NASA Tech Briefs’ Materials Web page spotlights new engineering materials, coatings, and materials processing techniques, related primarily to ceramics, composites, plastics, and ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as published in NASA Tech Briefs magazine. The Tech Briefs describe applications of these materials in aerospace, defense, electronics, automotive, consumer products, and other major industries. Many of the Tech Briefs below are correlated to a Technical Support Package (TSP) or White Paper that can be downloaded free of charge.
Polymer-Based Composite Catholytes for Li Thin-Film Cells
It should be possible to increase charge capacities and cycle lives.
Polymer-based composite catholyte structures have been investigated in a continuing effort to increase the charge/ discharge capacities of solid-state lithium thin-film electrochemical cells. A cell according to this concept contains the following layers (see figure):
- An anode current-collecting layer, typically made of Cu; Read More >>
CNT-based field emitters could be made more durable.
Atomic-layer deposition (ALD) has been shown to be effective as a means of coating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with layers of Al2O3 that form strong bonds between the CNTs and the substrates on which the ...
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These coatings are expected to be more durable, relative to prior thermal/environmental barrier coatings.
Ceramic thermal and environmental barrier coatings (T/EBCs) that contain multiple layers of alternating chemical composition have been developed as improved means of protecting underlying components of gas-turbine and other heat ...
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Organic/Inorganic Polymeric Composites for Heat-Transfer Reduction
Composite Cathodes for Dual-Rate Li-Ion Batteries
Nickel-Based Superalloy Resists Embrittlement by Hydrogen
Chemical Passivation of Li+-Conducting Solid Electrolytes
Refractory Ceramic Foams for Novel Applications
Molecules for Fluorescence Detection of Specific Chemicals
Fuel-Cell Electrolytes Based on Organosilica Hybrid Proton Conductors
Photochemically Synthesized Polyimides
Hydroxide-Assisted Bonding of Ultra-Low-Expansion Glass
Optimized Carbonate and Ester-Based Li-Ion Electrolytes
High-Temperature SMAs for Actuator Applications
Atomized BaF2-CaF2 for Better-Flowing Plasma-Spray Feedstock
Nanophase Nickel-Zirconium Alloys for Fuel Cells
Lightweight Tanks for Storing Liquefied Natural Gas
Hybrid Wound Filaments for Greater Resistance to Impacts
Making High-Tensile-Strength Amalgam Components
Bonding by Hydroxide-Catalyzed Hydration and Dehydration
Sequestration of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in a Polymer
Foam Core Shielding for Spacecraft
Nanowicks
Lightweight Thermal Protection System for Atmospheric Entry
Rapid Fabrication of Carbide Matrix/Carbon Fiber Composites
Ultrahigh-Temperature Ceramics
Improved C/SiC Ceramic Composites Made Using PIP
Coating Carbon Fibers With Platinum
Nanorod-Based Fast-Response Pressure-Sensitive Paints
Making Single-Source Precursors of Ternary Semiconductors
Water-Free Proton-Conducting Membranes for Fuel Cells
Improved Single-Source Precursors for Solar-Cell Absorbers
Spray CVD for Making Solar-Cell Absorber Layers
Making Ternary Quantum Dots From Single-Source Precursors
Multifunctional, High-Temperature Nanocomposites
Multilayer Impregnated Fibrous Thermal Insulation Tiles
Ion-Conducting Organic/Inorganic Polymers
Accounting for Uncertainties in Strengths of SiC MEMS Parts
MoO3 Cathodes for High-Temperature Lithium Thin-Film Cells
Ceramic Paste for Patching High-Temperature Insulation
Fabrication of Polyimide-Matrix/Carbon and Boron-Fiber Tape
Glass/Ceramic Composites for Sealing Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Wholly Aromatic Ether-Imides as n-Type Semiconductors
Composite Solid Electrolyte Containing Li+- Conducting Fibers
Electrically Conductive Anodized Aluminum Surfaces
SiC Composite Turbine Vanes
Oxygen-Permeable, Hydrophobic Membranes of Silanized α-Al2O3
Improving Thermomechanical Properties of SiC/SiC Composites
Patches for Repairing Ceramics and Ceramic Matrix Composites
4-Vinyl-1,3-Dioxolane-2-One as an Additive for Li-Ion Cells
Aerogel/Particle Composites for Thermoelectric Devices
Nanotube Dispersions Made With Charged Surfactant
Aerogels for Thermal Insulation of Thermoelectric Devices
Low-Density, Creep Resistant Single Crystal Superalloys
Wire-Mesh-Based Sorber for Removing Contaminants From Air
Tantalum-Based Ceramics for Refractory Composites
Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Anodes for Lithium Cells
Corrosion-Prevention Capabilities of a Water-Borne, Silicone- Based, Primerless Coating
Sol-Gel Process for Making Pt-Ru Fuel-Cell Catalysts
High-Performance Polymers Having Low Melt Viscosities
Diamond-Coated Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient Field Emission
PETIs as High-Temperature Resin-Transfer-Molding Materials
Nonflammable, Hydrophobic Aerogel Composites for Insulation
Advanced Ablative Insulators and Methods of Making Them
Improved Anode Coatings for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Diamond-Coated Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient Field Emission
Glass Frit Filters for Collecting Metal
Development of Carbon-Nanotube/Polymer Composites
Multicomponent, Rare-Earth-Doped Thermal-Barrier Coatings
Reactive Additives for Phenylethynyl-Containing Resins
Nanostructured MnO2-Based Cathodes for Li-Ion/Polymer Cells
Formulating Precursors for Coating Metals and Ceramics
Isogrid Membranes for Precise, Singly Curved Reflectors
Nickel-Tin Electrode Materials for Nonaqueous Li-Ion Cells
Patched Off-Axis Bending/Twisting Actuators for Thin Mirrors
Synthesizing Diamond From Liquid Feedstock
Modifying Silicates for Better Dispersion in Nanocomposites
Amplifying Electrochemical Indicators
Precious-Metal Salt Coatings for Detecting Hydrazines
Nanocarpets for Trapping Microscopic Particles
New Material for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Composite-Material Tanks With Chemically Resistant Liners
Improved BN Coatings on SiC Fibers in SiC Matrices
Direct Electrolytic Deposition of Mats of MnxOy Nanowires
Personal Radiation Protection System
Patterned Growth of Carbon Nanotubes or Nanofibers
Lightweight, Rack-Mountable Composite Cold Plate/Shelves
Safer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Cells
Aluminum-Alloy-Matrix/Alumina-Reinforcement Composites
Fibrous-Ceramic/Aerogel Composite Insulating Tiles
Urethane/Silicone Adhesives for Bonding Flexing Metal Parts
Study of Rapid-Regression Liquefying Hybrid Rocket Fuels
Reproducible Growth of High-Quality Cubic-SiC Layers
Nonlinear Thermoelastic Model for SMAs and SMA Hybrid
Formulations for Stronger Solid Oxide Fuel-Cell Electrolytes
Rod/Coil Block Copolyimides for Ion-Conducting Membranes
Liquid Coatings for Reducing Corrosion of Steel in Concrete
Less-Toxic Coatings for Inhibiting Corrosion of Aluminum
Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Polymer/Clay Nanocomposites
Switching and Rectification in Carbon-Nanotube Junctions
Scandia-and-Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia for Thermal Barriers
Multiaxial Temperature- and Time-Dependent Failure Model
Simplified Waterproofing of Aerogels
Improved Thermal-Insulation Systems for Low Temperatures
Better VPS Fabrication of Crucibles and Furnace Cartridges
Antistatic Polycarbonate/Copper Oxide Composite
Stable, Thermally Conductive Fillers for Bolted Joints
Transparent Metal-Salt-Filled Polymeric Radiation Shields
Meshed-Pumpkin Super-Pressure Balloon Design
Corrosion Inhibitors as Penetrant Dyes for Radiography
Explicit Pore Pressure Material Model in Carbon-Cloth Phenolic
Lower-Conductivity Thermal-Barrier Coatings
Process for Smoothing an Si Substrate After Etching of SiO2
Treatment To Destroy Chloro-hydrocarbon Liquids in the Ground
Low-Power RIE of SiO2 in CHF3 To Obtain Steep Sidewalls
Mixed Conducting Electrodes for Better AMTEC Cells
Low-EC-Content Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Li-Ion Cells
Alkaline Capacitors Based on Nitride Nanoparticles






















Materials