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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Superconductivity in the high-Tc Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O system - Phase identification

Four phases are observed in superconducting Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O samples. The superconducting phase, with onset temperature near 120 K, is a 15.4-A-layered compound with composition near Bi2Ca1Sr2Cu2O9 and an A-centered orthorhombic unit subcell 5.41 x 5.44 x 30.78 A. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy data are consistent with a structure of alternating perovskite and Bi2O2 layers. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images reveal a b-axis superstructure of 27.2 A, numerous (001) stacking faults, and other defects.

Hazen, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ratioed scatter diagrams - An erotetic method for phase identification on complex surfaces using scanning Auger microscopy

By ratioing multiple Auger intensities and plotting a two-dimensional occupational scatter diagram while digitally scanning across an area, the number and elemental association of surface phases can be determined. This can prove a useful tool in scanning Auger microscopic analysis of complex materials. The technique is illustrated by results from an anomalous region on the reaction zone of a SiC/Ti-6Al-4V metal matrix composite material. The anomalous region is shown to be a single phase associated with sulphur and phosphorus impurities. Imaging of a selected phase from the ratioed scatter diagram is possible and may be a useful technique for presenting multiple scanning Auger images.

Browning, R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

X-Ray Diffraction Based Phase Identification in NiTiHf Shape Memory Alloys with Variable Hf Content

NiTiHf type shape memory alloys have been studied for use in high temperature actuator applications, the most studied of which is the NiTi-20Hf atomic % composition. In this study, six samples of NiTi-Hf including 20Hf, 30Hf, 35Hf, 40Hf, 45Hf, and 50Hf were evaluated by both 1D and 2D X-ray diffraction (XRD) to elucidate what phases and crystal structures were present at room temperature. Given small sample sizes and relatively large grains, multiple cross-sections were measured to increase the sampling statistics, and 2D XRD frames were collected to corroborate the 1D XRD data. Rietveld and structureless refinements were both performed, allowing for adjustments in orientation lattice constant, and structure factor. At room temperature, the primary martensitic phase in the NiTiHf alloys with 20 at% and lower Hf is a monoclinic B19’ phase (P1121/m space group). This phase was identifiable, even in small amounts, in the higher Hf samples. The primary phase in the 30 -50 at% Hf samples is an orthorhombic B33 (Cmcm space group) phase. This work supported thermal analyses indicating the phase transition paths from the two different room temperature martensitic phases to the B2 austenitic phase.

Laura Wilson↗
NASA NTRS2009

Crystallographic Oxide Phase Identification of Char Deposits Obtained from Space Shuttle Columbia Window Debris

Analyzing the remains of Space Shuttle Columbia has proven technically beneficial years after the vehicle breakup. This investigation focused on charred deposits on fragments of Columbia overhead windowpanes. Results were unexpected relative to the engineering understanding of material performance in a reentry environment. The TEM analysis demonstrated that the oxides of aluminum and titanium mixed with silicon oxides to preserve a history of thermal conditions to which portions of the vehicle were exposed. The presence of Ti during the beginning of the deposition process, along with the thermodynamic phase precipitation upon cool down, indicate that temperatures well above the Ti melt point were experienced. The stratified observations implied that additional exothermic reaction, expectedly metal combustion of a Ti structure, had to be present for oxide formation. Results are significant for aerospace vehicles where thermal protection system (TPS) breaches cause substructures to be in direct path with the reentry plasma. 1

Olivas, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Impact of Early Design Phase Risk Identification Biases on Space System Project Performance

Risk identification during the early design phases of complex systems is commonly implemented but often fails to result in the identification of events and circumstances that truly challenge project performance. Inefficiencies in cost and schedule estimation are usually held accountable for cost and schedule overruns, but the true root cause is often the realization of programmatic risks. A deeper understanding of frequent risk identification trends and biases pervasive during space system design and development is needed, for it would lead to improved execution of existing identification processes and methods.

Reeves, John D., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Development of advanced high strength tantalum base alloys. Part 1: Screening investigation

Five experimental tantalum alloy compositions containing 13-18% W+Re+Hf solid solution solute additions with dispersed phase strengthening achieved by carbon or nitrogen additions were prepared as 1.4 inch diameter ingot processed to 3/8 inch diameter rod and evaluated. Elevated temperature tensile and creep strength increased monotonically with increasing solute content. Room temperature elongation decreased for 20% to less than 2% as the solute content was increased above 16%. Phase identification indicated that the precipitating phase in the carbide containing alloys was Ta2C.

Buckman, R. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Dynamic neural networks based on-line identification and control of high performance motor drives

In the automated and high-tech industries of the future, there wil be a need for high performance motor drives both in the low-power range and in the high-power range. To meet very straight demands of tracking and regulation in the two quadrants of operation, advanced control technologies are of a considerable interest and need to be developed. In response a dynamics learning control architecture is developed with simultaneous on-line identification and control. the feature of the proposed approach, to efficiently combine the dual task of system identification (learning) and adaptive control of nonlinear motor drives into a single operation is presented. This approach, therefore, not only adapts to uncertainties of the dynamic parameters of the motor drives but also learns about their inherent nonlinearities. In fact, most of the neural networks based adaptive control approaches in use have an identification phase entirely separate from the control phase. Because these approaches separate the identification and control modes, it is not possible to cope with dynamic changes in a controlled process. Extensive simulation studies have been conducted and good performance was observed. The robustness characteristics of neuro-controllers to perform efficiently in a noisy environment is also demonstrated. With this initial success, the principal investigator believes that the proposed approach with the suggested neural structure can be used successfully for the control of high performance motor drives. Two identification and control topologies based on the model reference adaptive control technique are used in this present analysis. No prior knowledge of load dynamics is assumed in either topology while the second topology also assumes no knowledge of the motor parameters.

Rubaai, Ahmed↗
NASA NTRS1998

Analysis of Phase Separation in Czochralski Grown Single Crystal Ilmenite

Ilmenite (FeTiOs) is a wide bandgap semiconductor with an energy gap of 2.58 eV. Ilmenite has properties suited for radiation tolerant applications, as well as a variety of other electronic applications. Single crystal ilmenite has been grown from the melt using the Czochralski method. Growth conditions have a profound effect on the microstructure of the samples. Here we present data from a variety of analytical techniques which indicate that some grown crystals exhibit distinct phase separation during growth. This phase separation is apparent for both post-growth annealed and unannealed samples. Under optical microscopy, there appear two distinct areas forming a matrix with an array of dots on order of 5 pm diameter. While appearing bright in the optical micrograph, atomic force microscope (AFM) shows the dots to be shallow pits on the surface. Magnetic force microscope (MFM) shows the dots to be magnetic. Phase identification via electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) indicates two major phases in the unannealed samples and four in the annealed samples, where the dots appear to be almost pure iron. This is consistent with micrographs taken with a scanning probe microscope used in the magnetic force mode. Samples that do not exhibit the phase separation have little or no discernible magnetic structure detectable by the MFM.

Wilkins, R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Stability of Y-Ba-Cu-oxide phases in salt flux

The results of an investigation into the possibility of growing YBa2Cu3O7 (or Y123) single crystals from a NaCl-KCl flux (salt flux) are presented. They are compared with results for Y123 crystals grown from a Ba-Cu-oxide flux system. The chosen salt flux composition was 1:1 (NaCl:KCl). The preparation method of the solutes is presented, with particular attention given to the compounds surrounding the Y123 phase, such as Y2BaCuO6 (Y211). Optical microscopy was introduced to study the morphology of the sample; X-ray diffraction was used for phase identification; and a chemical analysis was effected. The Y123, Y211, and BaCuO2 phases were shown to be dissociated in the NaCl-KCl flux, and could not be recrystallized. A small amount of the flux could be added to create large-grain Y123 crystals, but single-crystal growth was not possible in a top-seeded NaCl-KCl solution. This is attributed to significant differences in solubility of the crystal elements, and phase separation caused by CuO crystal formation.

Tao, Y. K.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Manned space flight nuclear system safety. Volume 3: Reactor system preliminary nuclear safety analysis. Part 2A: Accident model document, appendix

The detailed abort sequence trees for the reference zirconium hydride (ZrH) reactor power module that have been generated for each phase of the reference Space Base program mission are presented. The trees are graphical representations of causal sequences. Each tree begins with the phase identification and the dichotomy between success and failure. The success branch shows the mission phase objective as being achieved. The failure branch is subdivided, as conditions require, into various primary initiating abort conditions.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1993

Software For Fault-Tree Diagnosis Of A System

Fault Tree Diagnosis System (FTDS) computer program is automated-diagnostic-system program identifying likely causes of specified failure on basis of information represented in system-reliability mathematical models known as fault trees. Is modified implementation of failure-cause-identification phase of Narayanan's and Viswanadham's methodology for acquisition of knowledge and reasoning in analyzing failures of systems. Knowledge base of if/then rules replaced with object-oriented fault-tree representation. Enhancement yields more-efficient identification of causes of failures and enables dynamic updating of knowledge base. Written in C language, C++, and Common LISP.

Iverson, Dave↗
NASA NTRS2008

Moessbauer and Electron Microprobe Studies of Density Separates of Martian Nakhlite Mil03346: Implications for Interpretation of Moessbauer Spectra Acquired by the Mars Exploration Rovers

Martian meteorite MIL03346 is described as an augite-rich cumulate rock with approx.80%, approx.3%, and approx.21% modal phase proportions of augite (CPX), olivine and glassy mesostasis, respectively, and is classified as a nakhlite [1]. The Mossbauer spectrum for whole rock (WR) MIL 03346 is unusual for Martian meteorites in that it has a distinct magnetite subspectrum (~7% subspectral area) [2]. The meteorite also has products of pre-terrestrial aqueous alteration ("iddingsite") that is associated primarily with the basaltic glass and olivine. The Mossbauer spectrometers on the Mars Exploration Rovers have measured the Fe oxidation state and the Fe mineralogical composition of rocks and soils on the planet s surface since their landing in Gusev Crater and Meridiani Planum in January, 2004 [3,4]. The MIL 03346 meteorite provides an opportunity to "ground truth" or refine Fe phase identifications. This is particularly the case for the so-called "nanophase ferric oxide" (npOx) component. NpOx is a generic name for a ferric rich product of oxidative alteration. On Earth, where we can take samples apart and study individual phases, examples of npOx include ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, akagaaneite, and superparamagnetic (small particle) goethite and hematite. It is also possible for ferric iron to be associated to some unknown extent with igneous phases like pyroxene. We report here an electron microprobe (EMPA) and Moessbauer (MB) study of density separates of MIL 03346. The same separates were used for isotopic studies by [5]. Experimental techniques are described by [6,7].

Morris, R. V.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Ultrafast Phase Mapping of Thin-Sections from An Apollo 16 Drive Tube - a New Visualisation of Lunar Regolith

Polished thin-sections of samples extracted from Apollo drive tubes provide unique insights into the structure of the Moon's regolith at various landing sites. In particular, they allow the mineralogy and texture of the regolith to be studied as a function of depth. Much has been written about such thin-sections based on optical, SEM and EPMA studies, in terms of their essential petrographic features, but there has been little attempt to quantify these aspects from a spatial perspective. In this study, we report the findings of experimental analysis of two thin-sections (64002, 6019, depth range 5.0 - 8.0 cm & 64001, 6031, depth range 50.0 - 53.1 cm), from a single Apollo 16 drive tube using QEMSCAN . A key feature of the method is phase identification by ultrafast energy dispersive x-ray mapping on a pixel-by-pixel basis. By selecting pixel resolutions ranging from 1 - 5 microns, typically 8,500,000 individual measurement points can be collected on a thin-section. The results we present include false colour digital images of both thin-sections. From these images, information such as phase proportions (major, minor and trace phases), particle textures, packing densities, and particle geometries, has been quantified. Parameters such as porosity and average phase density, which are of geomechanical interest, can also be calculated automatically. This study is part of an on-going investigation into spatial variation of lunar regolith and NASA's ISRU Lunar Simulant Development Project.

Botha, Pieter↗
NASA NTRS1991

Expert system verification and validation study. Phase 2: Requirements Identification. Delivery 2: Current requirements applicability

The second phase of a task is described which has the ultimate purpose of ensuring that adequate Expert Systems (ESs) Verification and Validation (V and V) tools and techniques are available for Space Station Freedom Program Knowledge Based Systems development. The purpose of this phase is to recommend modifications to current software V and V requirements which will extend the applicability of the requirements to NASA ESs.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1967

High-temperature thermodynamics.

High temperature thermodynamics requiring species and phases identification, crystal structures, molecular geometries and vibrational, rotational and electronic energy levels and equilibrium constants

Margrave, J. L.↗