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Soules, David M.

Publications and source records attributed to Soules, David M..

Molecular Contamination Investigation Facility (MCIF) Capabilities

This facility was used to guide the development of ASTM E 1559 center dot Multiple Quartz Crystal Microbalances (QCMs), large sample and spectral effects capability center dot Several instrumented, high vacuum chamber systems are used to evaluate the molecular outgassing characteristics of materials, flight components and other sensitive surfaces. Test materials for spacecraft/instrument selection center.Test flight components for acceptable molecular outgas levels center dot Determine time/temperature vacuum bake-out requirements center. Data used to set limits for use of materials and specific components center. Provide Input Data to Contamination Transport Models -Applied to numerous flight projects over the past 20 years.

Soules, David M.↗

Highly Efficient Molecular Adsorbers

Molecular adsorbers developed to reduce contamination of sensitive optoelectronic components inside housings of scientific instruments. Contaminants stick to surfaces of these devices. Needed in situations in which simply venting contaminants to environment not an option because environment even more contaminating. Useful for variety of purposes in addition to suppressing contamination. Used as collection devices for sensitive total-mass-loss measurements on specimens of materials exhibiting low outgassing or as passive witness plates for collection of contaminants to be analyzed subsequently. Temperature-differential desorption from adsorbers used for preliminary separation of chemical species prior to mass spectroscopy or as alternative to gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy.

Voecks, Gerald E.↗

Bakeout Chamber Within Vacuum Chamber

Vacuum-bakeout apparatus for decontaminating and measuring outgassing from pieces of equipment constructed by mounting bakeout chamber within conventional vacuum chamber. Upgrade cost effective: fabrication and installation of bakeout chamber simple, installation performed quickly and without major changes in older vacuum chamber, and provides quantitative data on outgassing from pieces of equipment placed in bakeout chamber.

Taylor, Daniel M.↗