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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

Pulsed Laser System to Simulate Effects of Cosmic Rays in Semiconductor Devices

Spaceflight system electronic devices must survive a wide range of radiation environments with various particle types including energetic protons, electrons, gamma rays, x-rays, and heavy ions. High-energy charged particles such as heavy ions can pass straight through a semiconductor material and interact with a charge-sensitive region, generating a significant amount of charge (electron-hole pairs) along their tracks. These excess charges can damage the device, and the response can range from temporary perturbations to permanent changes in the state or performance. These phenomena are called single event effects (SEE). Before application in flight systems, electronic parts need to be qualified and tested for performance and radiation sensitivity. Typically, their susceptibility to SEE is tested by exposure to an ion beam from a particle accelerator. At such facilities, the device under test (DUT) is irradiated with large beams so there is no fine resolution to investigate particular regions of sensitivity on the parts. While it is the most reliable approach for radiation qualification, these evaluations are time consuming and costly. There is always a need for new cost-efficient strategies to complement accelerator testing: pulsed lasers provide such a solution. Pulsed laser light can be utilized to simulate heavy ion effects with the advantage of being able to localize the sensitive region of an integrated circuit. Generally, a focused laser beam of approximately picosecond pulse duration is used to generate carrier density in the semiconductor device. During irradiation, the laser pulse is absorbed by the electronic medium with a wavelength selected accordingly by the user, and the laser energy can ionize and simulate SEE as would occur in space. With a tightly focused near infrared (NIR) laser beam, the beam waist of about a micrometer can be achieved, and additional scanning techniques are able to yield submicron resolution. This feature allows mapping of all of the sensitive regions of the studied device with fine resolution, unlike heavy ion experiments. The problematic regions can be precisely identified, and it provides a considerable amount of information about the circuit. In addition, the system allows flexibility for testing the device in different configurations in situ.

Aveline, David C.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Improved Whole-Blood-Staining Device

Dramatic improvements have been made in NASA s Whole Blood Staining Device (WBSD) since it was last described in "Whole-Blood-Staining Device," NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 23, No. 10 (October 1999), page 64. The new system has a longer shelf life, a simpler and more effective operational procedure, improved interface with instrumentation, and shorter processing time. More specifically, the improvements have targeted bag and locking clip materials, sampling ports, and air pocket prevention. The WBSD stains whole blood collected during spaceflight for subsequent flow cytometric analysis. In short, the main device stains white blood cells by use of monoclonal antibodies conjugated to various fluorochromes, followed by lysing and fixing of the cells by use of a commercial reagent that has been diluted according to NASA safety standards. This system is compact, robust, and does not require electric power, precise mixing, or precise incubation times. Figure 1 depicts the present improved version for staining applications, which is a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) bag with a Luer-lock port and plastic locking clips. An InterLink (or equivalent) intravenous- injection port screws into the Luer-lock port. The inflatable/collapsible nature of the bag facilitates loading and helps to minimize the amount of air trapped in the fully loaded bag. Some additional uses have been identified for the device beyond whole blood staining. The WBSD has been configured for functional assays that require culture of live cells by housing sterile culture media, mitogens, and fixatives prior to use [Figure 2(a)]. Simple injection of whole blood allows cell-stimulation culture to be performed in reduced gravity conditions, and product stabilization prior to storage, while protecting astronauts from liquid biohazardous materials. Also, the improved WBSD has reconstituted powdered injectable antibiotics by mixing them with diluent liquids [Figure 2(b)]. Although such mixing can readily be performed on Earth by shaking in glass vials, it cannot readily be performed this way in outer space without entraining air bubbles. The present device can be preloaded with the powder and diluent(s) in separate compartments. The powder and diluent( s) can be mixed, without introducing air bubbles, by removing the clip(s), then shaking. This use of the device could also be advantageous in terrestrial applications because it maintains the isolation of the constituents until the time of use.

Sams, Clarence F.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Applications and Methods of Operating a Three-dimensional Nano-electro-mechanical Resonator and Related Devices

Carbon nanofiber resonator devices, methods for use, and applications of said devices are disclosed. Carbon nanofiber resonator devices can be utilized in or as high Q resonators. Resonant frequency of these devices is a function of configuration of various conducting components within these devices. Such devices can find use, for example, in filtering and chemical detection.

Kaul, Anupama B.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Particle-Based Microfluidic Device for Providing High Magnetic Field Gradients

A microfluidic device for manipulating particles in a fluid has a device body that defines a main channel therein, in which the main channel has an inlet and an outlet. The device body further defines a particulate diverting channel therein, the particulate diverting channel being in fluid connection with the main channel between the inlet and the outlet of the main channel and having a particulate outlet. The microfluidic device also has a plurality of microparticles arranged proximate or in the main channel between the inlet of the main channel and the fluid connection of the particulate diverting channel to the main channel. The plurality of microparticles each comprises a material in a composition thereof having a magnetic susceptibility suitable to cause concentration of magnetic field lines of an applied magnetic field while in operation. A microfluidic particle-manipulation system has a microfluidic particle-manipulation device and a magnet disposed proximate the microfluidic particle-manipulation device.

Lin, Adam Y.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Launch Lock Assemblies Including Axial Gap Amplification Devices and Spacecraft Isolation Systems Including the Same

Embodiments of a launch lock assembly are provided, as are embodiments of a spacecraft isolation system including one or more launch lock assemblies. In one embodiment, the launch lock assembly includes first and second mount pieces, a releasable clamp device, and an axial gap amplification device. The releasable clamp device normally maintains the first and second mount pieces in clamped engagement; and, when actuated, releases the first and second mount pieces from clamped engagement to allow relative axial motion there between. The axial gap amplification device normally residing in a blocking position wherein the gap amplification device obstructs relative axial motion between the first and second mount pieces. The axial gap amplification device moves into a non-blocking position when the first and second mount pieces are released from clamped engagement to increase the range of axial motion between the first and second mount pieces.

Barber, Tim Daniel↗
NASA NTRS2019

Modeling and Mitigation of Multi-Loops Related Device Overvoltage in Three Level Active Neutral Point Clamped Converter

This paper establishes an analytical model for the device drain-source overvoltage related to the two loops in three level active neutral point clamped (3L-ANPC) converters. Taking into account the non-linear device output capacitance, two commonly used modulations are investigated in detail. The result shows that the line switching frequency device usually has higher overvoltage, and the switching speed of the high switching frequency device is not strongly influenced by the multiple loops. By keeping the non-active clamping switch off, the effect of the non-linear device output capacitance can be significantly mitigated, which helps reduce the overvoltage. Moreover, the loop inductance can be reduced with vertical loop layout and magnetic cancellation in PCB and busbar design. A 500 kVA 3L-ANPC converter using SiC MOSFETs is built and tested. The experimental results validate the overvoltage model of the two modulations as well as the busbar design. With the non-active clamping switch off, the overvoltage of both the high and line switching frequency devices is significantly reduced, which helps achieve higher switching speed.

Model↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Preparation for an Earth Independent Medical Operations Demonstration using the Tempus ALS™ Medical Device

NASA’s exploration-class missions have severe resource constraints, long return trip durations, significant communication delays and limited resupply opportunities. Validation on the International Space Station (ISS) of medical devices that fit within Earth-Independent Medical Operations (EIMO) systems is a necessary preparation step. Key features of an EIMO medical system include: 1) technologies that support the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of spaceflight medical events; 2) components that meet mass, volume, power and crew time/training constraints; 3) consideration of the medical skill level of the astronaut caregiver; 4) collection, storage and analysis of medical data within a central data architecture; and 5) incorporation of appropriate guidance and support tools that allow crew autonomy. The Human Research Program’s (HRP) Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) Element and the Exploration Medical Integrated Product Team (XM-IPT) are planning an ISS technology demonstration to determine the feasibility of including a multifunctional medical device into an EIMO medical system. Demonstration Preparations: The Tempus ALS (Remote Diagnostic Technologies, Ltd., Philips Corp., Farnborough, UK) is a commercial-off-the-shelf medical device, with United States Food and Drug Administration clearance and is Conformité Européene marked in Europe. Several thousand units have been sold and are successfully operating in pre-hospital and in remote settings, such as by European Space Agency (ESA) flight surgeons and some of NASA’s commercial partners during post-flight medical operations. The Tempus ALS provides vital sign measurements such as blood pressure, electrocardiograms, heart rate, end tidal CO2, respiration rate, pulse oximetry and temperature. The device has ultrasound imaging and video laryngoscopy capabilities and has automatic or manual defibrillation modes for treating cardiac arrhythmias. It includes procedural guidance capabilities to assist in the collection of the vital sign measurements and it has various data transmission and report generation features. NASA’s HRP ExMC and XM-IPT are partnering with the ESA to demonstrate the Tempus ALS on ISS, with ESA manifesting the Tempus ALS and its accessories. ESA will compare performance of periodic health status exams and medical contingency drills performed nominally and with the Tempus ALS. NASA’s EIMO demonstration will include the use of Tempus ALS to diagnose a complaint of abdominal pain under increasingly independent circumstances. The caregiver must assess the present illness, collect vital sign measurements, and perform an abdominal ultrasound, under one of three communication situations, including real-time, with a several second delay and with a delay on the order of minutes. Expected Outcomes: Information will be gained about the feasibility, benefits, and challenges of using a multifunctional, all-in-one, medical device for medical diagnosis instead of separate devices with singular functionalities. Information will also be collected about performance differences as communication delays increase and available ground support decreases. Gaining this understanding will allow for further development of exploration medical system capabilities which takes the EIMO construct into consideration.

Beth Lewandowski↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Assessment of Ultrasound Devices to Protect the Health of Astronauts in the New Era of Space Exploration: A Literature Review

Microgravity and radiation of space create harsh physiological strains on astronauts with significant damaging effects on cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems among others. It is necessary to utilize medical technologies that can effectively monitor chronic and acute alterations to astronauts’ health statuses on spacecrafts. Future missions to distant planetary bodies will result in longer exposure to damaging environmental factors and limit crew access to healthcare resources and maintenance devices; thus, even greater logistical and quality considerations must be made. Remarkable advancements in ultrasound technology have created new powerful portable imaging devices and a potential chip-based alternative to piezoelectric crystals that are used in nearly all ultrasound devices. This literature review will investigate new commercial and prototypal ultrasound medical devices on their potential effectiveness in austere environments such as space. The accuracy, versatility, and practicality of each device will be compared to each other as well as the current technological gold standards of health monitoring used in traditional healthcare settings. Assessment of new ultrasound technology in this literature review will provide guidance to future missions by space agencies regarding the most optimal medical devices to protect astronauts and, therefore, enable further exploration of distant planets and solar systems.

Parag Vyas↗
NASA NTRS2023

Toward Accurate Thermal Modeling of Phase Change Material Based Photonic Devices

Reconfigurable or programmable photonic devices are rapidly growing and have become an integral part of many optical systems. The ability to selectively modulate electromagnetic waves through electrical stimuli is crucial in the advancement of a variety of applications from data communication and computing devices to environmental science and space explorations. Chalcogenide-based phase change materials (PCMs) are one of the most promising material candidates for reconfigurable photonics due to their large optical contrast between their different solid-state structural phases. Although significant efforts have been devoted to accurate simulation of PCM-based devices, in this paper, we highlight three important aspects which have often evaded prior models yet having significant impacts on the thermal and phase transition behavior of these devices: the enthalpy of fusion, the heat capacity change upon glass transition, as well as the thermal conductivity of liquid-phase PCMs. We further investigated the important topic of switching energy scaling in PCM devices, which also helps explain why the three above-mentioned effects have long been overlooked in electronic PCM memories but only become important in photonics. Our findings offer insight to facilitate accurate modeling of PCM-based photonic devices and can inform the development of more efficient reconfigurable optics.

Phase change materials↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Insertion Loss of a Multi-Plane Light Conversion Device with Few Mode Fiber Outputs Under Atmospheric Conditions

A key challenge of photon counting optical communication is delivering light with atmospherically distorted wavefronts from the telescope to detectors efficiently. When using fiber coupled single photon detectors, the efficiency of the transmittance is constrained by the modes supported by the fiber. The number of modes supported by a fiber depends on the size of the core. The larger the core, the more modes supported. However, commercial off the shelf superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) are currently limited in area, which limits the core size of the fibers that can efficiently couple to the detectors. To increase the amount of light that can be delivered to the detectors, NASA Glenn Research Center is considering many different fiber/detector architectures. This paper compares insertion loss of the fiber device for two different architectures: • a multi-plane light conversion device to split the light from a 30 µm core diameter fiber into 7 separate, 15 µm core diameter few-mode fibers butt-coupled to 7 single-element SNSPDs, • and a 30 µm core diameter multimode fiber butt-coupled to a 16 multi-element, SNSPD array. The measured insertion loss for each fiber device under emulated atmospheric conditions with D/r0 between 2 and 30 is presented. The multi-plane light conversion device shows a consistent ~1 dB loss more than the multimode fiber. Also presented is the measured uneven power splitting of the multiplane light conversion device, especially at lower D/r0. How this uneven power splitting contributes to system loss called blocking loss is discussed.

Multi-plane light conversion device↗
NASA NTRS1973

Active cleaning technique device

The objective of this program was to develop a laboratory demonstration model of an active cleaning technique (ACT) device. The principle of this device is based primarily on the technique for removing contaminants from optical surfaces. This active cleaning technique involves exposing contaminated surfaces to a plasma containing atomic oxygen or combinations of other reactive gases. The ACT device laboratory demonstration model incorporates, in addition to plasma cleaning, the means to operate the device as an ion source for sputtering experiments. The overall ACT device includes a plasma generation tube, an ion accelerator, a gas supply system, a RF power supply and a high voltage dc power supply.

Shannon, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Development of a high capacity bubble domain memory element and related epitaxial garnet materials for application in spacecraft data recorders. Item 2: The optimization of material-device parameters for application in bubble domain memory elements for spacecraft data recorders

Bubble domain materials and devices are discussed. One of the materials development goals was a materials system suitable for operation of 16 micrometer period bubble domain devices at 150 kHz over the temperature range -10 C to +60 C. Several material compositions and hard bubble suppression techniques were characterized and the most promising candidates were evaluated in device structures. The technique of pulsed laser stroboscopic microscopy was used to characterize bubble dynamic properties and device performance at 150 kHz. Techniques for large area LPE film growth were developed as a separate task. Device studies included detector optimization, passive replicator design and test and on-chip bridge evaluation. As a technology demonstration an 8 chip memory cell was designed, tested and delivered. The memory elements used in the cell were 10 kilobit serial registers.

Besser, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A real-time optical data processing device

A novel liquid-crystal electro-optical device useful as a real-time input device in coherent optical data processing is described. The device is a special adaptation of an ac photoactivated liquid-crystal light valve, and utilizes a hybrid field effect (45 deg twisted nematic effect in OFF state and pure optical birefringence of the liquid crystal in ON state). A thin-film sandwich exerts photoelectric control over the optical birefringence of a thin liquid-crystal layer. Liquid-crystal layer thickness is successfully reduced without image degradation. The device offers high resolution (better than 100 lines/mm), contrast (better than 100/1), high speed (10 msec ON, 15 msec OFF), high input sensitivity, low power input, low fabrication cost, and can be operated at below 10 V rms. Preliminary measurements on device performance in level slicing, filtering, contrast reversal, and edge enhancement are under way.

Jacobson, A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Fluid sampling device

An inlet leak is described for sampling gases, more specifically, for selectively sampling multiple fluids. This fluid sampling device includes a support frame. A plurality of fluid inlet devices extend through the support frame and each of the fluid inlet devices include a longitudinal aperture. An opening device that is responsive to a control signal selectively opens the aperture to allow fluid passage. A closing device that is responsive to another control signal selectively closes the aperture for terminating further fluid flow.

Studenick, D. K.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Memory device for two-dimensional radiant energy array computers

A memory device for two dimensional radiant energy array computers was developed, in which the memory device stores digital information in an input array of radiant energy digital signals that are characterized by ordered rows and columns. The memory device contains a radiant energy logic storing device having a pair of input surface locations for receiving a pair of separate radiant energy digital signal arrays and an output surface location adapted to transmit a radiant energy digital signal array. A regenerative feedback device that couples one of the input surface locations to the output surface location in a manner for causing regenerative feedback is also included

Schaefer, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Effectiveness of an inlet flow turbulence control device to simulate flight noise fan in an anechoic chamber

A hemispherical inlet flow control device was tested on a 50.8 cm. (20-inch) diameter fan stage in the NASA-Lewis anechoic chamber. The control device used honeycomb and wire mesh to reduce turbulence intensities entering the fan. Far field acoustic power level results show about a 5 db reduction in blade passing tone and about 10 dB reduction in multiple pure tone sound power at 90% design fan speed with the inlet device in place. Hot film cross probes were inserted in the inlet to obtain data for two components of the turbulence at 65 and 90% design fan speed. Without the flow control device, the axial intensities were below 1.0%, while the circumferential intensities were almost twice this value. The inflow control device significantly reduced the circumferential turbulence intensities and also reduced the axial length scale.

Woodward, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Prediction and measurement results of radiation damage to CMOS devices on board spacecraft

Final results from the CMOS Radiation Effects Measurement (CREM) experiment flown on Explorer 55 are presented and discussed, based on about 15 months of observations and measurements. Conclusions are given relating to long-range annealing, effects of operating temperature on semiconductor performance in space, biased and unbiased P-MOS device degradation, unbiased n-channel device performance, changes in device transconductance, and the difference in ionization efficiency between Co-60 gamma rays and 1-Mev Van de Graaff electrons. The performance of devices in a heavily shielded electronic subsystem box within the spacecraft is evaluated and compared. Environment models and computational methods and their impact on device-degradation estimates are being reviewed to determine whether they permit cost-effective design of spacecraft.

Stassinopoulos, E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Effectiveness of an inlet flow turbulence control device to simulate flight fan noise in an anechoic chamber

A hemispherical inlet flow control device was tested on a 50.8 cm. (20-inch) diameter fan stage in the NASA-Lewis Anechoic Chamber. The control device used honeycomb and wire mesh to reduce turbulence intensities entering the fan. Far field acoustic power level results showed about a 5 dB reduction in blade passing tone and about 10 dB reduction in multiple pure tone sound power at 90% design fan speed with the inlet device in place. Hot film cross probes were inserted in the inlet to obtain data for two components of the turbulence at 65 and 90% design fan speed. Without the flow control device the axial intensities were below 1.0%, while the circumferential intensities were almost twice this value. The inflow control device significantly reduced the circumferential turbulence intensities and also reduced the axial length scale.

Woodward, R. P.↗