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At least 1,225 records · Page 68

Thermomechanical treatment of 2124 PM aluminum alloys with low and high dispersoid levels

The effects of thermomechanical treatment (TMT) on the mechanical properties and metallurgical structure of 2124 powder metallurgy aluminum alloys prepared from rapidly solidified powders were investigated. The alloys were prepared by using a standard canning/vacuum degassing/hot consolidation/extrusion sequence. Two compositions, with manganese contents of 0.5 and 1.5 percent, were investigated to examine the effects of low and high dispersoid levels. The results indicate that significant improvements in strength can be accomplished through TMT for this PM alloy system with little loss in toughness. The increase in strength observed is attributed to the presence of much finer, more homogeneous S-prime precipitation than that observed without TMT. Rolling deformation at room temperature resulted in some tendency for nonuniform (planar) deformation and resulted in slightly lower notch strength values. The lower notch strengths observed in the higher manganese composition were attributed to the coarser, more dense dispersoids observed in this material.

Sarkar, B.↗

Growth and characterization of epitaxial SrF2 on InP(100)

The epitaxial growth of 100-262.5-nm SrF2 films on n-type and p-type (100)InP in a conventional baked UHV system at base pressure about 200 ptorr, temperature 250-350 C, and growth rate from less than 100 to about 200 pm/s. Substrates are chemicomechanically polished, degreased, bombarded with 500-eV Ar ions for 3-4 min at 350 C, and annealed for 23-30 min at 350 C, producing a slightly In-rich (In/P = 1.02) In-island-free surface with a (4 x 1) or (1 x 1) LEED structure. Films grown at 350 C and less than 100 pm/s are found to be smooth and free of cracks in most cases, with a highly faceted (1 x 1) LEED structure. The electrical properties of the SrF2 films are found to be acceptable only when the ohmic contacts are applied prior to the substrate prior to SrF2 growth.

Sinharoy, S.↗

Optimization of helicopter rotor blade design for minimum vibration

The optimization approach discussed is part of an ongoing effort to develop a general automated procedure for rotor blade design. This procedure can be used to determine the necessary geometric, structural, and material properties of a rotor system to achieve desired objectives relating to vibration, stress, and aerodynamic performance. The approach used for helicopter vibration is emphasized. Based on analytical studies performed at the United Technologies Research Center (UTRC), a simplified vibration analysis was developed to be used in conjunction with a forced response analysis in the optimization process. This simplified analysis improves the efficiency of the design process significantly. Results of applying this approach to the design of an existing rotor blade model are presented.

Davis, M. W.↗

A scanning radar altimeter for mapping continental topography

Topographic information constitutes a fundamental data set for the Earth sciences. In the geological and geophysical sciences, topography combined with gravitational information provides an important constraint on the structure and rheologic properties of the crust and lithosphere. Detailed topography data can also be used to map offsets associated with faulting and to reveal the effects of tectonic deformation. In the polar regions, elevation data form a crucial but as yet largely unavailable resource for studying ice sheet mass balance and ice flow dynamics. The vast Antarctic ice sheet is the largest fresh water reservoir on Earth and is an important influence on ocean circulation and global climate. However, our knowledge of its stability is so limited that we cannot even specify whether the Antarctic ice sheet is growing or shrinking. It is clear that there is need for high quality global topography data. A summary of potential applications with their resolution requirements is shown.

Dixon, T. H.↗

Microgravity effects on electrodeposition of metals and metal-cermet mixtures

An experimental system, designed to investigate the potential advantages of electrodeposition in microgravity, is being developed by the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company-Huntsville Division and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. It is intended to fly as an Orbiter payload when NASA resumes STS operations. The system will provide power, thermal conditioning, command and control for the production of electrodeposits; system performance data will be recorded for post-flight analysis. Plated metal surfaces will be created using simple electrolytic cells with pure metal electrodes immersed in aqueous electrolytic solutions. Crystalline structure and other properties will be analyzed to identify differences between samples produced in flight and those obtained from ground-based operations.

Maybee, George W.↗

The oxidation of carbon monoxide using a tin oxide catalyst

This paper outlines some of the steps involved in the development by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) of a catalytic device for the recombination of carbon monoxide and oxygen in a CO2 laser system. It contrasts the differences between CO oxidation for air purification and for laser environmental control, but indicates that there are similarities between the physical specifications. The principal features of catalytic devices are outlined and some experimental work described. This includes measurements concerning the structure and mechanical properties of the artifact, the preparation of the catalyst coating and its interaction with the gaseous environment. The paper concludes with some speculation about the method by which the reaction actually occurs.

Sampson, Christopher F.↗

1985 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS '85), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, October 7-9, 1985, Proceedings

Papers are presented on an EM subsurface radar based on the transient field radiated by a wire antenna; the microwave dielectric, structural, and salinity properties of simulated sea ice; the extraction of sea-ice data from satellite SAR imagery, and the probing of thick vegetation canopies with a field microwave scatterometer. Also discussed are the bidirectional reflectance modeling of a conifer forest canopy, a microwave dielectric model for aggregated soils, and the estimation of soil hydraulic parameters with passive microwave data.

Carver, K. R.↗

Fluidized-Bed Deposition Of Single-Crystal Silicon

Uniformly thin single-crystal films of silicon produced by modification of fluidized-bed-reactor technique producing polysilicon by chemical vapor deposition. Proposed for silicon wafers for flat-plate solar arrays and results in different structural and electronic properties in deposition layer desirable for specific microelectronic or solar-cell processing. In process deposition occurs on silicon wafers, kept individually at temperatures above 1,000 degree C. Heated wafers held in unheated and minimally-agitated-fluidized bed of silicon particles and in low concentration of silane.

Hsu, George C.↗

High temperature superconductors

The two principle objectives are to develop materials that superconduct at higher temperatures and to better understand the mechanisms behind high temperature superconductivity. Experiments on the thermal reaction, structure, and physical properties of materials that exhibit superconductivity at high temperatures are discussed.

Wu, Maw-Kuen↗

The development of test methodology for testing glassy materials

The inherent brittleness of glass invariably leads to a large variability in strength data and a time dependence in strength (i.e., static fatigue). Loading rate plays a large role in strength values. Glass is found to be weaker when supporting loads over long periods as compared to glass which undergoes rapid loading. In this instance the purpose of rapid loading is to fail the glass before any significant crack growth occurs. However, a decrease in strength occurs with a decrease in loading rate, pursuant to substantial crack extension. These properties complicate the structural design allowable for the utilization of glass components in applications such as mirrors for the Space Telescope and AXAF for Spacelab and the space station.

Tucker, Dennis S.↗

Low-field magnetoacoustic residual stress measurement in steel

Much of the recent development of the magnetoacoustic technique has been devoted to refine this technique as a reliable and practical tool for measuring bulk residual stress in steel components. For this, the effects of structural and metallurgical properties on the magnetoacoustic interaction have been studied for various types of steel samples. Also, progress is being made to obtain quantitative residual stress measurements in railroad wheels. This paper reviews the physical basis and the experimental results of the magnetoacoustic stress measurements in steels.

Namkung, M.↗

Effects of radiation damage on the silicon lattice

Silicon was irradiated with both proton and electron particle beams in order to investigate changes in the structural and optical properties of the lattice as a result of the radiation damage. Lattice expansions occurred when large strain fields (+0.34 percent) developed after 1- and 3-MeV proton bombardment. The strain was a factor of three less after 1-MeV electron irradiation. Average increases of approximately 22 meV in the 3.46-eV interband energy gap and 14 meV in the Lorentz broadening parameter were measured after the electron irradiation.

Dumas, Katherine A.↗

Functional reasoning in diagnostic problem solving

This work is one facet of an integrated approach to diagnostic problem solving for aircraft and space systems currently under development. The authors are applying a method of modeling and reasoning about deep knowledge based on a functional viewpoint. The approach recognizes a level of device understanding which is intermediate between a compiled level of typical Expert Systems, and a deep level at which large-scale device behavior is derived from known properties of device structure and component behavior. At this intermediate functional level, a device is modeled in three steps. First, a component decomposition of the device is defined. Second, the functionality of each device/subdevice is abstractly identified. Third, the state sequences which implement each function are specified. Given a functional representation and a set of initial conditions, the functional reasoner acts as a consequence finder. The output of the consequence finder can be utilized in diagnostic problem solving. The paper also discussed ways in which this functional approach may find application in the aerospace field.

Sticklen, Jon↗

Hub and blade structural loads measurements of an SA349/2 helicopter

Data from 23 flight conditions, including level flights ranging from advance ratio mu = 0.14 to 0.37 and steady turning flights from advance ratio mu = 0.26 to 0.35, are presented for an Aerospatiale SA349/2 Gazelle helicopter. The data include hub loads data (for 6 of the 23 conditions), blade structural data at eleven different blade radial stations, and fuselage structural data. All dynamic data are presented as harmonic analysis coefficients (ten harmonics per rotor revolution). The data acquisition and reduction procedures are also documented. Blade structural and inertial properties are provided in addition to control system geometry and properties.

Yamauchi, Gloria K.↗

Dynamic fatigue testing of Zerodur glass-ceramic

The inherent brittleness of glass invariably leads to a large variability in strength data and a time dependence in strength. Leading rate plays a large role in strength values. Glass is found to be weaker when supporting loads over long periods of time as compared to glass which undergoes rapid leading. These properties complicate the structural design allowables for the utilization of glass components in an application such as Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF). The test methodology to obtain parameters which can be used to predict the reliability and life time of Zerodur glass-ceramic which is to be used for the mirrors in the AXAF is described.

Tucker, Dennis S.↗

Local intensity adaptive image coding

The objective of preprocessing for machine vision is to extract intrinsic target properties. The most important properties ordinarily are structure and reflectance. Illumination in space, however, is a significant problem as the extreme range of light intensity, stretching from deep shadow to highly reflective surfaces in direct sunlight, impairs the effectiveness of standard approaches to machine vision. To overcome this critical constraint, an image coding scheme is being investigated which combines local intensity adaptivity, image enhancement, and data compression. It is very effective under the highly variant illumination that can exist within a single frame or field of view, and it is very robust to noise at low illuminations. Some of the theory and salient features of the coding scheme are reviewed. Its performance is characterized in a simulated space application, the research and development activities are described.

Huck, Friedrich O.↗

Symbolic derivation of material property matrices in finite element analysis

The principles and operation of MMAX, a symbolic-computation program which automates the process of generating property matrices for structural materials, are briefly described and illustrated with sample analyses of a rubberlike material and an elastoplastic material. MMAX is written in LISP under the symbolic finite-element generator FINGER and the general symbolic manipulator MACSYMA; it first derives the formulas required by mathematical manipulation, and then translates the formulas into FORTRAN code, adapted to the particular type of machine to be used for the numerical calculations. This approach is shown to combine efficiently the advantages of symbolic and numerical computation for engineering applications.

Tan, H. Q.↗

Transport Of Passive Scalars In A Turbulent Channel Flow

Computer simulation of transport of passive scalars in turbulent channel flow described in report. Shows flow structures and statistical properties. As used here, "passive scalars" means scalar quantities like fluctuations in temperature or concentrations of contaminants that do not disturb flow appreciably. Examples include transport of heat in heat exchangers, gas turbines, and nuclear reactors and dispersal of pollution in atmosphere.

Kim, John↗