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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Wearable Protective Technologies

We are currently creating protective garments to be worn during the duration of SPE (solar particle events). Several garment prototypes have been created to protect the body, but nothing has been created for head protection. My focus during this internship was creating headgear designs. Some of the big requirements of an effective headgear design is that the hood design needs to cover the forehead and not have any gaps between the hood and neckline, and the areal density of radiation shielding needs to be at least 1.5 g/cm2. My designs were inspired by many different brands and designers including Nike’s outerwear selection, Moncler’s Fall 20 Genius collaborations with Simone Rocha, Craig Green, and Alyx, Marine Serre F/W 20, and A-Cold-Wall S/S 19. All of these had great examples of hood and vest designs. Many sketches were created from these and many other inspirations. Pattern development began by taking several measurements of the head and neck. I drafted the hood to cover the forehead and cover the neck. After the initial draft, the pattern was modified to accommodate a center panel to contour and shape the hood further. I also created a shoulder drape based on a kimono sleeve to add extra coverage over the neckline of the garment from a basic sloper’s neckline and shoulders. Radiation shielding was a special consideration in my design work. I did extensive research on different materials and ways to incorporate them into garments and found that I was not limited to polypropylene or polyethylene. Many common textiles are hydrogen rich, such as cotton, polyester, and silk, and could be incorporated into designs as radiation shielding. From this research, I am in the process of creating a prototype that uses these materials as shielding. I will be returning for the summer and hope to put more of the ideas I have into production.

Nicole Dugan↗

DOE OSTI2023

Power Electronics Materials and Bonded Interfaces - Reliability and Lifetime

High temperature operation of wide bandgap devices continue to be a challenge for the power electronics packages. Thermal performance and reliability are important factors that determine the viability of a bonded interface for operation at high temperatures. In this presentation, we present the technical approach and key results from the research on sintered silver, transient liquid phase alloy, and polymeric materials. A lifetime prediction model that incorporates the thermomechanical behavior of sintered silver at 200C was developed. The copper-aluminum transient alloy completed 350 thermal cycles from -40C to 200C and little increase in the defect level was observed. In addition to material research, we initiated a time-series analysis on the scanning acoustic microscope images of eutectic solder to explore statistical forecasting methods and machine learning techniques. Initial results that report the accuracy of a few different statistical models are presented.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2026

An International Laboratory Comparison Study on Approximating the Enthalpy of Adsorption via the Clausius‐Clapeyron Approach

Materials-based gas capture and storage is an increasingly important area of research. Robust and accurate determination of material properties is required for judicial selection of materials for specific applications and for engineering materials–based systems at scale. One key property is the strength of the adsorbate–adsorbent interaction often quantified via the isosteric enthalpy of adsorption. The heat of adsorption can be measured directly through calorimetry; however, a more widely used approach is to apply the Clausius-Clapeyron (CC) equation to adsorption isotherms collected at different temperatures. While this approach appears to be straightforward, there exist multiple variants in the application of the methodologies employed. This raises the question on how these variations may or may not affect the determined results. Presented here is a discussion of the most common methodologies and a comparison of indirect determinations (via CC) of the isosteric enthalpy of adsorption by different laboratories on identical material. Included in that comparison are discussions on the measurement and analysis reproducibility. Importantly, details of the methodologies are shown to be critical when comparing enthalpies among laboratories, and different methodologies contribute to significant discrepancies and artifacts in the results. Recommendations are provided to promote robust determination and the reporting thereof.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Scintillation of colloidal nanocrystals

Scintillators are materials that convert ionizing radiation in the form of particles or photons into low-energy photons in the ultraviolet to near-infrared spectral range. Here, this work reviews efforts to use colloidal nanocrystals as scintillator materials. To date, research on colloidal nanocrystals as scintillators has focused on doped phosphor systems, quantum dots and related structures, and perovskite-based nanocrystals. Among various material classes and forms, colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals stand out thanks to their appealing fluorescence properties, yet understanding of their radioluminescence and cathodoluminescence is incomplete. This review discusses fundamental limits and material design challenges toward achieving high brightness, fast speed, and durable scintillator performance with nanocrystal scintillators. First, this review describes the basic principles and efficiency limitations of scintillation, particularly the large influence of multiple exciton generation in many nanocrystal species, as well as performance metrics. Second, methods for measurement are described. Third, we review the results of the main classes of nanocrystal scintillators, including quantum dots and related particles, perovskites, and doped-phosphor particles. Fourth, scintillation imaging is discussed in terms of the relevant performance metrics and results obtained using nanocrystal materials. Finally, we note the strengths and weaknesses of nanocrystal scintillators and discuss potential areas of further development.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS1997

Microgravity: A Teacher's Guide With Activities in Science, Mathematics, and Technology

The purpose of this curriculum supplement guide is to define and explain microgravity and show how microgravity can help us learn about the phenomena of our world. The front section of the guide is designed to provide teachers of science, mathematics, and technology at many levels with a foundation in microgravity science and applications. It begins with background information for the teacher on what microgravity is and how it is created. This is followed with information on the domains of microgravity science research; biotechnology, combustion science, fluid physics, fundamental physics, materials science, and microgravity research geared toward exploration. The background section concludes with a history of microgravity research and the expectations microgravity scientists have for research on the International Space Station. Finally, the guide concludes with a suggested reading list, NASA educational resources including electronic resources, and an evaluation questionnaire.

Rogers, Melissa J. B.↗

NASA NTRS1960

The U. S. Space Program -- An Appraisal

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has a significant interest in research on magnetic materials and in developing a better understanding of magnetic phenomena here on earth, in space and in the vicinity of the other planets of our solar system. But it would be presumptuous of me, an ordinary administrator, to lecture to this distinguished group of experts in the field on the subject of magnetism and magnetic materials. Instead, I propose to tell you briefly about the dimensions and principal areas of effort of the program we are pursuing in space research. Naturally, I will identify the nature of our interest in the specialty with which you are concerned. Finally, I want to attempt an assessment of the United States program in space exploration with perhaps a sidelong glance at the comparable efforts of our principal competitor in this field -- the Soviet Union. In the preparation of this paper, I have had the assistance of several very able scientists who are members of our staff at NASA.

Glennan, T. Keith↗

DOE OSTI2023

The Qualification of Sealability and Creep Relaxation of Additively Manufactured Zytel Gaskets for PEM Fuel Cells

The purpose of this thesis is to study the feasibility of low-cost additive manufacturing of gaskets for proton exchange membrane fuel cells exposed to extreme temperature conditions ranging from -55°C to 100°C. With the growing popularity and decreasing costs of additive manufacturing technologies, specifically Material Extrusion (ME), research is being conducted to determine the feasibility of ME components. Thermally cycled PEMFCs may exhibit accelerated gasket deterioration, therefore, the mechanical stability of material extruded gaskets following a harsh thermal cycle must be assessed. The feasibility of the material extruded gaskets will be proven by manufacturing optimization and mechanical testing. The target material for this study is Zytel by DuPont Chemical. The mechanical stability will be assessed via sealability and creep relaxation testing according to ASTM F37B and ASTM F38B respectively. Because the capabilities to conduct sealability testing at temperature were not available, each specimen was thermally soaked and allowed to return to room temperature prior to testing. As a result of sealability experiments, the 100°C-soaked specimens resulted in lower leak rates with a higher precision when compared to specimens soaked at -55°C and 22°C at across all compressive loads. It was observed from results from creep relaxation testing that there is thermal contraction and expansion occurring at 55°C and 100°C respectively, which can be observed by the resultant graphs. The recoverability of thermally cycled specimens are better than those that just experienced a high temperature hold. After the seven-day thermal cycle, the samples stabilized and maintained their structure.

Lazarin, Robert↗

DOE OSTI2024

Advanced Characterization of Solid-State Battery Materials Using Neutron Scattering Techniques

Advanced batteries require advanced characterization techniques, and neutron scattering is one of the most powerful experimental methods available for studying next-generation battery materials. Neutron scattering offers a non-destructive method to probe the complex structural and chemical processes occurring in batteries during operation in truly in situ/in operando measurements with a high sensitivity to battery-relevant elements such as lithium. Neutrons have energies comparable to the energies of excitations in materials and wavelengths comparable to atomic distances in the solid state, thus giving access to study structural and dynamical properties of materials on an atomic scale. In this review, a broad overview of selected neutron scattering techniques is presented to illustrate how neutron scattering can be used to gain invaluable information of solid-state battery materials, with a focus on in situ/in operando methods. These techniques span multiple decades of length and time scales to uncover the complex processes taking place fundamentally on the atomic scale and to determine how these processes impact the macroscale properties and performance of functional battery systems. This review serves the solid-state battery research community by examining how the unique capabilities of neutron scattering can be applied to answer critical and unresolved questions of materials research in this field. A thorough and broad perspective is provided with numerous practical examples showing these techniques in action for battery research.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

NASA NTRS2010

Active Vibration Reduction of Titanium Alloy Fan Blades (FAN1) Using Piezoelectric Materials

The NASA Glenn Research Center is developing smart adaptive structures to improve fan blade damping at resonances using piezoelectric (PE) transducers. In this paper, a digital resonant control technique emulating passive shunt circuits is used to demonstrate vibration reduction of FAN1 Ti real fan blade at the several target modes. Single-mode control and multi-mode control using one piezoelectric material are demonstrated. Also a conceptual study of how to implement this digital control system into the rotating fan blade is discussed.

Choi, Benjamin↗

DOE OSTI2022

Paintable Reflective Coatings (CRADA Final Report)

As part of the Cyclotron Road LEEP, the Cypris Materials project team conducted research on the viability of a new reflective coating technology based on a novel advanced materials platform. Building off of nearly a decade of academic research spanning multiple institutions, research efforts were designed to tackle the familiar problem of maturing a project into a minimum viable product. Fundamental technologies spawned from academic research are fraught with both scientific and technical risk, as the barriers to a successful peer reviewed publication are much lower than a commercial product with a paying customer base. It is common, especially when maturing chemical or material innovations, to encounter a number of critical assumptions or features that support the performance of the technology in an unsustainable fashion. At the outset of the project, the platform technology of Cypris Materials was no different. Specific research thrusts regarding scale-up, process optimization, technoeconomic modeling, market specific weathering performance, and market specific optical performance were tackled during the CRADA project.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

World Congress on High Entropy Alloys (HEA 2019) (Final Technical Report)

The World Congress on High Entropy Alloys (HEA 2019) was a new, cross-disciplinary technical forum designed to share the latest research advances in materials with high configurational entropy, including both single-phase and multiphase (compositionally complex) alloys. This inaugural World Congress on High Entropy Alloys (HEA 2019) was held in Seattle, Washington from November 17-20, 2019 with the goal of HEA 2019 to assemble the international community of HEA stakeholders – including researchers, educators, and engineers – to capture the current state-of-the-art, identify current gaps in HEA efforts, and to set the stage for the future growth and application of HEAs worldwide. HEA 2019 was the environment for leaders in this field to showcase their researc, and network with their peers to informally discuss the latest developments in high entropy alloys, while also making valuable professional connections. The goal of the organizers was to ensure a high-quality conference that held a strong international presence and aimed to highlight the important advances in HEA research on a global scale. Student participation was greatly encouraged in order to give students exposure to recent advances in this field. This meeting was open to all interested individuals and attempted to provide the most advanced technical meeting possible, with a mixture of attendees from research and development, industry, and education.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1961

Investigations of the Deterioration of 22 Refractory Materials in a Mach Number 2 Jet at a Stagnation Temperature of 3,800 F

A limited investigation of the deterioration characteristics of 22 refractory materials was conducted by exposing them to a stagnation temperature of 3,800 F in a Mach number 2 ceramic-heated jet at the Langley Research Center. The materials tested were six materials whose major constituent was silicon carbide, five cermets whose major constituent was titanium carbide, six materials whose major constituents were metal borides, four cermets containing alumina, and one silicon nitride model. Tests consisted of obtaining weight change and appearance changes for 1/2-inch-diameter hemispherical-nose cylindrical models exposed to the air jet for 30 seconds at a time for a total of four runs or 2 minutes exposure. Curves of weight changes plotted against the number of 30-second tests in the jet were obtained. Estimates of average surface temperature near the stagnation point of the model were obtained by use of a special temperature-measuring camera. The models were examined before and after the completion of the tests for possible changes in microstructure; no significant changes were found. The data obtained were analyzed with the view that the oxidation characteristics of the materials were the main factor in deterioration of the materials under the conditions of the tests. It was concluded that only those materials which changed in weight the least could be recommended for further extensive application-oriented evaluations. The following materials fell in this category: silicon carbide - silicon, chromium - 28-percent alumina cermet, titanium boride - 5-percent boron carbide. The remainder of the materials tested had oxidation characteristics which appeared to be too severely limiting of their general applications to flight vehicles.

Lewis, B. W.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Feasibility of modern airships - Preliminary assessment

Attention is given to the NASA program, Feasibility Study of Modern Airships, initiated to investigate potential research and technology programs associated with airship development. A historical survey of the program is presented, including the development of past airship concepts, aerodynamical and design improvements, structure and material concepts, and research in controls, avionics, instrumentation, flight operations, and ground handling. A mission analysis was carried out which considered passenger and cargo transportation, heavy-lift, short-haul applications, surveillance missions, and the transportation of natural gas. A vehicle parametric analysis examined the entire range of airship concepts, discussing both conventional airships and hybrids. Various design options were evaluated, such as choice of structural materials, use of boundary-layer control, and choice of lifting gas.

Ardema, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Aerospace applications of high temperature superconductivity

Space application of high temperature superconducting (HTS) materials may occur before most terrestrial applications because of the passive cooling possibilities in space and because of the economic feasibility of introducing an expensive new technology which has a significant system benefit in space. NASA Lewis Research Center has an ongoing program to develop space technology capitalizing on the potential benefit of HTS materials. The applications being pursued include space communications, power and propulsion systems, and magnetic bearings. In addition, NASA Lewis is pursuing materials research to improve the performance of HTS materials for space applications.

Heinen, V. O.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Expanding the Horizons of Polymer Aerogels

As the Space Community endeavors to reach new heights of human exploration, materials for extreme environments are at the forefront of research. One class of materials of particular focus are polymer aerogels; lightweight solids with nanoscale pore size, high internal surface area, and extremely high porosities. These interesting properties allow aerogels to act as superior thermal insulators, IR scattering filters, sensor platforms, and vibro-acoustic mitigating materials. Polymer aerogels also have the potential to combat issues found in lunar environments such as dust and radiation mitigation. Herein, past and present research, synthesis, and applications of polymer aerogels will be discussed.

Stephanie L Vivod↗

NASA NTRS2020

Proceedings of the 2010 NASA-Industry Low Pressure Turbine and Power Turbine (LPT/PT) Efficiency Improvement Workshop

This report includes materials from the NASA-Industry Low Pressure Turbine and Power Turbine (LPT/PT) Efficiency Improvement Workshop that took place on August 10 and 11, 2010, at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The materials include all the presentation slides and a workshop summary article that provides background information, describes the workshop motivation, and provides a summary of the open discussions that took place. Participation included specialists from academia, government laboratories, and industry, from the United States and abroad. The workshop was motivated by underperformance of large commercial engines related to lower-than-expected efficiency of the LPT. It focused on addressing the relevant flow physics. Recommendations were made for continued research. The main recommendation was to conduct rotating rig tests accompanied by the study of fundamental mechanism using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and turbulence and transition model development.

Transition↗

DOE OSTI2024

Carbon-Storing Structural Material Based on Wastewater-Cultivated Chlorella Sorokiniana

Microalgae cultivation is a promising technology for carbon sequestration and wastewater remediation. It is economically and logistically critical to find viable applications for the large quantities of produced biomass. In current research, a structural material is developed by using nearly 100% Chlorella sorokiniana. The otherwise non-cohesive microalgae cells are first surface-activated and then compacted under a relatively high pressure. The resulting material is a dense solid, stronger than typical steel-reinforced concrete in flexural tests. The processing procedure is simple and fast, and the setup is scalable. This technique may be useful for next-generation green construction and provide a use-case for sustainable microalgae biomass.

Yi, Haozhe↗

NASA NTRS2000

Curved Thermopiezoelectric Shell Structures Modeled by Finite Element Analysis

"Smart" structures composed of piezoelectric materials may significantly improve the performance of aeropropulsion systems through a variety of vibration, noise, and shape-control applications. The development of analytical models for piezoelectric smart structures is an ongoing, in-house activity at the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field focused toward the experimental characterization of these materials. Research efforts have been directed toward developing analytical models that account for the coupled mechanical, electrical, and thermal response of piezoelectric composite materials. Current work revolves around implementing thermal effects into a curvilinear-shell finite element code. This enhances capabilities to analyze curved structures and to account for coupling effects arising from thermal effects and the curved geometry. The current analytical model implements a unique mixed multi-field laminate theory to improve computational efficiency without sacrificing accuracy. The mechanics can model both the sensory and active behavior of piezoelectric composite shell structures. Finite element equations are being implemented for an eight-node curvilinear shell element, and numerical studies are being conducted to demonstrate capabilities to model the response of curved piezoelectric composite structures (see the figure).

Lee, Ho-Jun↗