Maria A Kuczmarski

US Patent:

8394492, Mar 12, 2013

Filed:

Oct 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/974991

Inventors:

Nicholas Leventis - Westlake OH, US
James C. Johnston - Euclid OH, US
Maria A. Kuczmarski - Independence OH, US
Mary Ann B. Meador - Strongsville OH, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

B32B 27/38
B32B 27/40
B32B 27/42
B05D 7/24

US Classification:

4283193, 428375, 4283073, 4273855, 427386

Abstract:

This invention comprises reinforced aerogel monoliths such as silica aerogels having a polymer coating on its outer geometric surface boundary, and to the method of preparing said aerogel monoliths. The polymer coatings on the aerogel monoliths are derived from polymer precursors selected from the group consisting of isocyanates as a precursor, precursors of epoxies, and precursors of polyimides. The coated aerogel monoliths can be modified further by encapsulating the aerogel with the polymer precursor reinforced with fibers such as carbon or glass fibers to obtain mechanically reinforced composite encapsulated aerogel monoliths.

US Patent:

8573835, Nov 5, 2013

Filed:

Jun 8, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/492181

Inventors:

Robert A Miller - Brecksville OH, US
Maria A Kuczmarski - Independence OH, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01N 25/20

US Classification:

374 44, 374 43

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for the measurement of thermal conductivity combines the following capabilities: 1) measurements of very small specimens; 2) measurements of specimens with thermal conductivity on the same order of that as air; and, 3) the ability to use air as a reference material. Care is taken to ensure that the heat flow through the test specimen is essentially one-dimensional. No attempt is made to use heated guards to minimize the flow of heat from the hot plate to the surroundings. Results indicate that since large correction factors must be applied to account for guard imperfections when specimen dimensions are small, simply measuring and correcting for heat from the heater disc that does not flow into the specimen is preferable.

US Patent:

8220989, Jul 17, 2012

Filed:

Sep 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/571215

Inventors:

Robert A. Miller - Brecksville OH, US
Maria A. Kuczmarski - Independence OH, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01N 25/20

US Classification:

374 44, 374 43

Abstract:

A hot plate method and apparatus for the measurement of thermal conductivity combines the following capabilities: 1) measurements of very small specimens; 2) measurements of specimens with thermal conductivity on the same order of that as air; and, 3) the ability to use air as a reference material. Care is taken to ensure that the heat flow through the test specimen is essentially one-dimensional. No attempt is made to use heated guards to minimize the flow of heat from the hot plate to the surroundings. Results indicate that since large correction factors must be applied to account for guard imperfections when specimen dimensions are small, simply measuring and correcting for heat from the heater disc that does not flow into the specimen is preferable. The invention is a hot plate method capable of using air as a standard reference material for the steady-state measurement of the thermal conductivity of very small test samples having thermal conductivity on the order of air.