Issue 10 Volume 41 May 16, 2003

20030037016 Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA
High-Speed, Three-Dimensional Object Composition Mapping Technology
Armstrong, P.; Ishikawa, M.; Stuart, B.; Wood, L.; Wynne, A.; Feb. 14, 2001; In English
Report No.(s): DE2002-15002234; UCRL-ID-142551; No Copyright; Avail: National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
This document overviews an entirely new approach to determining the composition - the chemical-elemental, isotopic and
molecular make-up - of complex, highly structured objects, moreover with microscopic spatial resolution in all 3 dimensions.
The front cover depicts the new type of pulsed laser system at the heart of this novel technology under adjustment by Alexis
Wynne, and schematically indicates two of its early uses: swiftly analyzing the 3-D composition governed structure of a
transistor circuit with both optical and mass-spectrometric detectors, and of fossilized dinosaur and turtle bones high-speed
probed by optical detection means. Studying the composition-cued 3-D micro-structures of advanced composite materials and
the microscopic scale composition-texture of biological tissues are two near-term examples of the rich spectrum of novel
applications enabled by this field- opening analytic tool-set.
NTIS
Composition (Property); Composite Materials; Body Composition (Biology); Tissues (Biology); Three Dimensional
Composites; Dimensional Analysis
20030037169 Tuskegee Inst., AL, USA
Survivability of Affordable High Temperature Polymer Matrix Composites for Propulsion Engine Components
Dean, Derrick; Haque, Anwar; Vaidya, Uday; Meador, Michael A., Technical Monitor; April 2003; 12 pp.; In English;
Original contains color illustrations
Contract(s)/Grant(s): NAG3-2654; WU 708-87-23-00
Report No.(s): NASA/CR-2003-212192; NAS 1.26:212192; E-13795; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
PMR-type polyimides are regarded as state of the art high temperature polymers, due to their excellent thermo-mechanical
properties and thermo-oxidative stability. One of their drawbacks, however is the inability to process them using cost-effective
processing methods such as Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) and Resin Film Infusion (RFI). Development of low viscosity,
high temperature polymers has been the subject of intense research. Recently, a new generation of low viscosity polyimides
were synthesized by the introduction of twisted biphenyl or binapthyl groups into the backbone. This report details the
progress for Year 1, which has involved acquiring samples and initiating Phases I and II of the proposed research. Specifically,
studies of the process-property relationships of a series of polymers using oligomers based on 2,3,3’ ,4’biphenyltertracarboxylic
dianhydride (PBDA) and a mixture of a diamine, BAX and a triamine, 1,3,5-Tris (4aminophenoxybenzene),
TAB, where the amount of TAB was varied have been initiated. The sample containing 10 percent
TAB possesses a slightly higher degree of crystalline order versus that of the 20 percent TAB sample, based on x-ray
diffraction studies of the b-staged oligomers. Both systems lose all of the crystalline order upon curing, however. The
chemorheology has been studied as a function of the TAB content. While the magnitude of the viscosity is essentially the same
for both systems, the cure kinetics of the 10 percent TAB system is faster than that for the 20 percent TAB system. The sample
exhibits a melting-recrystallization-remelting behavior before the crosslinking commences. Correlation of other kinetic
parameters, such as the activation energies for curing, the Tg and mechanical properties to the structure of these systems is
underway. Future studies will involve characterization of mechanical and thermal properties of the pure resins and the
fabrication of fiber reinforced composites using these materials.
Author
Polymer Matrix Composites; Polyphenyls; Crystallinity; Mechanical Properties; Oligomers; Polyimides
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INORGANIC, ORGANIC AND PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
Includes the analysis, synthesis, and use of inorganic and organic compounds; combustion theory; electrochemistry; and
photochemistry. For related information see category 34 Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics. For astrochemistry see category 90
Astrophysics.
20030032379 Air Force Research Lab., Edwards AFB, CA, USA
Decomposition Mechanism and Kinetics Research and Energetic Molecules
Alfano, Angelo; April 22, 1999; 13 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations
Contract(s)/Grant(s): AF Proj. 2308
Report No.(s): AD-A409525; AFRL-PR-ED-TP-FY99-0084; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
No abstract available
Semiconductor Devices; Pulsed Lasers; Infrared Lasers; Vapor Pressure; Explosives
37