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At least 991 records · Page 55
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1996

Engineering Development Program of a Closed Aluminum-Oxygen Semi-cell System for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle: An Update

Most emerging unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) missions require significantly longer range and endurance than is achievable with existing battery technology. The Aluminum-Oxygen (Al-O2) semi-cell is a candidate technology capable of providing a significant improvement in endurance compared to the silver-zinc battery technology currently in use in UUVs and compares favorably to other proposed UUV power systems not only in performance, but also in safety and logistics. An Al-O2 semi-cell system is under development, consisting of a cell stack, gas management, oxygen storage, electrolyte management coolant and controller subsystems. It is designed to replace the existing silver-zinc battery and meet existing weight, volume, electrical and thermal requirements, therefore minimizing modification to the UUV. A detailed system design is complete. A component and material endurance test to evaluate compatibility and reliability of various materials and components is complete. Sub=scale (short stack) system testing is complete. A full-scale demonstration unit is now under construction for testing in the second half of 1995. The full scale demonstration test will simulate environmental conditions of the operational system. This paper summarizes the results of the extensive short stack and endurance test programs, describes the plan for full-scale testing, and concludes with a brief discussion of future directions for this technology.

Gregg, Dane W.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Bulk Growth of 2-6 Crystals in the Microgravity Environment of USML-1

The first United States Microgravity Laboratory Mission (USML- 1) flew in June 1992 on the Space Shuttle Columbia. An important part of this SpaceLab mission was the debut of the Crystal Growth Furnace (CGF). Of the seven samples grown in the furnace, three were bulk grown 2-6 compounds, two of a cadmium zinc telluride alloy, and one of a mercury zinc telluride alloy. Ground based results are presented, together with the results of computer simulated growths of these experimental conditions. Preliminary characterization results for the three USML-1 growth runs are also presented and the flight sample characteristics are compared to the equivalent ground truth samples. Of particular interest are the effect of the containment vessel on surface features, and especially on the nucleation, and the effect of the gravity vector on radial and axial compositional variations and stress and defect levels.

Gillies, Donald C.↗
NASA NTRS1997

New Anti-Corrosive Coatings with Resin-Bonded Polyaniline and Related Electroactive Groups

It is already known that polyaniline (an electroactive polymer) functions as a corrosion inhibitor for steel and in view of the fact that it is known to perform in the presence of hydrochloric acid, it has been considered likely that it may be useful to NASA for protecting launch structures at KSC which are exposed to not only continual ocean-side salt spray but also to hydrochloric acid at the times that solid-fuel boosters are fired. The currently used zinc-rich silicate-bonded coating is not wholly protective against the hydrochloric acid. Water pollution from zinc salts is another concern. Other earlier and concurrent NASA sponsored projects have been focussed on polyaniline specifically. Our project, administered for NASA by Dr. K. Thompson of KSC and these more-specifically polyaniline-related projects are included in a CRADA coordinated by Dr. F. Via of Akzo Nobel. A parallel project at Polytechnic under Prof K. Levon concentrated more specifically on polyaniline with various dopants. Our exploratory project reported herein was aimed at broadening the range of such corrosion inhibitors, to give protective paint compounders a wider latitude for adding corrosion inhibitors having polyaniline-like performance, and thus we diverged in several probing directions from polyaniline. Our working hypothesis was that physical variants of polyaniline, such as supported formulations on pigments or carriers, and chemical variants of polyaniline, including those having no electroconductive character, may have enhanced anticorrosion activity. We also hypothesized that small (non-polymeric) molecules having structures related to those occurring in polyaniline, may be active as corrosion inhibitors. We did preliminary testing, using an ASTM salt spray method at a nearby commercial paint testing laboratory. Our most interesting findings were that a non-electroconductive meta-isomer of polyaniline showed some corrosion activity, suggesting that the features of the polyaniline molecule associated with conductivity are not necessary for the anticorrosion action. Also, signtficantly, small molecular weight aromatic diamines and diimines resembling the reduced and the oxidized repeating unit in polyaniline showed an interesting degree of anticorrosive activity, suggesting that the polymeric feature of polyaniline is not necessary for anticorrosion action.

Weil, Edward D.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Space Shuttle Pinhole Formation Mechanism Studies

Pinholes have been observed to form on the wing leading edge of the space shuttle after about 10-15 flights. In this report we expand upon previous observations by Christensen (1) that these pinholes often form along cracks and are associated with a locally zinc-rich area. The zinc appears to come from weathering and peeling paint on the launch structure. Three types of experimental examinations are performed to understand this issue further: (A) Detailed microstructural examination of actual shuttle pinholes (B) Mass spectrometric studies of coupons containing, actual shuttle pinholes and (C) Laboratory furnace studies of ZnO/SiC reactions and ZnO/SiC protected carbon/carbon reaction. On basis of these observations we present a detailed mechanism of pinhole formation due to formation of a corrosive ZnO-Na-2-O-SiO2 ternary glass, which flows into existing cracks and enlarges them.

Jacobson, Nathan S.↗
NASA NTRS1997

The High Throughput X-ray Spectroscopy (HTXS) Mission

The HTXS mission concept combines large effective area (approximately 15,000 sq cm at 1 keV), high spectral resolution (E/Delta(E) approximately 300-3000), and broad energy bandpass (0.25-40 keV and possibly up to 100 keV) by using replicated optics together with a complement of spectroscopic instrumentation including reflection gratings readout by charge-coupled device detectors (CCDs), quantum micro-calorimeters, and cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) or comparable high energy detectors. An essential feature of this concept involves minimization of cost (approximately $350M for development and approximately $500-600M including launches) and risk by building six identical modest satellites to achieve the large area. Current mission and technology studies are targeted towards a new start in the 2002 timeframe, with first launch around 2005-2006. The HTXS mission represents a major advance, providing as much as a factor of 100 increase in sensitivity over currently planned high resolution X ray spectroscopy missions. HTXS will mark the start of a new era when high quality X ray spectra will be obtained for all classes of X ray sources, over a wide range of luminosity and distance. With its increased capabilities, HTXS will address many fundamental astrophysics questions such as the origin and distribution of the elements from carbon to zinc, the formation and evolution of clusters of galaxies, the validity of general relativity in the strong gravity limit, the evolution of supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei, the details of supernova explosions and their aftermath, and the mechanisms involved in the heating of stellar coronae and driving of stellar winds.

White, N. E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Performance, Defect Behavior and Carrier Enhancement in Low Energy, Proton Irradiated p(+)nn(+) InP Solar Cells

InP p(+)nn(+) cells, processed by MOCVD, were irradiated by 0.2 MeV protons and their performance and defect behavior observed to a maximum fluence of 10(exp 13)/sq cm. Their radiation induced degradation, over this fluence range, was considerably+less than observed for similarly irradiated, diffused junction n p InP cells. Significant degradation occurred in both the cell's emitter and base regions the least degradation occurring in the depletion region. A significant increase in series resistance occurs at the highest fluenc.e. Two majority carrier defect levels, E7 and E10, are observed by DLTS with activation energies at (E(sub C) - 0.39)eV and (E(sub C) - 0.74)eV respectively. The relative concentration of these defects differs considerably from that observed after 1 MeV electron irradiation. An increased carrier concentration in the cell's n-region was observed at the highest proton fluence, the change in carrier concentration being insignificant at the lower fluences. In agreement with previous results, for 1 and 1.5 MeV electron irradiated InP p(+)n junctions, the defect level E10 is attributed to a complex between zinc, diffused into the n-region from the zinc doped emitter, and a radiation induced defect. The latter is assumed to be either a phosphorus vacancy or interstitial. The increased, or enhanced carrier concentration is attributed to this complex acting as a donor.

Weinberg, I.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Protective Coating

Inorganic Coatings, Inc.'s K-Zinc 531 protective coating is water-based non-toxic, non-flammable and has no organic emissions. High ratio silicate formula bonds to steel, and in 30 minutes, creates a very hard ceramic finish with superior adhesion and abrasion resistance. Improved technology allows application over a minimal commercial sandblast, fast drying in high humidity conditions and compatibility with both solvent and water-based topcoats. Coating is easy to apply and provides long term protection with a single application. Zinc rich coating with water-based potassium silicate binder offers cost advantages in materials, labor hours per application, and fewer applications over a given time span.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2004

New Lithium-ion Polymer Battery for the Extravehicular Mobility Unit Suit

The Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) suit currently has a silver-zinc battery that is 20.5 V and 45 Ah capacity. The EMU's portable life support system (PLSS) will draw power from the battery during the entire period of an EVA. Due to the disadvantages of using the silver-zinc battery in terms of cost and performance, a new high energy density battery is being developed for future use, The new battery (Lithium-ion battery or LIB) will consist of Li-ion polymer cells that will provide power to the EMU suit. The battery design consists of five 8 Ah cells in parallel to form a single module of 40 Ah and five such modules will be placed in series to give a 20.5 V, 40 Ah battery. Charging will be accomplished on the Shuttle or Station using the new LIB charger or the existing ALPS (Air Lock Power Supply) charger. The LIB delivers a maximum of 3.8 A on the average, for seven continuous hours, at voltages ranging from 20.5 V to 16.0 V and it should be capable of supporting transient pulses during start up and once every hour to support PLSS fan and pump operation. Figure 1 shows the placement of the battery in the backpack area of the EMU suit. The battery and cells will undergo testing under different conditions to understand its performance and safety characteristics.

Jeevarajan, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

MSFC Analysis of Thermal Control Materials on MISSE

Many different passive thermal control materials were flown as part of the Materials on International Space Station Experiment, including coatings, anodizes, and multi-layer insulation materials. Engineers and scientists at the Marshall Space Flight Center have analyzed a number of these materials, including: Zinc oxide/potassium silicate coating, Zinc orthotitanate/potassium silicate coating, Sulfuric acid anodized aluminum, Various coatings for part marking, automated rendezvous and capture, and astronaut visual aids, FEP Teflon with silver/Inconel backing, and Beta cloth with and without aluminization. These and other material samples were exposed to the low Earth orbital environment of atomic oxygen, ultraviolet radiation, thermal cycling, and hard vacuum, though atomic oxygen exposure was very limited for some samples. Solar absorptance, infrared emittance, and mass measurements indicate the durability of these materials to withstand the space environment. The effect of contamination from an active space station on the performance of white thermal control coatings is discussed.

Finckenor, Miria↗
NASA NTRS2006

Look Sharp While Seeing Sharp

The two scientists James B. Stephens and Dr. Charles G. Miller were tasked with studying the harmful properties of light in space, as well as the artificial radiation produced during laser and welding work, for the purpose of creating an enhanced means of eye protection in industrial welding applications. While working to apply their space research to these terrestrial applications, Stephens and Miller became engrossed with previously discovered research showing evidence that the eyes of hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey contain unique oil droplets that actually protect them from intensely radiated light rays (blue, violet, ultraviolet) while allowing vision-enhancing light rays (red, orange, green) to pass through. These oil droplets absorb short wavelength light rays which, in turn, reduce glare and provide heightened color contrast and definition for optimal visual acuity. Accordingly, birds of prey possess the ability to distinguish their targeted prey in natural surroundings and from great distances. Pairing the findings from their initial studies with what they learned from the bird studies, the scientists devised a methodology to incorporate the light-filtering/vision-enhancing dual-action benefits into a filtering system, using light-filtering dyes and tiny particles of zinc oxide. (Zinc oxide, which absorbs ultraviolet light, is also found in sunscreen lotions that protect the skin from sunburn.)

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2008

Chromated Material Obsolescence

This viewgraph presentation describes the obsolescence of chrome and cadmium papers. The supplier obsolescence of the Randolph TT-P-1757 zinc chromate primer and continental coatings zinc chromate paste is also presented.

Segars, Matt G.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Further Analysis of Thermal Control Coatings on MISSE for Aerospace Applications

Many different passive thermal control materials were flown as part of the Materials on International Space Station Experiment. Engineers and scientists at the Marshall Space Flight Center have analyzed a number of these materials, including Z93P zinc oxide/potassium silicate coating, YB-71P zinc orthotitanate/potassium silicate coating, NZOT, which is a low-cost alternative to YB-71P, several electrically conductive/static dissipative thermal control coatings, as well as black coatings for part marking and automated rendezvous and capture. These were exposed to the low Earth orbital environment of atomic oxygen, ultraviolet radiation, thermal cycling, and hard vacuum, though atomic oxygen exposure was very limited for some samples. Results from the one-year exposure of MISSE-3 and MISSE-4 are compared to the four-year exposure of MISSE-1 and MISSE-2. Solar absorptance, infrared emittance, and mass measurements indicate the durability of these materials to withstand the space environment. The effect of contamination from an active space station on the performance of white thermal control coatings is discussed.

Kenny, Mike↗
NASA NTRS2005

Corrosion-Prevention Capabilities of a Water-Borne, Silicone-Based, Primerless Coating

Comparative tests have been performed to evaluate the corrosion-prevention capabilities of an experimental paint of the type described in Water-Borne, Silicone-Based, Primerless Paints, NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 26, No. 11 (November 2002), page 30. To recapitulate: these paints contain relatively small amounts of volatile organic solvents and were developed as substitutes for traditional anticorrosion paints that contain large amounts of such solvents. An additional desirable feature of these paints is that they can be applied without need for prior application of primers to ensure adhesion. The test specimens included panels of cold-rolled steel, stainless steel 316, and aluminum 2024-T3. Some panels of each of these alloys were left bare and some were coated with the experimental water-borne, silicone-based, primerless paint. In addition, some panels of aluminum 2024-T3 and some panels of a fourth alloy (stainless steel 304) were coated with a commercial solvent-borne paint containing aluminum and zinc flakes in a nitrile rubber matrix. In the tests, the specimens were immersed in an aerated 3.5-weight-percent aqueous solution of NaCl for 168 hours. At intervals of 24 hours, the specimens were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and measurements of corrosion potentials. The specimens were also observed visually. As indicated by photographs of specimens taken after the 168-hour immersion (see figure), the experimental primerless silicone paint was effective in preventing corrosion of stainless steel 316, but failed to protect aluminum 2024-T3 and cold-rolled steel. The degree of failure was greater in the case of the cold-rolled steel. On the basis of visual observations, EIS, and corrosion- potential measurements, it was concluded that the commercial aluminum and zinc-filled nitrile rubber coating affords superior corrosion protection to aluminum 2024-T3 and is somewhat less effective in protecting stainless steel 304.

Calle, Luz Marina↗
NASA NTRS2014

Proteins with Novel Structure, Function and Dynamics

Recently, a small enzyme that ligates two RNA fragments with the rate of 10(exp 6) above background was evolved in vitro (Seelig and Szostak, Nature 448:828‐831, 2007). This enzyme does not resemble any contemporary protein (Chao et al., Nature Chem. Biol. 9:81‐83, 2013). It consists of a dynamic, catalytic loop, a small, rigid core containing two zinc ions coordinated by neighboring amino acids, and two highly flexible tails that might be unimportant for protein function. In contrast to other proteins, this enzyme does not contain ordered secondary structure elements, such as alpha‐helix or beta‐sheet. The loop is kept together by just two interactions of a charged residue and a histidine with a zinc ion, which they coordinate on the opposite side of the loop. Such structure appears to be very fragile. Surprisingly, computer simulations indicate otherwise. As the coordinating, charged residue is mutated to alanine, another, nearby charged residue takes its place, thus keeping the structure nearly intact. If this residue is also substituted by alanine a salt bridge involving two other, charged residues on the opposite sides of the loop keeps the loop in place. These adjustments are facilitated by high flexibility of the protein. Computational predictions have been confirmed experimentally, as both mutants retain full activity and overall structure. These results challenge our notions about what is required for protein activity and about the relationship between protein dynamics, stability and robustness. We hypothesize that small, highly dynamic proteins could be both active and fault tolerant in ways that many other proteins are not, i.e. they can adjust to retain their structure and activity even if subjected to mutations in structurally critical regions. This opens the doors for designing proteins with novel functions, structures and dynamics that have not been yet considered.

Proteins↗
NASA NTRS2022

Un-Numbered Operational Areas PRL 229 Railroad Tie Disposal Area Pond Confirmation Sampling Report

This Confirmatory Sampling (CS) Report (CSR) was prepared for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida in accordance with the CS Work Plan (CSWP) (HGL, 2022a). The CSR summarizes investigation activities performed on the Railroad Tie Disposal Area (RTDA) of the Un-Numbered Operational Areas (UNOA), Potential Release Location (PRL) 229 located at KSC. HydroGeoLogic, Inc. (HGL) prepared this report under Contract Number 80KSC019D0012. The purpose of the CSR is to provide information to evaluate the level of potential contamination in surface water and sediment samples collected from the RTDA PRL 229 Pond and determine if contaminants pose unacceptable risks to ecological receptors. The CSR provides analytical data of 10 sets of surface water and sediment samples collected in 2021. Surface water samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), metals, hardness, and salinity, while sediment samples were analyzed for metals, total organic carbon (TOC), SVOCs, PAHs, and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). The CSR includes a Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessment (SLERA) conducted under KSC’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program to determine if unacceptable risks to ecological receptors exist at PRL 229 Pond. Metals and PAHs were detected in surface water samples, including detections of antimony, arsenic, barium, calcium, copper, lead, magnesium, thallium, zinc, anthracene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, fluoranthene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene and pyrene. Based on measured salinity (1.03 to 1.21 parts per thousand), the pond was identified as freshwater. Sediment analytical results also contained detections of metals and PAHs, including antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, thallium, zinc, anthracene benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, fluoranthene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene and pyrene. Potential risks to ecological receptors were evaluated in accordance with the SLERA Work Plan and the Decision Process Document for the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program at KSC (DPD) (Geosyntec, 2019), and using the 2021 sediment and surface water analytical results. Potential ecological receptors evaluated in the SLERA include the aquatic community, benthic invertebrates, aquatic birds, and aquatic mammals. The SLERA included Steps 2a through 2c of the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) process in accordance with the DPD. Using multiple lines of evidence, the SLERA concluded that many of the detected analytes are present at concentrations similar to those in background or reference locations at KSC, and/or at concentrations that would not pose a significant risk to ecological communities. There are no screening values available for the avian community, and PAHs are bioaccumulative compounds. For this reason, food web modeling was completed as a supplement to Step 2c to provide a quantitative evaluation of this exposure pathway. Food web modeling indicates that PAHs are unlikely to pose a risk to birds exposed to site sediment and surface water. Based on the results of the SLERA, the contaminants in sediment and surface water pose no to minimal risk to the ecological communities that could live or forage at the site. Based on the results of the SLERA, no further study is recommended for the RTDA Pond at PRL 229.

Confirmation Sampling↗
NASA NTRS2024

Contamination Results of MISSE 8 Wake and Nadir Samples After 2 Years of Space Exposure on the International Space Station

Spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) are subjected to harsh environmental conditions, including radiation (cosmic rays, ultraviolet, x-ray and charged particle radiation), micrometeoroids and orbital debris, temperature extremes, thermal cycling, and atomic oxygen. In addition, on-orbit spacecraft contamination is a serious spaceflight issue, with silicone contamination being a particular concern. In an effort to understand on-orbit contamination of Materials International Space Station Experiment 8 (MISSE 8) flight samples and other International Space Station (ISS) payloads, contamination studies were conducted post-flight on retrieved Teflon fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) samples flown in the wake and nadir orientations on MISSE 8. The wake sample was Teflon FEP (M8-W11) flown as part of the Glenn MISSE 8 Polymers Experiment on the Optical Reflector Materials Experiment-III Ram/Wake (ORMatE-III R/W) tray and exposed to the LEO wake environment for 2.0 years. The nadir samples were silver-Teflon FEP radiator pieces taken from the MISSE 8 Single Events Upset Xilinx-Sandia Experiment II (SEUXSE II) Power Box and exposed to the LEO nadir environment for 2.14 years. The Teflon FEP flight materials were analyzed for changes in surface morphology and chemistry as compared to pristine control samples. The wake samples were also analyzed for changes in optical properties. There was no evidence of a molecular contamination layer present on the surface of the MISSE 8 wake or nadir facing Teflon FEP flight samples, although both the wake and nadir flight samples contained particulate contamination in some regions. The analyzed nadir particles were primarily zinc rich. The majority of analyzed wake particles were comprised of oxidized aluminum with small amounts of zinc and magnesium. The wake particles appear to have arrived early in the mission (or pre-flight) during a single event. This paper provides details of the MISSE 8 sample contamination analyses.

Erosion↗
DOE OSTI2021

Aqueous manganese ion battery

An alternative grid energy storage system is described herein. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell comprises a high specific surface area cathode (e.g., a cathode comprising a carbon nanofoam paper, a carbon nanotube mesh, a particulate carbon material, electrolytic manganese dioxide, or a manganese dioxide film), a zinc or lead anode (e.g., Zn or Pb foil), a selective ion-conductive separator that does not conduct zinc ions (e.g., a NAFION sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene based fluoropolymer-copolymer separator) between the anode and the cathode, and an aqueous electrolyte comprising a manganese salt (e.g., aqueous manganese sulfate) contacting the electrodes and the separator. A battery comprising two or more of the electrochemical cells electrically connected together in series, parallel, or both, also is described.

Tepavcevic, Sanja↗
DOE OSTI2020

Reversible (De)Intercalation of Hydrated Zn 2+ in Mg 2+ -Stabilized V 2 O 5 Nanobelts with High Areal Capacity

The rechargeable aqueous zinc ion battery (ZIB) is regarded as one of the most promising candidates for large-scale energy storage applications due to its low-cost and eco-friendly properties. However, the development of a suitable cathode operating with high areal capacity and uncovering the relevant reaction mechanisms remain challenging. Herein, the application of Mg 0.26 V 2 O 5 ∙0.73H 2 O (MVO) nanobelts as a ZIB cathode is demonstrated. In situ FT-IR reveals the shift of OH stretching from 3350 cm -1 to 3200 cm -1 , corresponding to the hydration shell of Zn 2+ , while in situ Raman suggests the interlayer charges creening effect, which would boost the intercalation of hydrated Zn 2+ . Density function theory reveals that the hydrated Zn 2+ can lower the Coulombic repulsion at the electrode-electrolyte interface and circumvents the desolvation penalty of hydrated Zn 2+ during the (de)intercalation process. Additionally, excellent structure stability and large interlayer spacing guarantee the highly reversible (de)intercalation of hydrated Zn 2+ . Therefore, the MVO nanobelts exhibit a high areal capacity of 2.12 mAh cm -2 at 0.05 A g -1 , outstanding cycling stability of 2500 cycles at 10 A g -1 with a mass loading of 5 mg cm -2 . Finally, it is believed that the use of hydrated intercalation charge carriers will boost further studies in other multivalent rechargeable batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗