1. Nanomaterial Standards
for NASA Applications
Leonard Yowell
NASA Johnson Space Center
ES4/Materials and Processes Branch
January 27th, 2005
E-Mail: leonard.yowell-1@nasa.gov
Phone: 281-483-2811

2. NASA’s Strategic Vision
Deep Space Exploration
Mars Manned
Mars Robotic
Crew Exploration Lunar Manned
Vehicle
ISS Lunar Robotic
Complete
2005 2010 2015 2020 2035

3. Goals for Future NASA Space Systems

4. NASA-Led NNI Grand Challenge
Microcraft
Deep Space Probes
Orbiters
Nanomaterials Planetary Entry / Surface Probes Nanosensors and
Structural Micro/Nano/Pico-craft
Power / Energy Storage
Instrumentation
Thermal Management Biological
Shielding Chemical
Multifunctionality Radiological
System / Vehicle Health
In-situ Analysis
NNI Workshop
Nano-Micro-Macro Integration Identify Key Challenges
Electronics Develop a Roadmap
Sensors / Instrumentation
Astronaut Health Management
Actuators Personal Biomedical Monitoring
New algorithms Personal Countermeasures
Communications Basic Biomedical Research
Major Medical Operations
Nanorobotics Life Support
NNI Grand Challenge Workshop Actuation and Control
Microcraft and Robotics Molecular Actuation
August 24-26, 2004 Micromachines
Palo Alto, California

5. Nanomaterials: Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Unique Properties Possible Applications
• Exceptional strength • High-strength, light-weight fibers and
• Interesting electrical properties composites
(metallic, semi-conducting, semi-metal) • Nano-electronics, sensors, and field
• High thermal conductivity emission displays
• Large aspect ratios • Radiation shielding and monitoring
• Large surface areas • Fuel cells, energy storage, capacitors
• Biotechnology
• Advanced life support materials
• Electromagnetic shielding and
electrostatic discharge materials
Size Comparison – • Multifunctional materials
C60 , Nanotubes, and Atoms Single Wall • Thermal management materials
Carbon Nanotube
DC60=10.18Å
C60 Current Limitations
DFe=2.52Å
DCo=2.50Å
C60
• High cost for bulk production
DNi=2.50Å
DC=1.54Å • Inability to produce high quality, pure, type
specific SWCNTs
• Variations in material from batch to batch
• Growth mechanisms not thoroughly
understood
• Characterization tools, techniques and
protocols not well developed

6. Nanomaterials: Fundamentals to Applications
Characterization
Purity, Dispersion, Consistency, Type Processing
Growth/Production SWCNT Load Transfer
Purification
Laser and HiPco Single Fiber Diffusivity
Functionalization
Production and
Dispersion
Diagnostics
Alignment
Collaboration
Academia, Industry, Government

7. Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)

8. Growth, Modeling, Diagnostics and Production
Objective: Ensure a reliable source
of single wall carbon nanotubes with
tailored properties (length, diameter,
purity, chirality)
Modeling, Diagnostics, and Parametric Studies

9. Characterization: Purity, Dispersion & Consistency
Standard Nanotube New Purity Reference Standard
0.1
Characterization Protocol R2 A(S22,R2)
A(T,R2) = 0.141
A(S22,R2)
0.0
Absorbance
(a)
0.4
Haddon, 2003
0.2 A(T,R2)
NASA/NIST
2nd Characterization
REFERENCE (R2)
Workshop 0.0
8000 10000 -1
12000
Wavenumber (cm )
January 2005 xc1 382.47879
w1 228.23241
±16.
±14.
A1 13.93993 ±1.99063
Gaithersburg, MD 0.3
xc2 454.29423
w2 102.48077
A2 36.93765 ±1.24083
±0.2
±0.9
DTG, % /o C
TPO
xc3 527.24674 ±0.1
w3 34.67277 ±0.31586
o
5%, 527 C A3 5.04174 ±0.08191
xc4 633.01953 ±2.0
o
0.2 37%, 454 C w4 138.11402 ±4.2
A4 16.7643 ±0.92689
xc5 763.38627 ±1.5
w5 88.42463 ±1.96689
o A5 4.57328 ±0.28528
17%, 633 C
0.1 o
14%, 382 C
o
5%, 763 C
0.0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
o
T, C
Arepalli, et al., Carbon, 2004

10. Single Tube Measurements → Composites
a b c
Measurements of nanotube lengths as produced
d=1.25 nm d=0.86 nm d=0.8 nm
L>22 µm L>18 µm L=380 nm
•Nanotube length is extremely important for stress transfer
in composite materials. 3
•Difficult to determine lengths of individual nanotubes from
conventional TEM, SEM or AFM images because they bundle
•Processing (purification, sonication) seems to cut tubes
•Measured tensile strength (Ruoff) indicates long tubes
•Individual tubes longer than ~10 µm are required for strong
ropes (Yakobson)
as-produced Our observation:
• We see very long (≥20µm) individual tubes and thin
bundles
processed
Liu et al.
Sivaram Arepalli, et al. Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 78, March 12, 2001, pp. 1610-12 (2001).

11. Applications for Human Space Exploration
Power / Energy Storage
Materials Advanced Life Support
– Proton Exchange Membrane – Regenerable CO2 Removal
(PEM) Fuel Cells – Water recovery
– Supercapacitors / batteries
Thermal Management and
Multi-functional / Protection
– Ceramic nanofibers for advanced
Structural Materials reentry materials
– Primary structure (airframe) – Passive / active thermal
– Inflatables management (spacesuit fabric,
avionics)
Electromagnetic / Radiation
Shielding and Monitoring
– ESD/EMI coatings
Nano-Biotechnology
– Radiation monitoring – Health monitoring (assays)
– Countermeasures

12. Electrical Power / Energy Storage Systems
Shuttle
3x Alkaline Fuel Cells
NiMH, Li-MnO2 and Ag/Zn
batteries
ISS Photovoltaics & NiH
2
batteries

13. Advanced Power Generation: Hybrid Systems
Fuel Cell Battery Supercapacitor
+ +
• Continuous energy supply • Smaller, lighter, longer life • Pulse power source
• High energy density with hybrid • Fast charge/discharge
• Low power density • Intermediate power density • Very high power density
• Intermediate energy density • Virtually unlimited cycle life
104 Energy-power
Specific Energy
Fuel Cell tradeoff
(Wh/kg)
103
102 Battery Supercapacitor
10
10 102 103 104
Specific Power (W/kg)

14. Nanomaterials: Supercapacitors
SWCNT mats as electrodes in double-layer electrochemical capacitors
High surface area,
How super is it?
nanopores dramatically
Capacitance ~ Farads
increase current density
(µF or pF for
Electrolyte conventional
electrolytic capacitors)
http://www.okamura-lab.com/ultracapacitor/edlc/edlc101Eng.jpg
http://electrochem.cwru.edu/ed/encycl/art-c01-carbon.htm
…with
Goal: replace
+ supercap
current SAFER
plus ordinary
battery…
batteries
Expensive Cheap
Inorganic Specialists, Inc.
Capacitor increased battery lifetime 15%
ReyTech
Exceeds Maxwell PC10 power by 5x, specific power by 30x
Exceeds NASA requirements for power by 5x, energy by 20x
Commercial product line in development
Georgia Tech
Recent- Exceeds Maxwell PC10 power by 3x

15. Advanced PEM Fuel Cells – Nanotube Electrodes
• Carbon nanotube electrode
assemblies for proton exchange
membrane (PEM) fuel cells
• Membrane Electrode Assembly
(MEA) formed from a NafionTM
membrane sandwiched
between nanotube electrodes
with Pt catalyst
• Increased surface area of the electrodes
• Reduce Ohmic losses – increase efficiency
• Higher power density
• Small diameter HiPco tubes may enhance H2
dissociation
• Enhanced thermal management
• More uniform current density
Source: www.eere.energy.gov

16. Advanced PEM Fuel Cells - Characterization
Prototype Membrane Electrode Assembly
Carbon Fiber
Gas Diffusion NafionTM
Layer Membrane
(GDL)
SWCNT
Electrode
Single Wall
Carbon
Nanotube
(SWCNT) Carbon Fiber
Electrode (GDL)
SWCNT NafionTM
interface interface
in MEA in MEA

17. Advanced PEM Fuel Cells – Testing
Performance Testing at Energy
Systems Test Area (ESTA) -
Collaboration with JSC Energy
Systems Division
–Test initial viability of SWCNT for
MEA
– Use for material down-select
– Initial Results encouraging:
– Overall performance within
80% of reference on first design
iteration
– Future Testing: Use new
electrode designs, incorporate
advanced membranes (GRC),
increase fuel cell test
temperature
– Complete characterization
work: feedback into second
design iteration

18. Air Revitalization: Regenerable CO2 Removal
Advanced life support for space exploration: Advanced Air Revitalization
using amine-coated single wall carbon nanotubes
• Lithium hydroxide technology not suited for long duration missions
• Advanced solid amine bed system flown in mid-1990’s (pressure swing)
- Volume constraints, thermally inefficient, amine volatility
- Not suited for planetary use (need temperature swing)
Need for new material: high surface area, high thermal conductivity, ability to be
coated with amine system
• Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
To be
replaced
by
High Surface Area,
Polymer Bead and
Conductive
Aluminum Structure
SWCNT Structure

19. Ceramic Nanofibers: Thermal Protection Materials
Current LI-2200 Shuttle Tile
Solid Fibers
1-5µm (1000-5000nm)
Ceramic Overcoating
Carbon Nanofiber/tube
Accomplished
Hollow Fibers
0.1-0.3 µm (100-300nm)
Based on Carbon Nanofibers
• Reduced Vehicle Weight
Proposed
Hollow Fibers
• Increased Performance
0.01-0.05 µm (10-50nm)
• Mechanical Durability Based on
Carbon Nanotube Ropes

20. Nanotechnology: Space / Life Sciences
Long duration space missions
Clinical conditions linked to free-fall/microgravity and space
radiation:
• Loss of bone density • Reduced cardiovascular
• Loss of muscle mass performance
• Reduced immune function • Carcinogenesis linked to
exposure to radiation
• Increased susceptibility to
infection • Non-carcinogenic tissue
• Slow wound healing degeneration due to radiation
• Anemia and low blood cell • Renal stone formation
count • Accelerated cataract
formation
Mission Constraints:
• Limited space for medical equipment
• Expertise in medical operations limited to crew
• Sterility must be maintained in sealed environment
Contact: Dr. Antony Jeevarajan, 281-483-4298, antony.s.jeevarajan@nasa.gov

21. Astronaut Health Management
Personal Biomedical Monitoring Major Medical Operations
• Identification of molecular indicators for • Contrast agents to target specific sites for
onset of conditions surgery
• High sensitivity assays • Bio-mimetic or engineered compounds to
• Short prep-time assays, no prep-time assays help wound healing
and in vivo monitoring • Miniaturized electron microscopes for
• Multiple simultaneous assays biopsies
Personal Countermeasures Life Support
• Timed drug release • High surface area materials for CO2 removal
• Targeted drug therapy • Inorganic coatings that catalyze the
• Triggered drug release revitalization of air and water
• Indicators for drugs effectiveness • Sensors to monitor harmful vapor and gases
Toxicology & Ethics
Basic Biomedical Research • Biodistribution of nanoparticles
• The role that forces plays on cell mechanisms • Toxicology of nanoparticles
(gravitational forces) • Ethical use of information from nanotech
• Molecular machines (ATPase, Kinesin, devices
Microtubules, Polymerase, etc.)
• In vivo monitoring of ultra-low concentration Systems Integration
proteins and biomolecules • Develop ‘common toolkit’ for bio-nano
chemistry and assembly processes
Contact: Dr. Antony Jeevarajan, 281-483-4298, antony.s.jeevarajan@nasa.gov

22. Exploration: Nanotechnology Integration
CEV Lunar Manned
Power/Energy Storage Power/Energy Storage
- 1st gen transmission (quantum wires)
- 2nd gen transmission (long range)
- 1st gen CNT supercaps/batteries/fuel cells
Advanced Life Support
and storage (supercaps/batteries/fuel cells)
- 1st gen photovoltaics
Mars
- 1st gen air revitalization (CO2 scrubber)
- 1st gen water recovery (nanofiltration)
Advanced Life Support
- 2nd gen water/air revitalization
Manned
Astronaut Health Management Astronaut Health Management
- 1st gen health monitoring (quantum dot assays) Combination
- 2nd gen health monitoring
Electromagnetic/Radiation Shielding - 1st gen medical countermeasures of the best
- 1st gen EMI/ESD coatings Electromagnetic/Radiation Shielding technologies
- 1st gen radiation shield/structural polymer
- 2nd gen radiation shield/structural polymer & monitor from manned
Multifunctional/Structural Multifunctional/Structural and robotic
- 1st gen vehicle health monitoring (wireless)
- 1st gen polymer and ceramic repair kit (microwave NTs)
- 1st gen polymer and ceramic repair kit (µw NTs)
- 1st gen lightweight/high strength nanocomposite (rover)
missions
Lunar Robotic Mars Robotic
ISS Power/Energy Storage Power/Energy Storage
- 1st gen transmission (quantum wires) - transmission (quantum wires), CNT supercaps/batteries & PV
- 1st gen CNT supercaps/batteries & PV
Electromagnetic/Radiation Shielding
Electromagnetic/Radiation Shielding - radiation shielding/monitoring and EMI/ESD coatings
- 1st gen radiation and EMI/ESD coatings
- 1st gen radiation monitor
Thermal Protection and Management
- passive heat pipes / high k thermal interface
Thermal Management - test 1st gen nanostructured thermal protection system
- 1st gen passive heat pipes / high k thermal interface
Analytical Sensors & Instrumentation
Analytical Sensors & Instrumentation - 2nd gen mass spec, elemental analysis
- 1st gen mass spec, elemental analysis
Spacesuit Development
2008 2010 2015 2020 2035
Deep Space Exploration

24. JSC Nanomaterials Group: Team Members
• Dr. Leonard Yowell • Dr. Brad Files
• Dr. Carl Scott • Dr. Erica Sullivan
• Dr. Sivaram Arepalli • Dr. Ram Allada
• Dr. Pasha Nikolaev • Padraig Moloney
• Dr. Brian Mayeaux • William Holmes
• Dr. Olga Gorelik • Beatrice Santos
• Dr. Ed Sosa • Heather Fireman
http://mmptdpublic.jsc.nasa.gov/jscnano/

25. Nanomaterial Standards
for NASA Applications
Questions?
leonard.yowell-1@nasa.gov
281-483-2811