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At least 109 records · Page 6

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2024

Towards Polymer-Free, Femto-Second Laser-Welded Glass/Glass Solar Modules

This project explores the use of femto-second (fs) lasers to form glass-to-glass welds for hermetically sealed, polymer-free solar modules. Low iron solar glass coupons were welded together without the use of glass filler using a fs laser with dedicated optics to elongate the focal plane parallel to the incident beam. The resulting welds were then stress tested to failure to reveal the critical stress intensity factor, KIc. These values were used in a structural mechanics model of a 1 m by 2 m glass/glass module under a simulated static load test. The results show that the fs laser welds are strong enough for a suitably framed module to pass the IEC 61215 static load test with a load of 5400 Pa. Key to this finding is that the module must be framed and braced, and the glass must be ribbed to allow pockets for the cells and welds inside the border of the module. The result is a module design that is completely polymer-free, hermetically sealed, has improved thermal properties, and is easily recycled.

femto-second laser welded↗

NASA NTRS1991

Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment - Science, engineering, and hardware development for USMP space flights

The Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE) has been designed to provide microgravity data on dendritic growth for a critical test of theory. This paper updates progress on constructing a crystal growth chamber suitable for space flight. The IDGE chamber is constructed from glass and stainless steel and is hermetically sealed by electron beam welds and glass-metal seals. Initial tests of the chambers sample's melting point plateau show that the new chamber design is capable of preserving the 99.9995 percent purity of succinonitrile. Dendrite growth can be initiated in the center of the IDGE chamber by means of thermo-electric coolers and a capillary injector tube (stinger). The new IDGE chamber is ready for fully integrated tests with the prototype IDGE engineering hardware at NASA's Lewis Research Center.

Glicksman, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Glass tubes for protecting solar cells

Protecting solar cells against environmental effects is accomplished by putting them inside glass tubes instead of hermetically sealing them between pairs of flat glass sheets. If cells are coupled with storage battery integrated into tube, freestanding power source could be built.

Shelpuk, B.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Synthesis of Nanoceria with Varied Ratios of Ce3+/Ce4+ Utilizing Soluble Borate Glass

Mixed-valence cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) have been investigated with pronounced interest due to a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications that arises from its remarkable redox catalytic properties. However, there is no understanding of how to control the formation of these two types of nanoceria to obtain Ce3+/Ce4+ ratios required in various applications. In this work, using a soluble borate glass, nanoceria with specific ratios of Ce3+/Ce4+ are created and extracted via controlled glass-melting parameters. Glass embedded with nanoceria as well as nanoceria extracted from the glass were studied via XANES and fitted with the Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR) technique to calculate the ratio of Ce3+/Ce4+. Results show that mixed-valence nanoceria with specific ratios are hermetically sealed within the glass for long durations. When the glass dissolves, the mixed-valence nanoceria are released, and the extracted nanoceria have unchanged Ce3+/Ce4+ ratios. Furthermore, TEM investigation on released nanoceria show that the nanoceria consist of several different structures. Although nanocrystal structures of Ce7O12, Ce11O20, and Ce2O3 contribute to the reduced state, a new quasi-stable phase of CeO1.66 has been observed as well.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2026

Toward durable stacks: glass-ceramic sealants for intermediate-temperature protonic ceramic electrochemical systems

Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) are emerging as promising technologies for efficient energy conversion and hydrogen production because they operate at intermediate temperatures with improved efficiency and durability compared with conventional solid oxide electrochemical cells. However, the long-term reliability and commercialization of PCEC stacks remain strongly limited by the performance of sealants, which are required to maintain gas tightness, electrical insulation, and mechanical integrity under harsh thermal and chemical environments. Among various sealing approaches, glass-ceramic sealants are considered the most practical and scalable due to their excellent wettability, chemical tunability, and strong interfacial adhesion. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in glass-ceramic sealants for intermediate-temperature protonic ceramic electrochemical systems. The fundamental design principles of sealant compositions are first discussed, followed by recent developments in deposition methods, sintering strategies, surface treatments, and degradation monitoring techniques. Particular attention is given to the unique challenges associated with PCEC operating conditions, including hydrothermal degradation, interfacial reactions with barium-containing electrolytes, and thermal mismatch. Finally, future opportunities involving sustainable materials, multiscale modeling, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence-assisted sealant optimization are highlighted.

glass–ceramic sealants↗

DOE OSTI2023

Modeling of the effectiveness of novel edge seal designs for fast, low‐Cap‐Ex manufacturing

Abstract In the manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) modules, the lamination process can take up to 20 min to complete. In this work, new lamination processes are being developed, and have been prototyped, which hope to be able to cut this time down to as little as 30 s. This could provide significant savings in the cost of lamination equipment, floor space, and energy. PV modules are expected to have a lifespan exceeding 20 to 30 years. For moisture‐sensitive PV technologies, the edge seal between the two layers of glass can be the weakest point of its reliability. There is an inherent challenge when evaluating edge seal materials due to their low permeation rates. As part of Colorado State University's Photovoltaic Research and Development 2, work at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed models to evaluate edge seal configurations in glass‐glass PV modules. Here, this new manufacturing process is evaluated for long‐term moisture durability. Different edge seal design options within glass–glass PV modules are explored. Most of these designs are targeting a superstrate on glass configuration, e.g CdTe, but some designs could be used on conventional crystalline Si cells. Using COMSOL finite element simulation software, we investigated the edge seal and interlayer design configurations containing silicone perimeter edge adhesive, desiccated polyisobutylene‐based edge seal, air, and polyolefin while integrating climate conditions equivalent to a hot and humid environment such as Miami, Florida. We found optimized configurations that will allow the module to prevent moisture ingress over 50 years minimizing the amount of time and material used while utilizing polymers that are easily dispensed.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1976

Ocean foam generation and modeling

A laboratory investigation was conducted to determine the physical and microwave properties of ocean foam. Special foam generators were designed and fabricated, using porous glass sheets, known as glass frits, as the principal element. The glass frit was sealed into a water-tight vertical box, a few centimeters from the bottom. Compressed air, applied to the lower chamber, created ocean foam from sea water lying on the frit. Foam heights of 30 cm were readily achieved, with relatively low air pressures. Special photographic techniques and analytical procedures were employed to determine foam bubble size distributions. In addition, the percentage water content of ocean foam was determined with the aid of a particulate sampling procedure. A glass frit foam generator, with pore diameters in the range 70 - 100 micrometers, produced foam with bubble distributions very similar to those found on the surface of natural ocean foam patches.

Porter, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1966

Split glass tube assures quality in electron beam brazing

Sealed enclosure of heat-resistant glass tubing and silicone rubber molds provide good visibility for electron beam brazing of metal tubes in an inert gas atmosphere. The glass tubing and rubber molds, which are bonded together, are easily applied to and removed from the brazing area by operation of a clamp.

Kressin, W. J.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Hermetically sealed porous-wall hollow microspheres enabled by monolithic glass coatings: Potential for thermal insulation applications

Thermal insulation materials are crucial to improve the energy performance of buildings and industrial applications. We report an approach to create hermetically vacuum-sealed silica-based hollow microspheres that can lower the thermal conductivity of closed-cell insulation materials. The wall structure of these hollow microspheres includes a reticulated network of pores or channels that extend through the thickness of the wall. When a thin layer of glass material is applied to the wall exterior, followed by a vacuum-assisted thermal treatment process, the coated microsphere surfaces display a highly dense conformal coverage and near-complete elimination of surface porosity. The sealing efficiency of these microspheres is verified by trapping argon within their cavities as well as through evacuating their hollow cores. Notably, incorporating the evacuated microspheres into a polymer matrix resulted in ~27% enhancement in its thermal insulation performance and no notable loss of performance was observed following three months of exposure to ambient conditions. Thus, we believe that the present study offers a commercially viable strategy that opens the door to applications of such inorganic hollow particles in areas ranging from vacuum-based thermal insulation systems to catalysis, separation technologies, and medical fields.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1981

Long life Li/SO2 cells

The development of a long life Li/SO2 battery (one that could operate continuously for periods of at least five years) is discussed. The causes of premature failures in battery concepts are defined and solutions to these problems are described. In particular the corrosion of the glass in a glass-to-metal seal and a spot welded positive lead are addressed.

Levy, S.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Miniature triaxial metastable ionization detector for gas chromatographic trace analysis of extraterrestrial volatiles

The present investigation is concerned with a miniature metastable ionization detector featuring an unconventional electrode configuration, whose performance characteristics parallel those of traditional design. The ionization detector is to be incorporated in a flight gas chromatograph (GC) for use in the Space Shuttle. The design of the detector is discussed, taking into account studies which verified the sensitivity of the detector. The triaxial design of the detector is compared with a flat-plate style. The obtained results show that the principal goal of developing a miniature, highly sensitive ionization detector for flight applications was achieved. Improved fabrication techniques will utilize glass-to-metal seals and brazing procedures.

Woeller, F. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Attaching Copper Wires to Magnetic-Reed-Switch Leads

Bonding method reliably joins copper wires to short iron-alloy leads from glass-encased dry magnetic-reed switch without disturbing integrity of glass-to-metal seal. Joint resistant to high temperatures and has low electrical resistance.

Kamila, Rudolf↗

NASA NTRS1994

Properties Of Soda/Yttria/Silica Glasses

Experimental study of glass-formation compositional region of soda/ yttria/silicate system and of selected physical properties of glasses within compositional region part of continuing effort to identify glasses with high coefficients of thermal expansion and high softening temperatures, for use as coatings on superalloys and as glass-to-metal seals.

Angel, Paul W.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Determination of the electrical conductivity of liquid Ge(0.95)Si(0.05)

We have measured the electrical conductivity of molten germanium-silicon Ge(0.95)Si(0.05) from the liquidus temperature (1050 C) up to 1220 C. The data were acquired with a unique apparatus which utilizes the standard four-probe technique. The basic unit consists of a fused silica enclosure that contains hermetic glass-to-tungsten seals that can support vacuum pressures down to 10(exp -7) Torr. With calibration, the measurement error for the low vapor pressure materials of this study was typically less than 7%. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of a Ge(0.95)Si(0.05) melt was found to vary from approximately 22,300/ohm/cm at the liquidus temperature down to approximately 16,000/ohm/cm at 1220 C. The negative temperature coefficient as well as the magnitude of these data clearly indicate that the molten material is metallic in nature despite the semiconducting properties of the solid.

Rolin, T. D.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Development of a Flexible Seal for a 60 psi Cryogenic Pressure Box

A cryogenic pressure box test facility has been designed and fabricated for use at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) to subject 5 ft x 6 ft curved panels to cryogenic temperatures and biaxial tensile loads. The cryogenic pressure box is capable of testing curved panels down to -423 F (20 K) with 54 psig maximum pressure. The key challenge in the design and fabrication of the pressure box was the development of a seal that could remain flexible at -423 F and contain 60 psi gaseous helium as the pressurization gas. A C-shaped seal was developed using a Gore-tex woven fabric. Mechanical testing of the fabric at room and elevated temperature, liquid nitrogen temperature, and liquid helium temperature demonstrated the strength and creep resistance of the material over the desired operating range. A small scale cryogenic pressure box was used to test prototype seals at cryogenic temperatures up to 60 psi. Preliminary tests indicated that excessive leakage was present through the seal. As a result, an aluminized mylar liner was placed inside the Gore-tex seal to reduce leakage through the seal. The final seal configuration resulted in minimal pressure loss during seal testing.

Glass, David E.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Thermal Stability of Otto Fuel Prepolymer

Otto Fuel II contains a nitrate ester, plasticizer, and 2-NPDA as a stabilizer. Otto Fuel with stabilizers from three vendors was investigated by dynamic and isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) using samples sealed in a glass ampoule and by Isothermal Microcalorimetry (IMC) using 10 gram samples aged at 75 C for 35 days. DSC kinetics did not show differences between the stabilizer; the samples had an activation energy of 36.7 +/- 0.6 kcal/mol. However, IMC analysis was sensitive enough to detect small differences between the stabilizer, namely energy of interaction values of 7 to 14 Joules. DSC controlled cooling and heating at 5 C/min from 30 to -60 to 40 C experiments were similar and showed a crystallization peak at -48 +/- 1 C during cooling, and upon heating there was a glass transition temperature step at approx. -54 +/- 0.5 C and a melting peak at -28 +/- 0.4 C.

Tompa, Albert S.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Thermal Stability of Otto Fuel Prepolymer

Otto Fuel II contains a nitrate ester, plasticizer, and 2-NDPA as a stabilizer. Otto Fuel with stabilizers from three vendors was investigated by dynamic and isothermal DSC using samples sealed in a glass ampoule and by Isothermal Microcalorimetry (IMC) using 10 gram samples aged at 75 C for 35 days. DSC kinetics did not show differences between the stabilizer; the samples had an activation energy of 36.7 +/- 0.6 kcal/mol. However, IMC analysis was sensitive enough to detect small differences between the stabilizer, namely energy of interaction values of 7 to 14 Joules. DSC controlled cooling and heating at 5 C/min from 30 to -60 to 40 C experiments were similar and showed a crystallization peak at -48 +/- 1 C during cooling, and upon heating there was a glass transition temperature step at approx. -54 +/- 0.5 C and a melting peak at -28 +/- 0.4 C.

Tompa, Albert S.↗

NASA NTRS2002

The Relative Humidity of the Atmosphere in the Encasements Containing the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution (Pages 1 and 4), and the Bill of Rights

In 1951, the four pages of the US Constitution, the Letter of Transmittal, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence, collectively called the 'Charters of Freedom,' were hermetically sealed individually in glass encasements. The atmosphere in the encasements consisted of a mixture of helium with water vapor at a relative humidity between 25 and 35% at room temperature. In 1998, Margaret Kelly of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), contacted Dr. Joel S. Levine at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) to request assistance in determining the chemical composition of the atmosphere inside the encasements. Several different Langley learns were assembled to address that request. each using a different measurement technique. This report describes the method and results of one team's relative humidity measurements on encasements containing pages 1 and 4 of the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence performed at NARA, College Park. Maryland, on July 23, 2001.

West, James W.↗