Prismatic lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have demonstrated the ability to fulfill the energy storage needs of many new technologies. The most significant drawbacks of currently available technologies, such as LiCoO ₂ based Li-ion cells, is their high cost and significant environmental hazards. Li-ion cells which use a lithium manganese oxide (LiMn₂O₄) spinel based cathode material should be much less costly and safer than LiCoO₂ based cells. Performance data from prismatic design cells which use a LiMn₂O₄ based cathode material is presented and shown to meet many military performance criteria. The most significant drawback of this technology is the short cycle life     

Thin-film Li-LiMn2O4 batteries

Thin-film rechargeable Li-LiMn₂O₄ batteries have been fabricated and characterized. Following deposition by electron beam evaporation of LiMn₂O₄, the amorphous as-deposited cathode films 1 cm² in area by 0.3to 4-μm thick were annealed at 700°C to 800°C in oxygen in order to form the crystalline spinet phase. The specific capacity of the cells between 4.5 V to 3.8 V ranged from 50 μAh/mg to 120 μAh/mg. When cycled over this range, the batteries exhibited excellent secondary performance with capacity losses as low as 0.001% per cycle. On charging to 5.3 V, a plateau with a median voltage of 5.1 V was observed. The total charge extracted between 3.8 V to 5.3 V corresponded to about 1 Li/Mn₂ O₄     

Lightweight (AlGaAs)GaAs/CuInSe2 tandem junction solarcells for space applications

Mechanically stacked tandem cells consisting of GaAs thin-film upper cells and CuInSe₂ thin-film lower cells have been developed to meet the increasing power needs projected for future spacecraft. The authors report the fabrication of the first highly efficient lightweight GaAs/CuInSe₂ tandem cell on a 2-mil thick substrate, update recent performance improvements in thin-film GaAs/CuInSe₂ tandem cells, and discuss their application to space power systems. The efficiency of 4-cm² cells has improved to 21.6% AM0, the highest ever reported for a thin-film photovoltaic cell. Lightweight 4-cm² tandem cells have been successfully fabricated with efficiencies as high as 20.8%. These cells weighed about 180 mg without optimized substrate trimming. Radiation and operating temperature effects on GaAs/CuInSe₂ tandem cells are also discussed, and an interconnect scheme to form a voltage-matched string is described     

9th Annual Battery Conference on Advances and Applications

The developments in batteries reported at the 8th Annual Battery Conference on Advances and Applications, are discussed. It was sponsored by the electrical engineering department of California state university, long beach, CA, with IEEE-AESS cooperation. Previous well-funded battery research had been directed toward getting low weight in spacecraft batteries, which had to be boosted into orbit with expensive rockets. Ni-H₂ batteries, even though costly, won the race. Their demonstrated life, like 30,000 charge-discharge cycles, gives an earth-orbiting satellite decades of usable life. Other types of batteries discussed are: aircraft batteries; electric vehicle batteries; Ni-Cd cells; Zn-Br batteries; industrial Pb-acid batteries; rechargeability; computer controlled charging; and small rechargeable and primary batteries     

Galileo probe battery system

NASA's pair of Galileo spacecraft arrived at Jupiter on 7 December 1995. The Probe descended into the upper Jovian atmosphere, performing its planned sequence of scientific measurements of the properties of that medium for about an hour. This Probe has been the most ambitious planetary entry vehicle to date. It evolved over several years of planning and construction, its launch was postponed many times, for a variety of reasons; and it required more than 6 years of travel after launch to reach the planet. Its electrical power was provided by a primary Li-SO₂ battery, supplemented with two thermal batteries (CaCrO₄-Ca) used for firing pyrotechnic initiators during the atmospheric entry. These power sources were designed to be robust, to assure they would perform their intended function after surviving several years in space. This paper discusses the final production, qualification, and the systems testing of these batteries prior to and following launch. Their excellent performance at Jupiter confirmed their life enhancement design features     

阳极氧化膜厚度对TB8钛合金表面特性及其粘结性能的影响

采用以酒石酸钠为主盐的电解体系对TB8钛合金进行阳极氧化,研究阳极氧化膜厚度对TB8钛合金表面特性及其与环氧树脂粘结性能的影响。采用SEM、XRD和EDS分析了阳极氧化膜的微观形貌和晶体结构,采用角接触测量仪和三维视频显微镜分别对阳极氧化膜的表面润湿性和粗糙度进行测量。研究了不同厚度TB8钛合金阳极氧化膜的粘结性能与表面形貌、相组成、润湿性及粗糙度的关系。结果表明:采用以酒石酸钠为主盐的电解体系对TB8钛合金进行阳极氧化处理,氧化时间为15 min,电压为1~30 V时,能够在钛合金表面形成一层1~4μm厚的阳极氧化膜;氧化膜主要由金红石型和锐钛型TiO₂混合晶体组成,其表面具有微纳多孔的粗糙结构;随着厚度的增加,阳极氧化膜对水的润湿性能逐渐增强。当氧化膜厚度为3μm时,可获得最大粘结强度为19.6 MPa,相对于母材提高了88.5%,同时,水接触角为43.2°,相对于其母材减少了56.1%;粗糙度为2.14μm,相对于母材提高了137.8%。     

阳极氧化对TiAl合金高温氧化行为和力学性能的影响

采用电化学阳极氧化技术在含NH4F的乙二醇电解液中对TiAl合金进行阳极氧化处理。研究阳极氧化对TiAl合金高温氧化行为和力学性能的影响。结果表明:由于“卤素效应”,阳极氧化处理的TiAl合金经高温氧化后表面形成致密、连续的Al₂O₃氧化膜,有效阻止了氧的内扩散,进而显著提高合金的抗高温氧化性能。经1000℃氧化100 h后,阳极氧化试样增重由未经阳极氧化处理试样的85.86 mg/cm²降至0.67 mg/cm²。另一方面,阳极氧化TiAl合金表面硬度和弹性模量随高温氧化时间延长呈先降低后升高的趋势。阳极氧化TiAl合金在高温服役后,合金的摩擦系数较未经阳极氧化处理试样上升,但表面耐磨性先降低后升高。这是由于TiAl合金经阳极氧化后,表面形成了一层富铝含氟氧化膜,由于氧化膜中F元素在高温氧化过程中与Ti、Al结合形成卤化物,卤化物蒸气选择性扩散在原始氧化膜处形成致密的Al₂O₃保护膜。阳极氧化对TiAl合金力学性能的影响主要是由于氧化膜中Al₂O₃的含量变化所致。     

Sm2Zr2O7基热障涂层材料研究现状

由于航空发动机不断向高效率、高推重比方向发展,发动机热端部件表面热障涂层的服役条件也越来越苛刻。稀土锆酸盐作为新型热障涂层材料,其开发和应用受到越来越多国内外学者的关注。Sm₂Zr₂O₇材料在一系列稀土锆酸盐中具有烧绿石结构稳定、低热导率和高热膨胀系数等优点,具有良好的应用前景。为满足热障涂层更高的服役要求,Sm₂Zr₂O₇的掺杂改性及性能研究也成为了研究热点。首先,对热障涂层材料进行了简要概述,然后就Sm₂Zr₂O₇基陶瓷材料及其涂层的晶体结构、热物理性能、力学性能以及抗腐蚀性能等的研究进展进行了详细的介绍,为该材料在热障涂层领域的研究及应用提供参考。     

热障涂层NiAl黏结层掺杂改性研究现状

目前,航空发动机和燃气轮机的使用温度均已超过1000℃,传统黏结层材料MCrAlY的性能逐渐无法满足需求.NiAl具有熔点高、密度低、成本低和抗氧化性能优异等特点,因此有很大的应用潜力.然而NiAl高温强度低,氧化层附着性较差,需要对其掺杂改性以提高NiAl的高温性能,主要包括掺杂铂族元素(Pt、Ru、Pd等)和活性元...     

Microstructure and Optical Characterization of Magnetron Sputtered NbN Thin Films

Some fundamental studies on the preparation, structure and optical properties of NbN films were carried out. NbN thin films were deposited by DC reactive magnetron sputtering at different N2 partial pressures and different substrate temperatures ranging from –50 ℃ to 600 ℃. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize their phase com- ponents, microstructures, grain sizes and surface morphology. Optical properties inclusive of refractive indexes, extinction coefficients and transmittance of the NbN films under different sputtering conditions were measured. With the increase in the N2 partial pressure, δ-NbN phase structure gets forming and the grain size and lattice constant of the cubic NbN increasing. The deposited NbN film has relatively high values of refractive index and extinction coefficient in the wavelength ranging from 240 nm to 830 nm. Substrate tem- perature exerts notable influences on the microstructure and optical transmittance of the NbN films. The grain sizes of the δ-NbN film remarkably increase with the rise of the substrate temperature, while the transmittance of the films with the same thickness decreases. Ultra-fine granular film with particle size of several nanometers forms when the substrate is cooled to –50 ℃, and a remarkable aug- mentation of transmittance could be noticed under so low a temperature.     

Nickel-hydrogen multicell common pressure vessel batterydevelopment update

Flight qualification of the multicell common pressure vessel (CPV) nickel-hydrogen (Ni-H₂) battery is discussed. The battery has completed full flight qualification, including random vibration at 19.5 g for two minutes in each axis, electrical characterization in a thermal vacuum chamber, and mass-spectroscopy vessel leak detection. A first launch is scheduled in 1992. Several design variations, ranging from 9 Ah to 125 Ah and 12 to 32 V, have been developed and prototypes fabricated. Designs for smaller capacity, smaller diameter (6.4-8.9 cm), and higher voltage (up to 100 V) are in progress. The CPV battery offers cost and weight savings of up to 30% as compared to traditional nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and individual pressure vessel (IPV) Ni-H₂ batteries. The fully qualified design provided a 50% weight savings over its Nd-Cd predecessor for the same application. Its reduced volume also provides a significant advantage over IPV technology. Resistance data show a further advantage     

钛表面阳极氧化处理对TA2/聚醚醚酮（PEEK）粘结性能的影响

为了改善TA2/C_f/PEEK纤维金属混杂层板中TA2/PEEK的界面粘结性能,利用NaTESi恒压阳极氧化法对TA2板进行表面改性。首先通过正交试验对阳极氧化工艺进行优化,对不同处理工艺的TA2板表面进行了XRD、SEM分析以及粗糙度的表征;其次,研究了钛板表面改性对TA2/PEEK界面结合强度及断裂韧性的影响。结合扫描电镜图进行表面粗糙度及剪切强度的极差分析,发现随着阳极氧化时间的增长,表面粗糙度减小,TA2/PEEK接头的单搭剪切强度下降。对不同工艺下单搭接头的拉伸剪切强度进行比较后,确定了利于提高TA2/PEEK界面结合强度的最优工艺为恒压10 V、在35℃下阳极氧化10 min;该种工艺处理后的钛板表面粗糙度为1.34 μm,其表面形貌为纳米颗粒,粒径尺寸为100~200 nm,在阳极氧化时间为10 min、电压为10 V时,其表面纳米颗粒分布最为均匀,该种形貌下制备的TA2/PEEK界面剪切强度达到19 MPa,失效模式为混合破坏;通过载荷-位移曲线、R曲线,对此工艺下TA2/PEEK界面I型层间断裂韧性进行了表征,发现其平均能量释放率为188.1 J/m²,相比于未经表面处理的试样增加了103.1%,阳极氧化工艺处理后的TA2/PEEK界面抗分层能力更好。     

Radioisotope powered AMTEC systems

Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) systems are being developed for high performance spacecraft power systems, including small, General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) powered systems. Several design concepts have been evaluated for the power range from 75 W to 1 kW. The specific power for these concepts has been found to be as high as 18-20 W/kg and 22 kW/m³. The projected area, including radiators, has been as low as 0.4 m²/kW. AMTEC power systems are extremely attractive, relative to other current and projected power systems, because AMTEC offers high power density, low projected area, and low volume. Two AMTEC cell design types have been identified. A single-tube cell is already under development and a multi-tube cell design, to provide additional power system gains, has undergone proof-of-principle testing. Solar powered AMTEC (SAMTEC) systems are also being developed, and numerous terrestrial applications have been identified for which the same basic AMTEC cells being developed for radioisotope systems are also suitable     

TiBw/TA15复合材料板材超塑变形行为研究

研究了TiB_w/TA15复合材料板材在900~960℃、5×10^-4~10^-2s^-1条件下的超塑变形行为。结果表明,TiB_w/TA15复合材料流变应力随拉伸温度的升高和应变速率的减小而降低,在940℃、5×10^-3s^-1变形条件下获得的最大超塑性伸长率为439%。利用Zener-Hollomn参数和Arrhenius方程所建立的峰值应力本构方程为ε·=3.55×10⁸[sinh(2.0×10^-2σ)]^1.99×exp(-6.381×10⁵/RT),其变形激活能Q=638.1kJ/mol。复合材料超塑性变形组织与拉伸温度和应变速率密切相关。高温低应变速率有利于基体α相的动态再结晶以及晶须与基体处孔洞的愈合,低温高应变速率下,孔洞更易萌生于增强相与基体结合界面的端部。动态再结晶对复合材料超塑性的发挥起着关键作用。     

Advances and trends in primary and small secondary batteries

Improvements in performance and reliability continue to be made in the traditional primary and secondary systems such as C-Zn, alkaline MnO ₂, Zn-air, Li-I, and sealed Ni-Cd and lead acid. In addition, two new secondary systems, Ni-metal hydride and lithium ion, have recently been introduced. They are growing rapidly in response to environmental concerns and the need for more energy density by devices. Two new rechargeable systems, Zn-air and lithium polymer electrolyte are nearing commercial production. One manufacturer has just introduced a rechargeable version of the alkaline MnO₂ system for consumer use. Lithium primary systems, such as Li-MnO₂, Li-FeS₂ and CF_x are gaining substantial market share, amounting to about $500 million in 1992. Li-silver vanadium primary cells have been developed to supply the higher currents needed by implantable medical devices such as defibrillators     

Status of the Air Force nickel hydrogen low earth orbit life test

The US Air Force NiH₂ LEO (low earth orbit) life test consists of 200 cells undergoing real-time LEO cycling, pulse discharge testing, and storage testing. To date, three of the program's four objectives have been met: NiH₂ performance in LEO applications has been demonstrated. A significant number of cells have completed more than 20,000 cycles at 40% DOD. A database for cells of both 3.5 in. and 4.5 in. diameter has been generated. There have been no indications of any performance problems related to scaling up in terms of cell size. Initial data on the pulse discharge performance of a small number of cells has been demonstrated. Concerning the goal of achieving 20,000 cycles at 60% DOD, the data are mixed. Overall, it appears highly unlikely that cell designs such as those currently in the US Air Force test can achieve 20,000 cycles at 60%     

航天飞行器轻质纳米材料高温隔热性能

纳米隔热材料是一种新型航天飞行器热防护材料。本文使用自行研制的高速飞行器热试验系统,对Al₂O₃纳米材料的高温隔热性能进行试验研究及数值计算,为高速航天器热防护系统的安全可靠性设计提供重要依据。研究结果表明,厚度仅为10 mm的Al₂O₃纳米材料板,当前表面温度为1 200℃时（1 800 s）,前后表面的温度差高达880.9℃,后表面温度降低了73.4%,且隔热性能稳定。另外与某空天飞行器轻质陶瓷材料进行了隔热性能的对比试验,结果显示轻质陶瓷材料板的背壁温度要比Al₂O₃纳米材料板高56%。说明Al₂O₃纳米材料的高温隔热性能非常优异,在航天器和高超声速飞行器热防护中具有重要的应用价值。由扫描电镜（SEM）图像知,当温度超过1 200℃后,Al₂O₃纳米材料颗粒快速聚集生长,颗粒间的空洞尺寸显著增大,材料内部纤维出现熔融现象,裂纹数量增多、深度及宽度显著增大,影响材料表观导热率。另外,当温度高于1 200℃时,纳米材料板边界出现了较大的收缩变形和弯曲变形。基于试验结果可知,Al₂O₃纳米隔热材料应该在小于1 200℃的热环境中使用。     

耦合传热下激波对超声速气膜冷却影响

针对离散孔式超声速平板气膜冷却，在主流区引入楔角形成激波环境，以研究激波与超声速气膜之间的相互作用。通过计算楔角在0°、15°、20°和25°产生的四种激波强度下，超声速气膜与高温壁面的耦合传热。所得结果表明：适当强度的激波能够抑制气膜入射后产生的反向涡旋对，降低主流对气膜的卷吸，增大壁面平均H2摩尔分数并降低壁面温度。对金属层温度场的分析表明，壁面冷却效果随着激波角的增加而先增加后降低，其中楔角为20°时的流场结构最有利于壁面温度保护。小楔角生成的激波在低冷流马赫数下对冷却效果的改善更明显，大楔角则在高冷流马赫数下更明显，热障涂层（TBC）不影响这种变化趋势；激波的存在削弱了TBC的影响范围。可以揭示超声速气膜在耦合传热条件下的传热机理，为超声速气膜冷却的设计提供参考，或为现有超声速气膜冷却结构的优化提供依据。     

GPS C/N/sub 0/ estimation in the presence of interference and limited quantization levels

The carrier-to-noise density ratio (C/N₀) is considered an important parameter describing the GPS receiver performance. This paper compares the performance of two popular coarse-acquisition (C/A) C/N₀ algorithms appearing in literature: the variance summing method (VSM) (Psiaki et al., 2003, Psiaki, 2001), and the power ratio method (PRM) (Van Dierendonck, 1996, Sayre, 2003), in terms of their estimates in 1) additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), 2) narrowband continuous wave interference (CWI), 3) their response to quantization and saturation effects, and their 4) dynamic range. The algorithms were implemented as a part of a software receiver. Two LI GPS data sets are examined; one was obtained from a GPS raw data collection setup, while the other was obtained from a GPS signal simulator. The collected set was stored with almost constant C/N₀ level while the simulated one contained variable C/N₀ levels. The effect of adding AWGN on the C/N₀ estimate was directly proportional with the noise power. The C/N₀ estimates suffered more when the CWI frequency was closer to the IF of the receiver. The PRM suffered from saturation at higher C/N₀ levels. The VSM showed good tracking at high C/N₀ levels and better immunity to limited quantization levels, while its C/N₀ estimate suffered from rapid fluctuations in power levels when sudden power steps occurred     

Bipolar nickel-metal hydride batteries for aerospace applications

Electro Energy Inc. (EEI) is developing high power, long life, bipolar nickel-metal hydride batteries for aerospace applications. Bipolar nickel-metal hydride designs allow for high energy and high power designs with a 25 percent reduction in both weight and volume as compared to prismatic and/or cylindrical Ni-MH designs. Utilizing a sealed wafer cell design EEI has demonstrated a 1.2 kW/kg power capability. Prototype designs have achieved 70 Wh/kg. Designs studies show 80 Wh/kg are achievable with EEI's state-of-the-art technology. The sealed wafer cell is the building block for EEI's high power and high voltage bipolar batteries making the assembly easy and significantly lower in cost. Satellite and aircraft batteries are being developed which provide high power and long life. Sealed cells now show excellent rate capability and life. Cells tested in a low earth orbit (LEO) cycle have reached 9000 cycles and continue on test. High power, bipolar battery designs are ideal in applications where using conventional aerospace battery technology would require excessive capacity; weight and volume, thereby reducing usable payload on the vehicle