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Aligned Boron Nitride Nanotube Reinforced Polyethylene Nanocomposite for Space Radiation Shielding

With NASA’s Artemis program aiming to establish a human presence on the Moon and eventually on Mars, protecting astronauts from radiation is necessary. Flight-heritage materials, like those with high hydrogen content, such as polyethylene (PE), have proven to be effective radiation shields. This is due to hydrogen’s high charge-to-mass ratio, low secondary radiation production, efficient energy absorption, and high cross-section, which increases the probability of particle interactions to slow or stop ionized particles. Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and other boron-rich materials offer more effective thermal neutron radiation-stopping capabilities due to their high cross-section and neutron absorption properties. BNNTs also enhance the mechanical properties of radiation shielding material due to their high strength-to-weight ratios. However, integrating high volumes of nanotubes in a matrix without defects presents significant manufacturing challenges. To address this, a bulk nanocomposite laminate fabricating technique, involving synthesizing millimeter-long vertically aligned BNNTs, densifying the nanotubes to high-volume fractions, and infusing the nanotubes with PE while applying heat and pressure was utilized to fabricate the BNNT-PE nanocomposite that was tested for its radiation shielding properties at NASA Langley Research Center’s neutron radiation exposure lab. Results from these experiments will be discussed in the presentation.

Palak B Patel↗

NASA NTRS2001

Formation of Y(x)Nd(1-x) Ba2Cu3O(7-delta) (0 = or < x < or = 0.7) Superconductors from an Undercooled Melt Via Aero-Acoustic Levitation

Melt processing of RE123 superconductors has gained importance in recent years. While the first high temperature superconductors (HTSCs) were made using traditional ceramic press and sinter technology, recent fabrication efforts have employed alternate processing techniques including laser ablation and ion beam assisted deposition for thin film fabrication of tapes and wires and melt growth for bulk materials. To optimize these techniques and identify other potential processing strategies, phase relation studies on HTSCs have been conducted on a wide variety of superconducting compounds using numerous processing strategies. This data has enhanced the understanding of these complex systems and allowed more accurate modeling of phase interactions. All of this research has proved useful in identifying processing capabilities for HTSCs but has failed to achieve a breakthrough for wide spread application of these materials. This study examines the role of full to partial substitution of Nd in the Y123 structure under rapid solidification conditions. Aero-acoustic levitation (AAL) was used to levitate and undercool RE123 in pure oxygen binary alloys with RE = Nd an Y along a range of compositions corresponding to Y(x)Nd(1-x) Ba2Cu3O(7-delta) (0 = or < x < or = 0.7) which were melted by a CO2 laser. Higher Y content spheres could not be melted in the AAL and were excluded from this report. Solidification structures were examined using scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, and powder x-ray diffraction to characterize microstructures and identify phases.

Gustafson, D. E.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Characterization of Corning EPMA Standard Glasses 95IRV, 95IRW, and 95IRX

The preparation, synthesis, and characterization of Corning trace-element glasses 95IRV, 95IRW, and 95IRX by bulk chemical and electron microprobe techniques is discussed. Working values for the doped elements in the 95-series glasses are established. Blank values have been determined by both bulk chemical and electron microprobe analysis, and important x-ray interferences are highlighted. Chemical homogeneity both within a rod cross-section, and along cane length has been documented. These glasses are standard reference materials intended for use as both primary and secondary electron microprobe standards.

Carpenter, Paul K.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Basic failure mechanisms in advanced composites

Fundamental failure mechanisms in carbon-epoxy composites were studied for more reliable prediction of the performance of these materials. Single and multiple fiber specimens were tested under tensile loads, and the sequence of failure events was observed. Parameters such as resin crack sensitivity, fiber surface treatment and variations in fibers from batch to batch are being evaluated. The analysis of bulk composite fracture processes using acoustic emission techniques is being studied in order to correlate microscopic observations with bulk composite behavior. Control of the fracture process through matrix and interface modification is being attempted, and study of failure processes in composite/metal specimens is being conducted. Most of the studies involved DEN 438 epoxy novolac as the matrix, but some experiments are now underway using the higher temperature resin ERLA 4617.

Mullin, J. V.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Theoretical and experimental investigations of collective microwave phenomena in solids

Methods of generating microwave shear waves efficiently were studied. A new technique of mode conversion from a longitudinal wave to a shear wave was investigated and virtually 100% conversion efficiency could be obtained. Several aspects of Gunn oscillators were studied. One involved the detailed study of domains in Gunn oscillators using long samples of bulk gallium arsenide. Several new techniques were devised for measuring the properties of the domains. A fundamental theory of the efficiency of a Gunn oscillator was worked out. A computer program was devised to study the transient effect of domains passing through Gunn diodes. Some of the first planar epitaxial Gunn oscillators were made using liquid epitaxial material grown by liquid phase techniques on semi-insulating substrate. A new theory which predicted the properties of RF signals propagating in a thin film layer of GaAs was developed. The theory of the operation of a traveling wave amplifier is described.

Kino, G. S.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Bulk Crystal Growth of Piezoelectric PMN-PT Crystals Using Gradient Freeze Technique for Improved SHM Sensors

There has been a growing interest in recent years in lead based perovskite ferroelectric and relaxor ferroelectric solid solutions because of their excellent dielectric, piezoelectric and electrostrictive properties that make them very attractive for various sensing, actuating and structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. We are interested in the development of highly sensitive and efficient PMN-PT sensors based on large single crystals for the structural health monitoring of composite materials that may be used in future spacecrafts. Highly sensitive sensors are needed for detection of defects in these materials because they often tend to fail by distributed and interacting damage modes and much of the damage occurs beneath the top surface of the laminate and not detectable by visual inspection. Research is being carried out for various combinations of solid solutions for PMN-PT piezoelectric materials and bigger size crystals are being sought for improved sensor applications. Single crystals of this material are of interest for sensor applications because of their high piezoelectric coefficient (d33 greater than 1700 pC/N) and electromechanical coefficients (k33 greater than 0.90). For comparison, the commonly used piezoelectric ceramic lead zirconate titanate (PZT) has a d33 of about 600 pC/N and electromechanical coefficients k33 of about 0.75. At the present time, these piezoelectric relaxor crystals are grown by high temperature flux growth method and the size of these crystals are rather small (~3x4x5 mm(exp 3). In the present paper, we have attempted to grow bulk single crystals of PMN-PT in a 2 inch diameter platinum crucible and successfully grown a large size crystal of 67%PMN-33%PT using the vertical gradient freeze technique with no flux. Piezoelectric properties of the grown crystals are investigated. PMN-PT plates show excellent piezoelectric properties. Samples were poled under an applied electric field of 5 kV/cm. Dielectric properties at a frequency of 1 kHz are examined. The grown PMN-PT crystals show typical relaxor dielectric properties. Additionally, the thermal properties of the sample are tested. The results are in good agreement with those found in the literature and some are reported for the first time.

Aggarwal, Mohan D.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Piezoelectric Measurement Of Bulk Modulus

In method of measuring bulk modulus of elasticity of elastomeric material, piezoelectric crystals of various sizes and energized by alternating voltage embedded in material. Concept demonstrated in test cell in which piezoelectric crystal mounted either unconstrained or between two rubber pads and connected as actuator in loud-speaker. The 1-in. diameter crystal excited with 24 Vac at 60 Hz. When crystal was unconstrained, it drew current of 0.8 mA. When crystal was constrained between rubber pads, current fell to 0.65 mA. Low current, minimal heating, and absence of arcing makes technique suitable for measurement of bulk moduli of elasticity of flammable or explosive rubbery materials.

Butler, Barry L.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Minor and trace element distribution in melilite and pyroxene from the Allende meteorite

Melilite and pyroxene were separated from a coarsely crystalline chondrule in the Allende meteorite and analyzed by microprobe and spark source mass spectrometer techniques. Elemental abundances in the bulk chondrule are consistent with a mixture of equal amounts of the two minerals, as observed microscopically. The lanthanide distributions are markedly different in the two minerals; relative to chondrite abundances, melilite shows progressive depletion of the lanthanides La-Sm, a positive Eu anomaly, and relatively constant abundances of the heavier lanthanides (Gd-Yb, and Y) whereas pyroxene shows progressive enrichment towards the heavier lanthanides, on which is superimposed a negative Eu anomaly. Both minerals, and the bulk chondrule, show unusual concentrations of the platinum metals, but the crystallographic site or sites of these metals remains to be determined.

Mason, B.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Proportional retention of I and radiogenic Xe-129 in preheated Allende

In order to study the effects of heat loss and redistribution of iodine and xenon on the I-Xe age, the iodine-xenon dating technique was applied to a bulk sample of the Allende chondrite and a similar sample preheated to 900 C prior to the irradiation. Little iodine or Xe-129 were lost from the high-temperature fractions of the preheated sample, and the high-temperature isochron was fully preserved. The amounts of I and radiogenic Xe-129 retained by the preheated sample were nearly proportional in those temperature fractions (900-1150 C) where most I and radiogenic X-129 were lost. However, the intermediate-temperature isochron was modified, resulting in an apparent isochron which would predate the high-temperature isochron by 6.7 + or - 1.1 m.y.

Rison, W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Undercooled and rapidly quenched Ni-Mo alloys

Hypoeutectic, eutectic, and hypereutectic nickel-molybdenum alloys were rapidly solidified by both bulk undercooling and melt spinning techniques. Alloys were undercooled in both electromagnetic levitation and differential thermal analysis equipment. The rate of recalescence depended upon the degree of initial undercooling and the nature (faceted or nonfaceted) of the primary nucleating phase. Alloy melts were observed to undercool more in the presence of primary Beta (NiMo intermetallic) phase than in gamma (fcc solid solution) phase. Melt spinning resulted in an extension of molybdenum solid solubility in gamma nickel, from 28 to 37.5 at % Mo. Although the microstructures observed by undercooling and melt spinning were similar the microsegregation pattern across the gamma dendries was different. The range of microstructures evolved was analyzed in terms of the nature of the primary phase to nucleate, its subsequent dendritic growth, coarsening and fragmentation, and final solidification of interfenderitic liquid.

Tewari, S. N.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Undercooled and rapidly quenched Ni-Mo alloys

Hypoeutectic, eutectic, and hypereutectic nickel-molybdenum alloys were rapidly solidified by both bulk undercooling and melt spinning techniques. Alloys were undercooled in both electromagnetic levitation and differential thermal analysis equipment. The rate of recalescence depended upon the degree of initial undercooling and the nature (faceted or nonfaceted) of the primary nucleating phase. Alloy melts were observed to undercool more in the presence of primary Beta (NiMo intermetallic) phase than in gamma (fcc solid solution) phase. Melt spinning resulted in an extension of molybdenum solid solubility in gamma nickel, from 28 to 37.5 at. pct Mo. Although the microstructures observed by undercooling and melt spinning were similar, the microsegregation pattern across the gamma dendries was different. The range of microstructures evolved was analyzed in terms of the nature of the primary phase to nucleate, its subsequent dendritic growth, coarsening and fragmentation, and final solidification of interfenderitic liquid.

Tewari, S. N.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Chemical compositions of primitive solar system particles

Chemical studies of micrometeorites are of fundamental importance primarily because atmospheric entry selection effects (such as destruction of friable objects) are less significant than those for conventional meteorites. As a result, particles that have experienced very little postaccretional processing have a significant chance of surviving the Earth encounter and subsequent collection. Thus, chemical analyses of these relatively unaltered micrometeorites may lead to a better understanding of the compositions of the most primitive materials in the solar system and thereby constrain the conditions (physical and chemical) that existed in the early solar nebula. Micrometeorites have been collected from the stratosphere, polar ices, and ocean sediments, but the stratospheric collection is the best source for the most unaltered material because they are small and are not heated to their melting points. Despite the fact that the stratospheric micrometeorites have masses in the nanogram range, a variety of microanalytical techniques have been applied to bulk chemical analyses with part-per-million sensitivity. In some cases, multi-disciplinary studies (e.g., chemistry and mineralogy) have been performed on individual particles. The first-order conclusion is that the chondrite-like particles are chemically similar to carbonaceous chondrites but in detail are distinct from members of the conventional meteorite collection. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the results to date and identify important areas for further study.

Sutton, Steve R.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Bridgman Growth of Germanium

The high-magnetic-field crystal growth facility at the Marshall Space Flight Center will be briefly described. This facility has been used to grow bulk germanium by the Bridgman technique in magnetic fields up to 5 Tesla. The results of investigations of ampoule material on the interface shape and thermal field applied to the melt on stability against convection will be discussed.

Szofran, F. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Micro-area Auger analysis of a SiC/Ti fibre composite

Micro-area Auger electron spectroscopy with a spatial resolution of less than 50 nm has been used to study the concentration of elements across the reaction zone of a W-reinforced SiC fiber in a titanium matrix. Although the elemental concentrations obtained by this technique are affected by the reaction zone morphology to a greater extent than in the case of X-ray microprobe analysis, the proposed technique has the advantage of a much higher spatial resolution and avoids the problems of bulk averaging that characterize the X-ray technique.

Zironi, E. P.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A survey of simulation and diagnostic techniques for hypersonic nonequilibrium flows

The possible means of simulating nonequilibrium reacting flows in hypersonic environments, and the required diagnostic techniques, are surveyed in two categories: bulk flow behavior and determination of chemical rate parameters. Flow visualization of shock shapes for validation of computational-fluid dynamic calculations is proposed. The facilities and the operating conditions necessary to produce the required nonequilibrium conditions, the suitable optical techniques, and their sensitivity requirements, are surveyed. Shock-tubes, shock-tunnels, and ballistic ranges in a wide range of sizes and strengths are found to be useful for this purpose, but severe sensitivity requirements are indicated for the optical instruments, which can be met only by using highly-collimated laser sources. Likewise, for the determination of chemical parameters, this paper summarizes the quantities that need to be determined, required facilities and their operating conditions, and the suitable diagnostic techniques and their performance requirements. Shock tubes of various strengths are found to be useful for this purpose. Vacuum ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy are found to be the techniques best suited for the measurements of the chemical data.

Sharma, Surendra P.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Application of the SEM to the measurement of solar cell parameters

A pair of techniques are described which make use of the SEM to measure, respectively, the minority carrier diffusion length and the metallurgical junction depth in silicon solar cells. The former technique permits the measurement of the true bulk diffusion length through the application of highly doped field layers to the back surfaces of the cells being investigated. The technique yields an absolute value of the diffusion length from a knowledge of the collected fraction of the injected carriers and the cell thickness. It is shown that the secondary emission contrast observed in the SEM on a reverse-biased diode can depict the location of the metallurgical junction if the diode has been prepared with the proper beveled geometry. The SEM provides the required contrast and the option of high magnification, permitting the measurement of extremely shallow junction depths.

Weizer, V. G.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Porous silicon carbide (SIC) semiconductor device

Porous silicon carbide is fabricated according to techniques which result in a significant portion of nanocrystallites within the material in a sub 10 nanometer regime. There is described techniques for passivating porous silicon carbide which result in the fabrication of optoelectronic devices which exhibit brighter blue luminescence and exhibit improved qualities. Based on certain of the techniques described porous silicon carbide is used as a sacrificial layer for the patterning of silicon carbide. Porous silicon carbide is then removed from the bulk substrate by oxidation and other methods. The techniques described employ a two-step process which is used to pattern bulk silicon carbide where selected areas of the wafer are then made porous and then the porous layer is subsequently removed. The process to form porous silicon carbide exhibits dopant selectivity and a two-step etching procedure is implemented for silicon carbide multilayers.

Shor, Joseph S.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Method of fabricating porous silicon carbide (SiC)

Shor, Joseph S.↗