Engineering topics

Cuddihy, Edward F.

Publications and source records attributed to Cuddihy, Edward F..

10 records

NASA NTRS1994

Storage, Preservation, and Recovery of Magnetic Recording Tape

During the 1970's, a commercial magnetic recording tape fabricated with magnetic oxide particles, and with oxide and backcoat binders made from polyester urethane was being used for spacecraft tape recorders, and which would periodically manifest operational problems such as layer-to-layer adhesion, stick-slip, and shedding of sticky organic materials. These problems were generally associated with periods of high humidity. An experimental study identified that these problems resulted from hydrolysis of the polyester urethane binders.

Magnetic Recording Tape↗

NASA NTRS1991

Reactive Fluorescent Dyes For Urethane Coatings

Molecules of fluorescent dyes chemically bound in urethane conformal-coating materials to enable nondestructive detection of flaws in coats through inspection under ultraviolet light, according to proposal. Dye-bonding technique prevents outgassing of dyes, making coating materials suitable for use where flaw-free coats must be assured in instrumentation or other applications in which contamination by outgassing must be minimized.

Willis, Paul B.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Chemical evaluation of non-woven nylon separators used in Ni/Cd cells

The goals of the chemical analysis was to identify Gates 2505 degradation mechanism, to determine if Eagle-Pitcher 2505 supply suitable for flight, and to assess the 2538 as a candidate replacement, based on chemical findings. Chemical testing strongly indicates that the Gates 2505 stored in Florida had undergone partial chemical deterioration, believed caused by exposure to high humidities and temperature. A suspected role of zinc chloride as a separator concern during storage was not verified in this study (the effect of ZnCl2 on cell/electrode performance was not addressed). No substantial chemical issues or concerns with using EP 2505 as Ni/Cd battery separator for Mars Observer and TOPEX could be found. No chemical issues or concerns with using 2538 as Ni/Cd battery separator were found, in fact, chemical evidence suggest that 2538 may be a better material, as compared to 2505.

Cuddihy, Edward F.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Healing of voids in the aluminum metallization of integrated circuit chips

The thermal stability of GaAs modulation-doped field effect transistors (MODFETs) is evaluated in order to identify failure mechanisms and validate the reliability of these devices. The transistors were exposed to thermal step-stress and characterized at ambient temperatures to indicate device reliability, especially that of the transistor ohmic contacts with and without molybdenum diffusion barriers. The devices without molybdenum exhibited important transconductance deterioration. MODFETs with molybdenum diffusion barriers were tolerant to temperatures above 300 C. This tolerance indicates that thermally activated failure mechanisms are slow at operational temperatures. Therefore, high-reliability MODFET-based circuits are possible.

Cuddihy, Edward F.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Predictive aging of polymers

A method of predicting aging of polymers operates by heating a polymer in the outdoors to an elevated temperature until a change of property is induced. The test is conducted at a plurality of temperatures to establish a linear Arrhenius plot which is extrapolated to predict the induction period for failure of the polymer at ambient temperature. An Outdoor Photo Thermal Aging Reactor (OPTAR) is also described including a heatable platen for receiving a sheet of polymer, means to heat the platen and switching means such as a photoelectric switch for turning off the heater during dark periods.

Cuddihy, Edward F.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Healing Voids In Interconnections In Integrated Circuits

Unusual heat treatment heals voids in aluminum interconnections on integrated circuits (IC's). Treatment consists of heating IC to temperature between 200 degrees C and 400 degrees C, holding it at that temperature, and then plunging IC immediately into liquid nitrogen. Typical holding time at evaluated temperature is 30 minutes.

Cuddihy, Edward F.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Predictive aging of polymers

A method of predicting aging of polymers operates by heating a polymer in the outdoors to an elevated temperature until a change of property is induced. The test is conducted at a plurality of temperatures to establish a linear Arrhenius plot which is extrapolated to predict the induction period for failure of the polymer at ambient temperature. An Outdoor Photo Thermal Aging Reactor (OPTAR) is also described including a heatable platen for receiving a sheet of polymer, means to heat the platen, and switching means such as a photoelectric switch for turning off the heater during dark periods.

Cuddihy, Edward F.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Heated Rack For Weathering Tests

Outdoor photothermal aging reactor (OPTAR) simple device exposing polymer specimens to both heat and natural sunlight. Intended to provide accelerated aging data for service life of polymers used in outdoor environments. In principle, OPTAR accelerates (but does not initiate) degradation of polymers resulting from sunlight and other weathering effect (eg. rain, wind, ozone). Aging of tested material accelerated, but under almost-natural conditions.

Cuddihy, Edward F.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Temperature, Humidity, And Polymer Aging

Report presents analysis of experimental data on electrical resistivity of polymer (polyvinyl butyral) as function of temperature and relative humidity. Resulting theoretical expression for electrical resistivity resembles generally accepted empirical law for the corrosion rate.

Cuddihy, Edward F.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Degradation Of Reflectors And Dielectrics

Report describes important degrading effects of atmosphere and outer-space environments on reflective surfaces and dielectrics. For reflective surfaces, terrestrial effects include soiling on glass surfaces and changing with time. Space effects include ultraviolet enhancement of contamination and possible surface erosion due to solar radiation, impact of debris, and interactions with atomic oxygen. Dielectrics similarly affected in both environments.

Bouquet, Frank L.↗