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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

Methods of use for sensor based fluid detection devices

Methods of use and devices for detecting analyte in fluid. A system for detecting an analyte in a fluid is described comprising a substrate having a sensor comprising a first organic material and a second organic material where the sensor has a response to permeation by an analyte. A detector is operatively associated with the sensor. Further, a fluid delivery appliance is operatively associated with the sensor. The sensor device has information storage and processing equipment, which is operably connected with the device. This device compares a response from the detector with a stored ideal response to detect the presence of analyte. An integrated system for detecting an analyte in a fluid is also described where the sensing device, detector, information storage and processing device, and fluid delivery device are incorporated in a substrate. Methods for use for the above system are also described where the first organic material and a second organic material are sensed and the analyte is detected with a detector operatively associated with the sensor. The method provides for a device, which delivers fluid to the sensor and measures the response of the sensor with the detector. Further, the response is compared to a stored ideal response for the analyte to determine the presence of the analyte. In different embodiments, the fluid measured may be a gaseous fluid, a liquid, or a fluid extracted from a solid. Methods of fluid delivery for each embodiment are accordingly provided.

Lewis, Nathan S.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Organic Analysis in the Miller Range 090657 CR2 Chondrite: Part 2 Amino Acid Analyses

Primitive carbonaceous chondrites contain a wide variety of organic material, ranging from soluble discrete molecules to insoluble, unstructured kerogen-like components, as well as structured nano-globules of macromolecular carbon. The relationship between the soluble organic molecules, macromolecular organic material, and host minerals are poorly understood. Due to the differences in extractability of soluble and insoluble organic materials, the analysis methods for each differ and are often performed independently. The combination of soluble and insoluble analyses, when performed concurrently, can provide a wider understanding of spatial distribution, and elemental, structural and isotopic composition of organic material in primitive meteorites. Using macroscale extraction and analysis techniques in combination with in situ microscale observation, we have been studying both insoluble and soluble organic material in the primitive CR2 chondrite Miller Range (MIL) 090657. In accompanying abstracts (Cao et al. and Messenger et al.) we discuss insoluble organic material in the samples. By performing the consortium studies, we aim to improve our understanding of the relationship between the meteorite minerals and the soluble and insoluble organic phases and to delineate which species formed within the meteorite and those that formed in nebular or presolar environments. In this abstract, we present the results of amino acid analyses of MIL 090657 by ultra performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry. Amino acids are of interest because they are essential to life on Earth, and because they are present in sufficient structural, enantiomeric and isotopic diversity to allow insights into early solar system chemical processes. Furthermore, these are among the most isotopically anomalous species, yet at least some fraction are thought to have formed by aqueously-mediated processes during parent body alteration.

Burton, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Dense molecular shocks and accretion onto protostellar disks

We have examined the physical and chemical processes which accompany the propagation of a J-type shock through molecular astrophysical gas of density 10(exp 7.5) - 10(exp 12) H nuclei per cu cm. Our study is primarily relevant to the high-density accretion shocks which are associated with the supersonic infall of material during the collapse of a molecular cloud core to form a protostar. We have carried out a general parameter study to determine the characteristic infrared emission spectrum of dense molecular shocks and the extent of grain destruction within such shocks as a function of relevant shock parameters. Accretion shocks with mass accretion rates approximately greater than 10(exp -5) solar masses per y are plausible sources of the CO v = 2-0 vibrational band emission observed in many protostars, at least for sources of moderate CO v = 2-0 luminosity (approximately less than few x 10(exp 23) W). Rovibrational emissions from H2O and OH are also predicted to be luminous in dense molecular accretion shocks. Vaporization is the dominant mechanism of grain destruction within dense molecular shocks, leading to the efficient removal of those grains which are heated to their vaporization temperature by the combined effects of radiative heating, drag heating, and thermal heating by the hot postshock gas. The criteria for grain vaporization are obtained for grains composed of several different materials: metallic iron, silicate, troilite, refractory organic materials, volatile organic materials, and water ice.

Neufeld, David A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Organics, Meteoritic Material, and other Elements in High Altitude Aerosols

Recent in situ measurements of the chemical composition of single aerosol particles at altitudes up to 19 km have revealed a number of surprising features about ambient particles. Upper tropospheric aerosols in the study region often contained more organic material than sulfate.

atmospheric aerosols atmospheric mercury airborne ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Peptide‐Induced Ferroelectricity in Charge‐Transfer Supramolecular Materials

Organic ferroelectrics are of great interest in sustainable energy conversion, information storage, flexible electronics, and potential biomedical applications as soft implants, among many other applications. Despite their broad potential, the development of organic ferroelectrics has remained limited, with only a few known examples in solid-state systems, primarily due to the lack of well-established design strategies compared to inorganic systems. Bio-inspired supramolecular chemistry offers a path to create functional nanostructures that are water-processable and biocompatible. We report here on supramolecular charge transfer (CT) systems in which peptides are covalently linked to dyads of electron-donating and electron-accepting moieties, creating amphiphiles that self-assemble into nanoscale ribbons in water. The peptide chirality-induced symmetry breaking in these crystalline nanostructures not only results in second harmonic activity but also generates ferroelectric behavior across multiple CT systems, demonstrating a versatile supramolecular approach to the design of new organic ferroelectrics. Furthermore, culturing primary neuron cells on coatings of the ferroelectric materials promoted axonal growth and enhanced action potentials, indicating improved neuronal maturity facilitated by the polar structure of the ferroelectric nanomaterials. The supramolecular strategy used here holds promise to create new water-processable ferroelectric biomaterials, opening avenues for innovative applications in cell charge transfer, neuronal axon growth, peptide symmetry breaking, self-assembling peptides, supramolecular ferroelectrics, proliferation, and bioelectronics.

charge transfer↗
NASA NTRS2000

Sensor arrays for detecting microorganisms

A sensor array for detecting a microorganism comprising first and second sensors electrically connected to an electrical measuring apparatus, wherein the sensors comprise a region of nonconducting organic material and a region of conducting material compositionally that is different than the nonconducting organic material and an electrical path through the regions of nonconducting organic material and the conducting material. A system for identifying microorganisms using the sensor array, a computer and a pattern recognition algorithm, such as a neural net are also disclosed.

Lewis, Nathan S.↗
NASA NTRS2023

First Optical Constants of Laboratory-Generated Organic Refractory Materials (Tholins) Produced in the NASA Ames COSmIC Facility from the Visible to the Near Infrared (0.4–1.6 μm): Application to Titan’s Aerosols

We have measured the complex refractive indices, from 0.4 to 1.6μm, of five laboratory-generated organic refractory materials (tholins) produced at low temperature(150 K)using plasma chemistry in the stream of a supersonic expansion in NASA Ames’ COsmic SImulation Chamber(COSmIC)facility. Three samples were produced from N2:CH4gas precursors(with different voltages inducing different degrees of ionization in the plasma), one sample was produced from N2:CH4:C2H2, and one sample was produced from Ar:CH4in order to produce a purely carbonaceous sample. The optical constants, n and k, of the samples were determined using spectral reflectance measurements. We observe that both n and k appear to be correlated with the nitrogen content in the solid sample, with samples containing more nitrogen having higher n and k. Comparisons to previous laboratory studies and Titan aerosol optical constants derived from observations show that the COSmIC tholins with a higher nitrogen content (higher n and k)are closer analogs of Titan aerosols. We also present a new analysis of Cassini Visible Infrared Mapping Spectrometer observations of Titan’s atmosphere in the visible to near infrared using the COSmIC tholin optical constants in a radiative transfer model. The COSmIC tholin sample produced from N2:CH4with the lowest energy level has a spectral behavior that appears well suited to reproduce the observed Titan aerosol properties. This study has therefore demonstrated that this COSmIC tholin sample has valuable and promising optical properties for the analysis of Cassini’s Titan atmospheric observations.

Optical Constants↗
DOE OSTI2024

Bipolar Organic Cathodes for Stable and Sustainable Na‐Ion and Rechargeable Al Batteries

Bipolar organic materials have emerged as promising cathode materials for rechargeable batteries because of their high voltage and high capacity. However, they suffer from poor cyclic stability and slow reaction kinetics. In this work, we designed and synthesized two bipolar organic cathode materials, containing carbonyl (n‐type) and amine (p‐type) functional groups, as well as extended conjugation structures, for Na‐ion batteries (NIBs) and rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs). As universal electrode materials, bipolar organic materials exhibited exceptional electrochemical performance in terms of high capacity, high voltage, long cycle life, and fast rate capability. Further, the extended conjugation structures in backbones of the bipolar organic materials facilitate the π–π stacking with graphene, playing a critical role in the high performance. Furthermore, the formation of a stable and robust NaF‐rich cathode electrolyte interphase was shown to stabilize the bipolar organic cathode in NIBs. Electrochemical kinetic measurements reveal that both functional groups undergo reversible redox reactions. Specifically, the electron transfer rate constant of the p‐type amine group is one order of magnitude higher than that of the n‐type carbonyl group. These results highlight the efficacy of developing bipolar organic materials for achieving high‐performance organic cathode in NIBs and RABs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Trace benzene capture by decoration of structural defects in metal–organic framework materials

Abstract Capture of trace benzene is an important and challenging task. Metal–organic framework materials are promising sorbents for a variety of gases, but their limited capacity towards benzene at low concentration remains unresolved. Here we report the adsorption of trace benzene by decorating a structural defect in MIL-125-defect with single-atom metal centres to afford MIL-125-X (X = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; MIL-125, Ti 8 O 8 (OH) 4 (BDC) 6 where H 2 BDC is 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid). At 298 K, MIL-125-Zn exhibits a benzene uptake of 7.63 mmol g −1 at 1.2 mbar and 5.33 mmol g −1 at 0.12 mbar, and breakthrough experiments confirm the removal of trace benzene (from 5 to <0.5 ppm) from air (up to 111,000 min g −1 of metal–organic framework), even after exposure to moisture. The binding of benzene to the defect and open Zn(II) sites at low pressure has been visualized by diffraction, scattering and spectroscopy. This work highlights the importance of fine-tuning pore chemistry for designing adsorbents for the removal of air pollutants.

Chemistry↗
NASA NTRS2017

3-D-Observation of Matrix of MIL 090657 Meteorite by Absorption-Phase Tomography

MIL 090657 meteorite (CR2.7) is one of the least altered primitive carbonaceous c hondrites [1]. This meteorite has amorphous silicates like GEMS (glass with embedded metal and sulfide), which are characteristically contained in cometary dust, in matrix [2,3] as with the Paris meteorite [4]. Three lithologies have been recognized; lithology-1 (L 1) dominated by submicron anhydrous silicates, lithology-2 (L2) by GEMS-like amorphous silicates and lithology-3 (L3) by phyllosilicates [2]. Organic materials are abundant in L 1 and L2 [2,3]. L 1 and L2 were further divided into sub-lithology respectively based on their textures and compositions [5]. These studies were performed by 2D SEM and TEM observations of sample surfaces and thin sections that are unable to reveal what constitute each lithology and how these lithologies are distributed and related to each other. This information will provide important insights into alteration and aggregation processes on asteroids and in the early solar nebula. In this study, MIL 090657 matrix was examined in 3D using two types of X-ray tomography; DET (dual-energy tomography) [6] and SIXM (scanning-imaging X-ray microscopy) [7]. Mineral phases can be discriminated based on absorption contrasts at two different X-ray energies in DET. In SIXM, materials composed of light elements such as water or organic materials can be identified based on phase and absorption contrasts. By combining these methods, we can discriminate not only organic materials from voids but also hydrous alteration products, such as hydrated silicates and carbonates, from anhydrous minerals [8]. In this study, we first observed cross sections of MIL 090657 matrix fragments C1 00 mm) in detail using FE-SEM/ EDS. Based on the results, three house-shaped samples (3 0 -50 mm) were extracted from L 1, L2 and their boundary (H1, H3 and H5, respectively) using FIB. 3D imaging of these samples were conducted at BL47XU of SPring-8, a synchrotron radiation facility, with -30-40 nm/ voxel and - 70-80 nm/ voxel at 7keV and 8keV in DET and -100 nm/ voxel at 8keV in SIXM. We found new lithologies that we named L4, L5 and L6 in H1 and H3 in addition to L 1 and L2. L4. L5 and L6 are mainly composed of probably phyllosilicates with different Fe contents. Sulfide and framboidal magnetite were recognized in L4. L5 includes magnetite and carbonate and L6 includes anhydrous silicates having cracks inside. L 1, L2, L4 and L5 are porous while few voids were observed in L6. L4 adjoins to L 1 with boundary, which is not very distinct. L2, L5 and L6 adjoin to each other, and the boundaries of L6 with L2 and L5 are clear. In H5, coarse mineral grains C5-1 0 mm) such as Fe-metal and enstatite are present in L 1 and L2. L 1-L2 boundary is not sharp in 3 D. In conclusion, we found a variety of lithologies by 3D observation for the first time, suggesting that t he MIL 0 90657 meteorite experienced complex alteration and aggregation histories. As L2 is dominated by amorphous silicates, which are extremely susceptible to aqueous alteration, t his is p resumed to be t he most primitive lithology. The contact between L2 and phyllosilicate-bearing lithologies (L5 and L6) with clear boundaries indicates that they were aggregated after aqueous alteration of L5 and L6. The indistinct boundary between L 1 and L2 is suggesting that these two lithologies might originally be the same aggregate composed of amorphous silicates and coarse mineral grains. L 1 might have experienced weak aqueous alteration followed by mild thermal alteration [2], while L2 did not undergo aqueous alteration.

Miyama, Sugimoto↗
NASA NTRS1993

Low-Earth orbit effects on organic composite materials flown on LDEF

Over 35 different types of organic matrix composites were flown as part of 11 different experiments onboard the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) satellite. This materials and systems experiment satellite flew in low-earth orbit (LEO) for 69 months. For that period, the experiments were subjected to the LEO environment including atomic oxygen (AO), ultraviolet (UV) radiation, thermal cycling, microvacuum, meteoroid and space debris (M&D), and particle radiation. Since retrieval of the satellite in January of 1990, the principal experiment investigators have been deintegrating, examining, and testing the materials specimens flown. The most detrimental environmental effect on all organic matrix composites was material loss due to AO erosion. AO erosion of uncoated organic matrix composites (OMC) facing the satellite ram direction was responsible for significant mechanical property degradations. Also, thermal cycling-induced microcracking was observed in some nonunidirectional reinforced OMC's. Thermal cycling and outgassing caused significant but predictable dimensional changes as measured in situ on one experiment. Some metal and metal oxide-based coatings were found to be very effective at preventing AO erosion of OMC's. However, M&D impacts and coating fractures which compromised these coatings allowed AO erosion of the underlying OMC substrates. The findings for organic matrix composites flown on the LDEF are summarized and the LEO environmental factors, their effects, and the influence on space hardware design factors for LEO applications are identified.

George, Pete E.↗
NASA NTRS2003

A Search for Signs of Life and Habitability on Europa

Europa is a key target in the search for life beyond the Earth because of consistent evidence that below the icy surface there is liquid water. Future missions to Europa could confirm the presence and nature of the ocean and determine the thickness of the ice layer. Confirming the presence of an ocean and determining the habitability of Europa are key astrobiology science objectives. Nevertheless, the highest priority objective for astrobiology will be a search for life. How could a search for life be accomplished on a near-term mission given the thick ice cover? One answer may lie in the surface materials. If Europa has an ocean, and if that ocean contains life, and if water from the ocean is carried up to the surface, then signs of life may be contained in organic material on the surface. Organics that derive from biological processes (dead organisms) are distinct from organics derived from non-biological processes in several aspects. First, biology is selective and specific in its use of molecules. For example, Earth life uses 20 left-handed amino acids. Second, biology can leave characteristic isotopic patterns. Third, biology often produces large complex molecules in high concentrations, for example lipids. Organic material that has been on the surface of Europa for long periods of time would be reprocessed by the strong radiation field probably erasing any signature of biological origin. Evidence of life in the ocean may be found on the surface of Europa if regions of the surface contained relatively recent material carried up from the ocean through cracks in the icy lithosphere. But organic material that has been on the surface of Europa for long periods of time would be reprocessed by the strong radiation field probably erasing any signature of biological origin. Thus, the detailed analysis required may not be possible via remote sensing but direct sampling of the material below the radiation processed upper meter is probably required.

Fonda, Mark↗
NASA NTRS2016

Organic Analysis in the Miller Range 090657 CR2 Chondrite: Part 3 C and N Isotopic Imaging

Primitive carbonaceous chondrites contain a wide variety of organic material, ranging from soluble discrete molecules to insoluble nanoglobules of macro-molecular carbon. The relationship between the soluble organic molecules, macromolecular organic material, and host minerals are poorly understood. Large H, C and N isotopic anomalies suggest some organic components formed in low-T interstellar or outer Solar System environments. The highest isotope anomalies occur in m-scale inclusions in the most primitive materials, such as cometary dust and the least altered carbonaceous chondrites. Often, the hosts of these isotopically anomalous 'hotspots' are discrete organic nanoglobules that probably formed in the outermost reaches of the protosolar disk or cold molecular cloud. Molecular and isotopic studies of meteoritic organic matter are aimed at identifying the chemical properties and formation processes of interstellar organic materials and the subsequent chemical evolutionary pathways in various Solar System environments. The combination of soluble and insoluble analyses with in situ and bulk studies provides powerful constraints on the origin and evolution of organic matter in the Solar System. Using macroscale extraction and analysis techniques as well as microscale in situ observations we have been studying both insoluble and soluble organic material in primitive astromaterial samples. Here, we present results of bulk C and N isotopic measurements and coordinated in situ C and N isotopic imaging and mineralogical and textural studies of carbonaceous materials in a Cr2 carbonaceous chondrite. In accompanying abstracts we discuss the morphology and distribution of carbonaceous components and soluble organic species of this meteorite.

Messenger, S.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Enabling accurate chemical modeling of shocked energetic materials using a machine learning interatomic potential

Understanding the complex chemistry of organic materials under dynamic compression is important for many applications, but it is challenging due to the large number of reactions occurring at various time scales. Here, in this study, we develop a machine learning potential based on Chebyshev polynomials to study the insensitive energetic material 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) under detonation. We discuss a strategy for constructing diverse training data needed to capture the complex chemistry of TATB. Our potential demonstrates strong transferability across a wide range of thermodynamic conditions and other explosives, enabling accurate and reliable chemical modeling of organic materials under extreme conditions. The efficiency of our approach allows for simulations over several nanoseconds and for large system sizes, providing detailed insights into the chemistry of shocked TATB. The model accurately reproduces experimental Hugoniot equation of state data, and our simulations reveal the rapid formation of nitrogen-rich carbon clusters following shock. The methods and datasets developed here offer a robust framework for accurate chemical modeling of other shocked organic energetic materials.

Chemistry↗
NASA NTRS1988

The effects of atomic oxygen on polymeric materials

At the altitudes of low-earth orbit (LEO), atomic oxygen (AO) is the most abundant chemical species. This strong oxidizing agent reacts with virtually any organic material that is not already fully oxidized. Erosion by AO can be extensive and jeopardizes any protective coatings, thermal blankets, adhesives, and structural composites exposed on the exterior of satellites in LEO. Researchers prepared and tested organic materials for their susceptibility to AO using a commercial plasma asher which approximately simulates the oxygen effects in LEO. Experiments were performed on a polyimide, a polysulfone, and two epoxy adhesives into which low molecular-weight additives have been dissolved. Incorporated in the molecular structure of these additives are elements such as silicon whose nonvolatile oxides, which are formed on exposure to AO, remain as a coating on the surface to create a barrier between the remainder of the organic material and the AO. We find that the additives protect the materials, but the low solubility of some limit their utility. Concurrent studies are underway to measure the effect of the additives on the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials. Tows of aramid fibers, which are important components in the proposed tether satellite systems, have been eroded in the asher. The results which show that the square root of the mass remaining decreases linearly with the time of exposure (see the figure) are consistent with a constant rate of surface erosion. The tensile strength of these eroded tows decreases with time of exposure also; additional measurements are in progress.

Orwoll, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Simulated Space Environment Effects on Tether Materials with Protective Coatings

Atomic oxygen (AO) erodes most organic materials. and ultraviolet radiation embrittles polymers. A previous study indicated untreated polymers such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) are severely degraded when exposed to AO. This test series was performed to determine the effect of AO and UV on the mechanical integrity of tether materials that were treated with AO-protective coatings. Three coating systems were evaluated for their ability to protect the underlying material from AO erosion. The first coating system is the Photosil surface modification process which incorporates silicon-containing functional groups into the top micron of an organic material. The Photosil process has had favorable results with polyurethane- and epoxy-based thermal control coatings . The second coating system is metallization, in this case nickel. The third coating system is silsesquioxane. The Marshall Space Flight Center Atomic Oxygen Beam Facility (AOBF) was used to simulate low Earth orbit AO of 5 eV energy. In addition, some tether samples were exposed to ultraviolet radiation then evaluated for any changes in mechanical strength. Tether missions, such as a momentum-exchange/electrodynamic reboost (MXER) tether, may benefit from this research.

Finckenor, Miria M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Advanced organic composite materials for aircraft structures: Future program

Revolutionary advances in structural materials have been responsible for revolutionary changes in all fields of engineering. These advances have had and are still having a significant impact on aircraft design and performance. Composites are engineered materials. Their properties are tailored through the use of a mix or blend of different constituents to maximize selected properties of strength and/or stiffness at reduced weights. More than 20 years have passed since the potentials of filamentary composite materials were identified. During the 1970s much lower cost carbon filaments became a reality and gradually designers turned from boron to carbon composites. Despite progress in this field, filamentary composites still have significant unfulfilled potential for increasing aircraft productivity; the rendering of advanced organic composite materials into production aircraft structures was disappointingly slow. Why this is and research and technology development actions that will assist in accelerating the application of advanced organic composites to production aircraft is discussed.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1995

Oxygenic Photosynthesis and the Oxidation State of Mars

The oxidation state of the Earth's surface is one of the most obvious indications of the effect of life on this planet. The surface of Mars is highly oxidized, as evidenced by its red color, but the connection to life is less apparent. Two possibilities can be considered. First, the oxidant may be photochemically produced in the atmosphere. In this case the fundamental source of O2 is the loss of H2 to space and the oxidant produced is H2O2. This oxidant would accumulate on the surface and thereby destroy any organic material and other reductants to some depth. Recent models suggest that diffusion limits this depth to a few meters. An alternative source of oxygen is biological oxygen production followed by sequestration of organic material in sediments - as on the Earth. In this case, the net oxidation of the surface was determined billions of years ago when Mars was a more habitable planet and oxidative conditions could persist to great depths, over 100 m. Below this must be a compensating layer of biogenic organic material. Insight into the nature of past sources of oxidation on Mars will require searching for organics in the martian subsurface and sediments.

Hartman, Hyman↗