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At least 1,405 records · Page 78

Large-scale terrestrial solar cell power generation cost: A preliminary assessment

A cost study was made to assess the potential of the large-scale use of solar cell power for terrestrial applications. The incentive is the attraction of a zero-pollution source of power for wide-scale use. Unlike many other concepts for low-pollution power generation, even thermal pollution is avoided since only the incident solar flux is utilized. To provide a basis for comparison and a perspective for evaluation, the pertinent technology was treated in two categories: current and optimistic. Factors considered were solar cells, array assembly, power conditioning, site preparation, buildings, maintenance, and operation. The capital investment was assumed to be amortized over 30 years. The useful life of the solar cell array was assumed to be 10 years, and the cases of zero and 50-percent performance deg-radation were considered. Land costs, taxes, and profits were not included in this study because it was found too difficult to provide good generalized estimates of these items. On the basis of the factors considered, it is shown that even for optimistic projections of technology, electric power from large-sclae terrestrial use of solar cells is approximately two to three orders of magnitude more costly than current electric power generation from either fossil or nuclear fuel powerplants. For solar cell power generation to be a viable competitor on a cost basis, technological breakthroughs would be required in both solar cell and array fabrication and in site preparation.

Spakowski, A. E.↗

Determining and analyzing the strength and impact resistance of high modulus glass

A number of new glass compositions have been prepared with increased emphasis on compositions without beryllia. Glass preparations have been much more broadly based and have included the eutectic glass fields, and the mullite-rare earth glass systems. Of the new glasses, the best non-toxic composition is UARL 472 with a bulk modulus of only 18.20 million psi. A second experimental glass, UARL 417, was chosen for research in making large quantities of fiber in monofilament form. Tests of these UARL 417 epoxy resin samples in comparison to similar composites made with the DuPont organic fiber, PRD-49-1, show that the UARL composites have a compressive strength 41/2 times higher and a specific compressive strength at least 21/2 times greater. Much of the research effort attempted to answer the question of why a given glass should have an impact strength superior to other glasses. No definitive answer to the question was found.

Bacon, J. F.↗

Thermally conductive polymers

A thermally conductive polymer is provided having physical and chemical properties suited to use as a medium for potting electrical components. The polymer is prepared from hydroquinone, phenol, and formaldehyde, by conventional procedures employed for the preparation of phenol-formaldehyde resins. While the proportions of the monomers can be varied, a preferred polymer is formed from the monomers in a 1:1:2.4 molar or ratio of hydroquinone:phenol:formaldehyde.

Byrd, N. R.↗

Study of mechanism which causes film formation on mercury surfaces

The mechanism by which small quantities of dissolved tin, sodium, and lithium lower the rate of evaporation of mercury in vacuum is determined. An apparatus was built in which dilute amalgams could be prepared and studied in an oxygen-free environment before being exposed to oxygen under controlled conditions. The apparatus was able to maintain a pressure of less than 1.3 x 0.000001 N/sqm (10 to the minus 8th power torr) of gases and vapors other than mercury and less than 1.3 x 10 to the minus 8th N/sq m (10 to the minus 10th power torr) partial pressure of oxygen; also, it provided for mechanical sweeping of the liquid metal surfaces in the vacuum environment. The rates of evaporation of pure mercury and of dilute amalgams of tin (52 ppm), sodium (229 ppm), and lithium (165 ppm) were determined at temperature between 25 and 55 C both before and after 70 minute exposures to an approximately 270 N/sq m (2 torr) pressure of oxygen. The rates of evaporation of the pure mercury and the amalgams as first prepared were similar but the rates for the amalgams were reduced by at least 80% at 25 C as a result of the exposure to oxygen. The effect of the oxygen treatment could be completely removed by sweeping the amalgam surfaces. It was concluded that the reduced rates of evaporation resulted from the formation of transparent, insoluble, oxide films on the amalgam surfaces.

Frohnsdorff, G.↗

Integrated operations/payloads/fleet analysis. Volume 1: Summary, study overview

The preparation of payload input data for analysis, and the capture and cost analyses are described for the current fleet, a low cost expendable fleet, and the space shuttle/space tug fleet. The data preparation consisted of formatting, extending, and correcting the input data which were broken down in terms of satellite gross weight. The results of the analyses indicate a significant reduction in the required total number of new payload units for the space shuttle/space tug fleet. Another result is that 26% of the payloads for the new low cost expendable fleet and 26% for the space shuttle/space tug fleet are of low cost payload designs.

Source record↗

Single crystals of selected titanates and tungstates

The compound preparation and crystal growth of a number of mixed titanate compositions was investigated. None of the compounds studied were found to melt congruently and therefore, crystal growth was extremely difficult. Various single crystal preparation methods always resulted in mixed phases from which 1-2 mm size crystals could be separated. It is concluded from this study that before successful single crystal growth can be accomplished, a detailed study of the phase diagrams in each of the systems of interest must be completed.

Loiacono, G. M.↗

Fundamental investigation of stress corrosion cracking

Two principle areas studied were stress corrosion crack growth rates of a titanium alloy in liquid environments containing halide ions and pitting corrosion of titanium in bromide solutions. Two initial assumptions were made, that the rate of propagation was controlled by a macroscopic solution parameter and that this parameter was viscosity. A series of solutions were prepared using lithium chloride as the solute and water, methanol, glycerin, formic acid, acetone, dimethyl sulphoxide, etc. As solvents, these solutions were prepared with a 5:1 solvent-solute ratio. Viscosity was varied by changing the temperature and it was found: (1) In all solvents the velocity of cracking was proportional to the reciprocal of the viscosity. (2) Each solvent gave a separate relationship, (3) The temperature dependence and numerical values for the apparent activation energy of cracking and viscosity were the same.

Beck, T. R.↗

Status and plans of NASA's Materials Science and Manufacturing in Space /MS-MS/ program.

Following two years of relatively low-level exploratory work, the Materials Science and Manufacturing in Space program is now in a phase of expansion toward higher levels of effort. The main thrust of this effort is toward initiation of a research and development program on the Space Shuttle missions that can prepare the way for possible commercial manufacturing operations on permanently orbiting space stations. Experiment capabilities currently being planned for the Space Shuttle will be based on an inventory of reusable general-purpose equipment that can be configured in many different ways to meet individual experiment requirements. It is expected that this approach can support very large numbers of experiments and make flight opportunities accessible to many potential experimenters who would not be prepared to involve themselves in the development of flight hardware.

Armstrong, W. O.↗

The adaptation of diastereomeric S-prolyl dipeptide derivatives to the quantitative estimation of R- and S-leucine enantiomers.

Description of methods developed for the preparation of N-TFA-S(-)prolyl chloride and for synthesizing from it N-TFA-S-prolyl(and S)-leucine methyl ester diastereomers without detectible racemization. These diastereomers prepared by these methods were subjected to GC analyses under conditions permitting baseline separation of two diastereomeric peaks, while peak areas were measured with an electronic digital integrator. Under these conditions, it was found that the known enantiomeric compositions could be duplicated experimentally to an absolute error of only 0.0 to 0.6% over the entire composition range.

Bonner, W. A.↗

Interval scanning photomicrography of microbial cell populations.

A single reproducible area of the preparation in a fixed focal plane is photographically scanned at intervals during incubation. The procedure can be used for evaluating the aerobic or anaerobic growth of many microbial cells simultaneously within a population. In addition, the microscope is not restricted to the viewing of any one microculture preparation, since the slide cultures are incubated separately from the microscope.

Casida, L. E., Jr.↗

Manufacture and quality control of interconnecting wire harnesses

Four-volume series of documents has been prepared as standard reference. Each volume may be used separately and covers wire and cable preparation as well as harness fabrication and installation. Series should be useful addition to libraries of manufactures of electrical and electronic equipment.

Source record↗

Transparent polymeric laminates

Laminate prepared from epoxy-boroxine and phenolphthalein polycarbonate has high mechanical strength at elevated temperature and is resistant to impact, fire, and high-energy thermal radiation. Polycarbonate is prepared by reaction of phenolphthalein with phosgene in presence of amine catalyst and immiscible organic solvent phase.

Parker, J. A.↗

Geologic remote sensing study of the Hayden pass-Orient Mine Area, Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado

Remote sensor data from a NASA Convair 990 radar flight and Mission 101 and 105 have been interpreted and evaluated. Based on interpretation of the remote sensor data, a geologic map has been prepared and compared with a second geologic map, prepared from interpretation of both remote sensor data and field data. Comparison of the two maps gives one indication of the usefulness and reliability of the remote sensor data. Color and color infrared photography provided the largest amount of valuable information. Multiband photography was of lesser value and side-looking radar imagery provided no new information that was not available on small scale photography. Thermal scanner imagery proved to be a very specialized remote sensing tool that should be applied to areas of low relief and sparse vegetation where geologic features produce known or suspected thermal contrast. Low sun angle photography may be a good alternative to side-looking radar imagery but must be flown with critical timing.

Wychgram, D. C.↗

Part A: Hydrocarbon Suspension in Slush Hydrogen

Methods of preparing suspensions of a hydrocarbon in slush hydrogen for nuclear fuel element corrosion inhibition in rocket engines were investigated. Suspensions were prepared using approximately 5000 ppm by mass of methane, ethane, or cyclopropane in slush hydrogen. The suspensions were stable in the slush, but the hydrocarbons settled out of the liquid melt.

Sindt, C. F.↗

A new vegetation map of the western Seward Peninsula, Alaska, based on ERTS-1 imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. A reconstituted, simulated color-infrared ERTS-1 image covering the western Seward Peninsula was prepared and it is used for identifying and mapping vegetation types by direct visual examination. The image, NASA ERTS E-1009-22095, was obtained approximately at 1110 hours, 165 degrees WMT on August 1, 1972. Seven major colors are identified. Four of these are matched with units on existing vegetation maps: bright red - shrub thicket; light gray-red - upland tundra; medium gray-red - coastal coastal wet tundra; gray - alpine barrens. The three colors having no map equivalents are tentatively interpreted as follows: pink - grassland tundra; dark gray-red - burn scars; light orange-red - senescent vegetation. A vegetation map, drawn by tracing on an acetate overlay of the image is presented. Significantly more information is depicted than on existing maps with regards to vegetation types and their areal distribution. Furthermore the preparation of the new map from ERTS-1 imagery required little time relative to conventional methods and extent of areal coverage.

Anderson, J. H.↗

Development of chemically vapor deposited rhenium emitters of (0001) preferred crystal orientation

Rhenium thermionic emitters were prepared by the pyrolysis of rhenium chlorides formed by the chlorination of rhenium pellets. The impurity contents, microstructures, degrees of (0001) preferred crystal orientation, and vacuum electron work functions of these emitters were determined as a function of deposition parameters, such as substrate temperature, rhenium pellet temperature and chlorine flow rate. A correlation between vacuum electron work function and degree of (0001) preferred crystal orientation was established. Conditions for depositing porosity-free rhenium emitters of high vacuum electron work functions were defined. Finally, three cylindrical rhenium emitters were prepared under the optimum deposition conditions.

Yang, L.↗

Application of ERTS-1 data to the protection and management of New Jersey's coastal environment

The author has identified the following significant results. Photomaps, using MSS bands 5 and 7, have been prepared delineating the coastal zone as described in the Coastal Area Facility Review Act before the State Legislature. An upper wetlands boundary overlay has been prepared at 1:500,000 scale. The movement and dispersion of wastes in the New York Bight area are being plotted with each orbit. The possible impact of these wastes on the New Jersey shoreline is being quantified.

Yunghans, R. S.↗

Development of polyphenylquinoxaline graphite composites

The potential of polyphenylquinoxaline (PPQ)/graphite composites to serve as structural material at 316 C (600 F)has been demonstrated using a block copolymer, BlCo(13), PPQ derivative. Initially, thirteen polyphenylquinoxalines were evaluated. From this work, four candidate polymers were selected for preliminary evaluation as matrices for HMS graphite fiber reinforced composites. The preliminary composite evaluation enabled selection of one of the four polymers for advanced composite preparation and testing. Using an experimentally established cure schedule for each of the four polymers, preliminary laminates of 50% resin volume content, prepared without postcure, were tested for flexure strength and modulus, interlaminar shear strength (short beam), and tensile strength and modulus at ambient temperature. A block copolymer (Bl Co 13) derived from one mole p-bis (phenylglyoxalyl) benzene, one fourth mole 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and three-fourths mole 3,3', 4,4'-tetraminobenzophenone was selected for extensive study. Tensile, flexural, and interlaminar shear values were obtained after aging and testing postcured BlCo(13) laminates at 316 C (600 F). The potential of PPQ/graphite laminates to serve as short term structural materials at temperatures up to 371 C (700 F) was demonstrated through weight loss experiments.

Hoggatt, J. T.↗