Anthony Carmine Terracciano

High temperature Ir segregation in Ir–B ceramics: effect of oxygen presence on stability of IrB2 and other Ir–B phases

The formation of IrB2, IrB1.35, IrB1.1 and IrB monoboride phases in the Ir–B ceramic nanopowder was confirmed during mechanochemical reaction between metallic Ir and elemental B powders. The Ir–B phases were analysed after 90 h of high energy ball milling and after annealing of the powder for 72 h at 1050°C in vacuo. The iridium monoboride (IrB) orthorhombic phase was synthesised experimentally for the first time and identified by powder X-ray diffraction. Additionally, the ReB2 type IrB2 hexagonal phase was also produced for the first time and identified by high resolution transmission electron microscope. Ir segregation along disordered domains of the boron lattice was found to occur during high temperature annealing. These nanodomains may have useful catalytic properties.

High-Altitude Balloon Flight Demonstration of LED-Based NDIR Multi-Gas Sensor for Space Applications

A sensor which measures the concentrations of CO and CO2 aboard spacecraft could be used as an early fire detection system and a vital component of primary life support systems. Herein, such a sensor is presented which utilizes non dispersive infrared spectroscopy to detect gases. Design and results from testing on a high altitude baloon flight are presented. The goal of this work is to develop the hardware so that it is a rugged and viable technology for a variety of sensor applications in a variety of environments. It is, therefore, crucial that the hardware can reject heat at low pressures, survive the low-temperature operation, have low drift (stable output), remain low power, and be insensitive to humidity.