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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 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

In-situ Microscopy Characterization of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Potential-Induced Degradation

We report on the role of sodium in potentialinduced degradation (PID) of Cu(In, Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) solar cells. In-situ microscopy characterizations on AFM platform were performed on two stressed CIGS device under room temperature (RT) and high temperature (HT) at 85 degrees C. During PID stressing we observed depletion region gets wider as Na migrates, p-n junction becomes leaky at RT for over a month; and similar junction evolution was observed for HT-stressed sample, eventually the junction collapsed after 18 hours. The diode behaviors were confirmed by dark I-V measurement. Time-of Flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry reveals that the Na accumulates on ZnO and CdS side, as well as the upper layer of CIGS layer. The results indicate that Na drifted by the voltage applied on the soda-lime glass, then diffuse through the whole device. And the sodium profiles have different points of evolution due to the temperature differences between the two stressed samples. The consistent results unambiguously show how Na from substrate glass causes PID in CIGS solar cells.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1975

Development and fabrication of improved Schottky power diodes

Reproducible methods for the fabrication of silicon Schottky diodes have been developed for tungsten, aluminum, conventional platinum silicide, and low temperature platinum silicide. Barrier heights and barrier lowering under reverse bias have been measured, permitting the accurate prediction of forward and reverse diode characteristics. Processing procedures have been developed that permit the fabrication of large area (about 1 sq cm) mesageometry power Schottky diodes with forward and reverse characteristics that approach theoretical values. A theoretical analysis of the operation of bridge rectifier circuits has been performed, which indicates the ranges of frequency and voltage for which Schottky rectifiers are preferred to p-n junctions. Power Schottky rectifiers have been fabricated and tested for voltage ratings up to 140 volts.

Cordes, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Record dielectric breakdown automatically

Automatic Monitoring System for time-dependent dielectric breakdown tests ninety-nine metal-oxide semiconductor capacitors simultaneously. Each breakdown generates voltage spike registered on readouts and indicated by LED. Latching circuit prevents recording of possible subsequent breakdowns in same capacitor. In addition to research use, system could also be adapted for quality control.

Bates, E. T., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Power management and control for space systems

Power management and control technology for the large, high-power spacecraft of the 1980's is discussed. Systems weight optimization that indicate a need for higher bus voltages are shown. Environmental interactions that are practical limits for the maximum potential on exposed surfaces are shown. A dual-voltage system is proposed that would provide the weight savings of a high-voltage distribution system and take into account the potential environmental interactions. The technology development of new components and circuits is also discussed.

Finke, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar cell angular position transducer

An angular position transducer utilizing photocells and a light source is disclosed. The device uses a fully rotatable baffle which is connected via an actuator shaft to the body whose rotational displacement is to be measured. The baffle blocks the light path between the light source and the photocells so that a constant semicircular beam of light reaches the photocells. The current produced by the photocells is fed through a resistor, a differential amplifier measures the voltage drop across the resistor which indicates the angular position of the actuator shaft and hence of the object.

Sandford, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Antistatic sprays

Antistatic sprays from several different manufacturers are examined. The sprays are examined for contamination potential (i.e., outgassing and nonvolatile residue), corrosiveness on an aluminum mirror surface, and electrostatic effectiveness. In addition, the chemical composition of the antistatic sprays is determined by infrared spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, and ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The results show that 12 of the 17 antistatic sprays examined have a low contamination potential. Of these sprays, 7 are also noncorrosive to an aluminum surface. And of these, only 2 demonstrate good electrostatic properties with respect to reducing voltage accumulation; these sprays did not show a fast voltage dissipation rate however. The results indicate that antistatic sprays can be used on a limited basis where contamination potential, corrosiveness, and electrostatic effectiveness is not critical. Each application is different and proper evaluation of the situation is necessary. Information on some of the properties of some antistatic sprays is presented in this document to aid in the evaluation process.

Ming, James E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Near-equilibrium growth of thick, high quality beta-SiC by sublimation

A close spaced near-equilibrium growth technique was used to produce thick, high quality epitaxial layers of beta-silicon carbide. The process utilized a sublimation method to grow morphologically smooth layers. The beta silicon carbide growth layers varied from about 200 to 750 microns in thickness. Chemical vapor deposition grown, 2-10 microns, beta silicon carbide films were used as seeds at 1860 and 1910 C growth temperatures. The respective average growth rates were 20 and 30 microns per hour. The layers are p-type with a 3.1 x 10 exp 17/cu cm carrier concentration. Electrical measurements indicate considerable improvement in the breakdown voltage of Schottky barriers on growth samples. Breakdown values ranged from 25 to 60 V. These measurements represent the highest values reported for 3C-SiC.

Shields, Virgil B.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Optical response of an ultrathin film and a large-angle grain-boundary in superconducting YBa2Cu3O(7-delta)

We have investigated the optical response of epitaxial ultrathin (3 nm) YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) film on an NdGaO3 substrate and thin (50 nm) film of YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) on a bicrystal SrTiO3 substrate. While the current-voltage characteristics of the ultrathin film indicate a Kosterlitz-Thouless transition (associated with vortex-antivortex unbinding) at a temperature T(KT), we do not observe any optical response at or below T(KT). An enhanced optical response with nonbolometric characteristics was observed from the grain-boundary as compared to the bolometric optical response of the epitaxial film at the resistive transition. These results indicate that the grain-boundary weak links play a significant role in the enhanced optical response near Tc.

Bhattacharya, S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Detection of Delaminations in Composite Beams Using Piezoelectric Sensors

This paper investigates the feasibility of a proposed technique for detecting delamination using piezoelectric layers or patches embedded or bonded to a composite structure. Variations in the voltage generated in the piezoelectric layers indicates the presence and location of delamination, when the structure is excited either externally or via actuators. The theoretical foundations of a method for predicting the dynamic response of delaminated composite beams with piezoelectric layers are described. The governing equations are presented for the case of external vibroacoustic excitation, as well as, for the case of locally induced vibrations by some of the embedded piezoelectric elements. An exact solution is developed within the limits of linear laminate theory. Applications illustrate the feasibility of delamination detection in cantilever beams. The results illustrate that the proposed technique may provide accurate detection of the presence, size, and location of a delamination.

Saravanos, Dimitris A.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Solar Array Sails: Possible Space Plasma Environmental Effects

An examination of the interactions between proposed "solar sail" propulsion systems with photovoltaic energy generation capabilities and the space plasma environments. Major areas of interactions ere: Acting from high voltage arrays, ram and wake effects, V and B current loops and EMI. Preliminary analysis indicates that arcing will be a major risk factor for voltages greater than 300V. Electron temperature enhancement in the wake will be produce noise that can be transmitted via the wake echo process. In addition, V and B induced potential will generate sheath voltages with potential tether like breakage effects in the thin film sails. Advocacy of further attention to these processes is emphasized so that plasma environmental mitigation will be instituted in photovoltaic sail design.

Mackey, Willie R.↗
NASA NTRS2006

"Virtual Feel" Capaciflectors

The term "virtual feel" denotes a type of capaciflector (an advanced capacitive proximity sensor) and a methodology for designing and using a sensor of this type to guide a robot in manipulating a tool (e.g., a wrench socket) into alignment with a mating fastener (e.g., a bolt head) or other electrically conductive object. A capaciflector includes at least one sensing electrode, excited with an alternating voltage, that puts out a signal indicative of the capacitance between that electrode and a proximal object.

Vranish, John M.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Self-Validating Thermocouple

Self-Validating Thermocouple (SVT) Systems capable of detecting sensor probe open circuits, short circuits, and unnoticeable faults such as a probe debonding and probe degradation are useful in the measurement of temperatures. SVT Systems provide such capabilities by incorporating a heating or excitation element into the measuring junction of the thermocouple. By heating the measuring junction and observing the decay time for the detected DC voltage signal, it is possible to indicate whether the thermocouple is bonded or debonded. A change in the thermal transfer function of the thermocouple system causes a change in the rise and decay times of the thermocouple output. Incorporation of the excitation element does not interfere with normal thermocouple operation, thus further allowing traditional validation procedures as well.

Perotti, Jose M.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Environmental Effects on Data Retention in Flash Cells

Flash technology is being utilized in fuzed munition applications and, based on the development of digital logic devices in the commercial world, usage of flash technology will increase. Antifuse technology, prevalent in non-volatile field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), will eventually be phased out as new devices have not been developed for approximately a decade. The reliance on flash technology presents a long-term reliability issue for both DoD and NASA safety- and mission-critical applications. A thorough understanding of the data retention failure modes and statistics associated with Flash data retention is of vital concern to the fuze safety community. A key retention parameter for a flash cell is the threshold voltage (VTH), which is an indirect indicator of the amount of charge stored on the cells floating gate. This paper will present the results of our on-going tests: long-term storage at 150 C for a small population of devices, neutron radiation exposure, electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing, and the trends of large populations (over 300 devices for each condition) exposed to three difference temperatures: 25 C, 125 C, and 150 C.

Flash↗
DOE OSTI2026

Wireless Bioelectronic Modulation of Membrane Potential in Glioblastoma Using Carbon Nanotube Porins

Disruption of membrane potential (V mem ) can activate pathways associated with cancer proliferation. Manipulating ion channels may therefore present an effective strategy for treating cancers that fail to respond to conventional therapies. One approach to target these channels is to manipulate the membrane charge, which involves the use of wireless bipolar electrodes such as carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs) inserted into cell membranes to modulate membrane charge and ionic flux. By utilizing membrane dyes, we observed alterations in V mem induced by CNTPs and externally applied voltages. Analyses of cellular behaviors and processes indicated that V mem is more receptive to stimuli in invasive cancers, while it leads to increased metabolism in less invasive cancers, with notable changes in the cell cycle occurring at approximately 48 h post-treatment in Glioblastoma (GB) cell lines. This work shows that CNTPs, in combination and with externally applied voltages, can modulate V mem and alter cancer cell processes, supporting their potential as a therapeutic.

bioelectricity↗
NASA NTRS1971

Efficiency/reliability design requirements at low output voltage levels.

Higher efficiency and reliability are needed in the rectification used to produce low output voltages. To this end, the application of driven synchronous rectifier circuits is investigated. One reliability problem of such circuits, the ?double-on' resulting from storage time, is illustrated for low output voltages obtained from rectification of the square-wave outputs of low input voltage converters. A comparison of the rectification efficiency and reliability of driven transistor synchronous rectifiers with that of barrier diodes indicates that the choice of rectifiers in low output voltage applications is dependent on both the source and output voltage levels of the application.

Pasciutti, E. R.↗
DOE OSTI2026

The Use of Machine Learning Models for Predicting the Dielectric Strength of Gases

Technological advancements in high voltage systems have pushed sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) to its operational limits. Furthermore, this gas has other drawbacks including a high liquefaction temperature and a high global warming potential. Therefore, there has been an urgent need to find alternative gases with high dielectric strength (DS). In this work, density functional theory (DFT) is used to calculate molecular descriptors that are fed into an artificial neural network (ANN) and a random forest (RF). These machine learning (ML) models are then used to predict the DS for hundreds of molecules. A finite element model (FEM) is also used to calculate the electric field profile of multiple simple electrode geometries as the applied voltage to the system is increased. Results indicate that the random forest model has better generalization to unseen data than the neural network. The highest DS value predicted by the RF was 2.16 relative to the experimental DS of SF6. The results also demonstrate how choosing a gas with a higher DS and a geometry with minimal edges and corners can significantly increase the operating voltage of an electrical system. Due to its superior generalization, the RF represents the most promising path toward an accurate DS predictor once sufficient experimental data are available.

Mileski, Matthew [AFIT]↗
NASA NTRS2014

Investigation of the Effects of Facility Background Pressure on the Performance and Voltage-Current Characteristics of the High Voltage Hall Accelerator

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate In-Space Propulsion Technology office is sponsoring NASA Glenn Research Center to develop a 4 kW-class Hall thruster propulsion system for implementation in NASA science missions. A study was conducted to assess the impact of varying the facility background pressure on the High Voltage Hall Accelerator (HiVHAc) thruster performance and voltage-current characteristics. This present study evaluated the HiVHAc thruster performance in the lowest attainable background pressure condition at NASA GRC Vacuum Facility 5 to best simulate space-like conditions. Additional tests were performed at selected thruster operating conditions to investigate and elucidate the underlying physics that change during thruster operation at elevated facility background pressure. Tests were performed at background pressure conditions that are three and ten times higher than the lowest realized background pressure. Results indicated that the thruster discharge specific impulse and efficiency increased with elevated facility background pressure. The voltage-current profiles indicated a narrower stable operating region with increased background pressure. Experimental observations of the thruster operation indicated that increasing the facility background pressure shifted the ionization and acceleration zones upstream towards the thrusters anode. Future tests of the HiVHAc thruster are planned at background pressure conditions that are expected to be two to three times lower than what was achieved during this test campaign. These tests will not only assess the impact of reduced facility background pressure on thruster performance, voltage-current characteristics, and plume properties; but will also attempt to quantify the magnitude of the ionization.

Pressure Effects↗
NASA NTRS2014

Investigation of the Effects of Facility Background Pressure on the Performance and Voltage-Current Characteristics of the High Voltage Hall Accelerator

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate In-Space Propulsion Technology office is sponsoring NASA Glenn Research Center to develop a 4 kW-class Hall thruster propulsion system for implementation in NASA science missions. A study was conducted to assess the impact of varying the facility background pressure on the High Voltage Hall Accelerator (HiVHAc) thruster performance and voltage-current characteristics. This present study evaluated the HiVHAc thruster performance in the lowest attainable background pressure condition at NASA GRC Vacuum Facility 5 to best simulate space-like conditions. Additional tests were performed at selected thruster operating conditions to investigate and elucidate the underlying physics that change during thruster operation at elevated facility background pressure. Tests were performed at background pressure conditions that are three and ten times higher than the lowest realized background pressure. Results indicated that the thruster discharge specific impulse and efficiency increased with elevated facility background pressure. The voltage-current profiles indicated a narrower stable operating region with increased background pressure. Experimental observations of the thruster operation indicated that increasing the facility background pressure shifted the ionization and acceleration zones upstream towards the thruster's anode. Future tests of the HiVHAc thruster are planned at background pressure conditions that are expected to be two to three times lower than what was achieved during this test campaign. These tests will not only assess the impact of reduced facility background pressure on thruster performance, voltage-current characteristics, and plume properties; but will also attempt to quantify the magnitude of the ionization and acceleration zones upstream shifting as a function of increased background pressure.

Electric Propulsion↗