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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 37 records · Page 2

High power densities from high-temperature materials interactions

Thermionic energy converters and metallic-fluid heat pipes are well suited to serve together synergistically. The two operating cycles appear as simple and isolated as their material problems seem forebodingly deceptive and complicated. Simplified equations verify material properties and interactions as primary influences on the operational effectiveness of both. Each experiences flow limitations in thermal emission and vaporization because of temperature restrictions redounding from thermophysicochemical stability considerations. Topics discussed include: (1) successful limitation of alkali-metal corrosion; (2) protection against external hot corrosive gases; (3) coping with external and internal vaporization; (4) controlling interfacial reactions and diffusion; and (5) meeting other thermophysical challenges; expansion matches and creep.

Morris, J. F.↗

Probing the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae using circumstellar material interaction signatures

This work aims to study different probes of Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) progenitors that have been suggested to be linked to the presence of circumstellar material (CSM). In particular, we have investigated, for the first time, the link between narrow blueshifted Nai D absorption profiles and the presence and strength of the broad high-velocity Caii near-infrared triplet absorption features seen in SNe Ia around maximum light. With the probes exploring different distances from the SN; Nai D > 10 17 cm, high-velocity Caii features < 10 15 cm. For this, we have used a new intermediate-resolution X-shooter spectral sample of 15 SNe Ia. We do not identify a link between these two probes, implying either that, one (or both) is not physically related to the presence of CSM or that the occurrence of CSM at the distance explored by one probe is not linked to its presence at the distance probed by the other. However, the previously identified statistical excess in the presence of blueshifted (over redshifted) Nai D absorption is confirmed in this sample at high significance and is found to be stronger in SNe Ia hosted by late-type galaxies. This excess is difficult to explain as being from an interstellar-medium origin as has been suggested by some recent modelling, as such an origin is not expected to show a bias for blueshifted absorption. However, a circumstellar origin for these features also appears unsatisfactory based on our new results, given the lack of link between the two probes of CSM investigated.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

High power densities from high-temperature material interactions

Thermionic energy conversion (TEC) and metallic-fluid heat pipes (MFHPs), offering unique advantages in terrestrial and space energy processing by virtue of operating on working-fluid vaporization/condensation cycles that accept great thermal power densities at high temperatures, share complex materials problems. Simplified equations are presented that verify and solve such problems, suggesting the possibility of cost-effective applications in the near term for TEC and MFHP devices. Among the problems discussed are: the limitation of alkali-metal corrosion, protection against hot external gases, external and internal vaporization, interfacial reactions and diffusion, expansion coefficient matching, and creep deformation.

Morris, J. F.↗

High power lasers: Sources, laser-material interactions, high excitations, and fast dynamics in laser processing and industrial applications; Proceedings of the Meeting, The Hague, Netherlands, Mar. 31-Apr. 3, 1987

The design and operation of high-power lasers for industrial applications are discussed in reviews and reports. Topics addressed include the status of optical technology in the Netherlands, laser design, the deposition of optical energy, laser diagnostics, nonmetal processing, and energy coupling and plasma formation. Consideration is given to laser-induced damage to materials, fluid and gas flow dynamics, metal processing, and manufacturing. Graphs, diagrams, micrographs, and photographs are provided.

Kreutz, E. W.↗

Material Interactions with Solar Wind Ion Environments

Solar wind composition is dominated by hydrogen (approx.96%) and helium (approx.3 to 4%) with a minor fraction (less than or equal to 1%) of heavy ions. Hydrogen (helium) ions impact spacecraft surfaces with energies from 0.5 to 5 keV (1.8 to 21 keV) due to variations in solar wind velocity from 300 km/s to 1000 km/sec with extremes of a few 10 s keV during periods of extremely high solar wind velocity exceeding 1000 km/sec. Mean impact energies are typically on the order of approximately 1 keV and 4 keV for hydrogen ions and helium ions, respectively. These energies are typically of the peak of the energy dependent light ion sputter yields for hydrogen and helium on many metals. In addition, light ions with kilovolt energies have been shown to produce blister (or exfoliation) damage to metal surfaces due to formation of high pressure gas bubbles within the materials when exposed to ion fluences on the order of 10(exp 16 to (10(exp 17 ions/sq cm. A number of spacecraft designs for current and future missions include gossamer polymer structures with thin metallic reflection coatings to shield instruments from the Sun or solar sail propulsion systems for use in a variety of locations in the inner solar system from 0.5 to 1 AU. In addition, there is interest in designing spacecraft for solar physics missions requiring operations as close to the Sun as 0.16 to 0.2 AU. Integrity of the metallic coatings is critical in many of these applications since degradation will result in modification of material thermal properties or exposure of polymers to solar UV photons which can compromise mission requirements. This paper will evaluate the relative contributions of sputtering and blister formation to material degradation in solar wind environments over a range of radial distances from the Sun to demonstrate where solar wind environments become important for materials selection. We will first review the physics and results from laboratory measurements of light ion sputtering, blistering, and exfoliation of metallic surfaces to establish the order of magnitude ion fluence required for significant surface damage. Solar wind ion fluence environments will then be evaluated due to variations in solar wind conditions as a function of solar cycle for varying distances from the Sun using models for radial variations in solar wind ion number density, temperature, and velocity to determine where sputtering and blistering is most likely to be an issue. Finally, ion fluence statistics for varying radial distances from the Sun will be shown to establish the mission duration and radial distances from the Sun where missions will encounter sufficient ion fluence to exhibit damage to metallic surfaces.

Minow, Joseph I.↗

Cr plasma-material-interaction in PISCES-RF: D thermal release, retention, and erosion

Pure chromium (Cr) targets were exposed to high-flux deuterium (D) plasmas in the Pisces-RF linear plasma device, and measurements of D retention, release, and erosion were subsequently performed. Post-exposure D retention was quantified using temperature-programmed desorption on Cr targets irradiated by 50 eV ions over a broad range of exposure temperatures (423–873 K) and ion fluences (3 × 10 24 – 3 × 10 26 m −2 ). The retained D inventory was observed to decrease rapidly with increased exposure temperature, from approximately ∼7 × 10 20 m −2 at ∼ 420 K, to then saturate near ∼ 10 20 m −2 for exposure temperatures above ∼550 K. Separately, at fixed exposure temperature (∼450 K), D retention was found to have only a weak dependence on increasing ion fluence. Lastly, the erosion of Cr in D plasma was investigated for ion impact energies in the range 40 ≤ E i ≤ 250 eV. Erosion was inferred using optical emission spectroscopy (OES) from the ratio of emission lines (Cr I (425.4 nm)/D I (656.1 nm)) measured close to the target. Conversion of the OES yield data to net erosion yield was made with singular ion energy target mass-loss measurements. These net erosion yield data were then further corrected to obtain gross erosion yield by accounting for a re-deposition factor, computed using a simple model. The gross erosion yield is found to be 2–4 times lower than predicted by SDTrimSP, consistent with that typically observed for light-ion sputtering under high-flux plasma conditions.

Chromium↗

Enzymes Under Confinement: Materials Interactions and Functionality for CO2 Capture and Conversion

CO2 capture membranes are of interest in industries where large amounts of CO2 waste is produced. Captured CO2 can be electrochemically reduced to CO and recycled for other uses. These capture membranes consist of an alumina substrate with a silicon layer. Enzymes have been used to lower reaction energies on nanoporous silica enabling better CO2 capture, however eliminating the silicon layer would improve manufacturability. We have proposed the use of nanoporous alumina alone, as an alternative.

Peretti, Amanda Sheree↗

Laboratory studies of fast oxygen atom interactions with materials

A pulsed 8 km/s oxygen atom source was used to perform a number of measurements of material interactions of interest to low Earth orbit applications. A system to measure the scattering distribution resulting from 8 km/s oxygen atoms impinging on selected spacecraft materials was developed. Data for scattering from glass and black and clear anodized aluminum are presented. Results on the fast atom oxidation mechanism for thin silver films, the O-atom velocity dependent erosion rates for selected materials, and the oxidation dependence on material temperature are presented.

Caledonia, George E.↗