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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Improved Capacitive Liquid Sensor

Improved capacitive sensor used to detect presence and/or measure thickness of layer of liquid. Electrical impedance or admittance of sensor measured at prescribed frequency, and thickness of liquid inferred from predetermined theoretical or experimental relationship between impedance and thickness. Sensor is basically a three-terminal device. Features interdigitated driving and sensing electrodes and peripheral coplanar ground electrode that reduces parasitic effects. Patent-pending because first to utilize ground plane as "shunting" electrode. System less expensive than infrared, microwave, or refractive-index systems. Sensor successfully evaluated in commercial production plants to characterize emulsions, slurries, and solutions.

Waldman, Francis A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Performance of a high T (sub c) superconducting ultra-low loss microwave stripline filter

Discussed here is the successful fabrication of a five-pole interdigital stripline filter made of the 93 K superconductor (Y1Ba2Cu3O sub y) coated on a silver substrate, with center frequency of 8.5 GHz and an extremely high rejection ratio of 80 dB. The lowest injection loss measured was 0.1 dB at 12 K, with a return loss of better than 16 dB, representing a significant improvement over a similar copper filter, and is comparable to low critical temperature filters. The insertion loss appears to be limited by extrinsic factors, such as tuning mismatch and joint losses, and not by superconducting material losses.

Bautista, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Surface-Acoustic-Wave Piezoelectric Microbalance

Improved piezoelectric microbalances developed for use in measuring masses of volcanic, aerosol, and other small particles suspended in air. Sensitive microbalance used to analyze airborne particles in real time in environments as diverse as clean rooms or upper atmosphere. Surface-acoustic-wave resonator includes input and output sets of interdigitated electrodes and two passive conductive patterns acting as reflectors. Mechanical energy travels both ways out from middle and reflected back toward middle. Microbalance and associated circuitry fit in small package. Circuit draws only 80 mA at 5 V. Sensitivity more than 400 times that of bulk piezoelectric microbalance.

Chuan, Raymond L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Quasi-optical Josephson-junction oscillator arrays

Josephson junctions are natural voltage-controlled oscillators capable of generating submillimeter-wavelength radiation, but a single junction usually can produce only 100 nW of power and often has a broad spectral linewidth. The authors are investigating 2D quasi-optical power combining arrays of 103 and 104 NbN/MgO/NbN and Nb/Al-AlO(x)/Nb junctions to overcome these limitations. The junctions are dc-biased in parallel and are distributed along interdigitated lines. The arrays couple to a resonant mode of a Fabry-Perot cavity to achieve mutual phase-locking. The array configuration has a relatively low impedance, which should allow the capacitance of the junctions to be tuned out at the oscillation frequency.

Stern, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1952

Tests at Mach Number 1.62 of a Series of Missile Configurations Having Tandem Cruciform Lifting Surfaces

An investigation at a Mach number of 1.62 was made in the Langley 9-inch supersonic tunnel of a series of missile configurations having tandem lifting surfaces of low aspect ratio and of newly equal span. Some of the variables investigated were interdigitation angle, wing and tail plan form, and longitudinal location of wing with respect to tail. All configurations were tested through an angle-of-attack range from -5 deg to 15 deg at roll angles of 0 deg and 45 deg. Lift, drag, and pitching moment data are presented, together with center-of-pressure locations and tail-lift efficiency factors.

Grigsby, Carl E↗
NASA NTRS1957

Flight Investigation at Low Angles of Attack to Determine the Longitudinal Stability and Control Characteristics of a Cruciform Canard Missile Configuration with a Low-Aspect-Ratio Wing and Blunt Nose at Mach Numbers from 1.2 to 2.1

A full- scale rocket-powered model of a cruciform canard missile configuration with a low- aspect - ratio wing and blunt nose has been flight tested by the Langley Pilotless Aircraft Research Division. Static and dynamic longitudinal stability and control derivatives of this interdigitated canard-wing missile configuration were determined by using the pulsed- control technique at low angles of attack and for a Mach number range of 1.2 to 2.1. The lift - curve slope showed only small nonlinearities with changes in control deflection or angle of attack but indicated a difference in lift- .curve slope of approximately 7 percent for the two control deflections of delta = 3.0 deg and delta= -0.3 deg . The large tail length of the missile tested was effective in producing damping in pitch throughout the Mach number range tested. The aerodynamic- center location was nearly constant with Mach number for the two control deflections but was shown to be less stable with the larger control deflection. The increment of lift produced by the controls was small and positive throughout the Mach number range tested, whereas the pitching moment produced by the controls exhibited a normal trend of reduced effectiveness with increasing Mach number.The effectiveness of the controls in producing angle of attack, lift, and pitching moment was good at all Mach numbers tested.

Brown, Clarence A , Jr↗
NASA NTRS1993

Insertion loss and noise-temperature contribution of high-temperature superconducting bandpass filters centered at 2.3 and 8.45 GHz

Two superconducting Tl-Ca-Cu-Ba-O bandpass filters were fabricated for JPL by Superconductor Technologies Incorporated, Santa Barbara, California. The filters were designed to operate at 2.3 GHz (S-band) with a 0.5-dB bandwidth of 60 MHz and at 8.45 GHz (X-band) with a 0.5-dB bandwidth of 150 MHz. The structure selected for both filters incorporates half-wavelength thin-film resonators in a stripline configuration. The S-band filter uses an edge-coupled interdigital design and the X-band filter uses an end-coupled design. The insertion loss and the noise-temperature contribution were measured at 12 K for both filters.

Prater, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Circular Metal/Semiconductor/Metal Photodetectors

Metal/semiconductor/metal (MSM) photodetectors with multiple concentric circular electrodes developed. Some electrical characteristics expected superior to those of older MSM photodetectors containing interdigitated straight electrodes. Response times smaller and shorter, and breakdown voltages larger. Decrease in capacitance allows greater signal-detection bandwidth. Important advantage in fiber-optic telecommunication systems, in which photodectors central components in receiver circuits. Increasing bandwidth of such photodetector enables receiver to handle larger number of channels or increased information rate in each channel.

Mcadoo, James A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

New Concentric Electrode Metal-Semiconductor-Metal Photodetectors

A new metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetector geometry is proposed. The new device has concentric metal electrodes which exhibit a high degree of symmetry and a design flexibility absent in the conventional MSM device. The concentric electrodes are biased to alternating potentials as in the conventional interdigitated device. Because of the high symmetry configuration, however, the new device also has a lower effective capacitance. This device and the conventional MSM structure are analyzed within a common theoretical framework which allows for the comparison of the important performance characteristics.

Towe, Elias↗
NASA NTRS1998

Aeroservoelastic and Structural Dynamics Research on Smart Structures Conducted at NASA Langley Research Center

An overview of smart structures research currently underway at the NASA Langley Research Center in the areas of aeroservoelasticity and structural dynamics is presented. Analytical and experimental results, plans, potential technology pay-offs, and challenges are discussed. The goal of this research is to develop the enabling technologies to actively and passively control aircraft and rotorcraft vibration and loads using smart devices. These enabling technologies and related research efforts include developing experimentally-validated finite element and aeroservoelastic modeling techniques; conducting bench experimental tests to assess feasibility and understand system trade-offs; and conducting large-scale wind- tunnel tests to demonstrate system performance. The key aeroservoelastic applications of this research include: active twist control of rotor blades using interdigitated electrode piezoelectric composites and active control of flutter, and gust and buffeting responses using discrete piezoelectric patches. In addition, NASA Langley is an active participant in the DARPA/ Air Force Research Laboratory/ NASA/ Northrop Grumman Smart Wing program which is assessing aerodynamic performance benefits using smart materials. Keywords: aeroelasticity, smart structures, piezoelectric actuators, active fiber composites, rotorcraft, buffet load alleviation, individual blade control, aeroservoelasticity, shape memory alloys, damping augmentation, piezoelectric power consumption

McGowan, Anna-Maria Rivas↗
NASA NTRS1999

Epitaxial Ferroelectric Ba(0.5)Sr(0.5)TiO3 Thin Films for Room-Temperature High-Frequency Tunable Element Applications

Perovskite Ba(0.5)SR(0.5)TiO3 thin films have been synthesized on (001) LaAl03 substrates by pulsed laser ablation. Extensive X-ray diffraction, rocking curve, and pole-figure studies suggest that the films are c-axis oriented and exhibit good in-plane relationship of <100>(sub BSTO)//<100>(sub LAO). Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry studies indicate that the epitaxial films have excellent crystalline quality with an ion beam minimum yield chi(sub min) Of only 2.6 %. The dielectric property measurements by the interdigital technique at 1 MHz show room temperature values of the relative dielectric constant, epsilon(sub r), and loss tangent, tan(sub delta), of 1430 and 0.007 with no bias, and 960 and 0.001 with 35 V bias, respectively. The obtained data suggest that the as-grown Ba(0.5)SR(0.5)TiO3 films can be used for development of room-temperature high-frequency tunable elements.

Chen, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Thin Film Ba(x)Sr(1-x)TiO3 Ku- and K-Band Phase Shifters Grown on MgO Substrates

We report measurements of gold circuits fabricated on four Ba(x)Sr(1-x)TiO3 films doped with 1% Mn grown on MgO substrates by laser ablation. Low frequency measurements of epsilon(sub r) and tan(delta) on interdigital capacitors are compared with high frequency measurements of phase shift and insertion loss on coupled microstrip phase shifters done on the same films. The variation in temperature of both high and low frequency device parameters is compared. Annealed and unannealed films are compared. Room temperature figures of merit of phase shift per insertion loss of up to 58.4 C/dB at 18 GHz and 400 V dc bias were measured.

VanKeuls, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Comparison of the Experimental Performance of Ferroelectric CPW Circuits with Method of Moment Simulations and Conformal Mapping

Experimental measurements of coplanar waveguide (CPW) circuits atop thin films of ferroelectric Ba(x)Sr(1-x)TiO3 (BST) were made as a function bias from 0 to 200 V and frequency from 0.045 to 20 GHz. The resulting phase shifts are compared with method of moments electromagnetic simulations and a conformal mapping analysis to determine the dielectric constant of the BST films. Based on the correlation between the experimental and the modeled data, an analysis of the extent to which the electromagnetic simulators provide reliable values for the dielectric constant of the ferroelectric in these structures has been performed. In addition, to determine how well the modeled data compare with experimental data, the dielectric constant values were also compared to low frequency measurements of interdigitated capacitor circuits on the same films. Results of these comparisons will be presented.

VanKeuls, Fred W.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Liquid Crystals Derived from 2-phenyl-isoindoles: Synthesis and Characterization

2-Phenyl-isoindole was investigated as the rigid core unit in a series of asymmetric mesogenic molecules. When the 2-phenyl-isoindole core was terminated with a hexyl tail, no mesophase formation could be observed. When 4-n-(tridecafluorohexyl) was used, however, we observed both monotropic and enantiotropic phase behavior. We found that most functionalities at the anhydride 5-position results in the formation of smectic A (SmA) phases in the temperature range of 70-180 C. Functionalities at the anhydride 4-position suppress mesophase formation. Large substituents (-Br, -NO2) and symmetric substitution patterns (5,6-dichloro, 4,7-dichloro and 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro) on the anhydride moiety increase the melting point and destabilize the mesophase. Temperature dependent X-ray diffraction experiments suggest an interdigitated SmA packing for this family of compounds.

Jow, Kenny G.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Radial Field Piezoelectric Diaphragms

A series of active piezoelectric diaphragms were fabricated and patterned with several geometrically defined Inter-Circulating Electrodes "ICE" and Interdigitated Ring Electrodes "ICE". When a voltage potential is applied to the electrodes, the result is a radially distributed electric field that mechanically strains the piezoceramic along the Z-axis (perpendicular to the applied electric field). Unlike other piezoelectric bender actuators, these Radial Field Diaphragms (RFDs) strain concentrically yet afford high displacements (several times that of the equivalent Unimorph) while maintaining a constant circumference. One of the more intriguing aspects is that the radial strain field reverses itself along the radius of the RFD while the tangential strain remains relatively constant. The result is a Z-deflection that has a conical profile. This paper covers the fabrication and characterization of the 5 cm. (2 in.) diaphragms as a function of poling field strength, ceramic thickness, electrode type and line spacing, as well as the surface topography, the resulting strain field and displacement as a function of applied voltage at low frequencies. The unique features of these RFDs include the ability to be clamped about their perimeter with little or no change in displacement, the environmentally insulated packaging, and a highly repeatable fabrication process that uses commodity materials.

Bryant, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Microchemical and Gaseous Sensors Using Carbon Nanotubes and MEMS Fabrication Technology

The objective of this research is to use a combination of carbon nanotubes and silicon-based microfabrication and micromachining processes to produce unique micro-sized chemical and gaseous sensors. Polished quartz substrate is used. Interdigitated structure is used for the sensing elements. Metallic catalysts for the growth of the carbon nanotube include copper, iron, nickel, and cobalt. Various thicknesses of the metallic catalysts are used in this study varying between 5 to 20 microns. Depositing of the metallic catalyst is accomplished using an ion-beam sputtering thin film technique and a shadow mask. Single wall carbon nanotubes are successfully formed over the metallic catalyst layer. Preliminary measurements of the carbon nanotubes show this nanotube contained film over the sensing elements which had a resistance value of 400 ohms at room temperature. This is a more conductive film comparing to metal oxide films, such as SnO2 or ZnO, that are now widely used in gaseous sensor research. Evaluation of the carbon nanotube film for potential gaseous sensing will be carried out.

Liu, Chung-Chiun↗
NASA NTRS2003

Carbon Nanotube Electrode Arrays For Enhanced Chemical and Biological Sensing

Applications of carbon nanotubes for ultra-sensitive electrical sensing of chemical and biological species have been a major focus in NASA Ames Center for Nanotechnology. Great progress has been made toward controlled growth and chemical functionalization of vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays and integration into micro-fabricated chip devices. Carbon nanotube electrode arrays devices have been used for sub-attomole detection of DNA molecules. Interdigitated carbon nanotubes arrays devices have been applied to sub ppb (part per billion) level chemical sensing for many molecules at room temperature. Stability and reliability have also been addressed in our device development. These results show order of magnitude improvement in device performance, size and power consumption as compared to micro devices, promising applications of carbon nanotube electrode arrays for clinical molecular diagnostics, personal medical testing and monitoring, and environmental monitoring.

Han, Jie↗
NASA NTRS2003

Method of Fabricating a Piezoelectric Composite Apparatus

A method for fabricating a piezoelectric macro-fiber composite actuator comprises providing a piezoelectric material that has two sides and attaching one side upon an adhesive backing sheet. The method further comprises slicing the piezoelectric material to provide a plurality of piezoelectric fibers in juxtaposition. A conductive film is then adhesively bonded to the other side of the piezoelectric material, and the adhesive backing sheet is removed. The conductive film has first and second conductive patterns formed thereon which are electrically isolated from one another and in electrical contact with the piezoelectric material. The first and second conductive patterns of the conductive film each have a plurality of electrodes to form a pattern of interdigitated electrodes. A second film is then bonded to the other side of the piezoelectric material. The second film may have a pair of conductive patterns similar to the conductive patterns of the first film.

Wilkie, W. Keats↗