NASA has an ongoing need for high-temperature solid lubricant coatings to reduce friction and wear in turbine engines, rocket engines, and other mechanical systems. Such lubricants must be thermally and chemically stable in air, vacuum, and reducing environments like hydrogen. Traditional lubricants like oil, grease, and PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), and even more exotic solid lubricants like graphite and molybdenum disulphide, lack such capabilities. The key problem is to identify and formulate a material that possesses good mechanical properties, long-term environmental durability, and acceptable friction and wear-reducing characteristics while being practical to apply to bearings, seals, and other mechanical components.

Could Black Phosphorus be the Next Silicon?

TBMG-2274808/14/2015

As scientists continue to hunt for a material that will make it possible to pack more transistors on a chip, new research from McGill University and Université de Montréal adds to evidence that black phosphorus could emerge as a strong candidate. In a recent study, researchers reported that when electrons move in a phosphorus transistor, they do so only in two dimensions. This finding suggests that black phosphorus could help engineers surmount one of the big challenges for future electronics – designing energy-efficient transistors.

DC Transformer

TBMG-2254808/01/2015

A component-level DC transformer was developed in which no alternating currents or voltages are present. It operates by combining features of a homopolar motor and a homopolar generator, both DC devices, such that the output voltage of a DC power supply can be stepped up (or down) with a corresponding step down (or up) in current. The DC transformer should be scalable to low-megawatt levels, but is more suited to high-current than high-voltage applications.

Aging in Salt Water of Composite Material of Polyester Resin and Piassava Fiber

2014-36-046409/30/2014

Natural fibers have being used on manufacturing of composite materials for car components. Between natural fibers, sisal and piassava deserve special attention. These components can be exposed to many environmental conditions, for example humid and saline environments, present in littoral regions of coastal countries. This study aims to evaluate the effects of salt water on the properties of a polyester matrix composite material reinforced with piassava natural fibers; and for this, using cheap and easily accessible materials and equipment. The polymeric matrix used was terephthalic unsaturated polyester resin, the curing agent was MK (Butanox M-50), in proportion of 0.33% (v/v). The fiber used was piassava, obtained at the popular trade center in the city of Belém-PA, the fibers were acquired in natural environmental conditions and without treatments. These materials were used to create specimens in the ASTM D 638 M standard, which got under aging process in salt water. The water

Souza, João Henrique Santos, Silva, Douglas Santos, Silva Jorge, Marcos Rafael da, Teixeira, Felipe Pinheiro, Filho, Carlindo Lins Pereira, Fujiyama, Roberto Tetsuo

Advanced Composite Thrust Chambers for In-Space Propulsion

TBMG-2030708/01/2014

Radiation-cooled, bipropellant thrust chambers are being used for in-space propulsion. To increase the performance of radiation-cooled engines, improved chamber materials are needed that will allow higher operating conditions (pressure and temperature), better resistance to oxidation, and reduced mass. During this effort, an innovative composite thrust chamber is being developed that will incorporate advanced hafnium oxide and iridium liner techniques as well as replacing the expensive, high-density rhenium with a low-mass carbon-carbon (C–C) structural wall.

Cutting Edge Adhesives for Medical Electronic Devices

TBMG-19329

04/01/2014

Medical electronic devices can run the gamut from imposing MRI and x-ray imaging machines to miniscule implantable circuits designed to detect physical conditions and deliver programmed therapy. As is the case with most electronic gadgets, there is a growing trend in medical electronics toward miniaturization. Advances in circuit miniaturization, low-power architectures, and lightweight components are facilitating improvements to hearing aids, pacemakers, and other devices, while giving rise to promising new applications.