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.
Apr 2008
Gas Sensors Based on Coated and Doped Carbon Nanotubes
Large specific surface areas of nanotubes could enable attainment of high sensitivities.
Efforts are underway to develop inexpensive, low-power electronic sensors, based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), for measuring part-per-million and part-per-billion of selected gases (small molecules) at room temperature. Chemically unmodified SWCNTs are mostly unresponsive to typical gases that one might wish to detect. However, ...
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Photochemically Synthesized Polyimides
Single monomers are polymerized by exposure to ultraviolet light, without heating.
An alternative to the conventional approach to synthesis of polyimides involves the use of single monomers that are amenable to photopolymerization. Heretofore, the synthesis of polyimides has involved multiple-monomer formulations and heating to temperatures that ...
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Hydroxide-Assisted Bonding of Ultra-Low-Expansion Glass
Preparation of bond surfaces is critical to success.
A process for hydroxide-assisted bonding has been developed as a means of joining optical components made of ultra-low-expansion (ULE) glass, while maintaining sufficiently precise alignment between. The process is intended mainly for use in applications in which (1...
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Optimized Carbonate and Ester-Based Li-Ion Electrolytes
This technology can be used in portable electronics, cell phones, and electric vehicles.
To maintain high conductivity in low temperatures, electrolyte co-solvents have been designed to have a high dielectric constant, low viscosity, adequate coordination behavior, and appropriate liquid ranges and salt solubilities. Electrolytes that contain ...
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Mar 2008
High-Temperature SMAs for Actuator Applications
Feb 2008
Low-Pt-Content Anode Catalyst for Direct Methanol Fuel CellsAtomized BaF2-CaF2 for Better-Flowing Plasma-Spray Feedstock
Nanophase Nickel-Zirconium Alloys for Fuel Cells
Jan 2008
SiO2/TiO2 Composite for Removing Hg From Combustion ExhaustLightweight 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
Dec 2007
CHEM-Based Self-Deploying Planetary Storage TanksSequestration of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in a Polymer
Foam Core Shielding for Spacecraft
Nov 2007
Modeling Metamaterials Leads to Advance in Cloaking System PrototypeOct 2007
Strong, Lightweight, Porous MaterialsNanowicks
Lightweight Thermal Protection System for Atmospheric Entry
Sep 2007
Coating Thermoelectric Devices To Suppress SublimationRapid 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
Aug 2007
Photocatalytic/Magnetic Composite ParticlesJul 2007
Norbornene-Based Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium CellsMaking Single-Source Precursors of Ternary Semiconductors
Water-Free Proton-Conducting Membranes for Fuel Cells
Jun 2007
Glass/BNNT Composite for Sealing Solid Oxide Fuel CellsImproved Single-Source Precursors for Solar-Cell Absorbers
Spray CVD for Making Solar-Cell Absorber Layers
Making Ternary Quantum Dots From Single-Source Precursors
May 2007
Increasing Durability of Flame-Sprayed Strain GaugesMultifunctional, High-Temperature Nanocomposites
Multilayer Impregnated Fibrous Thermal Insulation Tiles
Apr 2007
Lithium Dinitramide as an Additive in Lithium Power CellsIon-Conducting Organic/Inorganic Polymers
Accounting for Uncertainties in Strengths of SiC MEMS Parts
MoO3 Cathodes for High-Temperature Lithium Thin-Film Cells
Mar 2007
Progressive Failure Analysis of Composite Structures with FEA SoftwareFeb 2007
Protective Skins for Aerogel MonolithsCeramic Paste for Patching High-Temperature Insulation
Fabrication of Polyimide-Matrix/Carbon and Boron-Fiber Tape
Jan 2007
Composite Elastic Skins for Shape-Changing StructuresGlass/Ceramic Composites for Sealing Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Dec 2006
Carbon-Nanotube-Carpet Heat-Transfer PadsWholly Aromatic Ether-Imides as n-Type Semiconductors
Nov 2006
Making Activated Carbon by Wet Pressurized PyrolysisComposite Solid Electrolyte Containing Li+- Conducting Fibers
Electrically Conductive Anodized Aluminum Surfaces
Oct 2006
Thermoelectric Inhomogeneities in (Ag1–ySbTe2)x(PbTe)1–xSiC Composite Turbine Vanes
Oxygen-Permeable, Hydrophobic Membranes of Silanized α-Al2O3
Sep 2006
Lower-Conductivity Ceramic Materials for Thermal-Barrier CoatingsImproving 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
Aug 2006
Vaporizable Scaffolds for Fabricating Thermoelectric ModulesJul 2006
Stability Enhancement of Polymeric Sensing Films Using FillersNanotube 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
Jun 2006
Microsphere Insulation PanelsTantalum-Based Ceramics for Refractory Composites
Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Anodes for Lithium Cells
Oct 2005
Making Activated Carbon for Storing GasCorrosion-Prevention Capabilities of a Water-Borne, Silicone- Based, Primerless Coating
Sol-Gel Process for Making Pt-Ru Fuel-Cell Catalysts
Sep 2005
Low-Density, Aerogel-Filled Thermal- Insulation TilesHigh-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
Aug 2005
Anhydrous Proton-Conducting Membranes for Fuel CellsGlass Frit Filters for Collecting Metal
Jun 2005
Modifications of a Composite-Material Combustion ChamberDevelopment of Carbon-Nanotube/Polymer Composites
Multicomponent, Rare-Earth-Doped Thermal-Barrier Coatings
Reactive Additives for Phenylethynyl-Containing Resins
May 2005
Multifunctional Deployment Hinges Rigidified by UltravioletApr 2005
Multi-Layer Laminated Thin Films for Inflatable StructuresNanostructured MnO2-Based Cathodes for Li-Ion/Polymer Cells
Mar 2005
Making Macroscopic Assemblies of Aligned Carbon NanotubesFormulating Precursors for Coating Metals and Ceramics
Feb 2005
Photocatalytic Coats in Glass Drinking-Water BottlesIsogrid Membranes for Precise, Singly Curved Reflectors
Nickel-Tin Electrode Materials for Nonaqueous Li-Ion Cells
Patched Off-Axis Bending/Twisting Actuators for Thin Mirrors
Jan 2005
Molybdate Coatings for Protecting Aluminum Against CorrosionSynthesizing Diamond From Liquid Feedstock
Modifying Silicates for Better Dispersion in Nanocomposites
Dec 2004
Better End-Cap Processing for Oxidation-Resistant PolyimidesAmplifying Electrochemical Indicators
Precious-Metal Salt Coatings for Detecting Hydrazines
Nanocarpets for Trapping Microscopic Particles
Nov 2004
Treated Carbon Nanofibers for Storing Energy in Aqueous KOHNew Material for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Oct 2004
Using Iron To Treat Chlorohydrocarbon Contaminated SoilSep 2004
Brazing SiC/SiC Composites to MetalsComposite-Material Tanks With Chemically Resistant Liners
Improved BN Coatings on SiC Fibers in SiC Matrices
Aug 2004
Fuels Containing Methane or Natural Gas in SolutionDirect Electrolytic Deposition of Mats of MnxOy Nanowires
Personal Radiation Protection System
Jul 2004
Improved Method of Purifying Carbon NanotubesPatterned Growth of Carbon Nanotubes or Nanofibers
Lightweight, Rack-Mountable Composite Cold Plate/Shelves
Jun 2004
Electrodeionization Using Microseparated Bipolar MembranesSafer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Cells
May 2004
Curing Composite Materials Using Lower-Energy Electron BeamsAluminum-Alloy-Matrix/Alumina-Reinforcement Composites
Fibrous-Ceramic/Aerogel Composite Insulating Tiles
Urethane/Silicone Adhesives for Bonding Flexing Metal Parts
Mar 2004
Elastomer Filled With Single-Wall Carbon NanotubesStudy of Rapid-Regression Liquefying Hybrid Rocket Fuels
Feb 2004
Liquid-Crystal Thermosets, a New Generation of High-Performance Liquid-Crystal PolymersReproducible Growth of High-Quality Cubic-SiC Layers
Nonlinear Thermoelastic Model for SMAs and SMA Hybrid
Formulations for Stronger Solid Oxide Fuel-Cell Electrolytes
Jan 2004
Making Carbon-Nanotube Arrays Using Block Polymers: Part IIDec 2003
Processable Polyimides Containing APB and Reactive End CapsRod/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
Oct 2003
Environmentally Safer, Less Toxic Fire-Extinguishing AgentsSwitching and Rectification in Carbon-Nanotube Junctions
Scandia-and-Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia for Thermal Barriers
Multiaxial Temperature- and Time-Dependent Failure Model
Sep 2003
Oxide Protective Coats for Ir/Re Rocket Combustion ChambersSimplified Waterproofing of Aerogels
Improved Thermal-Insulation Systems for Low Temperatures
Aug 2003
Burn-Resistant, Strong Metal-Matrix CompositesBetter VPS Fabrication of Crucibles and Furnace Cartridges
Antistatic Polycarbonate/Copper Oxide Composite
Stable, Thermally Conductive Fillers for Bolted Joints
Jul 2003
Shields for Enhanced Protection Against High-Speed DebrisTransparent 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
Jun 2003
Flexible Composite-Material Pressure VesselLower-Conductivity Thermal-Barrier Coatings
Process for Smoothing an Si Substrate After Etching of SiO2
Treatment To Destroy Chloro-hydrocarbon Liquids in the Ground
May 2003
Perovskite Superlattices as Tunable Microwave DevicesApr 2003
Reliability and Design Considerations for Long Life Using Mica Capacitors in High-Voltage AppsMar 2003
Annealing Would Improve β" — Alumina Solid ElectrolyteLow-Power RIE of SiO2 in CHF3 To Obtain Steep Sidewalls
Feb 2003
Process for Encapsulating Protein CrystalsMixed Conducting Electrodes for Better AMTEC Cells
Jan 2003
Advancements in Technology for Controlling Fiber Orientation in Composite PartsLow-EC-Content Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Li-Ion Cells
Alkaline Capacitors Based on Nitride Nanoparticles
Dec 2002
Polymer Electrolytes for Rechargeable Lithium BatteriesAug 2002
Internal-Combustion Engines With Ringless Carbon PistonsJun 2001
Filled Skutterudites as Thermoelectric MaterialsNov 2000
Polyaniline Compounds for Protection Against CorrosionSep 1999
Electrodialysis To Remove Ammonium Ions From WastewaterJul 1999
Separating Ethanol From Water Via Differential MiscibilityJan 1999
Composite-Matrix Regenerators for Stirling EnginesMay 1998
Advanced Cryogenic Insulation System for Graphite/Organic Resin Composite Cryogenic-Tank Structures