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NASA NTRS2001

Equiaxed Dendritic Solidification Experiment (EDSE)

The objective of the research is to quantitatively determine and understand the fundamental mechanisms that control the microstructural evolution during equiaxed dendritic solidification. A microgravity experiment will be conducted to obtain benchmark data on the transient growth and interaction of up to four equiaxed crystals of a pure and transparent metal analog (succinonitrile, SCN) under strictly diffusion-dominated conditions. Of interest in the experiment are the transient evolution of the primary and secondary dendrite tip speeds, the dendrite morphology and solid fraction, the tip selection criterion, and the temperature field in the melt for a range of interaction "strengths" between the crystals. The experiment extends the microgravity measurements of Glicksman and co-workers isothermal dendritic growth experiment (IDGE) for steady growth of a single dendrite to a case where growth transients are introduced due to thermal interactions between neighboring dendrites - a situation closer to actual casting conditions. Corresponding Earth-based experiments will be conducted to ascertain the influence of melt convection. The experiments are supported by a variety of analytical models and numerical simulations. The data will be used to develop and test theories of transient dendritic growth and the solidification of multiple interacting equiaxed crystals in a supercooled melt.

Beckermann, C.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Dendritic Alloy Solidification Experiment (DASE)

A space experiment, and supporting ground-based research, is proposed to study the microstructural evolution in free dendritic growth from a supercooled melt of the transparent model alloy succinonitrile-acetone (SCN-ACE). The research is relevant to equiaxed solidification of metal alloy castings. The microgravity experiment will establish a benchmark for testing of equiaxed dendritic growth theories, scaling laws, and models in the presence of purely diffusive, coupled heat and solute transport, without the complicating influences of melt convection. The specific objectives are to: determine the selection of the dendrite tip operating state, i.e. the growth velocity and tip radius, for free dendritic growth of succinonitrile-acetone alloys; determine the growth morphology and sidebranching behavior for freely grown alloy dendrites; determine the effects of the thermal/solutal interactions in the growth of an assemblage of equiaxed alloy crystals; determine the effects of melt convection on the free growth of alloy dendrites; measure the surface tension anisotropy strength of succinon itrile -acetone alloys establish a theoretical and modeling framework for the experiments. Microgravity experiments on equiaxed dendritic growth of alloy dendrites have not been performed in the past. The proposed experiment builds on the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE) of Glicksman and coworkers, which focused on the steady growth of a single crystal from pure supercooled melts (succinonitrile and pivalic acid). It also extends the Equiaxed Dendritic Solidification Experiment (EDSE) of the present investigators, which is concerned with the interactions and transients arising in the growth of an assemblage of equiaxed crystals (succinonitrile). However, these experiments with pure substances are not able to address the issues related to coupled heat and solute transport in growth of alloy dendrites.

Beckermann, C.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Adaptive-Grid Methods for Phase Field Models of Microstructure Development

Modeling solidification microstructures has become an area of intense study in recent years. The properties of large scale cast products, ranging from automobile engine blocks to aircraft components and other industrial applications, are strongly dependent on the physics that occur at the mesoscopic and microscopic length scales during solidification. The predominant morphology found in solidification microstructures is the dendrite, a tree-like pattern of solid around which solidification proceeds. The microscopic properties of cast products are determined by the length scales of these dendrites, and their associated segregation profiles. For this reason understanding the mechanisms for pattern selection in dendritic growth has attracted a great deal of interest from the experimental and theoretical communities. In particular, a great deal of research has been undertaken to understand such issues as dendrite morphology, shape and growth speed. Experiments on dendrite evolution in pure materials by Glicksman and coworkers on succinonitrile (SCN), and more recently pivalic acid (PVA), as well as other transparent analogs of metals, have provided tests of theories for dendritic growth, and have stimulated considerable theoretical progress. These experiments have clearly demonstrated that in certain parameter ranges the physics of the dendrite tip can be characterized by a steady value for the dendrite tip velocity, radius of curvature and shape. Away from the tip, the time-dependent dendrite exhibits a characteristic sidebranching as it propagates, which is not yet well understood. These experiments are performed by observing individual dendrites growing into an undercooled melt. The experiments are characterized by the dimensionless undercooling. Most experiments are performed at low undercooling.

Dantzig, Jonathan A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Particle Engulfment and Pushing (PEP): Past Micro-Gravity Experiments and Future Experimental Plan on the International Space Station (ISS)

The interaction of an insoluble particle with a growing solid-liquid interface (SLI) has been a subject of investigation for the four decades. For a metallurgist or a material scientist understanding the fundamental physics of such an interaction is relevant for applications that include distribution of reinforcement particles in metal matrix composites, inclusion management in castings, and distribution of Y2Ba1Cu1O5 (211) precipitates (flux pinning sites) in Y1Ba2Cu3O7 (123) superconducting crystals. The same physics is also applicable to other areas including geological applications (frost heaving in soils) and preservation of biological cells. Experimentally this interaction can be quantified in terms of a critical growth velocity, Vcr, of the SLI below which particles are pushed ahead of the advancing interface, and above which the particles are engulfed. Past experimental evidence suggests that this Vcr is an inverse function of the particle radius, R. In order to isolate the fundamental physics that governs such a relationship it is necessary to minimize natural convection at the SLI that is inherent in ground based experiments. Hence for the purpose of producing benchmark data (Vcr vs. R) PEP is a natural candidate for micro-gravity experimentation. Accordingly, experiments with pure Al containing a dispersion of ZrO2 particles and an organic analogue, succinonitrile (SCN) containing polystyrene particles have been performed on the LMS and USMP-4 mission respectively. In this paper we will summarize the experimental data that was obtained during these two micro-gravity missions and show that the results differ compared to terrestrial experiments. We will also discuss the basic elements of our analytical and numerical model and present a comparison of the predictions of these models against micro-gravity experimental data. Finally. we will discuss our future experimental plan that includes the ISS glovebox and MSRRl.

Sen, Subhayu↗
NASA NTRS2001

Second Generation RLV Program

During the time period covered by this report, SAIC: 1) Continued to develop and assess processes and approaches that can be applied to Second Generation Reuseable Launch Vehicles (RLV) technologies prioritization. An approach based on the use of analytic Saaty scale functions has been defined and is being investigated. 2) Planned and facilitated technologies prioritization workshops, supported development of systems program algorithms based on the concept of influence diagramming, and assessment of analogies between aircraft and space systems developments. 3) Video interviews held with X-37 personnel at Dryden. The CD-ROM is being concluded and a near-final review disc is expected soon. 4) CD-ROMS were produced by Engineered Multimedia, Inc. (EMI) under subcontract to SAIC. These two CD-ROM products, "Microgravity" and "New Horizons", were delivered to MSFS technical representatives at a briefing at SAID on January 18, 2001. 5) Presentation brochure, "Aviation/Space Analog Team Interim Report" was provided to Space Propulsion Synergy Team (SPST) members and to NASA personnel. Wrap-up of effort will be a mid-April briefing to both MSFC and the full SPST membership. Support to Phase 2 of CCPD ends 3/31/01. Phase 3 continuation effort planned with emphasis on technical info content. 6) Recommended that eliminating the B-52 flights of the X-37 in favor of alternate approached be evaluated. Discovered that a required change to the thruster valves of the X-37 had not been made. Repair work continues on the lower fuselage section of the X-37, in the areas that experienced core collapse. The currently catalogued potential weight increases and decreases are about equal, but this does not include the impact of the cable weight underestimate reported earlier. The CFD for RCS testing correlates well with the wind tunnel data. 7) The Level IV CCB approved SCN-4 to the MC-1 Engine SPecification. Approved changes have been incorporated into the specification, and Revision D has been released to the Repository. Billy Gonterman, SAIC, traveled to SSC to perform a five-day readiness assessment on the progress of facilities activation. Implemented modifications to the MC-1 Engine TPA Component Database. 8) Replaced 25 Combined-Cycle Propulsion Database (CCPD) documents; modified the low-on screen to include a direct email link for user contact; prepared a summary presentation of current and proposed tasks.

Laue, Jay↗
NASA NTRS2001

Band-gap Engineering in Sputter Deposited Amorphous/Microcrystalline Sc(x)Ga(1-x)N

Reactive sputtering was used to grow thin films of Sc(x)Ga(1-x)N with scandium concentrations of 20%-70% on quartz substrates at temperatures of 300-675 K. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the films showed either weak or no structure, suggesting the films are amorphous or microcrystalline. Optical absorption spectra were taken of each sample and the optical band gap was determined. The band gap varied linearly with increasing Ga concentration between 2.0 and 3.5 eV. Ellipsometry was used to confirm the band gap measurements and provide optical constants in the range 250-1200 nm. ScN and GaN have different crystal structures (rocksalt and wurzite, respectively), and thus may form a heterogeneous mixture as opposed to an alloy. Since the XRD data were inconclusive, bilayers of ScN/GaN were grown and optical absorption spectra taken. A fundamental difference in the spectra between the bilayer films and alloy films was seen, suggesting the films are alloys, not heterogeneous mixtures.

Little, Mark E.↗
NASA NTRS1998

An Infrared Spectroscopic and Density Functional Theoretical Investigation of the Reaction Products of Laser-Ablated Scandium and Titanium Atoms with Nitric Oxide

Laser-ablated Sc and Ti atoms have been reacted with NO during condensation in excess argon. Matrix infrared spectra show that the major products are the side bonded Sc[NO] species and the inserted NScO and NTiO molecules based on isotopic substitution (15NI6O and 15N18O) and DIFT calculations of isotopic frequencies, which provide a match for two modes in three isotopic modifications for each molecule. The NScO and NTiO molecules are nitride/oxides with M-O stretching modes only 46-88/cm below the diatomic metal oxides but M-N stretching modes 314-442/cm lower than the diatomic metal nitride molecules. The ScN, ScO, TiN, and TiO molecules are observed as decomposition products. Evidence is also presented for the nitrosyls ScNO and TiNO, the Sc[NO]+ cation, and the NTiO- anion.

Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2002

SD46 Facilities and Capabilities

The displays for the Materials Conference presents some of the facilities and capabilities in SD46 that can be useful to a prospective researcher from University, Academia or other government labs. Several of these already have associated personnel as principal and co-investigators on NASA peer reviewed science investigations. 1. SCN purification facility 2. ESL facility 3. Static and Dynamic magnetic field facility 4. Microanalysis facility 5. MSG Investigation - PFMI 6. Thermo physical Properties Measurement Capabilities.

Ramachandran, N.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Pore Formation and Mobility (PFMI): An International Space Station Glovebox Investigation

Porosity in the form of "bubbles and pipes" can occur during controlled directional solidification processing of metal alloys. It is detrimental to material properties and precludes obtaining meaningful scientific results. On Earth, density differences allow an initiated bubble can rise through the liquid and "pop" at the surface resulting in a sound casting. This is not likely to occur in a microgravity environment and, unfortunately, a number of experiments conducted in microgravity have suffered from porosity effects. The current investigation is a systematic effort towards understanding porosity formation and mobility during controlled directional solidification in a microgravity environment. This will be investigated by utilizing a transparent material, succinonitrile (SCN), in conjunction with a translating temperature gradient stage so that direct observation and recording of pore generation and mobility can be made. The talk will cover the porosity problem, the details of the proposed experiments and the experimental hardware, and the expectations from the microgravity experiments.

Grugel, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Novel Route to Transition Metal Isothiocyanate Complexes Using Metal Powders and Thiourea

A new synthetic route to isothiocyanate-containing materials is presented. Eight isothiocyanate- 4-methylpyridine (y-picoline) compounds were prepared by refluxing metal powders (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) with thiourea in y-picoline. With the exception of compound 5,prepared with Co, the isothiocyanate ligand was generated in situ by the isomerization of thiourea to NH4+SCN- at reflux temperatures. The complexes were characterized by x-ray crystallography. Compounds 1,2, and 8 are the first isothiocyanate- 4-methylpyridine anionic compounds ever prepared and structurally characterized. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural with four equatorially bound isothiocyanate ligands and two axially bound y-picoline molecules. Compound 8 is a five-coordinate copper(II) molecule with a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. Coordinated picoline and two isothiocyanates form the basal plane and the remaining isothiocyanate is bound at the apex. Structural data are presented for all compounds.

Harris, Jerry D.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Materials Science

The Materials Science Program is structured so that NASA s headquarters is responsible for the program content and selection, through the Enterprise Scientist, and MSFC provides for implementation of ground and flight programs with a Discipline Scientist and Discipline Manager. The Discipline Working Group of eminent scientists from outside of NASA acts in an advisory capacity and writes the Discipline Document from which the NRA content is derived. The program is reviewed approximately every three years by groups such as the Committee on Microgravity Research, the National Materials Advisory Board, and the OBPR Maximization and Prioritization (ReMaP) Task Force. The flight program has had as many as twenty-six principal investigators (PIs) in flight or flight definition stage, with the numbers of PIs in the future dependent on the results of the ReMaP Task Force and internal reviews. Each project has a NASA-appointed Project Scientist, considered a half-time job, who assists the PI in understanding and preparing for internal reviews such as the Science Concept Review and Requirements Definition Review. The Project Scientist also insures that the PI gets the maximum science support from MSFC, represents the PI to the MSFC community, and collaborates with the Project Manager to insure the project is well-supported and remains vital. Currently available flight equipment includes the Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR-1) and Microgravity Science Glovebox. Ground based projects fall into one or more of several categories. Intellectual Underpinning of Flight Program projects include theoretical studies backed by modeling and computer simulations; bring to maturity new research, often by young researchers, and may include preliminary short duration low gravity experiments in the KC-135 aircraft or drop tube; enable characterization of data sets from previous flights; and provide thermophysical property determinations to aid PIs. Radiation Shielding and preliminary In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) studies work towards future long duration missions. Biomaterials support materials issues affecting crew health. Nanostructured Materials are currently considered to be maturing new research, and Advanced Materials for Space Transportation has as yet no PIs. PIs are assigned a NASA Technical Monitor to maintain contact, a position considered to be a 5 percent per PI effort. Currently 33 PIs are supported on the 1996 NRA, which is about to expire, and 59 on the 1998 NRA. Two new NRAs, one for Radiation Shielding and one for Materials Science for Advanced Space Propulsion are due to be announced by the 2003 fiscal year. MSFC has a number of facilities supporting materials science. These include the Microgravity Development Laboratory/SD43; Electrostatic Levitator Facility; SCN Purification Facility; Electron Microscope/Microprobe Facility; Static and Rotating Magnetic Field Facility; X-Ray Diffraction Facility; and the Furnace Development Laboratory.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2005

Morphological Evolution of Directional Solidification Interfaces in Microgravity: An Analysis of Model Experiments Performed on the International Space Station

A series of experiments performed using the Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI) apparatus within the glovebox facility (GBX) on board the International Space Station (ISS) has provided video images of the morphological evolution of a three-dimensional interface in a diffusion controlled regime. The experimental samples were prepared on ground by filling glass tubes, 1 cm ID and approximately 30 cm in length, with "alloys" of succinonitrile (SCN) and water in an atmosphere of nitrogen at 450 millibar pressure. The compositions of the samples processed and analyzed are 0.25,0.5 and 1.0 wt% water. Experimental processing parameters of temperature gradient and translation speed, as well as camera settings, were remotely monitored and manipulated from the ground Telescience Center (TSC) at the Marshall !3pace Flight Center. During the experiments, the sample was first subjected to a unidirectional melt back, generally at 10 microns per second, with a constant temperature gradient ahead of the melting interface. Following the melt back, the interface was allowed to stabilize before translation is initiated. The temperatures in the sample were monitored by six in situ thermocouples and the position is monitored by an optical linear encoder. For the experiments performed and analyzed, the gradients ranged from 2.5 - 3.3 K/mm and the initial pulling velocities ranged from 0.7 micron per second to 1 micron per second with subsequent transition velocities of up to 100 microns per second. The data provided by the PFMI for analysis includes near-real-time (NRT) video captured on the ground during the experiment runs, ISS Video Tape Recorder (VTR) data dumped from the VTR at the end of the experiment run and recorded on the ground, telemetry data including temperature and position measurements, and limited flight HI-8 tapes in 2 camera views of experiment runs for which tapes have been returned to the investigators from ISS. Because of limited down mass from the ISS, the majority of the initial analysis has been performed using the NRT and VTR video data but will be supplemented with the HI-8 video as it becomes available. hardware and procedures required to prepare samples for correlation to flight samples is described. Using this ground-based system, a series of experiments have been performed for direct comparison with the flight data. The results of these comparisons as well as implications to future microgravity experiments are presented and discussed. A ground-based thin-sample directional solidification system as well as all associated

Strutzenberg, Louise L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Numerical and Experimental Study of Transport Phenomena in Directional Solidification of Succinonitrile

A numerical and experimental study of the growth of succinonitrile (SCN) using a horizontal Bridginan furnace and transparent glass ampoule was conducted. Two experiments were considered: one in which the temperature profile was fixed relative to the ampoule (no-growth case); and a second in which the thermal profile was translated at a constant rate (steady growth case). Measured temperature profiles on the outer surface of the ampoule were used as thermal boundary conditions for the modelling. The apparent heat capacity formulation combined with the variable viscositymeth~ was used to model the phase change in SeN. Both 2-D and 3-D models were studied and numerical solutions obtained using the commercial finite element code, FIDAP1. Comparison of the numerical results to experimental data showed excellent agreement. The complex 3-D shallow-cavity flow in the melt, differences between 2-D and 3-D models, effects of natural convection on the thermal gradient and shape of the solid/liquid interface, and the sensitivity of simulations to specific assumptions, are also discussed.

de Groh, Henry C., III↗
NASA NTRS2017

Circadian and Fatigue Effects on the Dynamics of the Pupillary Light Reflex

The pupillary light reflex (PLR) is known to be driven by the photo-entrainment of intrinsically-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. These ganglion cells are known to have retino-hypothalamic projections to the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), which regulates circadian rhythms, and bilateral retinal projections to the pretectal area, which mediates the PLR (Dacey et al., 2005; Hattar et al., 2002, 2006). The magnitude of the PLR has previously been shown to show circadian variation (Mnch et al., 2012). In this study, we used a constant routine protocol (Mills et al., 1978) to examine circadian and fatigue effects on the dynamics of the PLR. We characterized the PLR (pupil size as a function of time) in response to a square-wave change in the luminance of a white display background, at ten different times over a single circadian cycle. Twelve subjects participated in three daytime baseline runs followed by 7 nighttime runs each separated by an hour (17 23 hours after awakening). The constriction and dilation phases of the PLR waveform were fit separately with a single exponential model (Longtin Milton, 1988; Milton Longtin, 1990) with time constants estimated using a least-squares method. The dilation time constant exhibited a distinct sinusoidal modulation across the circadian cycle and, after 23 hours of wakefulness, decreased on average by 82 ms (paired t-test, p 0.05) relative to baseline (mean: 543 ms). The constriction time constant however, did not show an overall decrease with increased wakefulness. We conclude that the dynamics of the PLR show circadian variation and that, in addition, the briskness of the dilation response to a step-decrease in luminance shows a homeostatic enhancement with increased wakefulness.

human performance↗
NASA NTRS2019

In Situ Observation of Growth Dynamics in DECLIC Directional Solidification Insert Onboard ISS: DSI-R Flight Campaign

The study of solidification microstructure formation is of utmost importance for materials design and processing, as solid-liquid interface patterns largely govern mechanical and physical properties. Pattern selection occurs under dynamic conditions of growth in which the initial morphological instability evolves nonlinearly and undergoes a reorganization process. The dynamic and nonlinear nature of this instability renders in situ observation of the interface an invaluable tool to gain knowledge on the time-evolution of the interface pattern. Transparent organic analogs, which solidify like metallic alloys, allow direct visualization of interface dynamics. Extensive ground-based studies of both metallic and organic bulk samples have established the presence of significant convection during solidification processes that alters the formation of interfacial microstructures. A reduced-gravity environment is therefore mandatory for fluid flow elimination in bulk samples. In the framework of the CNES project MISOL3D (MIcrostrutures de SOLidification 3D) and the NASA projects DSIP (Dynamical Selection of 3D Interface Patterns), SPADES (SPAtiotemporal Evolution of three-dimensional DEndritic array Structures) and CAMUS (ComputAtional Studies of MicrostrUcture Formation During Alloy Solidification in Microgravity), we participated in the development of the Directional Solidification Insert (DSI) of the DEvice for the study of Critical Liquids and Crystallization (DECLIC). The DECLIC-DSI is dedicated to in situ and real-time characterization of solid-liquid interface patterns during directional solidification of transparent alloys in diffusive transport regime. Between April 2010 and March 2011, the first ISS campaign (DSI) explored the entire range of microstructures resulting in unprecedented observations. A second campaign (DSI-R), performed between October 2017 and December 2018, in which the insert contained an alloy of higher solute concentration, allowed to complete the benchmark database. The increase of solute concentration resulted in well-developed dendritic patterns at lower velocities (lower interface curvature and larger tip radius). The microstructure resulting from dendritic growth is dominant in metallurgy so that it is fundamental to understand the mechanisms of its formation. The main aims of this experimental campaign are to understand: the mechanisms of the cell to dendrite transition, the fundamental mechanisms of sidebranching formation, the dependence of dendrite tip shapes on growth conditions, the interaction of primary array and secondary sidebranches, and the influence of subgrain boundaries on the spatiotemporal organization of the array structure. Preparation, analysis and interpretation of the experiments performed onboard ISS are considerably enhanced by experiments performed on ground using thin-samples (Pr. Trivedi’s group) and phase-field simulations of microstructure formation in a diffuse growth regime (Pr. Karma’s group). In this summary, we will present an initial assessment of the results obtained during the DSI-R campaign. Nomenclature Vp: pulling velocity G: thermal gradient L: solidified length rtip: tip curvature radius Acronyms/Abbreviations CADMOS: Centre d'Aide au Développement des activités en Micro-pesanteur et des Opérations Spatiales CNES: Centre National d’Études Spatiales DECLIC: Device for the study of Critical LIquids and Crystallization DSI: Directional Solidification Insert DSI-R: Directional Solidification Insert - Refurbish ISS: International Space Station NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration PF: phase-field SCN: Succinonitrile 3D: three-dimensional

Mota, F.L.↗