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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 559 records · Page 31
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Anti-reflection Coatings on Large Area Glass Sheets

The first quarter of a one-year program designed to research and perfect a method of producing antireflective coatings on large glass sheets through the use of sodium silicate hardened by exposure to acid is reported. The requirements for a linear motion device used to produce uniform sodium silicate films were determined. A search for a commercially available device is underway. Sodium silicate solutions of varying concentrations were prepared. Determinations of the physical properties relevant to film thickness are in progress. In addition, material costs are being recorded for later use in a cost analysis of the method. All tasks of the project are proceeding according to schedule. Of the tasks, only the sodium silicate solution preparation is complete.

Pastirik, E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The Development of a Method of Producing Etch Resistant Wax Patterns on Solar Cells

The first quarter of a one-year program to investigate the production of patterned etch resistant wax coatings on solar cell substrates by printing is reported. Master molds for printing plates were produced for the plates. The resist wax is being studied to determine its relevant physical properties. A printing device is currently in design, and material costs are being compiled as first step in a cost analysis task. All phases of the project are proceeding according to schedule. No specific phases are yet completed.

Pastirik, E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Space Resources and Space Settlements

This publication contains the technical papers from the five task groups that took part in the 1977 Ames Summer Study on Space Settlements and Industrialization Using Nonterrestrial Materials. The study was sponsored by the following NASA Headquarters organizations: Office of Space Science, Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology, and Office of Space Transportation Systems. The NASA Ames Research Center hosted the study and provided administrative support through its Life Sciences Directorate. Expert assistance in the many aspects of the study came from NASA Headquarters, NASA centers, universities, industry, and from individual consultants. This summer study was the largest and most comprehensive investigation of space manufacturing and habitation to date; forty senior research workers and ten students participated. The six-week study was preceded by several months of planning and preparation, and was followed by extensive work on manuscript checking, review, and assembly. The study topics reflected the research areas requiring the most intensive attention as ofrnid-1977; they were: Group I: Regenerative life-support systems and controlled environment agriculture. Group II: Parametric studies of efficient habitats in space. Time and cost analysis of a space manufacturing program plan. Group III: Detection and analysis of special classes of asteroids suitable as material resources for space manufacturing; studies of retrieval missions. Group IV: Electromagnetic mass drivers for use as interorbital engines, as devices to launch lunar material into space, and as tugs for the retrieval of asteroidal material. Group V: Chemical processing of non terrestrial material in space; manufacture of metals and glass fibers, beneficiation, and design of processing plants. These five task groups each produced two or more technical papers, signed by the contributing members. The papers were subjected to independent peer review by scientists not connected with the study. During the course of the study, frequent formal and informal exchanges of information occurred between task groups, so that the entire effort evolved in a coherent fashion and was directed toward common goals. However, each group remained responsible for the choice of its topics and for its conclusions. A listing of all the participants is given on pages vii-x. It would be inappropriate for me to single out particular people or groups for special mention, since all involved applied their skills with dedication and enthusiasm. Instead, I thank everyone for their contributions to the success of the study, and also for making it a united and warmly cooperative personal experience.

John Billingham↗
NASA NTRS1979

Phase 2 of the Array Automated Assembly Task for the Low Cost Solar Array Project

Two process specifications supplied by contractors were tested. The aluminum silk screening process resulted in cells comparable to those from sputtered Al. The electroless plating of contacts specification could be used only with extensive modification. Several experiments suggest that there is some degradation of the front junction during the Al back surface field (BSF) fabrication. A revised process sequence was defined which incorporates Al BSF formation. A cost analysis of this process yielded a selling price of $0.75/watt peak in 1980.

Campbell, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The future United States space program; Proceedings of the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Conference, Houston, Tex., October 30-November 2, 1978. Parts 1 & 2

Space Shuttle guidance problems, solar power satellites, space law, satellite communications, space medicine, and engineering of large space systems are discussed. Topics of the papers include biological experiments designed for the Space Shuttle, an optimized guidance law for Space Shuttle re-entry, aircraft propulsion based on laser energy, industrial materials available in the lunar soil, health programs for a solar power satellite construction team, closed life support systems for large habitats in space, the advantages of a manned mission to Mars, the interpretation of radar imagery of Venus, a cost analysis for the satellite power system, and the geological history of Mars.

Johnston, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A high volume cost efficient production macrostructuring process

The paper presents an experimentally developed surface macro-structuring process suitable for high volume production of silicon solar cells. The process lends itself easily to automation for high throughput to meet low-cost solar array goals. The tetrahedron structure observed is 0.5 - 12 micron high. The surface has minimal pitting with virtually no or very few undeveloped areas across the surface. This process has been developed for (100) oriented as cut silicon. Chemi-etched, hydrophobic and lapped surfaces were successfully texturized. A cost analysis as per Samics is presented.

Chitre, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A candidate low-cost processing sequence for terrestrial silicon solar cell panel

Manufacturing sequence for silicon solar cells using Czochralsky crystal growing techniques in order to produce at a rate of 20 MW per year on a 24-hour per day basis is discussed. Cost analysis of the manufacturing is presented and consideration is given to the following processing decision categories of the manufacturing of an unencapsulated solar cell from a silicon wafer: (1) treatment of the optical surface; (2) formation of the junction(s); and (3) metallization of electrical collectors. The manufacturing of encapsulated solar modules from solar cells, using two glass plates, a low iron front surface, and a standard float glass back plate, is described. Totaling the three major activities of wafer making, cell manufacturing, and module fabrication, the resulting contribution to module price will be 1.945 $/watt.

Bickler, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Advances in the Dow Corning process for solar-grade silicon

The Dow Corning process consists of the carbothermic reduction of silica to produce silicon that is then purified by unidirectional solidification. The process has produced silicon of semiconductor quality with respect to all elements except boron and phosphorus at about 10 ppma and aluminum at 0.1 ppma. Solar cells produced from this silicon gave AM0 conversion efficiencies of 11%. A process cost analysis is presented.

Hunt, L. P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Value of crops: Quantity, quality and cost price

Possibilities of using algae as a nutritional supplement are examined. The nutritional value and protein content of spirulines of blue algae are discussed. A cost analysis of growing them artificially is presented.

Meyer, C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Phase 2 of the array automated assembly task for the low cost solar array project

The process sequence for the fabrication of dendritic web silicon into solar panels was modified to include aluminum back surface field formation. Plasma etching was found to be a feasible technique for pre-diffusion cleaning of the web. Several contacting systems were studied. The total plated Pd-Ni system was not compatible with the process sequence; however, the evaporated TiPd-electroplated Cu system was shown stable under life testing. Ultrasonic bonding parameters were determined for various interconnect and contact metals but the yield of the process was not sufficiently high to use for module fabrication at this time. Over 400 solar cells were fabricated according to the modified sequence. No sub-process incompatibility was seen. These cells were used to fabricate four demonstration modules. A cost analysis of the modified process sequence resulted in a selling price of $0.75/peak watt.

Campbell, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Heat storage capability of a rolling cylinder using Glauber's salt

The rolling cylinder phase change heat storage concept was developed to the point where a prototype design is completed and a cost analysis is prepared. A series of experimental and analytical tasks are defined to establish the thermal, mechanical, and materials behavior of rolling cylinder devices. These tasks include: analyses of internal and external heat transfer; performance and lifetime testing of the phase change materials; corrosion evaluation; development of a mathematical model; and design of a prototype and associated test equipment.

Herrick, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Near-term hybrid vehicle program, phase 1. Appendix B: Design trade-off studies report. Volume 2: Supplement to design trade-off studies

Results of studies leading to the preliminary design of a hybrid passenger vehicle which is projected to have the maximum potential for reducing petroleum consumption in the near term are presented. Heat engine/electric hybrid vehicle tradeoffs, assessment of battery power source, and weight and cost analysis of key components are among the topics covered. Performance of auxiliary equipment, such as power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, lighting and electrical accessories, heating and ventilation is discussed along with the selection of preferred passenger compartment heating procedure for the hybrid vehicle. Waste heat from the engine, thermal energy storage, and an auxiliary burner are among the approaches considered.

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NASA NTRS1980

Solar heating and hot water system installed at office building, One Solar Place, Dallas, Texas

A solar heating on cooling system is described which is designed to provide 87 percent of the space heating needs, 100 percent of the potable hot water needs and is sized for future absorption cooling. The collection subsystem consists of 28 solargenics, series 76, flat plate collectors with a total area of 1,596 square feet. The solar loop circulates an ethylene glyco water solution through the collectors into a hot water system exchanger. The water storage subsystem consists of a heat exchanger, two 2,300 gallon concrete hot water storage tanks with built in heat exchangers and a back-up electric boiler. The domestic hot water subsystem sends hot water to the 10,200 square feet floor area office building hot water water fixtures. The building cold water system provides make up to the solar loop, the heating loop, and the hot water concrete storage tanks. The design, construction, cost analysis, operation and maintenance of the solar system are described.

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NASA NTRS1980

A study of a space communication system for the control and monitoring of the electric distribution system. Volume 2: Supporting data and analyses

It is technically feasible to design a satellite communication system to serve the United States electric utility industry's needs relative to load management, real-time operations management, remote meter reading and to determine the costs of various elements of the system. The functions associated with distribution automation and control and communication system requirements are defined. Factors related to formulating viable communication concepts, the relationship of various design factors to utility operating practices, and the results of the cost analysis are discussed The system concept and several ways in which the concept could be integrated into the utility industry are described.

Vaisnys, A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

X-ray all-sky monitors

Considerations for an all-sky monitor for the Ariel-5 mission are evaluated. The monitors with the best signal-to-noise utilize the pinhole-camera principle, and are also least expensive in hardware and data analysis costs. The sensitivity sufficient to sensibly monitor compact extragalactic sources requires a system with approximately 100 times the sensitivity of the Ariel-5 ASM. A system identical in size to the Ariel-5 ASM can be made with approximately 5 times better sensitivity, and can satisfy the minimum requirements for this mission if it spins. An all-sky monitor appears to be essential to assure that rare occurrences in compact objects can be observed with the pointed experiment, and to ascertain that large amounts of pointing time will not be wasted by observing at the wrong times.

Holt, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Space Construction System Analysis. Part 2: Executive summary

A detailed, end-to-end analysis of the activities, techniques, equipment and Shuttle provisions required to construct a reference project system is described. Included are: platform definition; construction analysis; cost and programmatics; and space construction experiments concepts.

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NASA NTRS1980

Ceramic regenerator systems development program

The DOE/NASA Ceramic Regenerator Design and Reliability Program aims to develop ceramic regenerator cores that can be used in passenger car and industrial/truck gas turbine engines. The major cause of failure of early gas turbine regenerators was found to be chemical attack of the ceramic material. Improved materials and design concepts aimed at reducing or eliminating chemical attack were placed on durability test in Ford 707 industrial gas turbine engines late in 1974. Results of 53,065 hours of turbine engine durability testing are described. Two materials, aluminum silicate and magnesium aluminum silicate, show promise. Five aluminum silicate cores attained the durability objective of 10,000 hours at 800 C (1472 F). Another aluminum silicate core shows minimal evidence of chemical attack after 8071 hours at 982 C (1800 F). Results obtained in ceramic material screening tests, aerothermodynamic performance tests, stress analysis, cost studies, and material specifications are included.

Fucinari, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Low cost solar array project production process and equipment task: A Module Experimental Process System Development Unit (MEPSDU)

Several major modifications were made to the design presented at the PDR. The frame was deleted in favor of a "frameless" design which will provide a substantially improved cell packing factor. Potential shaded cell damage resulting from operation into a short circuit can be eliminated by a change in the cell series/parallel electrical interconnect configuration. The baseline process sequence defined for the MEPSON was refined and equipment design and specification work was completed. SAMICS cost analysis work accelerated, format A's were prepared and computer simulations completed. Design work on the automated cell interconnect station was focused on bond technique selection experiments.

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