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Novel Materials, Processing, and Device Technologies for Space Exploration with Potential Dual-Use ApplicationsWe highlight results of a broad spectrum of efforts on lower-temperature processing of nanomaterials, novel approaches to energy conversion, and environmentally rugged devices. Solution-processed quantum dots of copper indium chalcogenide semiconductors and multi-walled carbon nanotubes from lower-temperature spray pyrolysis are enabled by novel (precursor) chemistry. Metal-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructured components of photovoltaic cells have been grown in solution at low temperature on a conductive indium tin oxide substrate. Arrays of ZnO nanorods can be templated and decorated with various semiconductor and metallic nanoparticles. Utilizing ZnO in a more broadly defined energy conversion sense as photocatalysts, unwanted organic waste materials can potentially be re-purposed. Current efforts on charge carrier dynamics in nanoscale electrode architectures used in photoelectrochemical cells for generating solar electricity and fuels are described. The objective is to develop oxide nanowire-based electrode architectures that exhibit improved charge separation, charge collection and allow for efficient light absorption. Investigation of the charge carrier transport and recombination properties of the electrodes will aid in the understanding of how nanowire architectures improve performance of electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Nanomaterials can be incorporated in a number of advanced higher-performance (i.e. mass specific power) photovoltaic arrays. Advanced technologies for the deposition of 4H-silicon carbide are described. The use of novel precursors, advanced processing, and process studies, including modeling are discussed from the perspective of enhancing the performance of this promising material for enabling technologies such as solar electric propulsion. Potential impact(s) of these technologies for a variety of aerospace applications are highlighted throughout. Finally, examples are given of technologies with potential spin-offs for dual-use or terrestrial applications.
Document ID
20160000594
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Hepp, A. F.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Bailey, S. G.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
McNatt, J. S.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Chandrashekhar, M. V. S.
(South Carolina Univ. Columbia, SC, United States)
Harris, J. D.
(Northwest Nazarene Univ. Nampa, ID, United States)
Rusch, A. W.
(Northwest Nazarene Univ. Nampa, ID, United States)
Nogales, K. A.
(Northwest Nazarene Univ. Nampa, ID, United States)
Goettsche, K. V.
(Northwest Nazarene Univ. Nampa, ID, United States)
Hanson, W.
(Northwest Nazarene Univ. Nampa, ID, United States)
Amos, D.
(Louisville Univ. KY, United States)
Vendra, V. K.
(Louisville Univ. KY, United States)
Woodbury, C.
(Louisville Univ. KY, United States)
Hari, P.
(Tulsa Univ. OK, United States)
Roberts, K. P.
(Tulsa Univ. OK, United States)
Jones, A. D., Jr.
(Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ. Tallahassee, FL, United States)
Date Acquired
January 11, 2016
Publication Date
December 1, 2015
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Chemistry And Materials (General)
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TM-2015-218866
E-19132
GRC-E-DAA-TN25021
AIAA Paper 2014-3464
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum 2014
Location: Cleveland, OH
Country: United States
Start Date: July 28, 2014
End Date: July 30, 2014
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 392259.02.03.1188.15
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
thin films
photovoltaic conversion
space flight
solar cells
nanotechnology
carbon nanotubes
silicon carbides
zinc oxides
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