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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 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Thin-film power-density meter for millimeter wavelengths

A quasi-optical power density meter for millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths has been developed. The device is a 2-cm2 thin-film bismuth bolometer deposited on a mylar membrane. The resistance responsivity is 150 Ohms/W, and the time constant is 1 min. The meter is calibrated at DC. The bolometer is much thinner than a wavelength, and can thus be modeled as a lumped resistance in a transmission-line equivalent circuit. The absorption coefficient is 0.5 for 189-Ohms/square film. The power-density meter has been used to measure absolute power densities for millimeter-wave antenna efficiency measurements. Absolute power densities of 0.5 mW/sq cm have been measured to an estimated accuracy of 5 percent.

Lee, Karen A.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Analytical Modal Analysis for Thin-Film Flat Lenses

Due to strong potential applications and more demanding requirements imposed upon thin-film structures for space deployable, there has been increasing research and development activities during recent years in the field of vibration analysis of these types of structures. Moreover, interests in employing these structural components have received renewed emphasis in recent years within NASA and the Air Force. This is due to their inherent lightweight, low packaging and launch volume, and relative simplicity of deployment. Among the potential mission concepts for which these structural elements are included, one can mention solar sails, space solar power generation systems, solar thermal propulsion vehicles, large space telescopes, and inflatable communication antennas. This paper presents analytical procedures to determine vibration and physical characteristics of thin film lenses with circular and elliptical shapes membranes considered in design of a solar concentrator. In general, three methods are used to obtain approximate solutions of Helmholtz boundary value problems. One method requires that solution satisfy the differential equation exactly and the boundary condition approximately. Another method demands a solution that satisfies the boundary conditions exactly and the governing equations approximately. The third method sees a solution that satisfies both the governing equation and boundary conditions approximately. Extensive reviews of vibrations of membrane and plates are provided by Leissa and Mazumdar.

Hamid R. Hamidzadeh↗
NASA NTRS1989

Amphiphilic components of the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite - Surface properties and membrane formation

The possibility that the amphiphilic compounds in carbonaceous meteorites whose physicochemical properties are presently studied may represent sources of lipidlike compounds which could have evolved as membrane components in primitive cells is investigated in samples of the Murchison CM2 chondrite. Surface properties and membrane formation are obtained for three fractions isolated by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. It is concluded that a small, undefined fraction of Murchison components exhibits amphiphilic properties which allow assembly into boundary membranes.

Deamer, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Influence of Solutocapillary Convection on Macrovoid Defect Formation in Polymeric Membranes

Macrovoids (MVs) are large (10-50 micrometers) pores often found in polymeric membranes prepared via phase-inversion techniques. They are generally considered undesirable, as they adversely affect the permeability properties and performance of polymeric membranes for microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis. However, MVs can be useful in certain thin-film applications in which vapor transmission is necessary, or for use as reservoirs for enzymes or liquid membrane material. If more could be learned about the nature and causes of MV formation, it might be possible to devise techniques to control and/or prevent MV formation that are more effective than those currently employed. Two hypotheses for the MV growth mechanism have been advanced. Reuvers proposed that once initiated, MV growth can be attributed to diffusion of (primarily) solvent to the MV nuclei. Because this mechanism does not involve gross movement of the MV, the presence or absence of body forces such as buoyancy should not significantly affect MV growth. On the other hand, Shojaie et al. proposed that solutocapillary convection induced by a steep surface-tension gradient along the MV/bulk solution interface enhances mass transfer to the growing MV. This interfacial convection exerts a force that pulls the growing MV downward into the casting solution. Both buoyancy and viscous drag hinder MV growth by inhibiting this motion. Thus, removing the buoyancy force by casting in microgravity should augment MV growth according to this hypothesis. Whereas neither surface tension nor gravity has a significant effect on MV growth according to the first hypothesis, buoyancy forces should be important if the second hypothesis is correct. The overall goal of this research is to test these two hypotheses in order to improve our understanding of the MV growth processing solvent-cast polymeric membranes. Studying MV growth in low-gravity conditions is pivotal to our ability to discriminate between these two hypotheses.

Pekny, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Structural optimization of thin shells using finite element method

The objective of the present work was the structural optimization of thin shell structures that are subjected to stress and displacement constraints. In order to accomplish this, the structural optimization computer program DESAP1 was modified and improved. In the static analysis part of the DESAP1 computer program the torsional spring elements, which are used to analyze thin, shallow shell structures, were eliminated by modifying the membrane stiffness matrix of the triangular elements in the local coordinate system and adding a fictitious rotational stiffness matrix. This simplified the DESAP1 program input, improved the accuracy of the analysis, and saved computation time. In the optimization part of the DESAP1 program the stress ratio formula, which redesigns the thickness of each finite element of the structure, was solved by an analytical method. This scheme replaced the iterative solution that was previously used in the DESAP1 program, thus increasing the accuracy and speed of the design. The modified program was used to design a thin, cylindrical shell structure with optimum weight, and the results are reported in this paper.

Gotsis, Pascal K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Vibration studies of a lightweight three-sided membrane suitable for space application

Vibration studies carried out in a vacuum chamber are reported for a three-sided membrane with inwardly curved edges. Uniform tension was transmitted by thin steel cables encased in the edges. Variation of ambient air pressure from atmospheric to near vacuum resulted in increased response frequencies and amplitudes. The first few vibration modes measured in a near vacuum are shown to be predictable by a finite element structural analysis over a range of applied tension loads. The complicated vibration mode behavior observed during tests at various air pressures is studied analytically with a nonstructural effective air-mass approximation. The membrane structure is a candidate for reflective surfaces in space antennas.

Sewell, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Some recent studies with the solid-ionomer electrochemical capacitor

Giner, Inc. has developed a high-energy-density, all-solid-ionomer electrochemical capacitor, completely free of liquid electrolyte. The novel features of this device include 1) a three-dimensional metal oxide-particulate-ionomer composite electrode structure, and 2) a unitized repeating cell element. The composite electrode structures are bonded to opposite sides of a thin sheet of a solid proton-conducting ionomer membrane and form an integrally bonded membrane and electrode assembly (MEA). Individual MEAs can be stacked in series as bipolar elements to form a multiple cell device. The discharge characteristics and energy storage properties of these devices are described. Typical capacitance measured for a unit cell is 1 F/cm(exp 2). Life testing of a multicell capacitor on an intermittent basis has shown, that over a 10,000 hour period, the capacitance and resistance of the cell has remained invariant. There has been no maintenance required on the device since it was fabricated. Other multicell units of shorter life duration have exhibited similar reliable performance characteristics. Recent work has focused on increasing the capacitance of the unitized structure and improving the low-temperature characteristics. The approaches and experimental results will be presented. Some possible advanced NASA applications for these unique all-solid-ionomer devices will be discussed.

S Sarangapani↗
NASA NTRS1994

Recent advances in the structual analysis of scientific balloons

The analysis of balloon envelopes by the finite element (FE) method is plagued by convergence problems. A pratical FE analysis approach is based on the fact that in thin shells with non-zero Gaussian curvature the membrane solution component is essentially decoupled from the bending solution component. A proxy-problem is solved by using a small artificial bending stiffness that assures convergence without significantly affecting the membrane solution component. This approach has been previously validated on slightly overpressurized balloon envelopes. Extensions of this approach to more difficult problems in the structural analysis of balloon envelopes are presented. The convergence forcing modelling measures are discussed. Implications of the findings of the analysis results to future balloon designs are also discussed.

Schur, W. W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Some Recent Studies With the Solid-Ionomer Electrochemical Capacitor

Giner, Inc., has developed a high-energy-density, all-solid-ionomer electro-chemical capacitor, completely free of liquid electrolyte. The novel features of this device include: (1) a three-dimensional metal oxide-particulate-ionomer composite electrode structure and (2) a unitized repeating cell element. The composite electrode structures are bonded to opposite sides of a thin sheet of a solid proton-conducting ionomer membrane and form an integrally bonded membrane and electrode assembly (MEA). Individual MEAs can be stacked in series as bipolar elements to form a multiple cell device. The discharge characteristics and energy storage properties of these devices are described. Typical capacitance measured for a unit cell is 1 F/cm. Life testing of a multicell capacitor on an intermittent basis has shown that, over a 10,000-hour period, the capacitance and resistance of the cell has remained invariant. There has been no maintenance required on the device since it was fabricated. Other multicell units of shorter life duration have exhibited similar reliable performance characteristics. Recent work has focused on increasing the capacitance of the unitized structure and improving the low-temperature characteristics. The approaches and experimental results will be presented. Some possible advanced NASA applications for these unique all-solid-ionomer devices will be discussed.

Sarangapani, S.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Polynomial Expressions for Estimating Elastic Constants From the Resonance of Circular Plates

Two approaches were taken to make convenient spread sheet calculations of elastic constants from resonance data and the tables in ASTM C1259 and E1876: polynomials were fit to the tables; and an automated spread sheet interpolation routine was generated. To compare the approaches, the resonant frequencies of circular plates made of glass, hardened maraging steel, alpha silicon carbide, silicon nitride, tungsten carbide, tape cast NiO-YSZ, and zinc selenide were measured. The elastic constants, as calculated via the polynomials and linear interpolation of the tabular data in ASTM C1259 and E1876, were found comparable for engineering purposes, with the differences typically being less than 0.5 percent. Calculation of additional v values at t/R between 0 and 0.2 would allow better curve fits. This is not necessary for common engineering purposes, however, it might benefit the testing of emerging thin structures such as fuel cell electrolytes, gas conversion membranes, and coatings when Poisson s ratio is less than 0.15 and high precision is needed.

Salem, Jonathan A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Development of a simplified procedure for thrust chamber life prediction

An analytical design procedure for predicting thrust chamber life considering cyclically induced thinning and bulging of the hot gas wall is developed. The hot gas wall, composed of ligaments connecting adjacent cooling channel ribs and separating the coolant flow from the combustion gas, is subjected to pressure loading and severe thermal cycling. Thermal transients during start up and shut down cause plastic straining through the ligaments. The primary bending stress superimposed on the alternate in-plane cyclic straining causes incremental bulging of the ligaments during each firing cycle. This basic mechanism of plastic ratcheting is analyzed and a method developed for determining ligament deformation and strain. The method uses a yield surface for combined bending and membrane loading to determine the incremental permanent deflection and pregressive thinning near the center of the ligaments which cause the geometry of the ligaments to change as the incremental strains accumulate. Fatigue and tensile instability are affected by these local geometry changes. Both are analyzed and a failure criterion developed.

Porowski, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Large deflection behavior of quasi-isotropic laminates under low-velocity impact type point loading

Eight-ply quasi-isotropic circular composite plates of Thornel 300 graphite in Narmco 5208 epoxy resin (T300/5208) were analyzed to obtain the large deformation behavior under low-velocity impact type point loads. A simple plate-membrane coupling model was developed. The impact type point loads were replaced by equivalent quasi-static point loads. The plate-membrane coupling model was used to obtain the large deformation shapes for the thin circular composite laminates. The analyses indicated that the large deformation shapes of the composite plates under point loads vary with the center point displacements, and hence are different for different load levels. Quasi-isotropic plates were analyzed by replacing anisotropic bending stiffness components with the equivalent flexural stiffness for the isotropic plates. The plate-membrane coupling model was verified by conducting a series of tests on clamped circular quasi-isotropic laminates. Deflected shapes for the thin composite plates were experimentally obtained. These shapes agreed well with the analytically predicted shapes.

Kelkar, A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

A Theoretical Investigation of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel (COPV) Mechanics Applied to NASA Full Scale Tests

A theoretical investigation of the factors controlling the stress rupture life of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency's (NASA) composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) continues. Kevlar(TradeMark) fiber overwrapped tanks are of particular concern due to their long usage and the poorly understood stress rupture process in Kevlar(TradeMark) filaments. Existing long term data show that the rupture process is a function of stress, temperature and time. However, due to the presence of a load sharing liner, the manufacturing induced residual stresses and the complex mechanical response, the state of actual fiber stress in flight hardware and test articles is not clearly known. This paper is a companion to the experimental investigation reported in [1] and develops a theoretical framework necessary to design full-scale pathfinder experiments and accurately interpret the experimentally observed deformation and failure mechanisms leading up to static burst in COPVs. The fundamental mechanical response of COPVs is described using linear elasticity and thin shell theory and discussed in comparison to existing experimental observations. These comparisons reveal discrepancies between physical data and the current analytical results and suggest that the vessel's residual stress state and the spatial stress distribution as a function of pressure may be completely different from predictions based upon existing linear elastic analyses. The 3D elasticity of transversely isotropic spherical shells demonstrates that an overly compliant transverse stiffness relative to membrane stiffness can account for some of this by shifting a thin shell problem well into the realm of thick shell response. The use of calibration procedures are demonstrated as calibrated thin shell model results and finite element results are shown to be in good agreement with the experimental results. The successes reported here have lead to continuing work with full scale testing of larger NASA COPV hardware.

Greene, N.↗
NASA NTRS2009

A Theoretical Investigation of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel (COPV) Mechanics Applied to NASA Full Scale Tests

A theoretical investigation of the factors controlling the stress rupture life of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) continues. Kevlar (DuPont) fiber overwrapped tanks are of particular concern due to their long usage and the poorly understood stress rupture process in Kevlar filaments. Existing long term data show that the rupture process is a function of stress, temperature and time. However due to the presence of a load sharing liner, the manufacturing induced residual stresses and the complex mechanical response, the state of actual fiber stress in flight hardware and test articles is not clearly known. This paper is a companion to a previously reported experimental investigation and develops a theoretical framework necessary to design full-scale pathfinder experiments and accurately interpret the experimentally observed deformation and failure mechanisms leading up to static burst in COPVs. The fundamental mechanical response of COPVs is described using linear elasticity and thin shell theory and discussed in comparison to existing experimental observations. These comparisons reveal discrepancies between physical data and the current analytical results and suggest that the vessel s residual stress state and the spatial stress distribution as a function of pressure may be completely different from predictions based upon existing linear elastic analyses. The 3D elasticity of transversely isotropic spherical shells demonstrates that an overly compliant transverse stiffness relative to membrane stiffness can account for some of this by shifting a thin shell problem well into the realm of thick shell response. The use of calibration procedures are demonstrated as calibrated thin shell model results and finite element results are shown to be in good agreement with the experimental results. The successes reported here have lead to continuing work with full scale testing of larger NASA COPV hardware.

Thesken, John C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Basic investigation into the electrical performance of solid electrolyte membranes

The electrical performance of solid electrolyte membranes was investigated analytically and the results were compared with experimental data. It is concluded that in devices that are used for pumping oxygen the major power losses have to be attributed to the thin film electrodes. Relations were developed by which the effectiveness of tubular solid electrolyte membranes can be determined and the optimum length evaluated. The observed failure of solid electrolyte tube membranes in very localized areas is explained by the highly non-uniform current distribution in the membranes. The analysis points to a possible contact resistance between the electrodes and the solid electrolyte material. This possible contact resistance remains to be investigated experimentally. It is concluded that film electrodes are not appropriate for devices which operate with current flow, i.e., pumps though they can be employed without reservation in devices that measure oxygen pressures if a limited increase in the response time can be tolerated.

Richter, R.↗