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At least 181 records · Page 10

High resolution, low cost solar cell contact development

The experimental work demonstrating the feasibility of the MIDFILM process as a low cost means of applying solar cell collector metallization as reported. Cell efficiencies of above 14% (AMl, 28 C) were achieved with fritted silver metallization. Environmental tests suggest that the metallization is slightly humidity sensitive and degradation is observed on cells with high series resistance. The major yield loss in the fabrication of cells was due to discontinuous grid lines, resulting in high series resitance. Standard lead-tin solder plated interconnections do not appear compatible with the MIDFILM contact. Copper, nickel and molybdemun base powder were investigated as low cost metallization systems. The copper based powder degraded the cell response. The nickel and molybdenum base powders oxidized when sintered in the oxidizing atmosphere necessary to ash the photoresin.

Mardesich, N.↗

Method for the preparation of thin-skinned asymmetric reverse osmosis membranes and products thereof

A method for preparing water insoluble asymmetric membranes from water soluble polymers is discussed. The process involves casting a film of the polymer, partially drying it, and then contacting it with a concentrated solution of a transition metal salt. The transition metal ions render the polymer insoluable and are believed to form a complex with it. Optionally, the polymer is crosslinked with heat or radiation. The most preferred polymer is poly(vinyl alcohol). The most preferred complexing salt is copper sulfate. The process and the metal ion linked membranes are discussed. The membranes are reverse osmosis membranes.

Wydeven, T. J.↗

Effect of humidity on fretting wear of several pure metals

Fretting wear experiments with several pure metals were conducted in air at various relative humidity levels. The materials used were iron, aluminum, copper, silver, chromium, titanium, and nickel. Each pure metal had a maximum fretting wear volume at a specific humidity level RH sub max that was not dependent on mechanical factors such as contact load, fretting amplitude, and frequency in the ranges studied. The weight loss due to fretting wear at RH sub max for each pure metal decreased with increasing heat of oxygen adsorption on the metal, indicating that adhesive wear dominated at RH sub max.

Goto, H.↗

Chalcogenide Nanoionic-Based Radio Frequency Switch

A nonvolatile nanoionic switch is disclosed. A thin layer of chalcogenide glass engages a substrate and a metal selected from the group of silver and copper photo-dissolved in the chalcogenide glass. A first oxidizable electrode and a second inert electrode engage the chalcogenide glass and are spaced apart from each other forming a gap there between. A direct current voltage source is applied with positive polarity applied to the oxidizable electrode and negative polarity applied to the inert electrode which electrodeposits silver or copper across the gap closing the switch. Reversing the polarity of the switch dissolves the electrodeposited metal and returns it to the oxidizable electrode. A capacitor arrangement may be formed with the same structure and process.

Nessel, James↗

Chalcogenide Nanoionic-based Radio Frequency Switch

A nonvolatile nanoionic switch is disclosed. A thin layer of chalcogenide glass engages a substrate and a metal selected from the group of silver and copper photo-dissolved in the chalcogenide glass. A first oxidizable electrode and a second inert electrode engage the chalcogenide glass and are spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween. A direct current voltage source is applied with positive polarity applied to the oxidizable electrode and negative polarity applied to the inert electrode which electrodeposits silver or copper across the gap closing the switch. Reversing the polarity of the switch dissolves the electrodeposited metal and returns it to the oxidizable electrode. A capacitor arrangement may be formed with the same structure and process.

Nessel, James↗

Deposition and material response from Mach 0.3 burner rig combustion of SRC 2 fuels

Collectors at 1173K (900 C) were exposed to the combustion products of a Mach 0.3 burner rig fueled with various industrial turbine liquid fuels from solvent refined coals. Four fuels were employed: a naphtha, a light oil, a wash solvent and a mid-heavy distillate blend. The response of four superalloys (IN-100, U 700, IN 792 and M-509) to exposure to the combustion gases from the SRC-2 naphtha and resultant deposits was also determined. The SRC-2 fuel analysis and insights obtained during the combustion experience are discussed. Particular problems encountered were fuel instability and reactions of the fuel with hardware components. The major metallic elements which contributed to the deposits were copper, iron, chromium, calcium, aluminum, nickel, silicon, titanium, zinc, and sodium. The deposits were found to be mainly metal oxides. An equilibrium thermodynamic analysis was employed to predict the chemical composition of the deposits. The agreement between the predicted and observed compounds was excellent. No hot corrosion was observed. This was expected because the deposits contained very little sodium or potassium and consisted mainly of the unreactive oxides. However, the amounts of deposits formed indicated that fouling is a potential problem with the use of these fuels.

Santoro, G. J.↗

Copper Nanowire Production for Interconnect Applications

A method of fabricating metallic Cu nanowires with lengths up to about 25 micrometers and diameters in a range 20-100 nanometers, or greater if desired. Vertically oriented or laterally oriented copper oxide structures (CuO and/or Cu2O) are grown on a Cu substrate. The copper oxide structures are reduced with 99+ percent H or H2, and in this reduction process the lengths decrease (to no more than about 25 micrometers), the density of surviving nanostructures on a substrate decreases, and the diameters of the surviving nanostructures have a range, of about 20-100 nanometers. The resulting nanowires are substantially pure Cu and can be oriented laterally (for local or global interconnects) or can be oriented vertically (for standard vertical interconnects).

Han, Jin-Woo↗

Transfer of molybdenum disulfide to various metals

Sliding friction experiments were conducted with molybdenum disulfide single crystals in contact with sputter cleaned surfaces of copper, nickel, gold, and 304 stainless steel. Transfer of the molybdenum disulfide to the metals was monitored with Auger electron spectroscopy. Results of the investigation indicate molybdenum disulfide transfers to all clean metal surfaces after a single pass over the metal surface with film thickness observed to increase with repeated passes over the same surfaces. Large particle transfer occurs when the orientation of the crystallites is other than basal. This is frequently accompanied by abrasion of the metal. Adhesion of molybdenum disulfide films occurred readily to copper and nickel, less readily to 304 stainless steel, and even less effectively to the gold, which indicates a chemical effect.

Barton, G. C.↗

Interpulse kinetics in copper and copper halide lasers

The various rate processes that govern the interpulse relaxation in metal vapor and metal halide vapor lasers are considered. Computer calculations indicate that the rapid metastable levels relaxation observed in copper and copper halide laser experiments requires the existence of a relatively small resonance in the cross section for metastable excitation or deexcitation near threshold. The accurate calculation of interpulse relaxation requires knowledge of rate constants presently not well known; this is especially so for metal halide lasers.

Harstad, K. G.↗

Application of diffusion bonding to electronic interconnection of flatpack leads

Diffusion-bonded joints between gold-plated Kovar leads and indium-plated copper circuit pads offer some advantages for electronic circuit packaging. Test results show that consistent high strength bonds stronger than the copper circuit foil are achieved by parallel-gap bonding at relatively low power settings. The bonds are basically formed by the alloying of the gold, indium and copper at the bond interface. Other low melting metals such as tin can also be used; however, tin does not offer the ease of bonding that results in consistent separation of the copper foil during pull testing. The investigation was conducted in three parts consisting of: (1) an evaluation of the physical strength of resulting bonds at ambient and elevated temperature, (2) a metallurgical analysis of bonds using scanning electron microscopy and nondispersive X-ray analysis, and (3) evaluation and development of various schemes for multiple lead flatpack bonding.

Korb, R. W.↗

Electroslag and electrogas welding

These two new joining methods perform welding in the vertical position, and therein lies the secret of their impressive advantages in material handling, in weld preparation, in welding speed, in freedom from distortion, and in weld soundness. Once the work has been set in the proper vertical position for welding, no further plate handling is required. The molten filler metal is held in place by copper shoes or dams, and the weld is completed in one pass.

Campbell, H. C.↗

Auger spectroscopy analysis of lubrication with zinc dialkyldithiophosphate of several metal combinations in sliding contact

Sliding friction experiments were conducted with aluminum and other riders rubbing on disks of various elemental metals in the presence of a thin film of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDP). Auger emission spectroscopy was used to in situ monitor the changes in surface chemistry with rubbing under various loads. The metal disks examined included iron, titanium, rhodium, tungsten, molybdenum, and copper. For equivalent films of ZDP the film is a more effective lubricant for some metals than it is for others. The important active element in the compound varies with the metal lubricated and is a function of metal chemistry. The zinc in the ZDP is susceptible to electron beam induced desorption.

Buckley, D. H.↗

Preliminary results on the development of vacuum brazed joints for cryogenic wind tunnel aerofoil models

The results of initial experiments show that high-strength void-free bonds can be formed by vacuum brazing of stainless steels using copper and nickel-based filler metals. In Nitronic 40, brazed joints have been formed with strengths in excess of the yield strength of the parent metal, and even at liquid nitrogen temperatures the excellent mechanical properties of the parent metal are only slightly degraded. The poor toughness of 15-5 P.H. stainless steel at cryogenic temperatures is lowered even further by the presence of the brazed bonds investigated. It is highly unlikely that the technique would be used for any critical areas of aerofoil models intended for low-temperature service. Nevertheless, the potential advantages of this simplified method of construction still have attractions for use at ambient temperatures.

Wigley, D. A.↗

An electrochemical rebalance cell for Redox systems

An electrochemical rebalance cell for maintaining electrochemical balance, at the system level, of the acidified aqueous iron chloride and chromium chloride reactant solutions in the redox energy storage system was constructed and evaluated. The electrochemical reaction for the cathode is Fe(+3) + e(-) yields Fe(+2), and that for the anode is 1/2H2 yields H(+) + e(-). The iron (carbon felt) electrode and the hydrogen (platinized carbon) electrode are separated by an anion exchange membrane. The performance of the rebalance cell is discussed as well as the assembly of a single rebalance cell and multicell stacks. Various cell configurations were tested and the results are presented and discussed. The rebalance cell was also used to demonstrate its ability, as a preparative tool, for making high purity solutions of soluble reduced metal ionic species. Preparations of titanium, copper, vanadium and chromium ions in acidified solutions were evaluated.

Acevedo, J. C.↗

Effects of ultravacuum and space environment on contact ohmic resistance (AO 138-11)

The experiment was aimed at checking compatibility of the aluminum conductors with conventional conductors and contacts under different conditions of manufacturing (mechanical or magnetostrictive crimping) and storage in laboratory or in long-duration space environment. The electrical characteristics of connections built from nickel-plated conductors and glided copper contacts were noted to vary over the duration of the experiment. These variations are unrelated with the crimping or storage conditions or with metal pairing (nickel-plated aluminum/tinned or silver copper). Such evolutions, even slight, are detrimental to connection quality. The same observations hold for some like connections subjected to long-duration thermal cycles. Therefore, work on aluminum technology was reoriented toward a silver aluminum conductor/ golded aluminum contact solution. The first evaluation test performed according to this definition have yielded satisfactory results.

Assie, Jean Pierre↗

Building A New Kind of Graded-Z Shield for Swift's Burst Alert Telescope

The Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) on Swift has a graded-Z Shield that closes out the volume between the coded aperture mask and the Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) detector array. The purpose of the 37 kilogram shield is to attenuate gamma rays that have not penetrated the coded aperture mask of the BAT instrument and are therefore a major source of noise on the detector array. Unlike previous shields made from plates and panels, this shield consists of multiple layers of thin metal foils (lead, tantalum, tin, and copper) that are stitched together much like standard multi-layer insulation blankets. The shield sections are fastened around BAT, forming a curtain around the instrument aperture. Strength tests were performed to validate and improve the design, and the shield will be vibration tested along with BAT in late 2002. Practical aspects such as the layup design, methods of manufacture, and testing of this new kind of graded-Z Shield are presented.

Robinson, David W.↗