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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Electrolyte management considerations in modern nickel hydrogen and nickel cadmium cell and battery designs

In the early 1980's the NASA Lewis group addressed the topic of designing nickel hydrogen cells for LEO applications. As published in 1984, the design addressed the topics of gas management, liquid management, plate expansion, and the recombination of oxygen during overcharge. This design effort followed principles set forth in an earlier Lewis paper that addressed the topic of pore size engineering. At about that same time, the beneficial effect on cycle life of lower electrolyte concentrations was verified by Hughes Aircraft as part of a Lewis funded study. A succession of life cycle tests of these concepts have been carried out that essentially verified all of this earlier work. During these past two decades, some of the mysteries involved in the active material of the nickel electrode have been resolved by careful research efforts carried out at several laboratories. At The Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Zimmerman has been developing a sophisticated model of an operating nickel hydrogen cell which will be used to model certain mechanisms that have contributed to premature failures in nickel hydrogen and nickel cadmium cells. During the course of trying to understand and model abnormal nickel hydrogen cell behaviors, we have noted that not enough attention has been paid to the potassium ion content in these cells, and more recently batteries. Several of these phenomenon have been well known in the area of alkaline fuel cells, but only recently have they been examined as they might impact alkaline cell designs. This paper will review three general areas where the potassium ion content can impact the performance and life of nickel hydrogen and nickel cadmium devices, Once these phenomenon are understood conceptually, the impact of potassium content on a potential cell design can be evaluated with the aid of an accurate model of an operating cell or battery. All three of these areas are directly related to the volume tolerance and pore size engineering aspects of the components used in the cell or battery design: (1) The gamma phase uptake of potassium ion can result in a lowering of the electrolyte concentration. This leads to a higher electrolyte resistance as well as electrolyte diffusional limitations on the discharge rate. This phenomenon will also impact the response of the cell to a reconditioning cycle. (2) The impact of low level shunt currents in multi-cell con figurations will result in the movement of potassium ion from one part of the battery to another. This will impact the electrolyte volume/vapor pressure relationships within the cell or battery. (3) The transport of water vapor from place to place under the driving force of a tempetature gradient has already impacted cells for the case where water vapor is condensed on a colder cell wall. The paper will explore the convective and diffusive movement of gases saturated with water vapor from a warmer plate pack to a cooler one - both with and without liquid communication.

Thaller, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Experimental Investigation of Solder Joint Defect Formation and Mitigation in Reduced-Gravity Environments

This paper documents a research effort on reduced gravity soldering of plated through hole joints which was conducted jointly by the National Center for Space Exploration Research, NASA Glenn Research Center, and NASA Johnson Space Center. Significant increases in joint porosity and changes in external geometry were observed in joints produced in reduced gravity as compared to normal gravity. Multiple techniques for mitigating the observed increase in porosity were tried, including several combinations of flux and solder application techniques, and demoisturizing the circuit board prior to soldering. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that the source of the porosity is a combination of both trapped moisture in the circuit board itself, as well as vaporized flux that is trapped in the molten solder. Other topics investigated include correlation of visual inspection results with joint porosity, pore size measurements, limited pressure effects (0.08 MPa - 0.1 MPa) on the size and number of pores, and joint cooling rate.

Watson, J. Kevin↗
NASA NTRS2015

Robust, Flexible and Lightweight Dielectric Barrier Discharge Actuators Using Nanofoams/Aerogels

Robust, flexible, lightweight, low profile enhanced performance dielectric barrier discharge actuators (plasma actuators) based on aerogels/nanofoams with controlled pore size and size distribution as well as pore shape. The plasma actuators offer high body force as well as high force to weight ratios (thrust density). The flexibility and mechanical robustness of the actuators allows them to be shaped to conform to the surface to which they are applied. Carbon nanotube (CNT) based electrodes serve to further decrease the weight and profile of the actuators while maintaining flexibility while insulating nano-inclusions in the matrix enable tailoring of the mechanical properties. Such actuators are required for flow control in aeronautics and moving machinery such as wind turbines, noise abatement in landing gear and rotary wing aircraft and other applications.

Sauti, Godfrey↗
NASA NTRS1973

Pore Structure Analysis of RSI Tile

Mercury porosimetry gives a means of characterizing RSI tile pore structure in terms of porosity, pore size distribution, bulk density, specific surface area, mean pore diameter, and mean fiber diameter. It also allows the determination of the effects of heat treatment on these parameters. It is limited in application to open-pored structures, however, since any closed pore volume is ignored.

Whittemore, O. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1992

On the melt infiltration of copper coated silicon carbide with an aluminium alloy

Pressure-assisted infiltration of porous compacts of Cu coated and uncoated single crystals of platelet shaped alpha (hexagonal) SiC was used to study infiltration dynamics and particulate wettability with a 2014 Al alloy. The infiltration lengths were measured for a range of experimental variables which included infiltration pressure, infiltration time, and SiC size. A threshold pressure (P(th)) for flow initiation through compacts was identified from an analysis of infiltration data; P(th) decreased while penetration lengths increased with increasing SiC size (more fundamentally, due to changes in interparticle pore size) and with increasing infiltration times. Cu coated SiC led to lower P(th) and 60-80 percent larger penetration lengths compared to uncoated SiC under identical processing conditions.

Asthana, R.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Gravitational Effects on Closed-Cellular-Foam Microstructure

Polyurethane foam has been produced in low gravity for the first time. The cause and distribution of different void or pore sizes are elucidated from direct comparison of unit-gravity and low-gravity samples. Low gravity is found to increase the pore roundness by 17% and reduce the void size by 50%. The standard deviation for pores becomes narrower (a more homogeneous foam is produced) in low gravity. Both a Gaussian and a Weibull model fail to describe the statistical distribution of void areas, and hence the governing dynamics do not combine small voids in either a uniform or a dependent fashion to make larger voids. Instead, the void areas follow an exponential law, which effectively randomizes the production of void sizes in a nondependent fashion consistent more with single nucleation than with multiple or combining events.

Noever, David A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

On the thermal properties of Martian fines

Theoretical models are developed for the thermal conductivity of grains smaller than 30 microns diameter and over 1 mm diameter in order to aid in the understanding of the thermal inertia of the surface regolith of Mars. The thermal inertia is a function of the thermal conductivity of the surface materials, and is discussed in terms of pore sizes below and above the mean free path of gas molecules (GMFP). The models are limited to surface deposits which consist of non-bonded materials at Martian surface pressures. The calculations indicate that a particulate surface with grains having pores smaller than the GMFP will be proportional to the pore or grain size. The thermal conductivity of a surface made of grains larger than the GMFP will be independent of the particle size. The results for the larger grain sizes is supported by available laboratory data. Further experiments are recommended in order to test the validity of the models for the smaller grain surfaces.

Jakosky, B. M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Estimation of Length-Scales in Soils by MRI

Soil can be best described as an unconsolidated granular media that forms porous structure. The present macroscopic theory of water transport in porous media rests upon the continuum hypothesis that the physical properties of porous media can be associated with continuous, twice-differentiable field variables whose spatial domain is a set of centroids of Representative Elementary Volume (REV) elements. MRI is an ideal technique to estimate various length-scales in porous media. A 0.267 T permanent magnet at NASA GRC was used for this study. A 2D or 3D spatially-resolved porosity distribution were obtained from the NMR signal strength from each voxel and the spin-lattice relaxation time. A classical spin-warp imaging with Multiple Spin Echos (MSE) was used to evaluate proton density in each voxel. Initial resolution of 256 x 256 was subsequently reduced by averaging neighboring voxels and the porosity convergence was observed. A number of engineered "space candidate" soils such as Isolite(trademark), Zeoponics(trademark), Turface(trademark), and Profile(trademark) were used. Glass beads in the size range between 50 microns to 2 mm were used as well. Initial results with saturated porous samples have shown a good estimate of the average porosity consistent with the gravimetric porosity measurement results. For Profile(trademark) samples with particle sizes ranging between 0.25 to 1 mm and characteristic interparticle pore size of 100 microns the characteristic Darcy scale was estimated to be about delta(sub REV) = 10 mm. Glass beads porosity show clear convergence toward a definite REV which stays constant throughout homogeneous sample. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.

N E Daidzic↗
NASA NTRS1980

The effect of preparation conditions on the structure and mechanical properties of reaction-sintered silicon nitride

The microstructure of reaction sintered silicon nitride (RSSN) was changed over a wide range by varying the grain density, grain size of the silicon starting powder, nitriding conditions, and by introducing artificial pores. The influence of single microstructural parameters on mechanical properties like room temperature strength, creep behavior, and resistance to thermal shock was investigated. The essential factors influencing these properties were found to be total porosity, pore size distribution, and the fractions of alpha and beta Si3N4. In view of high temperature engineering applications of RSSN, potentials for optimizing the material's properties by controlled processing are discussed.

Heinrich, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Improved consolidation of silicon carbide

Alpha silicon carbide powder was consolidated by both dry and wet methods. Dry pressing in a double acting steel die yielded sintered test bars with an average flexural strength of 235.6 MPa with a critical flaw size of approximately 100 micro m. An aqueous slurry pressing technique produced sintered test bars with an average flexural strength of 440.8 MPa with a critical flaw size of approximately 25 micro m. Image analysis revealed a reduction in both pore area and pore size distribution in the slurry pressed sintered test bars. The improvements in the slurry pressed material properties are discussed in terms of reduced agglomeration and improved particle packing during consolidation.

Freedman, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Improved consolidation of silicon carbide

Alpha silicon carbide powder was consolidated by both dry and wet methods. Dry pressing in a double acting steel die yielded sintered test bars with an average flexural strength of 235.6 MPa with a critical flaw size of approximately 100 micro m. An aqueous slurry pressing technique produced sintered test bars with an average flexural strength of 440.8 MPa with a critical flaw size of approximately 25 micro m. Image analysis revealed a reduction in both pore area and pore size distribution in the slurry pressed sintered test bars. The improvements in the slurry pressed material properties are discussed in terms of reduced agglomeration and improved particle packing during consolidation.

Freedman, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Influence of Solutocapillary Convection on Macrovoid Defect Formation in Polymeric Membranes

The focus of this research project involved the dry-cast process for polymeric membrane formation, whereby evaporation of solvent from an initially homogeneous polymer/solvent/ nonsolvent solution results in phase separation and the formation of polymer-rich and polymer-lean phases. Under certain conditions the polymer-lean phase gives rise to very large and usually undesirable, tear-drop-shaped pores (size approx. 10 - 50 microns) termed macrovoids (MVs). Although in many cases the presence of MV pores has deleterious effects on membrane performance, there are a number of innovative applications where the presence of such pores is highly desirable. Although researchers have proposed a variety of mechanisms for MV formation over the past three decades, two main hypotheses are currently favored: one asserts that MV growth can be attributed solely to diffusion (the diffusive growth hypothesis), whereas the other states that solutocapillary convection (the SC hypothesis) at the MV interface contributes to growth. The overall goal of this research was to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the fundamental mechanism of MV growth. This research incorporates a coupled modeling and experimental approach to test a solutocapillary convection hypothesis for the growth of macrovoid pores in polymeric membranes. Specifically, we utilized a modification of the first principles model developed by two of the PIs (ARG and WBK) for dry-cast CA membranes. For the experimental component, two separate and mutually complementary approaches were used to study MV growth. In the first, membranes cast in a zero-g environment aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft were compared with those cast on the ground to assess the effect of the buoyancy force on membrane morphology and MV size and shape. In the second approach, videomicroscopy flow visualization (VMFV) was utilized to observe MV formation and growth in real time and to assess the effect of surface tension on the MV growth dynamics. As a result of these fundamental studies, our research group advanced a new hypothesis for MV pore development in polymeric membranes.

Greenberg, Alan R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The stability of ground ice in the equatorial region of Mars

The lifetime of an unreplenished layer of ground ice lying within 30 deg of the Martian equator was examined within the context of the existing data base on Martian regolith and climate. Data on the partial pressure of H2O in the Martian atmosphere and the range of mean annual temperatures indicated the ground ice would be restricted to latitudes poleward of 40 deg. However, the ground ice near the poles may be a relic from early Martian geologic times held in place by a thin layer of regolith. Consideration of twelve model pore size distributions, similar to silt- and clay-type earth soils, was combined with a parallel pore model of gaseous diffusion to calculate the flux of H2O molecules escaping from the subsurface ground ice layer. Martian equatorial ground ice was found to be influenced by the soil structure, the magnitude of the geothermal gradient, the climatic desorption of CO2 from the regolith. It is concluded that equatorial ground ice is present on Mars only if a process of replenishment is active.

Clifford, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Size selective hydrophobic adsorbent for organic molecules

The present invention relates to an adsorbent formed by the pyrolysis of a hydrophobic silica with a pore size greater than 5 .ANG., such as SILICALITE.TM., with a molecular sieving polymer precursor such as polyfurfuryl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene chloride, phenol-formaldehyde resin, polyvinylidene difluoride and mixtures thereof. Polyfurfuryl alcohol is the most preferred. The adsorbent produced by the pyrolysis has a silicon to carbon mole ratio of between about 10:1 and 1:3, and preferably about 2:1 to 1:2, most preferably 1:1. The pyrolysis is performed as a ramped temperature program between about 100.degree. and 800.degree. C., and preferably between about 100.degree. and 600.degree. C. The present invention also relates to a method for selectively adsorbing organic molecules having a molecular size (mean molecular diameter) of between about 3 and 6 .ANG. comprising contacting a vapor containing the small organic molecules to be adsorbed with the adsorbent composition of the present invention.

Sharma, Pramod K.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Effect of osteoblastic culture conditions on the structure of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) foam scaffolds

Poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) foams are an osteoconductive support that holds promise for the development of bone tissue in vitro and implantation into orthopedic defects. Because it is desirable that foams maintain their shape and size, we examined a variety of foams cultured in vitro with osteoblastic cells. Foams were prepared with different porosities and pore sizes by the method of solvent casting/porogen leaching using 80, 85, and 90 wt% NaCl sieved with particle sizes of 150-300 and 300-500 microm and characterized by mercury intrusion porosimetry. Foams seeded with cells were found to have volumes after 7 days in static culture that decreased with increasing porosity: the least porous exhibited no change in volume while the most porous foams decreased by 39 +/- 10%. In addition, a correlation was observed between decreasing foam volume after 7 days in culture and decreasing internal surface area of the foams prior to seeding. Furthermore, foams prepared with the 300-500 microm porogen had lower porosities, greater mean wall thicknesses between adjacent pores, and larger volumes after 7 days in culture than those prepared with the smaller porogen. Two culture conditions for maintaining cells, static and agitated (in a rotary vessel), were found to have similar influences on foam size, cell density, and osteoblastic function for 7 and 14 days in culture. Finally, we examined unseeded foams in aqueous solutions of pH 3.0, 5.0, and 7.4 and found no significant decrease in foam size with degradation. This study demonstrates that adherent osteoblastic cells may collapse very porous PLGA foams prepared by solvent casting/particulate leaching: a potentially undesirable property for repair of orthopedic defects.

NASA Program Fundamental Space Biology↗
NASA NTRS1991

The particle size of Martian aeolian dunes

The effective particle size of unconsolidated materials on the Martian surface can be determined from thermal inertia, due to a pore size dependence of thermal conductivity at Martian atmospheric pressures. Because dunes consist of a narrow range of well-sorted, unconsolidated particles, they provide for a test of the relationship between particle size and thermal inertia calculated from midinfrared emission data for the Martian surface. Two independent approaches are used. First, thermal inertia data indicate that Martian dunes have an average particle size of about 500 +/-100 microns, or medium to coarse sand. Second, expected dune particle sizes are determined from grain trajectory calculations and the particle size transition from suspension to saltation. On earth, the transition occurs for a grain when the ratio of the terminal fall velocity to the wind friction speed, u*(t) is near unity; for grains at u*(t) this occurs at about 52 microns. Terrrestrial dune sands have a mean of 250 microns and are composed entirely of grains greater than 52 microns. The corresponding Martian transition grain size is about 210 microns, suggesting that Martian dunes should be significantly coarser than terrestrial dunes. Grain saltation path length as a function of particle size also shows that, under Martian conditions, larger grains than on earth will become suspended. Both approaches indicate that Martian dune sand should be coarser than terrestrial dune sand. These results closely match the grain sizes determined from thermal inertia models, providing the first direct test of the validity of these models for actual Martian surface materials.

Edgett, Kenneth S.↗