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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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The impact of the entry of graphite fibers into workplaces in the United States is discussed. Areas where an electrical failure could cause major problems include process and production systems, hospitals, and police/fire emergency communication systems.
The electron irradiation conditions required to prepare thermally from stable high density polyethylene (HDPE) were defined. The conditions were defined by evaluating the heat of fusion and the melting temperature of several HDPE specimens. The performance tests conducted on the specimens, including the thermal cycling tests in the thermal energy storage unit are described. The electron beam irradiation tests performed on the specimens, in which the total radiation dose received by the pellets, the electron beam current, the accelerating potential, and the atmospheres were varied, are discussed.
State and local governments can benefit from master specifications systems that centralize data on all types of building materials, products, and processes. Most of these systems are organized according to the MASTERFORMAT system, which, along with guide specifications that require the insertion or deletion of standardized information, resulted from the specific needs of users and providers. For jurisdictions preparing their own specifications, staff time and cost are reduced. For those subcontracting the preparation, master specifications provide a means of evaluating the specifications submitted. Current management specification systems described include SPECINTACT, OMSPEC, MASTERPEC, and the NAVFAC, Corps of Engineers, and GSA guide specifications.
Proposal for removing impurities from silicon ribbon and sheet could be developed into an automated production-line process. New technique which combines ion-cluster bombardment, electron-gun heating, and plasma etching, could be key step in fabricating inexpensive solar-cell arrays. Silicon sheets and ribbons treated this way could have enhanced carrier lifetimes necessary for satisfactory solar-cell performance.
Mathematical model describes movement of gases in fluid containing many bubbles. Model makes it possible to predict growth and shrink age of bubbles as function of time. New model overcomes complexities involved in analysis of varying conditions by making two simplifying assumptions. It treats bubbles as point sources, and it employs approximate expression for gas concentration gradient at liquid/bubble interface. In particular, it is expected to help in developing processes for production of high-quality optical glasses in space.
A summary of the ion beam applications research (IBAR) program organized to enable the development of materials, products, and processes through the nonpropulsive application of ion thruster technology is given. Specific application efforts utilizing ion beam sputter etching, deposition, and texturing are discussed as well as ion source and component technology applications.
In 1975 the NASA's Lewis Research Center initiated a technology specific spinoff program to more broadly utilize benefits resulting from ion thruster technology. An Ion Beam Applications Research (IBAR) program was organized to enable the development of new or improved materials, products, and processes through the nonpropulsive application of ion thruster technology. Focused efforts to identify, evaluate, develop and transfer applications to the user community were conducted. A summary of the NASA Lewis Research Center's in-house, grant, and contract projects involving IBAR is given. Specific application efforts utilizing ion beam sputter etching, deposition, and texturing are discussed as well as ion source and component technology applications.
Results of a requirements analysis task for Integrated Programs for Aerospace Vehicle Design (IPAD) are presented. User requirements which, in part, will shape the IPAD system design are given. Requirements considered were: generation, modification, storage, retrieval, communication, reporting, and protection of information. Data manipulation and controls on the system and the information were also considered. Specific needs relative to the product design process are also discussed.
High sulfur crude oil is desulfurized by a low temperature (25-80 C.) chlorinolysis at ambient pressure in the absence of organic solvent or diluent but in the presence of water (water/oil=0.3) followed by a water and caustic wash to remove sulfur and chlorine containing reaction products. The process described can be practiced at a well site for the recovery of desulfurized oil used to generate steam for injection into the well for enhanced oil recovery.
The present discussion has the objective to update the most comprehensive reviews on the considered subject and to fill in the gaps of less complete, but more modern treatments. Only simple chemical functionalization or structural modification of unsaturated polymers are covered, and the literature of diene polymer modification since 1974 is emphasized. Attention is given to hydrogenation, halogenation and hydrohalogenation, cyclization, cis-trans isomerization, epoxidation, ene and other cycloaddition reactions, sulfonation, carboxylation, phosphonylation, sulfenyl chloride addition, carbene addition, metalation, and silylation. It is pointed out that modern synthetic reagents and catalysts have been advantageously employed to improve process and/or product quality. Synthetic techniques have been refined to allow the selective modification of specific polymer microstructures or blocks.
New process yields product that resists heat and action of oxygen and water. Ring closing step, which gives elastomer its stability, imidoylamidine dinitrile reacts with perfluoroether acide, yielding prepolymer. Prepolymer then treated with ammonia and cured by heating to form polymer. Elastomers are highly resistant to heat, oxidation, and hydrolysis.
Examples of the use of geostationary satellites in meteorology are given. Studies of the rate of change of cumulus clouds and cloud systems and wind parameter determination from cloud motions are reviewed. Computer processed imagery products are also discussed.
Tracking and ground-based navigation techniques are discussed in relation to DSN advanced systems. Network data processing and productivity are studied to improve management planning methods. Project activities for upgrading DSN facilities are presented.
Development of a given technology for national defense and large systems developments when the task is too large or risky for entrepreneurs, yet is clearly in the best interest of the nation are discussed. Advanced research to identify areas of interest was completed. Examples of commercial opportunities are the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation purification process for pharmaceutical products and the Microgravity Research Associates process for growing gallium arsenide crystals in space.
A pictorial resume that underlines the challenging nature of NASA programs and their extraordinary demands for technological input, is presented. Also, NASA's current mainline programs, which require development of new technology, are given. A representative sampling of spinoff products and processes resulting from technology utiliization, or secondary application, and the mechanisms NASA employs to stimulate technology utilization are provided. Contact sources for further information are presented.
Development of a given technology for national defense and large systems developments when the task is too large or risky for entrepreneurs, yet is clearly in the best interest of the nation are discussed. Advanced research to identify areas of interest was completed. Examples of commercial opportunities are the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation purification process for pharmaceutical products and the Microgravity Research Associates process for growing gallium arsenide crystals in space.
Space industrialization (or commercialization) has the potential to be a major player in America's space program. If this potential is to be realized, however, industrialization efforts must be considered within the context of the other major portions of the space program: shuttle, space station, and civil remote sensing. Further, development efforts must be based upon a sound scientific and technical understanding of the products and processes, and there must be a trained cadre of dedicated individuals willing to devote time and effort to this effort. There remain considerable risks and uncertainties. Given all this, the best path to follow would seem to be a long term, balanced commitment, emphasizing government, industry, and academia partnerships. Several points are addressed: (1) the place of space industrialization in the overall national space program; (2) the meaning of space industrialization with respect to the historic, national aims of space; and (3) specifically what is being industrialized.
The Fluids Experiment Apparatus FEA is a modular zero gravity chemistry/physics laboratory to support fundamental space processing research. It can be used to conduct basic and applied process or product experiments in general liquid chemistry, crystal growth, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and cell culturing. The various FEA subsystems are readily configured to perform a wide range of investigations.