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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 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Use of low-energy hydrogen ion implants in high-efficiency crystalline-silicon solar cells

The use of low-energy hydrogen implants in the fabrication of high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells was investigated. Low-energy hydrogen implants result in hydrogen-caused effects in all three regions of a solar cell: emitter, space charge region, and base. In web, Czochralski (Cz), and floating zone (Fz) material, low-energy hydrogen implants reduced surface recombination velocity. In all three, the implants passivated the space charge region recombination centers. It was established that hydrogen implants can alter the diffusion properties of ion-implanted boron in silicon, but not ion-implated arsenic.

Fonash, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

High efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells

A review of the entire research program since its inception ten years ago is given. The initial effort focused on the effects of impurities on the efficiency of silicon solar cells to provide figures of maximum allowable impurity density for efficiencies up to about 16 to 17%. Highly accurate experimental techniques were extended to characterize the recombination properties of the residual imputities in the silicon solar cell. A numerical simulator of the solar cell was also developed, using the Circuit Technique for Semiconductor Analysis. Recent effort focused on the delineation of the material and device parameters which limited the silicon efficiency to below 20% and on an investigation of cell designs to break the 20% barrier. Designs of the cell device structure and geometry can further reduce recombination losses as well as the sensitivity and criticalness of the fabrication technology required to exceed 20%. Further research is needed on the fundamental characterization of the carrier recombination properties at the chemical impurity and physical defect centers. It is shown that only single crystalline silicon cell technology can be successful in attaining efficiencies greater than 20%.

Sah, C. Tang↗
NASA NTRS1985

Studies of the nature of interfacial barriers in high efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells

The effects of interfacial barriers in crystalline silicon solar cells were studied. The effort was directed toward the investigation and use of such techniques as Angular Resolved Parameter Spectroscopy (ARAPS) and Impedance Spectroscopy in initially characterizing n-type Si doped to levels commonly used for n+p solar cells, and eventually Si solar cells. The objectives of the research are given. Those accomplished are detailed, as are recommendations for future work.

Bates, Clayton W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1986

High efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells

The factors which may limit current crystalline silicon solar cells to less than 20 percent efficiency at AM 1 are investigated together with the factors which may limit the ultimate efficiency achievable. It was found that base recombination at residual defect and impurity recombination centers was the likely cause of the 20-percent efficiency barrier. Suggestions for design changes that would cut the losses due to recombinations are presented.

Sah, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Characterization of crystalline LARC-TPI powder

LARC-TPI, a linear aromatic polyimide, developed by NASA Langley Research Center in the late 1970's had thermoplastic character, but its melt-flow properties were much lower than those of conventional thermoplastics. An imidized version of the LARC-TPI molding powder was submitted to NASA-Langley for evaluation. The initial broad melt of this material occurs in the 270 C range and reorders to higher melting forms, depending on the physical and thermal treatments. Rheological characterization of this polymer shows it to have a very low melt viscosity, which increases as the melted specie transforms to other crystalline forms with higher melting temperatures.

Burks, Harold D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Crystalline sulfur dioxide: Crystal field splittings, absolute band intensities and complex refractive indices derived from infrared spectra

The infrared absorption spectra of thin crystalline films of sulfur dioxide at 90 K are reported in the 2700 to 450/cm region. The observed multiplicity of the spectral features in the regions of fundamentals is attributed to factor group splittings of the modes in a biaxial crystal lattice and the naturally present minor S-34, S-36, and O-18 isotopic species. Complex refractive indices determined by an iterative Kramers-Kronig analysis of the extinction data, and absolute band strengths derived from them, are also reported in this region.

Khanna, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Infrared band extinctions and complex refractive indices of crystalline C2H2 and C4H2

Thermal IR absorption intensities are obtained for thin films of crystalline C2H2 and C4H2 at 70 K, and their n and k complex refractive indices are ascertained by separating true film absorption from interface reflection on the basis of an analysis of the transmission spectrum ratio for two sample thicknesses. This method significantly simplifies the n and k iteration process. The n and k values determined in the laboratory will in most cases reproduce a given sample thickness' observed transmission to within + or - 5 percent.

Khanna, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Adhesive properties of LARC-CPI, a new semi-crystalline polyimide

As part of an effort on high temperature structural resins for aerospace applications, a new family of polyimides containing carbon and ether connecting groups between aromatic rings were prepared. Several of these polyimides were semicrystalline. One polyimide, designated LARC-CPI, with a glass transition temperature of 222 C and a crystalline melt temperature of 350 C, was evaluated in the form of an adhesive, film, and molding. Unoriented films exhibited excellent resistance to solvents and strong bases and high tensile properties. Compact tension specimens gave very high fracture toughness values. Titanium tensile shear specimens provided exceptional strength under a variety of test conditions. The chemistry and the physical and mechanical properties of LARC-CPI are discussed.

Hergenrother, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects of a crystalline polymer

Polyvinylidene flouride (PVDF) is a crystalline polymer to both piezoelectric and pyroelectric nature. Piezoelectricity produces electrical signals when mechanically deformed, and pyroelectricity is the electrical polarization induced by thermal absorption in crystals. To demonstrate the piezoelectric effect PVDF is subjected to impact loads which produce electrical charges proportional to mechanical stresses. A heat source was used to demonstrate the pyroelectric nature of PVDF. The rise in temperature due to absorbed energy by the polymer produces electrical output. The qualitative test results obtained are graphically reproduced.

Kundu, Nikhil K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Liquid crystalline polymers

The remarkable mechanical properties and thermal stability of fibers fabricated from liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) have led to the use of these materials in structural applications where weight savings are critical. Advances in processing of LCPs could permit the incorporation of these polymers into other than uniaxial designs and extend their utility into new areas such as nonlinear optical devices. However, the unique feature of LCPs (intrinsic orientation order) is itself problematic, and current understanding of processing with control of orientation falls short of allowing manipulation of macroscopic orientation (except for the case of uniaxial fibers). The current and desirable characteristics of LCPs are reviewed and specific problems are identified along with issues that must be addressed so that advances in the use of these unique polymers can be expedited.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1990

Absorption intensities and complex refractive indices of crystalline HCN, HC3N, and C4N2 in the infrared region

IR absorption intensities are presented for thin crystalline films of HCN, HC3N, and C4N2, together with n and k complex refractive indices determined on the basis of an iterative program for the Kramers-Konig integral via a least-squares, point-by-point fitting of the experimental transmission data. It is established that the transmission spectra generated by means of these n and k values can reproduce the experimental transmission observation values to within + or - 2 percent.

Masterson, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

LARC-CPI, a new semi-crystalline polyimide

As part of a program on high performance/high temperature structural resins for aerospace applications, work was performed with a new semi-crystalline polyimide (LARC-CPI) to improve the compression moldability while retaining high mechanical properties and thermooxidative stability. Various molecular weight versions of LARC-CPI polyamide acid were prepared, end-capped with different groups, converted to polyimide and evaluated for film properties, thermooxidative stability and melt flow. One controlled molecular weight, end-capped version of LARC-CPI was evaluated more comprehensively in adhesive and composite work and exhibited good compression moldability, reasonable crystallization rates and high mechanical properties.

Hergenrother, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Fatigue crack propagation behavior of a single crystalline superalloy

Crack propagation mechanisms occurring at various temperatures in a single crystalline Ni-base alloy, Rene N4, were investigated. The rates of crack growth at 21, 704, 927, 1038, and 1093 C were measured in specimens with 001-line and 110-line directions parallel to the load axis and the machined notch, respectively, using a pulsed dc potential drop apparatus, and the fracture surfaces at each temperature were examined using SEM. Crack growth rates (CGRs) for specimens tested at or below 927 C were similar, while at two higher temperatures, the CGRs were about an order of magnitude higher than at the lower temperatures. Results of SEM observations showed that surface morphologies depended on temperature.

Lerch, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Observational evidence of crystalline iron oxides on Mars

A series of new spectral observations of Mars was obtained at Mauna Kea Observatory in the 0.4-1.0-micron wavelength range during the extremely favorable 1988 opposition, which yielded new spectral reflectance and relative reflectance data for a number of distinct spots on the Martian surface at 500-600 km spatial resolution. The new spectra revealed absorptions at 0.62-0.72 micron and at 0.81-0.94 micron, both seen clearly for the first time. These absorption features are interpreted as Fe(3+) electronic transition bands that indicate the presence of crystalline ferric oxide or hydroxide minerals on the Martian surface.

Bell, James F., III↗
NASA NTRS1989

A scanning electron microscopy study of the macro-crystalline structure of 2-(2,4-dinitrobenzyl) pyridine

The compound, 2-(2,4-dinitrobenzyl) pyridine, was synthesized in the laboratory; an introductory level electron microscopy study of the macro-crystalline structure was conducted using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The structure of these crystals was compared with the macrostructure of the crystal of 2-(2,4-dinitrobenzyl) pyridinium bromide, the hydrobromic salt of the compound which was also synthesized in the laboratory. A scanning electron microscopy crystal study was combined with a study of the principle of the electron microscope.

Ware, Jacqueline↗
NASA NTRS1991

Processing for maximizing the level of crystallinity in linear aromatic polyimides

The process of the present invention includes first treating a polyamide acid (such as LARC-TPI polyamide acid) in an amide-containing solvent (such as N-methyl pyrrolidone) with an aprotic organic base (such as triethylamine), followed by dehydrating with an organic dehydrating agent (such as acetic anhydride). The level of crystallinity in the linear aromatic polyimide so produced is maximized without any degradation in the molecular weight thereof.

St.clair, Terry L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Comparison of high frequency, high temperature core loss and B-H loop characteristics of an 80 Ni-Fe crystalline alloy and two iron-based amorphous alloys

Limited experimental data exists for the specific core loss and dynamic B-H loops for soft magnetic materials for the combined conditions of high frequency and high temperature. This experimental study investigates the specific core loss and dynamic B-H characteristics of a nickel-iron crystalline magnetic alloy (Supermalloy) and two iron-based amorphous magnetic materials (Metglas 2605S-3A and Metglas 2605SC) over the frequency range of 1-50 kHz and temperature range of 23-300 C under sinusoidal voltage excitation. The effects of maximum magnetic flux density, frequency, and temperature on the specific core loss and on the size and shape of the B-H loops are examined. The Supermalloy and Metglass 2605S-3A and 2605SC data are used to compare the core loss of transformers with identical kVA and voltage ratings.

Wieserman, William R.↗