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NASA NTRS1986

Stresses and deformations in cross-ply composite tubes subjected to a uniform temperature change

This study investigates the effects of a uniform temperature change on the stresses and deformations of composite tubes and determines the accuracy of an approximate solution based on the principle of complementary virtual work. Interest centers on tube response away from the ends and so a planar elasticity approach is used. For the approximate solution a piecewise linear variation of stresses with the radial coordinate is assumed. The results from the approximate solution are compared with the elasticity solution. The stress predictions agree well, particularly peak interlaminar stresses. Surprisingly, the axial deformations also agree well, despite the fact that the deformations predicted by the approximate solution do not satisfy the interface displacement continuity conditions required by the elasticity solution. The study shows that the axial thermal expansion coefficient of tubes with a specific number of axial and circumferential layers depends on the stacking sequence. This is in contrast to classical lamination theory, which predicts that the expansion will be independent of the stacking arrangement. As expected, the sign and magnitude of the peak interlaminar stresses depend on stacking sequence. For tubes with a specific number of axial and circumferential layers, thermally induced interlaminar stresses can be controlled by altering stacking arrangement.

Hyer, M. W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Wall turbulence control

A variety of wall turbulence control devices which were experimentally investigated are discussed; these include devices for burst control, alteration of outer flow structures, large eddy substitution, increased heat transfer efficiency, and reduction of wall pressure fluctuations. Control of pre-burst flow was demonstrated with a single, traveling surface depression which is phase-locked to elements of the burst production process. Another approach to wall turbulence control is to interfere with the outer layer coherent structures. A device in the outer part of a boundary layer was shown to suppress turbulence and reduce drag by opposing both the mean and unsteady vorticity in the boundary layer. Large eddy substitution is a method in which streamline curvature is introduced into the boundary layer in the form of streamwise vortices. Riblets, which were already shown to reduce turbulent drag, were also shown to exhibit superior heat transfer characteristics. Heat transfer efficiency as measured by the Reynolds Analogy Factor was shown to be as much as 36 percent greater than a smooth flat plate in a turbulent boundary layer. Large Eddy Break-Up (LEBU) which are also known to reduce turbulent drag were shown to reduce turbulent wall pressure fluctuation.

Wilkinson, Stephen P.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Development of 8 cm x 8 cm silicon gridded back solar cell for space station

The 8-cm x 8-cm gridded back cell being developed for the space station photovoltaic array is described. Modeling studies show that the beginning of life power output of 1.039 W per cell may be met by several different configurations, the most promising being either a fielded or nonfielded 2 ohm-cm planar 8-mil cell. Experimental data are presented which show that a thermal alpha of 0.63 is achievable on a planar cell but at the expense of some Isc. Planar cells are found to possess short-circuit currents which are 9 percent lower than on textured cells due to the loss of near-IR radiation by transmission through the cell. Preliminary modeling shows that the efficiency of the textured cell exceeds the planar cell by approximately 9 percent at 25 C but the situation is reversed in orbit due to the high thermal alpha of textured cells (0.82). Experimental data show that the IR absorption in textured cells can be reduced by about 3 alpha points without loss of efficiency by controlling the doping concentration in the diffused layers, thus increasing the efficiency in orbit.

Lillington, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Electrolytic Heat Switch

Experiments demonstrated feasibility of electrolytic device of electrically-controllable thermal conductivity. Device includes inner ionomeric layer of low thermal conductivity sandwiched between two metal-foil electrodes. Device's ionomeric layer will be conductive polymer - perhaps polyaniline. In effect, device will be metal/conductive-polymer secondary electrical cell.

Walsh, Miles↗

NASA NTRS1989

Distributed parameter actuators for structural control

Timoshenko beam theory is applied to beams with multiple layers of piezoelectric material attached. The model is developed using a Hamiltonian approach, and includes the external electrical circuit as well as a complete set of boundary conditions. Resistors are added to the sensor layers for passive damping. The resulting model is then formulated in state space.

Cudney, H. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Research in Natural Laminar Flow and Laminar-Flow Control, part 2

Part 2 of the Symposium proceedings includes papers addressing various topics in basic wind tunnel research/techniques and computational transitional research. Specific topics include: advanced measurement techniques; laminar flow control; Tollmien-Schlichting wave characteristics; boundary layer transition; flow visualization; wind tunnel tests; flight tests; boundary layer equations; swept wings; and skin friction.

Hefner, Jerry N.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Architecture For Intelligent Control Of Robotic Tasks

Proposed architecture for control of such robotic devices as artificial hands calls for data-abstracting hierarchies of processing, controlling, and sensing equipment that plans, executes, and corrects movements of devices at acceptably high rates. Combines features developed in research on artificial intelligence and control theory. Characterized by casual connections between layers of hierarchy, approximately equal complexities of layers, and directed focus of attention.

Fiorini, Paolo↗

NASA NTRS1991

A laser fluorescence anemometer system for the Langley 16- by 24-inch water tunnel

A laser fluorescence anemometer which comprises a three-component laser Doppler velocimeter system with a fourth channel to measure fluorescent dye concentration has been installed in the NASA Langley 16- by 24-in water tunnel. The system includes custom designed optics, data acquisition, and traverse control instruments and a custom software package. Feasibility studies demonstrated how water tunnels can be used in conjunction with advanced optical techniques to provide nonintrusive detailed flow field measurements of complex fluid flows with a minimum of expense. The measurements show that the laser fluorescence anemometer can provide new insight into the structure, entrainment, control and of mixing vortical and shear layer flows.

Owen, F. K.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Applications for special-purpose minerals at a lunar base

Maintaining a colony on the Moon will require the use of lunar resources to reduce the number of launches necessary to transport goods from the Earth. It may be possible to alter lunar materials to produce minerals or other materials that can be used for applications in life support systems at a lunar base. For example, mild hydrothermal alteration of lunar basaltic glasses can produce special-purpose minerals (e.g., zeolites, smectites, and tobermorites) that in turn may be used in life support, construction, waste renovation, and chemical processes. Zeolites, smectites, and tobermorites have a number of potential applications at a lunar base. Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates of alkali and alkaline earth cations that possess infinite, three-dimensional crystal structures. They are further characterized by an ability to hydrate and dehydrate reversibly and to exchange some of their constituent cations, both without major change of structure. Based on their unique absorption, cation exchange, molecular sieving, and catalytic properties, zeolites may be used as a solid support medium for the growth of plants, as an adsorption medium for separation of various gases (e.g., N2 from O2), as catalysts, as molecular sieves, and as a cation exchanger in sewage-effluent treatment, in radioactive waste disposal, and in pollution control. Smectites are crystalline, hydrated 2:1 layered aluminosilicates that also have the ability to exchange some of their constituent cations. Like zeolites, smectites may be used as an adsorption medium for waste renovation, as adsorption sites for important essential plant growth cations in solid support plant growth mediums (i.e., 'soils'), as cation exchangers, and in other important application. Tobermorites are cystalline, hydrated single-chained layered silicates that have cation-exchange and selectivity properties between those of smectites and most zeolites. Tobermorites may be used as a cement in building lunar base structures, as catalysts, as media for nuclear and hazardous waste disposal, as exchange media for waste-water treatment, and in other potential applications. Special-purpose minerals synthesized at a lunar base may also have important applications at a space station and for other planetary missions. New technologies will be required at a lunar base to develop life support systems that are self-sufficient, and the use of special-purpose minerals may help achieve this self-sufficiency.

Ming, Douglas W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Venus: Geochemical conclusions from the Magellan data

Though the Magellan mission was not designed to collect geochemical or petrological information, it has done so nonetheless. Since the time of the Pioneer Venus mission it has been known that high-altitude (greater than 2.5-5 km) mountainous areas on Venus exhibit anomalously low radiothermal emissivity (e less than 0.6). Magellan has greatly refined and extended these observations. The low emissivity requires surface material in the uplands to have a mineralogical composition that gives it a high bulk dielectric constant, greater than 20. The dielectric constant of dry terrestrial volcanic rocks seldom exceeds 7. The high-dielectric character of high-altitude surface material cannot be a primary property of the local volcanic rock, because there is no reason why rock having the required special mineralogy would erupt only at high altitudes. Therefore it is a secondary property; the primary Venus rock has reacted with the atmosphere to form a mineralogically different surface layer, and the secondary minerals formed are controlled by the ambient temperature, which decreases with altitude on Venus. A further investigation of venusian mineralogy is presented.

Wood, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Laser Material Processing for Microengineering Applications

The processing of materials via laser irradiation is presented in a brief survey. Various techniques currently used in laser processing are outlined and the significance to the development of space qualified microinstrumentation are identified. In general the laser processing technique permits the transferring of patterns (i.e. lithography), machining (i.e. with nanometer precision), material deposition (e.g., metals, dielectrics), the removal of contaminants/debris/passivation layers and the ability to provide process control through spectroscopy.

Helvajian, H.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Review of Recent Results in Global MHD Modeling: ISTP Project Scientist for Theory and Ground-Based Observations

Global MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) simulations have shown a remarkable ability to describe the global dynamics of geospace. The limitations of the physical approximations underlying MHD would seem to limit the effectiveness of these codes, since kinetic and hybrid effects should manifest themselves by cross-scale coupling from microscales to mesoscales to global scales. However three effects appear to allow the codes to operate much more successfully than one would at first believe. They are:(l) the globally self-consistent nature of the codes with very well defined exterior boundary conditions (the solar wind) which allows the proper intercommunication between magnetospheric regions on MHD scales, (2) the control by global dynamics of the boundary layer locations where micro and meso scale processes operate, and (3) the critical role of numerical diffusion and with a sufficiently high resolution grid, the use of an empirical resistivity term, which if set at a level where the major magnetosphere boundaries properly calibrate against their observed locations, appear to well represent the effects of kinetic and hybrid processes on the global dynamics. The effectiveness of the global MHD codes, which have been developed under the ISTP mission, in describing Wind, Polar and Geotail observations, as well as ground-based observations are described. Particular emphasis is placed upon the Polar imaging data which when combined with ground-based data and global MHD-based synthetic aurora and convection patterns provide a powerful tool in understanding the final link in the solar-terrestrial chain: coupling into the atmosphere and ionosphere.

Curtis, Steven↗

NASA NTRS2000

Fabrication and Thermo-Optical Properties of the MLS Composite Primary Reflector

The Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) is a limb-sounding radiometer sensing emissions in the millimeter and sub-millimeter range. MLS will contribute to an understanding of atmospheric chemistry by assessing stratospheric and tropospheric ozone depletion, climate forcings and volcanic effects. The heart of the antenna is the primary reflector, constructed from graphite/cyanate composites in a facesheet/core construction. The reflector has an aperture of one square meter, a mass of 8.7 kilos and final figure accuracy of 4.37 microns rms. The surface is also modified to ensure RF reflectivity, prevent solar concentration and provide thermal balance to the spacecraft The surface is prepared by precision beadblasting, then coated with vapor deposited aluminum (VDA) and finally a layer of silicon suboxide (SiO(x)) to control the infrared emissivity. The resulting surface has a solar absorptance of 0.43 and an absorptance/emittance ratio of 1.3. BRDF analysis shows that 93% of the incident thermal energy is reflected outside a 10 degree angle of cone. For its mass and aperture, we believe this reflector to have the highest figure accuracy yet achieved in a composite antenna construction.

Willis, Paul B.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Glennan Microsystems Initiative

During the 2001-2002 award period, we performed research on Pt/Ti/bare 6H-SiC and bare 4H-SiC interfaces in order to identify their electronic properties as a function of surface preparation. The overall aim of this work is to optimize the electronic properties of metal contacts to SiC as well as the active SiC material itself as a function of surface preparation and subsequent processing. Initially, this work has involved identifying bare surface, subsurface, and metal induced gap states at the metal-SiC contact and correlating energies and densities of deep levels with Schottky barrier heights. We used low energy electron-excited nanoluminescence (LEEN) spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) in order to correlate electronic states and energy bands with chemical composition, bonding, and crystal structure. A major development has been the discovery of polytype transformations that occur in 4H-SiC under standard microelectronic process conditions used to fabricate SiC devices. Our results are consistent with the stacking fault generation, defect formation, and consequent degradation of SiC recently reported for state-of-the-art ABB commercial diodes under localized electrical stress. Our results highlight the importance of -optimizing process conditions and material properties - anneal times, temperatures and doping to control such structural changes within epitaxial SiC layers. Thus far, we have established threshold times and temperatures beyond which 4H-SiC exhibits 3C-SiC transformation bands for a subset of dopant concentrations and process conditions. On the basis of this temperature time behavior, we have been able to establish an activation energy of approximately 2.5 eV for polytype transformation and dislocation motion. Work continues to establish the fundamental mechanisms underlying the polytype changes and its dependence on material parameters.

Brillson, Leonard J.↗

NASA NTRS1999

A Tail Not to Get "Torqued" About

NASA has licensed technology to a Washington state company for improving the performance, stability and control of helicopters. Under the agreement, Boundary Layer Research, Inc., Everett, Wash., will commercially market an aerodynamic device called "tailboom strakes." The license will allow the company to market the NASA-patented device to civil and military operators of single rotor helicopters. For the past year Boundary Layer Research has been working with NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., to explore the viability of helicopter strake technology developed by a NASA-Army team of researchers. The technology is applicable to all single rotor helicopters and is patented by NASA as a "Low Speed Anti-Torque System." The company has applied for Federal Aviation Administration certification to make the technology available to civil operators and owners.

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NASA NTRS2002

Phase-Shifting Liquid Crystal Interferometers for Microgravity Fluid Physics

The initial focus of this project was to eliminate both of these problems in the Liquid Crystal Point-Diffraction Interferometer (LCPDI). Progress toward that goal will be described, along with the demonstration of a phase shifting Liquid Crystal Shearing Interferometer (LCSI) that was developed as part of this work. The latest LCPDI, other than a lens to focus the light from a test section onto a diffracting microsphere within the interferometer and a collimated laser for illumination, the pink region contained within the glass plates on the rod-mounted platform is the complete interferometer. The total width is approximately 1.5 inches with 0.25 inches on each side for bonding the electrical leads. It is 1 inch high and there are only four diffracting microspheres within the interferometer. As a result, it is very easy to align, achieving the first goal. The liquid crystal electro-optical response time is a function of layer thickness, with thinner devices switching faster due to a reduction in long-range viscoelastic forces between the LC molecules. The LCPDI has a liquid crystal layer thickness of 10 microns, which is controlled by plastic or glass microspheres embedded in epoxy 'pads' at the corners of the device. The diffracting spheres are composed of polystyrene/divinyl benzene polymer with an initial diameter of 15 microns. The spheres deform slightly when the interferometer is assembled to conform to the spacing produced by the microsphere-filled epoxy spacer pads. While the speed of this interferometer has not yet been tested, previous LCPDIs fabricated at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics switched at a rate of approximately 3.3 Hz, a factor of 10 slower than desired. We anticipate better performance when the speed of these interferometers is tested since they are approximately three times thinner. Phase shifting in these devices is a function of the AC voltage level applied to the liquid crystal. As the voltage increases, the dye in the liquid crystal tends to become more transparent, thus introducing a rather large amount of error into the phase-shifting measurement. While that error can be greatly reduced by normalization, we prefer eliminating the source of the error. To that end, we have pursued development of a 'blend' of custom dyes that will not exhibit these properties. That goal has not yet been fully achieved. Guardalben, et al, presented a similar set of interferograms in a paper partially funded by this grant. Shearing interferometers are a second class of common path interferometers. Typically they consist of a thick glass plate optimized for equal reflection from the front and back surface. While not part of the original thrust of the project, through the course of laboratory work, we demonstrated a prototype of a shearing interferometer capable of phase shifting using a commercial liquid crystal retardation plate. A schematic of this liquid crystal shearing interferometer (LCSI) and a sample set of interferograms are in the reference. This work was also supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Inertial Confinement Fusion under Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC03-92SF19460, the University of Rochester, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The support of DOE does not constitute an endorsement by DOE of the views expressed in this article. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.

Griffin, DeVon W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Electron Mobility Studies of Device Quality InAs/GaAs Short Period Supprlattices Grown by Dynamic Stoichiometry Control and Floating In Flash-off Methods

The Strained Layer InGaAs/GaAs system has been the subject of substantial work emphasizing both growth studies and device applications. Relatively few studies have successfully explored the binary InAs on GaAs system because of the difficulties of maintaining a specular growth front and the apparently small value of the critical thickness.

Electron Mobility↗

NASA NTRS2008

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2008

Topics covered include: Torque Sensor Based on Tunnel-Diode Oscillator; Shaft-Angle Sensor Based on Tunnel-Diode Oscillator; Ground Facility for Vicarious Calibration of Skyborne Sensors; Optical Pressure-Temperature Sensor for a Combustion Chamber; Impact-Locator Sensor Panels; Low-Loss Waveguides for Terahertz Frequencies; MEMS/ECD Method for Making Bi(2-x)Sb(x)Te3 Thermoelectric Devices; Low-Temperature Supercapacitors; Making a Back-Illuminated Imager with Back-Side Contact and Alignment Markers; Compact, Single-Stage MMIC InP HEMT Amplifier; Nb(x)Ti(1-x)N Superconducting-Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors; Improved Sand-Compaction Method for Lost-Foam Metal Casting; Improved Probe for Evaluating Compaction of Mold Sand; Polymer-Based Composite Catholytes for Li Thin-Film Cells; Using ALD To Bond CNTs to Substrates and Matrices; Alternating-Composition Layered Ceramic Barrier Coatings; Variable-Structure Control of a Model Glider Airplane; Axial Halbach Magnetic Bearings; Compact, Non-Pneumatic Rock-Powder Samplers; Biochips Containing Arrays of Carbon-Nanotube Electrodes; Nb(x)Ti(1-x)N Superconducting-Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors; Neon as a Buffer Gas for a Mercury-Ion Clock; Miniature Incandescent Lamps as Fiber-Optic Light Sources; Bidirectional Pressure-Regulator System; and Prism Window for Optical Alignment. Single-Grid-Pair Fourier Telescope for Imaging in Hard-X Rays and gamma Rays Range-Gated Metrology with Compact Optical Head Lossless, Multi-Spectral Data Compressor for Improved Compression for Pushbroom-Typetruments.

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