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At least 415 records · Page 23

The failure analysis, redesign, and final preparation of the Brilliant Eyes Thermal Storage Unit for flight testing

This paper describes the engineering thought process behind the failure analysis, redesign, and rework of the flight hardware for the Brilliant Eyes Thermal Storage Unit (BETSU) experiment. This experiment was designed to study the zero-g performance of 2-methylpentane as a suitable phase change material. This hydrocarbon served as the cryogenic storage medium for the BETSU experiment which was flown 04 Mar 94 on board Shuttle STS-62. Ground testing had indicated satisfactory performance of the BETSU at the 120 Kelvin design temperature. However, questions remained as to the micro-gravity performance of this unit; potential deviations in ground (1 g) versus space flight (0 g) performance, and how the unit would operate in a realistic space environment undergoing cyclical operation. The preparations and rework performed on the BETSU unit, which failed initial flight qualification, give insight and lessons learned to successfully develop and qualify a space flight experiment.

Lamkin, T.↗

Process for Preparing a Tough, Soluble, Aromatic, Thermoplastic Copolyimide

A process for preparing a tough, soluble, aromatic, thermoplastic copolyimide is provided. The process comprises the steps of (a) providing 4.4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride to 3,4,3',4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride at a mole ratio ranging from about 25 mole percent to 75 mole percent to 75 mole percent to about 25 mole percent; (b) adding 3,4'-oxydianiline to form a mixture; (c) adding a polar aprotic or polar protic solvent to the mixture to form a solution having a percentage of solids capable of maintaining polymer solubility; (d) stirring the solution to allow it to react; (e) adding an azeotropic solvent to the solution and heating to remove water; (f) cooling the solution of step (e) to room temperature and recovering the tough, soluble, aromatic, thermoplastic copolyimide.

Bryant, Robert G.↗

Effect of Surface Preparation and Gas Flow on Nitrogen Atom Surface Recombination

The effects of surface preparation and gas flow on the recombination of nitrogen atoms at copper and platinum surfaces were determined. Atoms were generated by an electrodeless 2450-megacycle-per-second discharge, and their concentration was measured by gas-phase titration with nitric oxide. Test surfaces were either vacuum-evaporated films or spheres machined from bulk metal and cemented around small glass-bead thermistors. Heat released by recombination was measured as the difference in electrical energy required to maintain a given thermistor temperature with and without a catalytic surface exposed. Recombination coefficients measured at flow velocities of 1120, 1790, 2250, and 3460 centimeters per second and at pressures of 0.42 and 0.59 millimeter of mercury showed that flow conditions had no effect. The results were also independent of atom concentration. A rough indication of the temperature dependence was obtained; it was greater for copper than for platinum. Platinum films deposited on platinum or on glass had the same activity - about 3 percent of the atoms impinging recombined. With copper, however, the glass substrate greatly reduced the percent of atoms recombining over that of a bulk copper substrate where 4 percent of the impinging atoms recombined. This effect could be overcome by depositing a second film on top of the first. Bulk metal samples were subjected to various surface treatments including polishing, degreasing with a chlorinated hydrocarbon, washing with nitric acid, and rinsing with water. Polished, degreased platinum had low activity compared to an evaporated film, but nitric acid treatment made it equivalent. Polished, degreased copper was only slightly less active than a copper film; nitric acid etching decreased the activity still further, probably by preferentially exposing facets of low catalytic efficiency.

Prok, George M.↗

The Preparation and Structural Characterization of Three Structural Types of Gallium Compounds Derived from Gallium (II) Chloride

The three compounds Ga2Cl4(4-mepy)2 (1),[GaCl2(4-mepy)4]GaCl4x1/2(4-mepy); (2) and GaCl2(4-mepy)2(S2CNEt2); (3) (4-mepy= 4-methylpyridine) have been prepared from reactions of gallium (II) chloride in 4-methylpyridine and characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Small variations in the reaction conditions for gallium(II) chloride can produce crystals with substantially different structural properties. The three compounds described here encompass a neutral gallium(II) dimer in which each gallium is four-coordinate, an ionic compound containing both anionic and cationic gallium complex ions with different coordination numbers and a neutral six-coordinate heteroleptic

Gordon, Edward M.↗

Preparing for Human Exploration

NASA's Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) Enterprise is defining architectures and requirements for human exploration that radically reduce the costs of such missions through the use of advanced technologies, commercial partnerships and innovative systems strategies. In addition, the HEDS Enterprise is collaborating with the Space Science Enterprise to acquire needed early knowledge about Mars and to demonstrate critical technologies via robotic missions. This paper provides an overview of the technological challenges facing NASA as it prepares for human exploration. Emphasis is placed on identifying the key technologies including those which will provide the most return in terms of reducing total mission cost and/or reducing potential risk to the mission crew. Top-level requirements are provided for those critical enabling technology options currently under consideration.

Drake, Bret G.↗

STS-26: Preparations for Launch

Preparations for launch of STS-26 are shown. They include: (1) VAB to OPF high bay rollover; (2) Main engine unpacking and installation; (3) OMS pod installation; (4) Crew hatch removal; (5) Modified crew hatch installation; (6) Nose cap installation; (7) 17 inch disconnect work; (8) Ku-band antenna stow and deploy; (9) Tile work; (10) Oasis payload installation; (11) Solid rocket boosters arrival, preps and stacking; (13) Modified SRB segments: Arrival via train at KSC RPSF; (14) AFT segment rotation to vertical in RPSF; (15) AFT skirt to AFT segment mating; (16) SRB grain inspection; (17) Lift AFT segment; and (18) Lift and mate external tank.

Source record↗

Workshop on Mars 2001: Integrated Science in Preparation for Sample Return and Human Exploration

The Workshop on Mars 2001: Integrated Science in Preparation for Sample Return and Human Exploration was held on October 2-4, 1999, at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas. The workshop was sponsored by the Lunar and Planetary Institute, the Mars Program Office of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The three-day meeting was attended by 133 scientists whose purpose was to share results from recent missions, to share plans for the 2001 mission, and to come to an agreement on a landing site for this mission.

Marshall, John↗

Luminescence of Eu(3+) doped SiO2 Thin Films and Glass Prepared by Sol-gel Technology

Trivalent europium ions are an important luminophore for lighting and display. The emission of (5)D0 to (7)F2 transition exhibits a red color at about 610 nm, which is very attractive and fulfills the requirement for most red-emitting phosphors including lamp and cathode ray phosphorescence materials. Various EU(3+) doped phosphors have been developed, and luminescence properties have been extensively studied. On the other hand, sol-gel technology has been well developed by chemists. In recent years, applications of this technology to optical materials have drawn a great attention. Sol-gel technology provides a unique way to obtain homogeneous composition distribution and uniform doping, and the processing temperature can be very low. In this work, EU(3+) doped SiO2 thin films and glasses were prepared by sol-gel technology and their spectroscopic properties were investigated.

Castro, Lymari↗

An Innovative Method for Preparing Semiconductor Change Used in Crystal Growth and Shear Cell Diffusion Experiments

An innovative technique for machining semiconductors has been developed. This technique was used to prepare semiconductor charges for crystal growth and shear cell diffusion experiments. The technique allows brittle semiconductor materials to be quickly and accurately machined. Lightly doping the semiconductor material increases the conductivity enough to allow the material to be shaped by an electrical discharge machine (EDM).

Anrold, William A.↗

Preparation and Fluorescence Anisotropy Study of a Ribonuclease-Lucifer Yellow Conjugate

We have prepared a chemical derivative of ribonuclease A (RNase) with lucifer yellow (LY). The rotational dynamics of the LY-RNase conjugate were characterized by steady state and time resolved fluorescence techniques. Steady state anisotropy measurements were performed at varying viscosities at 10C and 20C, and the rotational correlation time of both RNase and the covalently linked LY probe were determined by time resolved frequency domain measurements. Our data suggest that the fluorophore is rigidly bound at 10C.

Malone, C. C.↗

Method to Prepare Processable Polymides with Reactive Endgroups using 1,3-Bis (3-Aminophenoxy) Benzene

Polyimide copolymers were obtained containing 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene (APB) and other diamines and dianhydrides and terminating with the appropriate amount of reactive endcapper. The reactive endcappers studied include but should not be limited to 4-phenylethynyl phthalic anhydride (PEPA ), 3-aminophenoxy- 4'-phenylethynylbenzophenone (3-APEB), maleic anhydride (MA) and nadic anhydride (5-norbomene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride, NA). Homopolymers containing only other diamines and dianhydrides which are not processable under conditions described previously can be made processable by incorporating various amounts of APB, depending on the chemical structures of the diamines and dianhydrides used. By simply changing the ratio of APB to the other diamine in the polyimide backbone, a material with a unique combination of solubility, Tg, Tm, melt viscosity, toughness and elevated temperature mechanical properties can be prepared. The copolymers that result from using APB to enhance processability have a unique combination of properties that include low pressure processing (200 psi and below), long term melt stability (several hours at 300 C. for the phenylethynyl terminated polymers), high toughness, improved solvent resistance, improved adhesive properties, and improved composite mechanical properties. These copolyimides are eminently suitable as adhesives, composite matrices, moldings, films and coatings.

Jensen, Brian J.↗

Reflective and Electrically Conductive Surface Silvered Polyimide Films and Coatings Prepared via Unusual Single-Stage Self-Metallization Techniques

Highly reflective and/or surface conductive flexible polyimide films can be prepared by the incorporation of positive valent silver compounds into solutions of poly(amic acid)s formed from a variety of dianhydrides and diamines. Thermal curing of selected silver(I)-containing poly(amic acid)s leads to cycloimidization of the polyimide precursor with concomitant silver(I) reduction and surface aggregation of the metal yielding a reflective and/or conductive silver surface similar to that of the native metal. However, not all silver(I) precursors are effective surface metallization agents and not all poly(amic acid)s metallize with equal facility. Ligand/anion and polyimide structural effects on film metallization efficacy and on physical properties on metallized films are reviewed.

Southward, Robin E.↗

Method To Prepare Processable Polyimides With Reactive Endogroups Using 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene

Polyimide copolymers were obtained containing 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene (APB) and other diamines and dianhydrides and terminating with the appropriate amount of reactive endcapper. The reactive endcappers studied include but should not be limited to 4-phenylethynyl phthalic anhydride (PEPA), 3-aminophenoxy-4'phenylethynylbenzophenone (3-APEB), maleic anhydride (MA) and nadic anhydride (5-norbomene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride, NA). Homopolymers containing only other diamines and dianhydrides which are not processable under conditions described previously can be made processable by incorporating various amounts of APB, depending on the chemical structures of the diamines and dianhydrides used. By simply changing the ratio of APB to the other diamine in the polyimide backbone, a material with a unique combination of solubility, Tg, Tm, melt viscosity, toughness and elevated temperature mechanical properties can be prepared. The copolymers that result from using APB to enhance processability have a unique combination of properties that include low pressure processing (200 psi and below), long term melt stability (several hours at 300° C. for the phenylethynyl terminated polymers), high toughness, improved solvent resistance, improved adhesive properties, and improved composite mechanical properties. These copolyimides are eminently suitable as adhesives, composite matrices, moldings, films and coatings.

Brian J Jensen↗

Web Prep: How to Prepare NAS Reports For Publication on the Web

This document contains specific advice and requirements for NASA Ames Code IN authors of NAS reports. Much of the information may be of interest to other authors writing for the Web. WebPrep has a graphic Table of Contents in the form of a WebToon, which simulates a discussion between a scientist and a Web publishing consultant. In the WebToon, Frequently Asked Questions about preparing reports for the Web are linked to relevant text in the body of this document. We also provide a text-only Table of Contents. The text for this document is divided into chapters: each chapter corresponds to one frame of the WebToons. The chapter topics are: converting text to HTML, converting 2D graphic images to gif, creating imagemaps and tables, converting movie and audio files to Web formats, supplying 3D interactive data, and (briefly) JAVA capabilities. The last chapter is specifically for NAS staff authors. The Glossary-Index lists web related words and links to topics covered in the main text.

Walatka, Pamela↗

Expectancy and Repetition in Task Preparation

We studied the mechanisms of task preparation using a design that pitted task expectancy against task repetition. In one experiment, two simple cognitive tasks were presented in a predictable sequence containing both repetitions and non-repetitions. The typical task sequence was AABBAABB. Occasional violations of this sequence allowed us to measure the effects of valid versus invalid expectancy. With this design, we were able to study the effects of task expectancy, task repetition, and interaction.

Ruthruff, E.↗

Preparation and Characterization of Single Ion Conductors from High Surface Area Fumed Silica

Anions that can form dissociative salts with Li(+) have been prepared and covalently attached to high surface area fumed silica. When blended with polyethylene oxide (PEO), the functionalized fumed silica suppresses the crystallization of the PEO, provides dimensional stability, and serves as a single ion conductor. Since functionalized fumed silica is easily dispersed in common polar solvents, it can be incorporated in both the polymer electrolyte and the electrodes.

Zhang, H.↗

The Effect of Film Composition on the Texture and Grain Size of CuInS2 Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis

CuInS2 was deposited by spray pyrolysis using single-source precursors synthesized in-house. Films with either (112) or (204/220) preferred orientation always showed Cu-rich and In-rich composition respectively. The In-rich (204/220)-oriented films always contained a secondary phase evaluated as an In-rich compound, and the hindrance of (112)-oriented grain growth was confirmed by glancing angle X-ray diffraction. In conclusion, only the Cu-rich (112)-oriented films with dense columnar grains can be prepared without the secondary In-rich compound. The effect of extra Cu on the grain size and the solar cell results will be also presented.

Jin, Michael H.-C.↗