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At least 937 records · Page 52

Mercury - Absence of crystalline Fe(2+) in the regolith

A composite visible and near-IR (0.53-1.02 micron) reflectance spectrum of terrain on Mercury including smooth plains and intercrater plains was produced (with a theoretical resolution of 17 A) from 59 high-SNR spectra of the planet taken on November 24, 1984 at the 1.0-m telescope of the CTIO. No evidence was found in the spectrum for the proposed orthopyroxene absorption centered near 0.9 micron observed in older spectra of this terrain; the surface material is highly reduced, with any Fe present in metallic form.

Vilas, F.↗

Method for growing low defect, high purity crystalline layers utilizing lateral overgrowth of a patterned mask

A method for growing a high purity, low defect layer of semiconductor is described. This method involves depositing a patterned mask of a material impervious to impurities of the semiconductor on a surface of a blank. When a layer of semiconductor is grown on the mask, the semiconductor will first grow from the surface portions exposed by the openings in the mask and will bridge the connecting portions of the mask to form a continuous layer having improved purity, since only the portions overlying the openings are exposed to defects and impurities. The process can be iterated and the mask translated to further improve the quality of grown layers.

Morrison, Andrew D.↗

Crystalline-silicon photovoltaics summary module design and reliability

The evolution of the design and reliability of solar modules was described. Design requirements involved 14 different considerations, including residential building and material electrical codes, wind-loading, hail impact, operating temperature levels, module flammability, and interfaces for both the array structure and the operation of the system. Reliability research involved in diverse investigations including glass-fracture strength, soiling levels, electrochemical corrosion, and bypass-diode qualification tests. Based on these internationally recognized studies, performance assessments, and failure analyses, the Flat-plate Solar Array Project in its 11-year duration served to nuture the development of 45 different solar module designs from 15 PV manufacturers.

Ross, R. G., Jr.↗

Crystalline-silicon reliability lessons for thin-film modules

Key reliability and engineering lessons learned from the 10-year history of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Flat-Plate Solar Array Project are presented and analyzed. Particular emphasis is placed on lessons applicable to the evolving new thin-film cell and module technologies and the organizations involved with these technologies. The user-specific demand for reliability is a strong function of the application, its location, and its expected duration. Lessons relative to effective means of specifying reliability are described, and commonly used test requirements are assessed from the standpoint of which are the most troublesome to pass, and which correlate best with field experience. Module design lessons are also summarized, including the significance of the most frequently encountered failure mechanisms and the role of encapsulant and cell reliability in determining module reliability. Lessons pertaining to research, design, and test approaches include the historical role and usefulness of qualification tests and field tests.

Ross, Ronald G., Jr.↗

Developing Crystallinity In Linear Aromatic Polyimides

New technique improves melt flow of polyimide. Uses chemical imidization or cyclodehydration techniques that do not cause significant decrease in molecular weight. Process involves dissolution of polyamide acid in amide solvent or mixture of ether and amide solvent at low percentage of solids followed by treatment of this solution with aprotic organic base, such as triethylamine or pyridine, for period of time prior to treatment with organic dehydrating agent. Latter treatments facilitates formation of polyimide. Useful for production of polyimide molding materials. Expected to have widespread application in preparation of easily processed adhesives, molding powders, and matrix resins.

St. Clair, Terry L.↗

The economic payoff for a state-of-the-art high-efficiency flat-plate crystalline silicon solar cell technology

In 1986 during the flat-plate solar array project, silicon solar cells 4.0 sq cm in area were fabricated at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) with a conversion efficiency of 20.1 percent (AM1.5-global). Sixteen cells were processed with efficiencies measuring 19.5 percent (AM1.5 global) or better. These cells were produced using refined versions of conventional processing methods, aside from certain advanced techniques that bring about a significant reduction in a major mechanism (surface recombination) that limits cell efficiency. Wacker Siltronic p-type float-zone 0.18-ohm-cm wafers were used. Conversion efficiencies in this range have previously been reported by other researchers, but generally on much smaller (0.5 vs. 4.0 cm) devices which have undergone sophisticated and costly processing steps. An economic analysis is presented of the potential payoffs for this approach, using the Solar Array Manufacturing Industry Costing Standards (SAMICS) methodology. The process sequence used and the assumptions made for capturing the economies of scale are presented.

Bickler, Donald B.↗

The crystalline phases present in carbon cathodes of discharged Li/SOCl2-LiAlCl4 cells

The X-ray diffraction patterns of 100 percent discharged Schawinigan black cathodes from Li/SOCl2-LiAlCl4 cells were obtained using a high resolution Guinier camera. The previous assignments of the diffraction lines to Li2O2 and rhombohedral sulfur are all found to be incorrect; all sharp Bragg diffraction lines not assignable to anhydrous LiCl can be assigned to LiCl.H2O.

Williams, R. M.↗

An ion microprobe study of the intra-crystalline behavior of REE and selected trace elements in pyroxene from mare basalts with different cooling and crystallization histories

The effects of crystallization interaction on the trace element zoning characteristics of pyroxenes are analyzed using electron and ion microprobe techniques. Four pigeonite basalts with similar isochemical composition, but different cooling rates and crystallization histories are studied. Pyroxene quadrilaterals displaying crystallization trends are presented. The crystal chemical rationalization of REE zoning, pattern shapes, and abundances are examined. The data reveal that the trace element zoning characteristics in pyroxene and the partitioning of trace elements between pyroxene and the melt are related to the interaction between the efficiency of the crystallization process, the kinetics at the crystal-melt interface, the kinetics of plagioclase nucleation and the characteristics of the crystal chemical substitutions in the pyroxene and the associated crystallizing phase.

Shearer, C. K.↗

Method and apparatus for determining optical absorption and emission characteristics of a crystal or non-crystalline fiber

This invention relates generally to spectroscopy and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for performing spectroscopic analysis of crystal and noncrystalline fibers. The invention provides a complete absorption curve for a material using a crystal fiber which can be more easily produced than the types of samples required for other methods of obtaining substantially the same absorption curve for identical materials.

Byvik, Charles E.↗

Crystalline Imide/Arylene Ether Copolymers

Series of imide/arylene ether block copolymers prepared by using arylene ether blocks to impart low melt viscosity, and imide blocks to provide high strength and other desirable mechanical properties. Work represents extension of LAR-14159 on imide/arylene ether copolymers in form of films, moldings, adhesives, and composite matrices. Copolymers potentially useful in variety of high-temperature aerospace and microelectronic applications.

Jensen, Brian J.↗

Comparison of high temperature, high frequency core loss and dynamic B-H loops of two 50 Ni-Fe crystalline alloys and an iron-based amorphous alloy

The availability of experimental data that characterizes the performance of soft magnetic materials for the combined conditions of high temperature and high frequency is almost nonexistent. An experimental investigation was conducted over the temperature range of 23 to 300 C and frequency range of 1 to 50 kHz to determine the effects of temperature and frequency on the core loss and dynamic B-H loops of three different soft magnetic materials; and oriented grain 50Ni-50Fe alloy, a nonoriented grain 50Ni-Fe alloy, and an iron based amorphous material (Metglas 2605SC). A comparison of these materials shows that the nonoriented grain 50Ni-50Fe alloy tends to have either the lowest or next lowest core loss for all temperatures and frequencies investigated.

Wieserman, W. R.↗

1000 to 1200 K time-dependent compressive deformation of single-crystalline and polycrystalline B2 Ni-40Al

The 1000-K and 1200-K time-dependent deformation of 100-line-oriented and non-100-line-oriented single crystals of Ni-40Al (made by a modified Bridgman technique) was examined over a large range of strain rates (from 0.1 to 10 to the -7th per sec). The results were compared with those for polycrystalline Ni-40Al made by hot pressing XD synthesized powder. The results from measurements of slow-plastic-strain-rate properties of the two materials show that single crystals offer no strength advantage over polycrystalline material. Both forms were found to deform via a dislocation climb mechanism.

Whittenberger, J. D.↗

Materials and characterization using acoustic nonlinearity parameters and harmonic generation - Effects of crystalline and amorphous structures

The effects of material structure on the nonlinearity parameters are reviewed. Problems discussed include definition of nonlinearity parameters, square-law nonlinearity and collinear beam-mixing, structure dependence of the nonlinearity parameters, negative nonlinearity parameters, and implications for materials characterization.

Cantrell, John H.↗

Comparison of high temperature, high frequency core loss and dynamic B-H loops of two 50 Ni-Fe crystalline alloys and an iron-based amorphous alloy

The availability of experimental data that characterize the performance of soft magnetic materials for the combined conditions of high temperature and high frequency is almost nonexistent. An experimental investigation was conducted over the temperature range of 23 to 300 C and frequency range of 1 to 50 kHz to determine the effects of temperature and frequency on the core loss and dynamic B-H loops of three different soft magnetic materials: an oriented-grain 50Ni-50Fe alloy, a nonoriented-grain 50Ni-50Fe alloy, and an iron-based amorphous material (Metglas 2605SC). A comparison of these materials shows that the nonoriented-grain 50Ni-50Fe alloy tends to have either the lowest or the next lowest core loss for all temperatures and frequencies investigated.

Wieserman, W. R.↗

Understanding crystallinity in aromatic polyimides

Aromatic polyimides are a class of polymers that show remarkable thermal stability, strength, and toughness. These properties make them attractive candidates for use in high-performance carbon fiber composites for airborne and spaceborne structural components. Our research centered on the development of an understanding of the underlying process of crystallite formation in a particular class of aryl polyimides for which there are some x-ray crystallographic data available. The ultimate aim of the project is to be able to develop a model sufficiently flexible to be able, on the basis of the chemical structure of a polymer in this class, to predict: (1) whether it will be prone to form crystallites; (2) crystallographic features of the crystallites; and (3) synthesis and/or processing conditions that will be favorable or unfavorable to crystallite formation. This will provide guidance to the laboratory chemists in their choice of candidate polymers and processing methods.

Celarier, Edward A.↗

Methods of determining loads and fiber orientations in anisotropic non-crystalline materials using energy flux deviation

An ultrasonic wave is applied to an anisotropic sample material in an initial direction and an angle of flux deviation of the ultrasonic wave front is measured from this initial direction. This flux deviation angle is induced by the unknown applied load. The flux shift is determined between this flux deviation angle and a previously determined angle of flux deviation of an ultrasonic wave applied to a similar anisotropic reference material under an initial known load condition. This determined flux shift is then compared to a plurality of flux shifts of a similarly tested, similar anisotropic reference material under a plurality of respective, known load conditions, whereby the load applied to the particular anisotropic sample material is determined. A related method is disclosed for determining the fiber orientation from known loads and a determined flux shift.

Prosser, William H.↗

Temperature dependence of nu3 and nu4 bandwidths and complex refractive indices for crystalline methane

Infrared spectra of thin films of pure CH4 have been measured for a range of temperatures from 22 to 68 K. The bandwidth for the fundamental nu3 near 3000/cm varies from 12.7 to 33.2/cm, while that for nu4 near 1300/cm varies from 6.2 to 16.0/cm. The real and imaginary parts of the index of refraction also exhibit significant dependence on temperature. These broadband measurements at low temperatures are useful for an understanding of clouds and hazes in the atmosphere of Uranus, clouds and ices in the atmosphere of Titan, and ices on the surfaces of Pluto and Triton.

Ngoh, M. A.↗