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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,189 records · Page 66
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Automated fabrication of back surface field silicon solar cells with screen printed wraparound contacts

The development of a process for fabricating 2 x 4 cm back surface field silicon solar cells having screen printed wraparound contacts is described. This process was specifically designed to be amenable for incorporation into the automated nonvacuum production line. Techniques were developed to permit the use of screen printing for producing improved back surface field structures, wraparound dielectric layers, and wraparound contacts. The optimized process sequence was then used to produce 1852 finished cells. Tests indicated an average conversion efficiency of 11% at AMO and 28 C, with an average degradation of maximum power output of 1.5% after boiling water immersion or thermal shock cycling. Contact adherence was satisfactory after these tests, as well as long term storage at high temperature and high humidity.

Thornhill, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Post-Viking models for the structure of the summer atmosphere of Mars

A reference model is proposed for the structure of the Mars atmosphere up to 100-km altitude. Based on Viking data, the model incorporates the mean temperature structure, mean surface pressure, mean molecular weight and gas constant, and pressure and density profiles. Model profiles with Viking and Mars 6 data are compared, and attention is given to warm and cool models. The thermal boundary layer is considered along with the role of thermal tides.

Seiff, A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Phase Two of the Array Automated Assembly Task for the Low Cost Solar Array Project

Various top contact metal systems were studied. Only Ti Pd Cu approaches baseline (Ti Pd Ag) quality, but this system shows a lack of long term stability. Aluminum back surface field structures were fabricated and thicknesses of p superscript + material of up to 7.0 microns were achieved with open circuit voltages of 0.59V. A general purpose ultrasonic welder was purchased and tests using various metal foils are under way. During fabrication of the demonstration module, several cells became cracked. Due to redundancy of interconnections, the module was not open circuited but the efficiency was reduced to 8.8%. The broken cell was interconnected with a strap across the back and the efficiency was increased to 11.5%. A cost analysis was made and the results indicate a selling price of $0.56/watt peak (in 1986 with 1975 dollars).

Campbell, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The opportunities offered by SCADM for the study of surface phenomena related to interior structure and dynamics

The physical processes to be probed by experiments may be grouped as large scale flows, oscillations, and chromospheric/coronal diagnostics. While the fundamental concerns and observational equipments are similar within each class, different investigations may tell different things about the Sun. Observational requirements are listed for experiments to study (1) plasma-magnetic field interactions; (2) interior structure via oscillations; (3) chromospheric and coronal tracers; (4) rotation, meridional flows, and giant cells; (5) the depth dependence of rotation; (6) EUV luminosity; (7) intensity fluctuations and tracers; and (8) diameter oscillations, the effects of noise and timestring on experiment results are assessed.

Brown, T. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

InP and GaAs characterization with variable stoichiometry obtained by molecular spray

Both InP and GaAs surfaces were studied in parallel. A molecular spray technique was used to obtain two semiconductor surfaces with different superficial compositions. The structures of these surfaces were examined by electron diffraction. Electron energy loss was measured spectroscopically in order to determine surface electrical characteristics. The results are used to support conclusions relative to the role of surface composition in establishing a Schottky barrier effect in semiconductor devices.

Massies, J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Screen printing technology applied to silicon solar cell fabrication

The process for producing space qualified solar cells in both the conventional and wraparound configuration using screen printing techniques was investigated. Process modifications were chosen that could be easily automated or mechanized. Work was accomplished to optimize the tradeoffs associated with gridline spacing, gridline definition and junction depth. An extensive search for possible front contact metallization was completed. The back surface field structures along with the screen printed back contacts were optimized to produce open circuit voltages of at least an average of 600 millivolts. After all intended modifications on the process sequence were accomplished, the cells were exhaustively tested. Electrical tests at AMO and 28 C were made before and after boiling water immersion, thermal shock, and storage under conditions of high temperature and high humidity.

Thornhill, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The influence of topographic structures on night-time surface temperatures: Evaluation of a satellite thermal image of the upper Rhine plain and the surrounding highlands

The author has identified the following significant results. Satellite data supplied the same information as aerial IR registrations with corresponding averaging for all studies requiring a survey of the thermal pattern within an area measuring 10 km x 10 km ore more, provided that sufficiently precise control points could be established for the purpose of geometric rectification in the surroundings of the area observed. Satellite thermal data are more comprehensive than aircraft data for studies on a regional, rather than a local scale, since airborne images often obscure the basic correlation in thermal patterns because of a variety of irrelevant topographical detail. The satellite data demonstrate the dependence of surface temperature on relief more clearly than comparable airborne imagery.

Gossmann, H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The Galilean satellites and Jupiter - Voyager 2 imaging science results

Continuous global observations of Jupiter were made by Voyager 2 for a period of 63 days. Voyager 2 provided images that both complement and supplement the Voyager 1 images. The combined Voyager 1 and 2 observations of Jupiter provide an almost continuous record, over a 6-month period, of the behavior of the Jovian atmosphere at a resolution far better than can be obtained from earth-based studies. The present report briefly describes the changes in the cloud morphologies and local atmospheric motions. On Io, changes are observed in eruptive activity, plume structure, and surface albedo patterns. Europa's surface retains little or no record of intense meteorite bombardment, but reveals a system of overlapping bright and dark linear features. Ganymede exhibits at least one unit of heavily cratered terrain on a surface that otherwise suggests widespread tectonism. Except for two large ringed basins, Callisto's entire surface is heavily cratered.

Smith, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A quadrilateralized spherical cube Earth data base

A quadrilateralized spherical cube was constructed to form the basis for the rapid storage and retrieval of high resolution data obtained of the Earth's surface. The structure of this data base was derived from a spherical cube, which was obtained by radially projecting a cube onto its circumscribing sphere. An appropriate set of curvilinear coordinates were chosen such that the resolution cells on the spherical cube were of equal area and were also of essentially the same shape. The main properties of the Earth data base were that the indexing scheme was binary and telescopic in nature, the resolution cells were strung together in a two dimensional manner, the cell addresses were easily computed, and the conversion from geographic to data base coordinates was comparatively simple. It was concluded that this data base structure was perhaps the most viable one for handling remotely sensed data obtained by satellites.

Chan, F. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Aircraft wing weight build-up methodology with modification for materials and construction techniques

An aircraft wing weight estimating method based on a component buildup technique is described. A simplified analytically derived beam model, modified by a regression analysis, is used to estimate the wing box weight, utilizing a data base of 50 actual airplane wing weights. Factors representing materials and methods of construction were derived and incorporated into the basic wing box equations. Weight penalties to the wing box for fuel, engines, landing gear, stores and fold or pivot are also included. Methods for estimating the weight of additional items (secondary structure, control surfaces) have the option of using details available at the design stage (i.e., wing box area, flap area) or default values based on actual aircraft from the data base.

York, P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The microwave radiometer spacecraft. A design study: Executive summary

A conceptual design was developed for a microwave radiometer spacecraft (MRS) using a large passive reflector, microwave radiometer, and advanced control concepts soil moisture mapping from microwave sensing for global crop forecasting. Mission requirements and tradeoffs were defined, and major subsystems (structural, electromagnetic surface, and attitude control) conceptually designed. An overview of the mission and a summary of the study results are presented.

Lovelace, U. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A study of fiber materials for use in temperature resistant fiber reinforced composites

This study has been directed at characterizing the micro-properties of candidate ceramics and glasses for use in making fibers used in fiber reinforced material composites. Particular emphasis has been given into developing techniques to guide the optimization of fiber properties. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) have been used to help collate the method of synthesis, crystal structure and surface morphology with physical performance parameters. As a result, progress has been made in characterizing such materials. This increased understanding makes the previous research worthy of further study.

Bachowsky, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Marine applications of HCMM satellite data

Results of a limited comparison of HCMM sea surface temperature data with in situ data suggest that the HCMM data can provide a rather accurate representation of the sea surface temperature and temperature pattern. In the Nantucket Shoals region, the HCMM analysis provided data on the surface heating and on transport south of Nantucket Island and Nantucket Sound. The analyses also revealed the sea surface temperature structure of an anticyclonic warm ring.

Vukovich, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Compositional depth profile of a native oxide LPCVD MNOS structure using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and chemical etching

It is pointed out that there is no report of an unambiguous analysis of the composition and interfacial structure of MNOS (metal-nitride oxide semiconductor) systems, despite the technological importance of these systems. The present investigation is concerned with a study of an MNOS structure on the basis of a technique involving the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with a controlled stopped-flow chemical-etching procedure. XPS is sensitive to the structure of surface layers, while stopped-flow etching permits the controlled removal of overlying material on a scale of atomic layers, to expose new surface layers as a function of thickness. Therefore, with careful analysis of observed intensities at measured depths, this combination of techniques provides depth resolution between 5 and 10 A. According to the obtained data there is intact SiO2 at the substrate interface. There appears to be a thin layer containing excess bonds to silicon on top of the SiO2.

Wurzbach, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Three-dimensional laser Doppler anemometer measurements of a jet in a crossflow

A three-dimensional laser Doppler anemometer (3D-LDA) was used in a wind tunnel to measure a jet in a crossflow. Measurements were made in the vicinity of a 5-cm-diam jet which issued normally into a 10.65 m/sec wind tunnel crossflow; the velocity ratio Vjet/Vinf was 8. Detailed lateral surveys were made at two elevations (z = cm and 2 cm); both elevations were within the region affected by the boundary layer on the plate. The results are believed to provide reliable velocity field information in the boundary layer of the jet in a crossflow. Turbulence information also is available and believed to be roughly correct, although it may be subject to broadening effects for the lower values of turbulence. A weak vortex pair was observed in the wake at the plate surface. This structure existed in the boundary layer and built confidence because the 3D-LDA was, indeed, able to resolve fine detail in the wake. The capabilities of the 3D-LDA not only allow the making of the velocity surveys, but can be utilized to follow mean streamlines in the flow.

Snyder, P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Measurement of high temperature strain by the laser-speckle strain gauge

By using the laser-speckle strain gauge, the strain of metal at the temperature lower than 250 C is measured. The principle of the gauge is to measure the expansion or contraction of the fine structures of surface by detecting the resultant speckle displacement in an optoelectronic way, whereby the effect of rigid-body motion is automatically cancelled out with the aid of a differential detection system. A transportable apparatus was built and a comparison experiment performed with a resistance strain gauge at room temperature. It has a strain sensitivity of .00002, a gauge length smaller than 1 mm, and no upper limit in a range of strain measurement. In the measurement of high-temperature strain it is free from the need for a dummy gauge and insensitive to an electric drift effect. As examples of strain measurement at high-temperature, thermal expansion and contraction of a top of a soldering iron are measured. The interval of the measurement can be made at shortest 1.6 sec. and the change in the strain is clearly followed until the ultimate stationary temperature is reached.

Yamaguchi, I.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Ice-lubricated gravity spreading of the Olympus Mons aureole deposits

The huge aureole deposits and the perimeter scarp of Olympus Mons in the Tharsis region of Mars were first observed by Mariner 9. It is pointed out that no other Martian volcano approaches the size of Olympus. Hypotheses of aureole formation are discussed and evaluated. It is concluded that gravity-sliding and gravity-spreading models for the Olympus Mons aureoles can account qualitatively for the observations regarding surface morphology, structure, and size. The presence of the basal scarp can also be understood. However, the proposed models require detachment between the aureoles and the substrate. In the present investigation, the proposal is made that widespread detachment may have occurred within a basal layer containing approximately 10 percent by volume of interstitial or interbedded ice.

Tanaka, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Chemistry of MOS-LSI radiation hardening

The objective of this task was to obtain chemical information on MOS test samples. Toward this end, high resolution X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) has been the primary techniques used to characterize the chemistry and structure of the SiO2/Si interface for a variety of MOS structures with differing degrees of susceptibility to damage by ionizing radiation. The major accomplishments of this program are: (1) the identification of a structurally distinct region of SiO2 in the near-interfacial region of thermal SiO2 on Si; (2) the identification in the near-interfacial region of SiO2 structural differences between radiation hard and soft gate oxides; (3) the direct observation of radiation-induced damage sites in thermal SiO2 with XPS using in situ electron stress; (4) the correlation of suboxide state distributions at the SiO2/Si interface with processing parameters and radiation susceptibility; (5) the development of a chemical mechanism for radiation-induced interface state generation in SiO2/Si structures; and (6) the development benign chemical profiling techniques which permit the investigation of oxide/semiconductor structures using surface sensitive electron spectroscopic techniques.

Grunthaner, P.↗