.

microsamples↗
NASA NTRS1986

Method of high-precision microsampled blood and plasma mass densitometry

The reliability of the mechanical oscillator technique for blood and plasma density measurements on samples of volumes less than 0.1 ml is examined, and a precision of 0.001 g/l is found if plasma-isodensic heparin solution and siliconized densitometers are employed. Sources of measurement errors in the density determinations include storage of plasma samples, inhomogeneity of blood samples, and density reading before adequate temperature equilibration. In tests of plasma sample storage, the best reproducibility was obtained with samples kept at 4 C. Linear correlations were found between plasma density and plasma protein concentration, blood density and blood hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte density and MCHC.

Hinghofer-Szalkay, H.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Using Dust Shed from Asteroids as Microsamples to Link Remote Measurements with Meteorite Classes

Given the diversity of asteroids, it is impossible to consider returning samples from each one• Dust particles are abundant around asteroids• Primary minerals and organic materials can be measured by in situ dust detectorinstruments• These particles can be used to classify the parent body as an ordinary chondrite,basaltic achondrite, or other class of meteorite• Such instruments could provide direct links to known meteorite groups withoutreturning the samples to terrestrial laboratories

Cohen, B. A.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluation of dried blood spot sampling for verification of exposure to chemical threat agents

Abstract Purpose Exposure to chemical threat agents (CTAs), including nerve agents, the vesicating agent sulfur mustard, and opioids, remains a significant threat to warfighter and civilian populations. Definitive analytical methods to verify exposure to CTAs require shipping refrigerated or frozen biomedical samples to reference laboratories for analysis. Logistical and financial burdens arise as the transport of biomedical samples is subject to strict restrictions and complex packaging, which, if done incorrectly, can lead to sample deterioration. The use of dried blood spot (DBS) sampling could provide operational improvements for collecting, storing, and shipping important forensic samples. Therefore, this effort focuses on developing DBS techniques with Mitra® 30-µL volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS®) devices for use in CTA exposure verification. Methods VAMS® devices were loaded and dried with human whole blood that was exposed to the metabolites pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid (PMPA), ethyl methylphosphonic acid (EMPA), 1,1’sulfonylbis[2-(methylsulfinyl)ethane] (SBMSE), norfentanyl, norcarfentanil, norsufentanil, and norlofentanil. Following extraction from the VAMS® devices, metabolites were detected using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The methods were validated for performance by assessing sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and recovery. Results These methods were sensitive to 1 ng/mL for SBMSE, 0.5 ng/mL for PMPA, EMPA, and norfentanyl; 0.1 ng/mL for norlofentanil, and 0.05 ng/mL for norsufentanil and norcarfentanil. All methods met acceptable precision and accuracy criteria with favorable recovery. Conclusions These results demonstrated the utility of VAMS® in stabilizing human whole blood and show promise as an improved collection method for verification of exposure to various CTAs.

Toxicology↗
NASA NTRS1982

Microchrons - The Rb-87/Sr-87 dating of microscopic samples

The present investigation is concerned with the extension of the Rb-Sr dating technique to microscopic samples of individual mineral grains as small as approximately 30 micrometers in size. The measurement of the isotopic composition and the relative number of atoms of Rb and Sr has presented difficulties because of the need to separate Rb from Sr due to the isobaric interference at mass 87. This separation is critical since the changes in Sr-87/Sr-86 are directly related to the age of the sample. The approach used in the considered investigation is a modified version of the direct loading technique reported by Wasserburg et al. (1977). It is shown that measurements can be conducted of the Rb and Sr isotopic compositions and Rb/Sr atom ratios in microsamples containing 10 to the 11th to 10 to the 12th atoms of Sr. Rb-Sr model ages may prove to be of considerable importance in identifying and studying interplanetary dust particles.

Papanastassiou, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Chemical and isotopic study of extraterrestrial particles from the ocean floor

An Rb-Sr isotopic analysis of deep-sea spherules (DSS) from the Pacific, vesicular iridium-rich glassy objects (VIRGO) from an Antarctic-Ocean diatomaceous-ooze core, and equigranular objects (EGO) associated with or included in VIRGO, is reported. The techniques of sample collection, preparation, chemical analysis, and isotopic analysis (by mass spectrometry) are described in detail, and the results are presented in tables. The Sr-87/Sr-86 determination has a precision of 1-2 percent in microsamples of 2-8 x 10 to the 11th Sr atoms. The DSS are found to have Sr concentrations and Sr-87/Sr-86 (0.730-0.757) typical of chondritic meteorites. Extreme Rb depletion is attributed to volatization during meteoroid atmospheric heating. The VIRGO, while having major-element compositions like that of meteorites and high Ir levels suggesting extraterrestrial origin, have Sr-87/Sr-86 = 0.703-0.705; and the associated EGO has Sr-87/Sr-86 = 0.701 + or - 0.001, typical of MORB or basaltic achondrites. Hence their extraterrestrial origin is not proved, and some lithic component other than the EGO must be the source of the high Ir concentration.

Papanastassiou, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

On the determination of iridium in diverse geological samples employing HPGe-coincidence/NaI(Tl)-anticoincidence spectrometry

This paper reports the Ir content of a variety of geological samples determined by the high-purity Ge-coincidence/NaI(Tl)-anticoincidence gamma-ray spectrometry (henceforth referred to as coincidence/anticoincidence technique) and by the conventional INAA. The advantages of this technique are: (1) the Ir content of the samples is obtained (ppm to a fraction of ppb ranges) not only by the 468.1 keV peak as in the conventional INAA but also by the 784.6 keV and 920.9 keV sum peaks, which gives more confidence in the values obtained; and (2) it is well suited for the samples with high Compton background for which it is difficult to measure the Ir content by the conventional INAA technique. The practical sensitivity of this technique depends on the sample matrix. Under present experimental conditions, it varied from 0.1 ng for Mn nodules and 0.004 ng for Libyan Desert Glass. Iridium values obtained on small (about 1 microg) olivine grains demonstrate the potential application of this new technique to microsamples. The principle and methodology of this new technique as well as its advantages and disadvantages over the conventional INAA are discussed.

Murali, A. V.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Antibodies Against Three Forms of Urokinase

Antibodies that bind to preselected regions of the urokinase molecule have been developed. These antibodies can be used to measure small quantities of each of three molecular forms of urokinase that could be contained in microsamples or conditioned media harvested from cultures of mammalian cells. Previously available antibodies and assay techniques do not yield both clear distinctions among, and measurements of, all three forms. Urokinase is a zymogen that is synthesized in a single-chain form, called ScuPA, which is composed of 411 amino acid residues (see figure). ScuPA has very little enzyme activity, but it can be activated in two ways: (1) by cleavage of the peptide bond lysine 158/isoleucine 159 and the loss of lysine 158 to obtain the high molecular-weight (HMW) form of the enzyme or (2) by cleavage of the bond lysine 135/lysine 136 to obtain the low-molecular-weight (LMW) form of the enzyme. The antibodies in question were produced in mice and rabbits by use of peptides as immunogens. The peptides were selected to obtain antibodies that bind to regions of ScuPA that include the lysine 158/isoleucine 159 and the lysine 135/lysine 136 bonds. The antibodies include monoclonal and polyclonal ones that yield indications as to whether either of these bonds is intact. The polyclonal antibodies include ones that preferentially bind to the HMW or LMW forms of the urokinase molecule. The monoclonal antibodies include ones that discriminate between the ScuPA and the HMW form. A combination of these molecular-specific antibodies will enable simultaneous assays of the ScuPA, HMW, and LMW forms in the same specimen of culture medium.

Morrison, Dennis R.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Advanced Curation Development of Tools and Methods for Microparticle Curation

The Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office at NASA Johnson Space Center is currently developing new tools and methods for the collection, storage, handling and characterization of particles less than 100 microns in diameter, or microparticles. Astromaterials Curation currently maintains four microparticle collections: Cosmic Dust that has been collected in Earth’s stratosphere by ER2 and WB-57 aircraft, Comet 81P/Wild 2 dust returned by NASA’s Stardust spacecraft, interstellar dust that was returned by Stardust, and asteroid Itokawa particles that were returned by the JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)’s Hayabusa spacecraft. NASA Curation is currently preparing for the anticipated return of two new astromaterials collections – asteroid Ryugu regolith to be collected by Hayabusa II spacecraft in 2021 (samples will be provided by JAXA as part of an international agreement), and asteroid Bennu regolith to be collected by the OSIRIS-REx (Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security - Regolith Explorer) spacecraft in 2023. In order to maximize the scientific yield from these valuable acquisitions, it will be necessary to develop methods that extend our current microsample handling capabilities. Here we describe recent progress in the development of sample handling techniques that will enhance our microparticle curation capabilities. Further described are: Six-Axis Robot Arms for Particle Manipulation, and Charge-Dissipative Substrates.

Snead, Christopher↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Center for Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology at NASA Johnson Space Center

Ten years in the making the Center for Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology (CICG) at NASA Johnson Space Center is designed to be a cooperative analytical facility where novel techniques are developed and performed. Our team works collaboratively to operate this integrated lab suite comprising sample preparation, metal-free clean chemistry, and mass spectrometers to measure a wide variety of elements and isotopes in astromaterials. Contamination control is enacted throughout by a positive pressure cascade of HEPA filtered air, weekly surface cleaning and particle counting. Astromaterials processing is performed with application-specific mortar and pestles, heavy liquid separation, a Frantz magnetic separator, as well as hand-picking using optical microscopes in laminar flow boxes. Microsampling is also carried out using a New Wave MicroMill. Elements for isotopic analysis are isolated from acid-digested samples using ion-exchange chromatography. Cross-contamination is minimized with dedicated laminar flow boxes and labware for different purification protocols. Instrumentation includes a ThermoFisher Element XR inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for quantification of elemental concentrations in dissolved sample solutions. For in situ analysis, a Teledyne Photon Machines Analyte Excite+ laser ablation system is coupled to the Element XR. The ThermoFisher Triton thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS) is used to measure the isotopic composition of elements such as CA, K, Cr, Rb, Sr, Sm, Nd at high precision in processed samples. For a more diverse range of isotopic analyses, CICG houses a Nu Sapphire 1700 multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS), which is a large geometry instrument with a multi-pole collision cell for interference removal. An Applied Spectra Instruments J200 femto-second laser is planned for install this Fall and will be coupled to the Nu Sapphire 1700. NASA’s Internal Scientist Funding Model (ISFM)supports this facility. Advanced analytical geochemistry techniques are applied to targeted astromaterials to address important problems in planetary sciences, with a longer-term goal of preparing for samples collected and returned by space missions. CICG is open to collaborations on projects that utilize the facility’s unique capabilities and are within its research scope. We are particularly eager to support and share expertise with the next generation of planetary scientists.

Justin I Simon↗