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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2014

NASA Tech Briefs, June 2014

Topics include: Real-Time Minimization of Tracking Error for Aircraft Systems; Detecting an Extreme Minority Class in Hyperspectral Data Using Machine Learning; KSC Spaceport Weather Data Archive; Visualizing Acquisition, Processing, and Network Statistics Through Database Queries; Simulating Data Flow via Multiple Secure Connections; Systems and Services for Near-Real-Time Web Access to NPP Data; CCSDS Telemetry Decoder VHDL Core; Thermal Response of a High-Power Switch to Short Pulses; Solar Panel and System Design to Reduce Heating and Optimize Corridors for Lower-Risk Planetary Aerobraking; Low-Cost, Very Large Diamond-Turned Metal Mirror; Very-High-Load-Capacity Air Bearing Spindle for Large Diamond Turning Machines; Elevated-Temperature, Highly Emissive Coating for Energy Dissipation of Large Surfaces; Catalyst for Treatment and Control of Post-Combustion Emissions; Thermally Activated Crack Healing Mechanism for Metallic Materials; Subsurface Imaging of Nanocomposites; Self-Healing Glass Sealants for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and Electrolyzer Cells; Micromachined Thermopile Arrays with Novel Thermo - electric Materials; Low-Cost, High-Performance MMOD Shielding; Head-Mounted Display Latency Measurement Rig; Workspace-Safe Operation of a Force- or Impedance-Controlled Robot; Cryogenic Mixing Pump with No Moving Parts; Seal Design Feature for Redundancy Verification; Dexterous Humanoid Robot; Tethered Vehicle Control and Tracking System; Lunar Organic Waste Reformer; Digital Laser Frequency Stabilization via Cavity Locking Employing Low-Frequency Direct Modulation; Deep UV Discharge Lamps in Capillary Quartz Tubes with Light Output Coupled to an Optical Fiber; Speech Acquisition and Automatic Speech Recognition for Integrated Spacesuit Audio Systems, Version II; Advanced Sensor Technology for Algal Biotechnology; High-Speed Spectral Mapper; "Ascent - Commemorating Shuttle" - A NASA Film and Multimedia Project DVD; High-Pressure, Reduced-Kinetics Mechanism for N-Hexadecane Oxidation; Method of Error Floor Mitigation in Low-Density Parity-Check Codes; X-Ray Flaw Size Parameter for POD Studies; Large Eddy Simulation Composition Equations for Two-Phase Fully Multicomponent Turbulent Flows; Scheduling Targeted and Mapping Observations with State, Resource, and Timing Constraints;

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1997

Diamond Composite Films for Protective Coatings on Metals and Method of Formation

Composite films consisting of diamond crystallites and hard amorphous films such as diamond-like carbon, titanium nitride, and titanium oxide are provided as protective coatings for metal substrates against extremely harsh environments. A composite layer having diamond crystallites and a hard amorphous film is affixed to a metal substrate via an interlayer including a bottom metal silicide film and a top silicon carbide film. The interlayer is formed either by depositing metal silicide and silicon carbide directly onto the metal substrate, or by first depositing an amorphous silicon film, then allowing top and bottom portions of the amorphous silicon to react during deposition of the diamond crystallites, to yield the desired interlayer structure.

Ong, Tiong P.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Mitigation of nitrogen vacancy photoluminescence quenching from material integration for quantum sensing

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color center in diamond has demonstrated great promise in a wide range of quantum sensing. Recently, there have been a series of proposals and experiments using NV centers to detect spin noise of quantum materials near the diamond surface. This is a rich complex area of study with novel nano-magnetism and electronic behavior, that the NV center would be ideal for sensing. However, due to the electronic properties of the NV itself and its host material, getting high quality NV centers within nanometers of such systems is challenging. Band bending caused by space charges formed at the metal-semiconductor interface force the NV center into its insensitive charge states. Here, we investigate optimizing this interface by depositing thin metal films and thin insulating layers on a series of NV ensembles at different depths to characterize the impact of metal films on different ensemble depths. We find an improvement of coherence and dephasing times we attribute to ionization of other paramagnetic defects. The insulating layer of alumina between the metal and diamond provide improved photoluminescence and higher sensitivity in all modes of sensing as compared to direct contact with the metal, providing as much as a factor of 2 increase in sensitivity, decrease of integration time by a factor of 4, for NV T 1 relaxometry measurements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1976

The Kenna ureilite - An ultramafic rock with evidence for igneous, metamorphic, and shock origin

Ureilites are a rare group of achondrites. They are composed mainly of olivine and pigeonite in a matrix of carbonaceous material, including graphite, lonsdaleite, diamond, and metal. In most respects Kenna is a typical ureilite with the requisite mineralogical and chemical properties of the group. Differences of the Kenna ureilite from previously studied ureilites are related to a greater density, the occurrence of exceedingly minute quantities of feldspar, and a very strong elongation lineation of the silicate minerals. A description is presented of a study which indicates a complex history for Kenna, including igneous, mild metamorphic, and shock processes.

Berkley, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Sm-Nd Isotopic Studies of Ureilite Novo Urei

Ureilites are ultramafic (harzburgitic) achondrites composed predominantly of olivine and pyroxenes, abundant carbon (graphites and shock-produced diamonds), some metal and sulfides. These rocks probably represent ultramafic mantles of differentiated parent asteroidal bodies. Age determinations of these rocks by Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd methods have been difficult because of their extremely low abundances of these parent-daughter elements. Nevertheless, Sm-Nd isochron ages were reported for Kenna, Goalpara, MET 78008 and PCA 82506 yielding ages of 3.74+/-0.02 Ga, approx.3.7 Ga, 4.09+/-0.08 Ga, 4.23+/-0.06 Ga, respectively [1-4]. These "young" Sm-Nd ages may represent secondary metasomatism events [1] related to impacts [5], as indicated by the similarly young Ar-39-Ar-40 degassing ages of 3.3-4.1 Ga for ureilites Kenna, Novo Urei and Havero [6]. Alternatively, it has been suggested that these rocks may have been contaminated with terrestrial crustal materials and the isochrons do not have any age significance [2,7]. Indications of old approx.4.56 Ga ages for ureilites were reported from the U-Pb and Sm-Nd model ages for MET 78008 [8]. More reliable evidences for old formation ages of ureilites were reported recently using the short-lived chronometers Hf-182-W-182, Al-26-Mg-26 and Mn-53-Cr-53. The deficits of 182W in ureilites suggest the metal-silicate segregation occurred very early, approx.1-2 Ma after CAI [9]. The Al-26-Mg-26 and Mn-53-Cr-53 studies for a feldspathic lithology [10] and the Mn-53-Cr-53 for olivine- and pyroxene-dominant lithologies [11] in ureilites revealed that they crystallized approx.5.4 Ma after CAI, i.e., at 4563.8+/-0.5 Ma relative to D.Orbigny. In this report, we present Sm-Nd isotopic data for a relatively fresh ureilite, Novo Urei, a rare ureilite fall (1886). We compare these data to Sm-Nd data for other ureilites, and discuss Novo Urei's petrogenesis

Shih, C.-Y.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Miniature Gas-Turbine Power Generator

A proposed microelectromechanical system (MEMS) containing a closed- Brayton-cycle turbine would serve as a prototype of electric-power generators for special applications in which high energy densities are required and in which, heretofore, batteries have been used. The system would have a volume of about 6 cm3 and would operate with a thermal efficiency >30 percent, generating up to 50 W of electrical power. The energy density of the proposed system would be about 10 times that of the best battery-based systems now available, and, as such, would be comparable to that of a fuel cell. The working gas for the turbine would be Xe containing small quantities of CO2, O2, and H2O as gaseous lubricants. The gas would be contained in an enclosed circulation system, within which the pressure would typically range between 5 and 50 atm (between 0.5 and 5 MPa). The heat for the Brayton cycle could be supplied by any of a number of sources, including a solar concentrator or a combustor burning a hydrocarbon or other fuel. The system would include novel heat-transfer and heat-management components. The turbine would be connected to an electric power generator/starter motor. The system would include a main rotor shaft with gas bearings; the bearing surfaces would be made of a ceramic material coated with nanocrystalline diamond. The shaft could withstand speed of 400,000 rpm or perhaps more, with bearing-wear rates less than 10(exp -)4 those of silicon bearings and 0.05 to 0.1 those of SiC bearings, and with a coefficient of friction about 0.1 that of Si or SiC bearings. The components of the system would be fabricated by a combination of (1) three-dimensional xray lithography and (2) highly precise injection molding of diamond-compatible metals and ceramic materials. The materials and fabrication techniques would be suitable for mass production. The disadvantages of the proposed system are that unlike a battery-based system, it could generate a perceptible amount of sound, and, if it were to burn fuel, then it would also generate exhaust, similarly to other combustion-based power sources.

Wiberg, Dean↗
NASA NTRS2007

Diamond Smoothing Tools

Diamond smoothing tools have been proposed for use in conjunction with diamond cutting tools that are used in many finish-machining operations. Diamond machining (including finishing) is often used, for example, in fabrication of precise metal mirrors. A diamond smoothing tool according to the proposal would have a smooth spherical surface. For a given finish machining operation, the smoothing tool would be mounted next to the cutting tool. The smoothing tool would slide on the machined surface left behind by the cutting tool, plastically deforming the surface material and thereby reducing the roughness of the surface, closing microcracks and otherwise generally reducing or eliminating microscopic surface and subsurface defects, and increasing the microhardness of the surface layer. It has been estimated that if smoothing tools of this type were used in conjunction with cutting tools on sufficiently precise lathes, it would be possible to reduce the roughness of machined surfaces to as little as 3 nm. A tool according to the proposal would consist of a smoothing insert in a metal holder. The smoothing insert would be made from a diamond/metal functionally graded composite rod preform, which, in turn, would be made by sintering together a bulk single-crystal or polycrystalline diamond, a diamond powder, and a metallic alloy at high pressure. To form the spherical smoothing tip, the diamond end of the preform would be subjected to flat grinding, conical grinding, spherical grinding using diamond wheels, and finally spherical polishing and/or buffing using diamond powders. If the diamond were a single crystal, then it would be crystallographically oriented, relative to the machining motion, to minimize its wear and maximize its hardness. Spherically polished diamonds could also be useful for purposes other than smoothing in finish machining: They would likely also be suitable for use as heat-resistant, wear-resistant, unlubricated sliding-fit bearing inserts.

Voronov, Oleg↗
NASA NTRS1987

Submillimeter backward wave oscillators

A NASA program for the development of backward wave oscillators (BWOs) for the 500-2000 GHz frequency range is discussed. The BWO operation is based on a periodic etched slow wave structure which supports the induced traveling electromagnetic wave. The present submillimeter wave BWOs will employ a variation of the folded wave guide, the interdigital line. The use of a noncompressed electron beam results in less thermal loading of the circuit, smaller magnetic focusing fields, and higher current density of the circuit interaction region. The diamond etching procedure is described. Aluminum will be used for the metallization of the diamonds.

Dayton, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Preliminary Results of Field Emission Cathode Tests

Preliminary screening tests of field emission cathodes such as chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond, textured pyrolytic graphite, and textured copper were conducted at background pressures typical of electric thruster test facilities to assess cathode performance and stability. Very low power electric thrusters which provide tens to hundreds micronewtons of thrust may need field emission neutralizers that have a capability of tens to hundreds of microamperes. From current voltage characteristics, it was found that the CVD diamond and textured metals cathodes clearly satisfied the Fowler-Nordheim emission relation. The CVD diamond and a textured copper cathode had average current densities of 270 and 380 mA/sq cm, respectively, at the beginning-of-life. After a few hours of operation the cathode emission currents degraded by 40 to 75% at background pressures in the 10(exp -5) Pa to 10(exp -4) Pa range. The textured pyrolytic graphite had a modest current density at beginning-of-life of 84 mA/sq cm, but this cathode was the most stable of all. Extended testing of the most promising cathodes is warranted to determine if current degradation is a burn-in effect or whether it is a long-term degradation process. Preliminary experiments with ferroelectric emission cathodes, which are ceramics with spontaneous electric polarization, were conducted. Peak current densities of 30 to 120 mA/sq cm were obtained for pulse durations of about 500 ns in the 10(exp -4) Pa pressure range.

Sovey, James S.↗
NASA NTRS1970

Surface treatment for valve seats

Valve with embedded fine particles of diamond in the metal surface of the valve seat resists galling, corrosion, erosion, and cold welding. Diamond powder has an average particle diameter of 0.01 micron and is used with a standard fine diamond polishing compound.

Macglashan, W. F., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Phases of the hydrogen isotopes under pressure: metallic hydrogen

Hydrogen is the simplest molecule in nature. One of the key problems and challenges in condensed matter physics is to understand the phases, properties, and structure of hydrogen as a function of pressure and temperature. Over 80 years ago Wigner and Huntington predicted that if solid molecular hydrogen was sufficiently compressed, it would transform to an atomic metal. Later, a second pathway emerged; it was predicted that if heated to high temperatures under pressure it would transform to liquid atomic hydrogen; this form of metallic hydrogen makes up ~90% of the planet Jupiter. The prediction of high temperature superconductivity of solid atomic metallic hydrogen stimulated the experimental community to produce this material . For decades hydrogen defied the experimental efforts to transform it. Using diamond anvil cells, metallic hydrogen has recently been produced at a pressure of ~5 million atmospheres, significantly greater than the pressure at the center of the earth. Liquid atomic metallic hydrogen has been produced at temperatures of a few thousand degrees Kelvin in diamond anvil cells, as well as in dynamic experiments. We review the seemingly simple, but actually complex properties of this quantum solid and metal and the decades of development and progress to achieve this important fundamental result.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1994

Igneous petrology of the new ureilites Nova 001 and Nullarbor 010

The Nova 001 (= Nuevo Mercurio (b)) and Nullarbor 010 meteorites are ureilites, both of which contain euhedral graphite crystals. The bulk of the meteorites are olivine (Fo79) and pyroxenes (Wo9En73Fs18, Wo3En77Fs20), with a few percent graphite and minor amounts of troilite, Ni-Fe metal, and possibly diamond. The rims of olivine grains are reduced (to Fo91) and contain abundant blebs of Fe metal. Silicate mineral grains are equant, anhedral, up to 2 mm across, and lack obvious preferred orientations. Euhedral graphite crystals (to 1 mm x 0.3 mm) are present at silicate grain boundaries, along boundaries and protruding into the silicates, and entirely within silicate mineral grains. Graphite euhedra are also present as radiating clusters and groups of parallel plates grains embedded in olivine; no other ureilite has comparable graphite textures. Minute lumps within graphite grains are possible diamond, inferred to be a result of shock. Other shock effects are limited to undulatory extinction and fracturing. Both ureilites have been weathered significantly. Considering their similar mineralogies, identical mineral compositions, and identical unusual textures, Nova 001 and Nullarbor 010 are probably paired. Based on olivine compositions, Nova 001 and Nullarbor 010 are in Group 1 (FeO-rich) of Berkley et al. (1980). Silicate mineral compositions are consistent with those of others known ureilites. The presence of euhedral graphite crystals within the silicate minerals is consistent with an igneous origin, and suggests that large proportions of silicate magma were present locally and crystallized in situ.

Triman, Allan H.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Study to define behavior of liquid lubricants in an elastohydrodynamic contact

The spectra of an ester and a saturated hydrocarbon polymer were obtained at pressures ranging from ambient to 2 GN/sq m (20 kilobar) and at temperatures between ambient and 180 C in absorption and between 150 C and 210 C in emission. To simulate contact conditions the fluids were contained in the tiny sample volume of a diamond cell, i.e., the hole in a metal spacer separating two diamonds pressed against each other in a nut crackerlike arrangement. Pressures could be deduced from bandshifts and states of aggregation from bandwidths in the fluorescence spectrum of a ruby crystal immersed in the fluids. An infrared Fourier transform spectrometer was used with attachments specially designed to analyze the radiation passed through the sample and both diamonds (absorption technique) or the radiation emanating from the heated sample and passing through only one diamond (emission technique). The latter technique is applicable to operating EHD contacts. Spectral changes pointing to possible glass transitions and composition changes were observed. Emission and absorption spectra were generally equivalent. Some emission bandshapes appear to be temperature sensitive enough to be useful as internal temperature probes.

Lauer, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Primary igneous carbon in ureilites - Petrological implications

The ureilite meteorites are carbonaceous olivine-pyroxene achondrites. They typically contain up to 4 wt.% carbon (carbonaceous matrix) as graphite, diamond, and lonsdaleite. Shock degradation has effectively obliterated primary textures in the carbonaceous matrix of previously described ureilites, a factor that has hampered efforts to explain the origin of this material. In contrast, the Antarctic ureilite ALHA78019 displays perfectly preserved primary textures in the carbonaceous matrix characterized by euhedral graphite blades intergrown with Fe-Ni metal and sulfide (diamonds are absent). This petrographic feature suggests that most graphite in ureilites originated by crystallization from a C-rich metallic phase. Assuming that fO2 is controlled by C-CO-CO2 reactions, the compositions of silicates and metals in ureilites imply a two-stage redox history. The noble gases and rare earths of ureilites are discussed in light of this model.

Berkely, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A new chromium carbide-based tribological coating for use to 900 deg C with particular reference to the Stirling engine

A new chromium carbide-based coating (PS 200) is described. This coating is shown to have good friction and wear properties over a wide temperature range. A nickel alloy-bonded chromium carbide coating was used as a baseline material for comparison with experimental formulated coatings. Coatings were plasma sprayed onto metal disks, then diamond ground to a thickness of 0.025 cm. Friction and wear were determined using a pin on disk tribometer at temperatures from 25 to 900 C in hydrogen, helium, and air. Pin materials included several metallic alloys and silicon carbide. It was found that appropriate additions of metallic silver and of barium fluoride/calcium fluoride eutectic to the baseline carbide composition significantly reduced friction coefficients while preserving, and in some cases, even enhancing wear resistance. The results of this study demonstrate that PS 200 is a promising coating composition to consider for high temperature aerospace and advanced heat engine applications. The excellent results in hydrogen make this coating of particular interest for use in the Stirling engine.

Sliney, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A new chromium carbide-based tribological coating for use to 900 C with particular reference to the Stirling engine

A new chromium carbide-based coating (PS 200) is described. This coating is shown to have good friction and wear properties over a wide temperature range. A nickel alloy-bonded chromium carbide coating was used as a baseline material for comparison with experimentally formulated coatings. Coatings were plasma sprayed onto metal disks, then diamond ground to a thickness of 0.025 cm. Friction and wear were determined using a pin on disk tribometer at temperatures from 25 to 900 C in hydrogen, helium, and air. Pin materials included several metallic alloys and silicon carbide. It was found that appropriate additions of metallic silver and of barium fluoride/calcium fluoride eutectic to the baseline carbide composition significantly reduced friction coefficients while preserving, and in some cases, even enhancing wear resistance. The results of this study demonstrate that PS 200 is a promising coating composition to consider for high temperature aerospace and advanced heat engine applications. The excellent results in hydrogen make this coating of particular interest for use in the Stirling engine.

Sliney, Harold E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Applications of diamond films and related materials; Proceedings of the 1st International Conference, Auburn, AL, Aug. 17-22, 1991

The present conference discusses the nucleation and growth of diamond from hydrocarbons, the cutting tool performance of CVD thick-film diamond, the characterization of CVD diamond grinding powder, industrial applications of crystalline diamond-coated tools, standardized SEM tribometry of diamond-coated substrates, residual stress in CVD diamond films, the optical properties of CVD diamond films, polycrystalline diamond films for optical applications, and diamond growth on ferrous metals. Also discussed are ion beam-irradiation smoothing of diamond films, electronic circuits on diamond substrates, diamond-laminated surfaces for evaporative spray cooling, electron devices based on the unique properties of diamond, diamond cold cathodes, thin-film diamond microstructure applications, Schottky diodes from flame-grown diamond, diamond films for thermionic applications, methods of diamond nucleation and selective deposition, high-rate/large-area diamond film production, halogen-assisted diamond growth, the economics of diamond technology, and the optical and mechanical properties of diamondlike films.

Tzeng, Yonhua↗