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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2017

Mineralogical Changes in a Predominantly Fluviolacustrine Succession at Gale Crater, Mars

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover landed in Gale crater in August 2012 to investigate the strata of lower Aeolis Mons (i.e., Mount Sharp) and characterize their depositional and diagenetic environments. Visible/short-wave infrared spectra from orbit of these strata show variations in phyllosilicate, sulfate, and Fe-oxide minerals, suggesting these units record environmental changes that occurred during the early Hesperian. Curiosity has traversed over 15 km and has climbed through Approx. 200 m of stratigraphic section, made up of predominantly fluviolacustrine (i.e., the Bradbury group and the Murray formation) and aeolian (i.e., the Stimson formation) units. Multiple geochemical and mineralogical instruments are onboard Curiosity to study these ancient rocks, including the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument, which is an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, and the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS).

Rampe, E. B.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Chemical, Structural, and Microstructural Changes in Metallic and Silicon-Based Coating Materials Exposed to Iodine Vapor

The chemical, structural and microstructural behavior of steels (304, 316 and A36), titanium-aluminum alloy (Ti-Al, (6Al-4V)), aluminum-magnesium alloy (Al-Mg, 6061), and coatings (Silcolloy and Dursan (SilcoTek Corporation)) were probed after exposure to iodine laminar flow. Exposures were carried out in a custom-built Iodine Vapor RIG (IVR) at 300 degrees C to an iodine laminar vapor flow of 1 mg min(exp. -1), carried by 145 mL-min(exp. -1) argon gas, for 5, 15 and 30 days. Samples were characterized before and after the experiment by gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cross section electron microscopy analysis coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). All steels exposed for 30 days formed scales consisting mainly of metal (Cr, Fe, Ni) oxides showing different chemistry, microstructure and crystalline phases. Elemental iodine was only detected by EDS analysis in the scales of stainless steels 304 and 316. After 30 days, the Ti-Al exhibited no detectable scale, suggesting only a very thin film was formed. A scale consisting mainly of aluminum, iodine, and oxygen formed on the Al-Mg sample exposed to 30 days. Some pockets rich in magnesium, iodine and oxygen also formed in this Al-Mg alloy. Stainless steel 316, low carbon steel A36 and Ti-Al alloy coated with Silcolloy and stainless steel 304 coated with Dursan that were exposed for 30 days exhibited no oxidation. Stainless steel 304 coated with Silcolloy exposed for 30 days did not exhibit corrosion although the sample gained weight and the coating exhibited expansion. The weight gain per area performance of the materials exposed in iodine lamina flow containing oxygen at impurity level for 10, 15 and 30 days are reported from the lowest to the highest weight gain per area as follows: Steels: Less than 316 less than 304 less than A36; Ti-Al-Mg based alloys: Al-Mg less than Ti-Al: Considering the experimental uncertainties, no weight change was observed for Stainless steel 316, low carbon steel A36 and Ti-Al alloy coated with Silcolloy and stainless steel 304 coated with Dursan. The corrosion of the alloys is catalyzed by iodine in the presence of oxygen as impurity.

Costa, Gustavo C. C.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Amino Acid Contents of Meteorite Mineral Separates

Indigenous amino acids have been found indigenous all 8 carbonaceous chondrite groups. However, the abundances, structural, enantiomeric and isotopic compositions of amino acids differ significantly among meteorites of different groups and petrologic types. This suggests that parent-body conditions (thermal or aqueous alteration), mineralogy, and the preservation of amino acids are linked. Previously, elucidating specific relationships between amino acids and mineralogy was not possible because the samples analyzed for amino acids were much larger than the scale at which petrologic heterogeneity is observed (sub mm-scale differences corresponding to sub-mg samples). Recent advances in amino acid measurements and application of techniques such as high resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for mineralogical characterizations allow us to perform coordinated analyses on the scale at which mineral heterogeneity is observed.

Berger, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Sintered Cathodes for All-Solid-State Structural Lithium-Ion Batteries

All-solid-state structural lithium ion batteries serve as both structural load-bearing components and as electrical energy storage devices to achieve system level weight savings in aerospace and other transportation applications. This multifunctional design goal is critical for the realization of next generation hybrid or all-electric propulsion systems. Additionally, transitioning to solid state technology improves upon battery safety from previous volatile architectures. This research established baseline solid state processing conditions and performance benchmarks for intercalation-type layered oxide materials for multifunctional application. Under consideration were lithium cobalt oxide and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide. Pertinent characteristics such as electrical conductivity, strength, chemical stability, and microstructure were characterized for future application in all-solid-state structural battery cathodes. The study includes characterization by XRD, ICP, SEM, ring-on-ring mechanical testing, and electrical impedance spectroscopy to elucidate optimal processing parameters, material characteristics, and multifunctional performance benchmarks. These findings provide initial conditions for implementing existing cathode materials in load bearing applications.

Ceramics↗
NASA NTRS2018

The Composition of Amorphous Phases in Soils and Sediments on Earth and Mars

Amorphous phases are major components (~15-70 wt%) of all rock and soil samples measured thus far by the CheMin X-ray diffractometer (XRD) instrument on the MSL rover in Gale crater, Mars. The nature of these phases is not well understood and could be any combination of primary (e.g., glass) and secondary (e.g., silica, errihydrite) phases. Secondary amorphous phases are frequently found as weathering products in soils on Earth, but these materials remain poorly characterized, and it is not certain how properties like composition and structure change with formation environment.

Smith, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Collapsed Smectite in Gale Crater: Martian Clay Minerals May Have Been on Acid

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover Curiosity began investigating the layered deposits of Gale Crater, Mars, in August 2012. Among the many science instruments on the rover, the CheMin (Chemistry and Mineralogy) X-ray diffractometer (XRD) has been useful in definitively characterizing the mineralogy of samples collected by the rover.

Craig, P. I.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Investigation of Alpha Silicon Carbide / Carbon Fiber Proposed (2H & 6H-SiC) / C

A commercially available alpha silicon carbide coated carbon 12k fiber tow was subjected to rigorous inspection and testing. The pyrolized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber had gone through a conversion process that resulted in a thin layer of SiC forming on the exterior of the fiber. The fibers? surface was characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Powdered x-ray diffraction (XRD) examined the bulk material properties. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) examined the crystallinity of the SiC. A number of pristine samples were used to determine elongation rate and tensile strength.

Trunek, Andrew↗
NASA NTRS2018

The Planetary Materials Database

NASA provides funds for a variety of research programs whose principal focus is to collect and analyze terrestrial analog materials. These data are used to (1) understand and interpret planetary geology; (2) identify and characterize habitable environments and pre-biotic/biotic processes; (3) interpret returned data from present and past missions; and (4) evaluate future mission and instrument concepts prior to selection for flight. Data management plans are now required for these programs, but the collected data are still not generally available to the community. There is also little possibility to re-analyze the collected materials by other techniques, since there is no requirement to archive collected samples. The Planetary Materials Database (PMD) is a central, high-quality, long-term data repository, which aims to promote the field of astrobiology and increase scientific returns from NASA funded research by enabling data sharing, collaboration and exposure of non-NASA scientists to NASA research initiatives and missions. The PMD is a linked collection of databases developed using the Open Data Repository (ODR) system. The PMD will include detailed descriptions of terrestrial analog planetary materials as well as data from the instruments used in their analysis. The goal is to provide example patterns/spectra/analyses, etc. and background information suitable for use by the Space Science community. An early example showing the utility of these databases (although not in the ODR format) is the RRUFF mineral database. RRUFF, comprising 4,000+ pure mineral standards, is the most popular and widely used dataset of minerals and receives more than 180,000 queries per week from geologists and mineralogists worldwide. The PMD will be patterned after the CheMin database [3], a resource that contains all of the data collected by the MSL CheMin XRD instrument on Mars. Raw and processed CheMin data can be viewed, downloaded, reprocessed and reanalyzed using cloud-based “applications” linked to the data.

Blake, David↗
NASA NTRS2019

X-ray Amorphous and Poorly Crystalline Fe-Containing Phases in Terrestrial Field Environments and Implications for Materials Detected on Mars

Recent analyses of X-ray diffraction (XRD) data from the CheMin instrument using the FULLPAT program have documented the presence of X-ray amorphous materials at multiple sites within Gale Crater, Mars. These materials are believed to be to be iron-rich based on chemical data, and at least some of them are believed to be weathering products based on volatile contents. However, the characteristics of these proposed Fe-rich weathering products remain poorly understood. To better understand these X-ray amorphous materials on Mars, we are 1) examining weathering products formed on Fe-rich parent material in terrestrial soils across a range of climatic conditions, and 2) performing burial experiments of Fe- and Mg- rich olivine in these soils. We describe each of these approaches below.

Feldman, A. D.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Using Mineralchemistry in Gale Crater Sedimentary Rocks to Constrain Ancient Igneous Processes on Mars

Over the last decade, various datasets have shown evidence for unexpected Noachian felsic materials at the surface of Mars. The Martian meteorite NWA 7034, also well-known as Black Beauty, has been identified as a regolith breccia containing mafic clasts along with remarkable felsic igneous clasts dated at 4.43 Gyr and classified as monzonitic [1-2]. In addition, the Curiosity rover has been analyzing felsic materials within Gale crater since its landing in 2012 [3-4]. The X-ray diffractometer (XRD) in the CheMin instrument and the laser induced breakdown spectrometer (LIBS) ChemCam onboard Curiosity identified plagioclase and K-spar along with augite and pigeonite [3-5]. In sedimentary rocks, those minerals are detrital, coming from a magmatic source of Noachian age that was sufficiently evolved to form K-spar [1,6]. Several igneous materials analyzed by Chem- Cam have been classified as part of the alkaline trend including Harrison, a trachy-andesite [7].

Payre, V.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Chemistry and Crystallography of Diagenetic, Authigenic, and Igneous Potassium Feldspar: Implications for Sedimentary Petrology in Gale Crater, Mars

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity’s Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument performed X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of Gale Crater drill sample Windjana and found 21 wt.% nearly pure potassium feldspar in the disordered structural state of high-sanidine. The source of sanidine in Windjana is not clear – it could be detrital igneous, hydrothermal, or authigenic, with each possible source representing widely different implications for the sedimentary history of Gale Crater and igneous evolution of sediment sources. Here, we try to constrain the origin of the Windjana sanidine by determining unit-cell (UC) parameters and compositions of sanidines from a range of environments on Earth.

Ott, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Fabrication of Boron Nitride Fibers by Force Spinning Method

The unique multifunctional properties of boron nitride (BN) nanomaterials are identified as a parameter that would revolutionize electric propulsion in Aeronautics due to the lightweight ceramic with chemical inertness, high strength, high electrical resistivity and high thermal conductivity. Hexagonal BN (h-BN) nanofibers will enable new high-performance fibers that can be used in ceramic or polymer matrix composites, or thin films to provide revolutionary multifunctional ceramics for extreme environments and structures. Polymer derived h-BN materials have been previously demonstrated, providing an avenue to tailor properties of the ceramic end product. This effort also uses forcespinning (FS) technology that produces continuous non-woven nanofibers in a range of diameters depending on the processing parameters with a large production rate of 1 g/min allowing for manufacturing scale production. FTIR, SEM, TGA and XRD were used to characterize the materials in each processing steps.

Santiago-Dejesus, Diana↗
NASA NTRS2020

Clay Sediments from Basaltic Terrains: Implications for Sedimentary Processes on Mars

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, Curiosity, has been traversing across fluvial, lacustrine, and eolian sedimentary rocks since it touched down in 2012. The CheMin X-ray diffractometer (XRD) on board Curiosity has revealed smectite clay minerals in most fluvio-lacustrine samples and abundant X-ray amorphous materials in all samples analyzed to date. For example, mudstones from the Sheepbed member at the base of the stratigraphic section and the lower part of the Murray formation contain on average ~7 to 20 wt% smectite and ~30 to 46 wt% X-ray amorphous abundances. On Earth, smectite and secondary X-ray amorphous materials are juvenile weathering products that are generated in sedimentary environments and ultimately record the interaction between primary igneous minerals and the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. For this study, we investigated glacio-fluvio-eolian sediments generated in basaltic terrains as terrestrial analogs for the mudstones from Gale Crater, Mars. This work focuses on the clay sized sediments (<2 μm) from these deposits as this grain size hosts the most mineralogically and geochemically altered detritus in sedimentary environments. The goal of investigating basaltic sedimentation is to create a terrestrial reference frame that sheds light on the paleoclimate and paleoaqueous conditions responsible for shaping the ancient sedimentary environments of Mars (e.g., Gale Crater and Jezero Crater).

Thorpe, M. T.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Detection of Siderite (FeCO3) in Glen Torridon Samples by the Mars Science Laboratory Rover

Siderite (FeCO3) has been detected in Gale Crater for the first time by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity and is seen in multiple samples in the Glen Torridon (GT) region. The identification of siderite is based on evolved gas analysis (EGA) data from the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data from the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument. Curiosity descended off of the Vera Rubin ridge (VRR) into the Glen Torridon region on Sol 2300. Glen Torridon is of particular interest because a strong clay mineral signature had been detected by orbital instruments [1]. To date, four drilled samples have been collected at two different drill locations: Kilmarie and Aberlady from adjacent blocks at the base of the south side of VRR in the Jura member and Glen Etive 1 and 2 on the same block in the Knockfarril member.

Archer, P. D.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Phyllosilicate Transitions in Ferromagnesian Soils: Short-Range Order Materials and Smectites Dominate Secondary Phases

Analyses of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns taken by the CheMin instrument on the Curiosity Rover in Gale crater have documented the presence of clay minerals interpreted as smectites and a suite of amorphous to short-range order materials termed X-ray amorphous materials. These X-ray amorphous materials are commonly ironrich and aluminum poor and likely some of them are weathering products rather than primary glasses due to the presence of volatiles. Outstanding questions remain regarding the chemical composition and mineral structure of these X-ray amorphous materials and the smectites present at Gale crater and what they indicate about environmental conditions during their formation. To gain a better understanding of the mineral transitions that occur within ferromagnesian parent materials, we have investigated the development of secondary clay minerals and shortrange order materials in two soil chronosequences with varying climates developing on ultramafic bedrock. Field Sites: We investigated soil weathering within two field locations, the Klamath Mountains of Northern California, and the Tablelands of Newfoundland, Canada. Both sites possess age dated or correlated recently deglaciated soils and undated but substantially older soils. In the Klamath mountains the Trinity Ultramafic Body was deglaciated roughly 15,000 years bp while in the Tablelands a moraine was dated to about 17,600 years bp. The Klamath Mountains feature a seasonally wet and dry climate while the Tablelands are wet year-round with saturated soil conditions observed during sampling and standing water observed within 3 of 4 soil pit sampling locations.

Feldman, A. D.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Thermal Decomposition of the Murchison CM2 Carbonaceous Chondrite: Implications of Space Weathering Processes for Sample Return Missions

Primitive carbonaceous asteroids are the target bodies for the JAXA Hayabusa2 mission to Ryugu and the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission to Bennu. Both asteroids share spectral characteristics of CI/CM type carbonaceous chondrites. Ryugu, in particular, appears to have undergone thermal processing that has modified its spectral properties. The nature and extent of space weathering processes on the surfaces of Bennu and Ryugu are under active investigation using remote sensing data from the missions [4] and through laboratory studies on analog materials. The analog studies are needed in order to understand the mineralogical and chemical changes that occur in space weathered samples that give rise to the observed optical effects measured by remote-sensing and to prepare for the analysis of returned samples. The space weathering effects of micrometeorite impact and solar wind irradiation on primitive carbonaceous chondrites have been simulated by analog studies on the Murchison CM2 chondrite. We performed a coordinated mineralogical, chemical and spectroscopic study to examine in detail the effects of thermal metamorphism on Murchison samples as an analog to processes that may have occurred on Ryugu. The bulk measurements including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy, UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and evolved gas analysis are reported in a companion paper. Here we report on our preliminary nanoscale mineralogical and chemical analyses of pre- and post-heated Murchison samples using multiple electron beam techniques to understand how the mineralogical, chemical, and physical characteristics of carbonaceous chondrites change with increasing thermal effects.

Lee, S.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Decorrelation Stretches (DCS) of Visible Images as a Tool for Sedimentary Provenance Investigations on Earth and Mars

The surface of Mars exhibits vast expanses of mafic sediments and ancient sedimentary rocks that record signals of climate and environment. To decipher the paleoenvironments, the sediment sources and transport histories must be con-strained, but it is not well known how physical fractionation and aqueous alteration affect mafic sediments during glacial, eolian, and fluvial processes. Semi-Autonomous Navigation for Detrital Environments (SAND-E), a NASA Planetary Science and Technology through Analog Research (PSTAR) project, bridges this gap through studies of sediment-grain properties and mineralogy in the glacio-XRD)-derived mineralogies.

Sinha, P.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

TPSAS-NF1676L-34417-DND

A boron nitride nanotube (BNNT), an electrically-insulating counterpart of a carbon nanotube (CNT), is a great nanofiller candidate for ferroelectric polymeric nanocomposites due to BNNT?s exceptional properties in piezoelectricity, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and radiation shielding capability. Fast and high-yield polar crystallization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was accomplished by incorporating BNNTs as a nucleating agent. As-fabricated BNNT-PVDF nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to identify and quantify chain conformations. Besides, piezoelectric constants, d33 of BNNT-PVDF nanocomposites were measured and compared with that of a mechanically drawn beta phase polar PVDF. The polar transformation due to BNNT incorporation has a great advantage over conventional beta or gamma transformation methods that require (1) mechanical drawing often resulting in defects or (2) high-temperature annealing for an extended time. In addition to the fast polar crystallization, BNNTs had a role of reinforcement of the polymer matrix. The improved Young?s modulus and electromechanical coupling coefficient of BNNT-PVDF nanocomposites indicated potential applications in energy harvesting under harsh environments such as large deformation, wide temperature cycles, and high radiation.

Dongwon Lee↗