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A low cost hollow cathode is proposed for use with various xenon based electric propulsion systems. In addition to a factor of five reduction in cost the proposed device would offer several advantages over the current NASA developed state-of-art hollow cathode. These advantages include a reduction in the susceptibility to damage through launch vibrations, the replacement of the life limiting swage ...

AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF ARCJET THRUSTERS IS THE INSULATOR HOLDING THE CATHODE BASE AND SEPARATING THE ELECTRODES. THE CURRENT BASELINE MATERIAL IS BORON NITRIDE (BN), WHICH IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS HIGH ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY AND HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY. HOWEVER, AT ARCJET OPERATING TEMPERATURE, BN HAS A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY AND A DECREASE IN THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY. ADDITION ...

AN ADVANCED REACTOR WITH A 50-75% EFFICIENT ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONVERSION PROCESS INCORPORATED WITHIN A CORE COMPRISED OF FUEL AND MODERATOR PROVIDES OPTIONS HERETOFORE UNREALIZED. IN PRINCIPLE, THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FEASIBILITY OF SUCH A COMPACT REACTOR COULD BE MET WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY CONVERSION MATERIALS THAT COULD OPERATE EFFICIENTLY IN THE HOSTILE RADIATION ENVIRONMENT OF SUBSTAI ...

Photorefractive materials promise to enable dynamic holography and erasable high density data storage for future information technologies. This project will develop and demonstrate a holographic data storage technology using novel photorefractive polymers with electro-optic (EO) coefficients and bandwidths that are significantly superior than LiNbO3. An important advantage of these polymers is tha ...

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ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS HAVE EVOLVED TO BE THE CLASS OF MATERIALS WHICH MEET THE STRICT REQUIREMENTS OF MANY GROUND- AND SPACE-BASED CRITICAL STRUCTURES. SYSTEMS WHICH INCORPORATE THESE NOVEL MATERIALS ARE FREQUENTLY EXPOSED TO HARSH ENVIRMENTS DURING SERVICE, AND MUST THEREFORE BE MANUFACTURED USING HIGH QUALITY STANDARDS. NOT ONLY IT IS DESIRABLE TO MONITOR AND CONTROL THE FABRICATION PROCE ...

Silicon carbide materials will revolutionize semiconductor devices for military and commercial markets. The material's wide bandgap, high electric field breakdown, high thermal conductivity give SiC capabilities that far exceed those of silicon or gallium arsenide. Despite significant progress in silicon carbide development, fundamental defects--most prominently micropipes--persist. If SiC is to s ...

The properties of single-crystal silicon carbide are such that electronics devices from this material have demonstrated remarkable performance characteristics. Despite the material's promise, the material has not yet found acceptance in mainstream device markets because of the material's high cost, among other reasons. This Phase I SBIR proposes an SiC source powder with unique properties which wi ...

A novel technological approach was recently devised by Sumi Tech engineers to fabricate multilayer electronic components, which enables the manufacture of devices with very high volumetric efficiency and reliability. Inexpensive electrode materials such as copper, or aluminum are potential candidates, since the process takes place at relatively low ambient temperature (e.g., less than 400 C), thus ...

CAPACITOR TECHNOLOGY IS A MAJOR DRIVER FOR THE SIZE AND COST OF MANY SPACE POWER CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. CURRENT TECHNOLOGY FOR HIGH VOLTAGE (>100V), HIGH FREQUENCY (HIGH REP RATE) CAPACITORS IS LIMITED TO AN ENERGY DENSITY LESS THAN 7500 J/M3. WE ARE PROPOSIING A REVOLUTIONARY CAPACITOR TECHNOLOGY WHICH PROMISES TO INCREASE CAPACITOR ENERGY DENSITIES BY AFACTOR OF MORE THAN 100. IN MANY APPLICATION ...