Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / In the context of the so-called smart materials, shape memory alloys (SMA) have been extensively investigated aiming at various applications in different types of engineering prob- lems as well as interdisciplinary problems. Specifically, SMAs have been used for the mitiga- tion of mechanical vibrations, owing to their characteristic pseudoelastic effect, which is re- sponsible for the occurrence of hysteresis. Another relevant feature of these materials is the coexistence of two crystallographic phases (martensite and austenite), which have dissimilar mechanical properties, whose relative fractions depend on temperature and stress. In the present dissertation, this latter feature is explored in association with a strategy of passive vibration control which is based on tunable dynamic vibration absorbers (TDVA). These de- vices, once connected to a vibrating structure, can have their inertia and/or stiffness and/or damping adjusted to match the excitation frequency. Specifically, such tuning is achieved by controlling the martensite/austenite fraction by applying convenient thermal loads. By means of numerical simulations, which include the integration of the equations of motion, it is put in evidence the possibility of tuning a TDVA applied to a single degree-of-freedom system, with- in a given frequency band using two configurations of the resilient element (SMA rod and helicoidal spring). The results enable to evaluate the levels of vibration mitigation achieved and confirm that the strategy investigated can provide improved performance in terms of vibration attenuation. / No contexto dos chamados materiais inteligentes, as ligas com memória de forma (Shape Memory Alloys SMA) vêm sendo intensivamente investigadas com vistas a aplicações em diversos tipos de sistemas de engenharia e em problemas interdisciplinares. Especificamente, as SMA têm sido utilizadas para a mitigação de vibrações mecânicas, graças ao chamado efeito pseudoelástico, responsável pela ocorrência de histerese. Outra característica relevante desses materiais é a coexistência de duas fases cristalográficas (martensita e austenita), com propriedades mecânicas distintas, cujas frações relativas dependem da temperatura e da tensão. No presente trabalho, esta última característica é explorada em associação com uma estratégia de controle passivo de vibrações, baseada nos chamados absorvedores dinâmicos de vibrações sintonizáveis (ADV), que são dispositivos conectados à estrutura vibratória, cuja rigidez e/ou inércia podem ser ajustados em conformidade com a frequência de excitação, de modo que a vibração da estrutura seja altenuada. Especificamente, explora-se a possibilidade de confecção de ADVs sintonizáveis cuja rigidez pode ser ajustada por meio de variações controladas da fração relativa martensita/austenita induzidas por alterações da temperatura. Por meio de simulações numéricas, evidencia-se a possibilidade de sintonizar um ADV aplicado a um sistema vibratório de um grau de liberdade, dentro de uma dada faixa de valores de frequência, utilizando duas configurações do elemento resiliente (barra e mola helicoidal de SMA), e quantificam-se as reduções de amplitudes obtidas. Os resultados das simulações confirmam o aumento da eficiência na atenuação de vibrações proporcionado pela estratégia empregada. / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

Les alliages Cu-Al-Ni sont les seuls à posséder une température de transformation allant jusque 200°C. Ceci leur confère un avantage par rapport aux alliages Cu-Al-Zn ou Ti-Ni dont les températures de transformation ne dépassent pas 100°C.<p><p>Néanmoins, un chauffage temporaire au dessus de 200°C peut provoquer une perte de l’effet mémoire des alliages Cu-Al-Ni.<p><p>Nous avons étudié trois alliages aves des teneurs en nickel comprises entre 3 % et 5 %.<p><p>L’objectif de notre étude est double :<p><p>• Étudier la cinétique des transformations structurales au cours d’un vieillissement en phase β dans le domaine de températures 200°C-350°C ;<p><p>• Quantifier la perte de l’effet mémoire au cours du vieillissement afin de déterminer les possibilités d’utilisation de ces alliages au dessus de 200°C.<p><p>La caractérisation structurale a été effectuée par microscope optique, diffraction des rayons X, microscopie électronique à balayage et microscopie électronique en transmission. <p><p>Les caractéristiques de la transformation martensitique ont été déterminées par analyse thermomécanique (TMA), par calorimétrie différentielle à balayage (DSC) et par des mesures de résistivité électrique. <p><p>La perte de l’effet mémoire simple sens a été quantifiée à partir des courbes de transformations obtenues par analyse thermomécanique(TMA) sur des échantillons comprimés.<p><p>Les résultats principaux sont :<p><p>&61636; Au dessus de 300°C, la précipitation de la phase d’équilibre у&8322; se produit au cours du vieillissement. Elle entraîne une augmentation de la température Mѕ.<p><p>Nous avons montré que cette augmentation de Ms peut être reliée à la fraction transformée par une loi de puissance.<p><p>&61636; Il n’y a pas de relation directe, en revanche, entre la perte de l’effet mémoire et la fraction transformée. Cela indique que le nombre et la taille des précipités ont une influence sur la perte de l’effet mémoire.<p><p>&61636; Pour un vieillissement de 256 minutes à 275°C, la perte de l’effet mémoire est inférieure à 15%. Par contre, au dessus de 300°C, la perte de l’effet mémoire est très rapide.<p><p>Nous pouvons donc considérer que 275°C est une température limite à ne pas dépasser pour ces alliages.<p><p><p><p><p><p><p>ABSTRACT<p><p>The shape memory alloys Cu-Al-Ni are the only ones to have a transformation temperature of up to 200°C. This gives them an advantage compared to shape memory alloys Cu-Zn-Al or Ti-Ni whose transformation temperatures do not exceed 100 ° C.<p><p>However, a temporary heating above 200 ° C can cause a loss of memory effect alloys Cu-Al-Ni.<p><p>We studied three alloys with nickel content between 3% and 5%.<p><p>The aim of our study is twofold:<p><p>• Studying the kinetics of structural changes during aging in β phase in the temperature range 200 °C-350 °C.<p><p>• Quantifying the loss of memory effect with aging in order to determine the potential use of these alloys above 200°C.<p><p>The structural characterization was carried out by optical microscope, XR-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.<p><p>The characteristics of the martensitic transformation were determined by thermomechanical analysis (TMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and by measuring the electrical resistivity.<p><p>The loss of one way shape memory was quantified from the curves obtained by thermomechanical analysis (TMA) on compressed samples.<p><p>The main results are:<p><p>&61636; Above 300 ° C, the precipitation of equilibrium phase γ2 occurs during aging. It causes an increase in temperature Mѕ.<p><p>We showed that this increase of Ms may be related to the fraction transformed by a power law.<p><p>&61636; There is no direct relationship between the loss of memory effect and the fraction transformed. This indicates that the number and size of the precipitates have an influence on the loss of memory effect.<p><p>& / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

NiTiCu is a shape memory alloy that regains its original shape after large amount of shape changing deformation when heated above a critical temperature called reverse martensitic trans-formation temperature( Af). When external load is applied on the sample in twinned martensite phase at low temperature, it deforms by detwinning, accommodating large amount of strains. When it is heated above Af, the shape recovers by transformation of the martensite to austenite phase. However, the amount of shape recovery degrades over time due to internal factors such as precipitates, residual strains and thermal history as well as external factors such as stresses. Severe localized stresses induced by contacts result in plastic deformation that affect the reverse martensitic transformation and hence the shape recovery. In this work, we study how varying levels of contact stresses induced in NiTiCu thin film affect its shape recovery. NiTiCu thin films of six different compositions are deposited on Si(100) wafer by co-sputtering from elemental targets. After deposition, the films are annealed at 500 C for 4 h to make them crystalline. The composition of the films varied linearly with applied power to the targets. Uniformity in composition over a 4 inch substrate area is achieved by substrate rotation. All the films show ne grain microstructure after annealing. The subsurface of the Ni-rich films is columnar. Ni-rich films have annealing cracks and the crack width increases with Ni composition in the films. The roughness of as-deposited films is found to be more for Ni-rich films compared to Ti-rich films. The roughness of the Ni-rich and Ti-rich films increased after annealing. From the X-ray diffraction studies, it was observed that the films are nanocrystalline. Indentation is carried out using a Berkovich diamond indenter with spherical apex, at nine different locations with loads ranging from 0.25 mN to 25 mN. A predefined array is chosen for indentation such that the larger indents act as a guide to precisely locate minute indents generated at lower loads, with residual depth as small as 10 nm, for imaging in high-resolution microscopes like Scanning Electron Microscope as well as in Atomic Force Microscope . In Ti60 (a Ti-rich) lm, the residual indents generated at loads greater than 10 mN show radial cracks originating at corners. Average crack length increases with the maximum load used for generating the indent. Sequential sectioning of Ti48 (a Ni-rich) lm using Focused Ion Beam microscope, revealed that the cracks originate at the lm-substrate interface and reach the surface. In Ti48 lm, residual indents do not show any indentation cracks. The indentation stresses are accommodated by breaking of the columnar structure and the voids between them. Delamination of the film from the substrate is observed on either sides of the indent in both the Ti60 and Ti48 films. The hardness of the films is high at low loads and decrease as the load increases. The deformation by indentation at lower loads is mainly due to detwinning as only the apex of the indenter, which is nearly spherical, is in contact with the sample and the resulting stresses are low. As the load increases, the deformation starts getting accommodated through dislocations along with detwinning as the stress beneath the indenter increases. Spherical cavity model extended to SMA shows that inner hemisphere near the tip contains dislocations where stresses are very high, surrounded by detwinned region with stresses that are relatively low. When the sample is heated above reverse martensitic transformation temperature to induce shape recovery in the indents, only the detwinned region recovers to the original shape. Recovery ratio, quantification of shape recovery, is calculated from the depth of the indents before and after heating. Recovery ratio in Ti60 films is found to be large at low loads and decreases with increase in load. The decrease in shape recovery in Ti60 is attributed to the increase in the amount of plastic deformation at the expense of detwinning. Three-dimensional mapping of the surfaces shows that the recovery ratio is high at the apex of the indent at the maximum depth and reduces towards the edges of the indent. There is no evident recovery in Ti48 films. The shape recovery of SMAs can be achieved by Joule heating. When electric current is passed through the material, it heats up by Joule heating because of the intrinsic resistivity. The resistivity and hence the resistance would get effected by the dislocation based plastic deformation induced by the contact. This might result in shape recovery through resistive heating. Towards understanding this, the effect of contact stresses on electrical contact resistance is studied. Experimental setup is designed, developed and calibrated for studying the variation of electrical contact resistance of the NiTiCu thin films as a function of load. Electrical contact resistance is found to decrease with increase in applied load. Contact stresses in sub-micron NiTiCu thin films are simulated by carrying out nanoindentation at different loads. The recovery ratio is high when the stresses induced by the contact is less, at lower loads. The shape recovery ratio is reduced when the induced contact stresses in-creases. There is no shape recovery at the sharp edges of the indentation where contact stresses are very high. Hence, by carefully designing the features to reduce the stress concentrations, the performance of the device can be improved.

Les alliages ferromagnétiques à mémoire de forme (FSMAs: Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys) avec des compositions proches de Ni2MnGa ont attiré beaucoup d’attention en raison de leur effet de mémoire de forme gigantesque et de leur réponse rapide et dynamique. Dans ce travail, une investigation de ces matériaux via des calculs ab initio est effectuée en utilisant la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité (DFT) à l’aide du logiciel VASP. Pour la composition stoechiométrique de Ni2MnGa, alliage ferromagnétique à mémoire de forme, l'oscillation du moment magnétique de Ni qui dépend du réarrangement atomique dans la superstructure, domine la distribution du moment magnétique total par unité Ni2MnGa. Le changement de moment magnétique total unité Ni2MnGa associé à la structure a été déterminé comme augmentant de l'austénite cubique à la martensite NM tétragonale à travers les martensites modulées monocliniques. Pour les alliages Ni2MnGa ferromagnétiques à mémoire de forme hors-stoechiométrie, le dopage au Ni stabilise la martensite non modulée (NM) avec la structure cristalline tétragonale simple, tandis que le dopage approprié au Mn stabilise la martensite modulée à sept couches (7M) avec une structure monoclinique. Expériences de La transformation martensitique subit une force motrice nettement plus considérable que celle de la transformation intermartensitique. En outre, le moment magnétique total des trois séries d'alliages est principalement dominé par leur teneur en Mn avec une faible dépendance de l'état de phase. Les moments moyens du Ni et du Mn montrent une dépendance à la fois de la composition et de l’ d'état de phase. La perturbation des moments magnétiques par substitution d'atomes est principalement localisée dans les antisites et ses proches voisins. Elle est principalement dominée par leur environnement en Mn (distance et nombre). L’examen des aspects fondamentaux tels que la stabilité de phase et des propriétés magnétiques des ferromagnétiques à mémoire de forme Ni-Mn-Ga est d'une grande importance pour améliorer les performances fonctionnelles et de concevoir de nouveaux FSMAs prometteurs. / Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs) with chemical composition close to Ni2MnGa have received great attention due to their giant magnetic shape memory effect and fast dynamic response. In this work, a series of first–principles calculations have been performed within the framework of the Density Functional Theory (DFT) using the Vienna Ab initio Software Package (VASP). For the stoichiometric Ni2MnGa ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, the oscillation of Ni magnetic moment that depends on the atomic shuffling in the superstructure dominates the distribution of the total magnetic moment per Ni2MnGa unit. The structure change-associated total magnetic moment has been found to increase for Ni2MnGa unit from the cubic austenite to the tetragonal NM martensite through the monoclinic modulated martensites. For the off-stoichiometric Ni2MnGa ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, Ni-doping stabilizes the non-modulated martensite (NM) with simple tetragonal crystal structure, whereas proper Mn-doping stabilizes the seven-layered modulated (7M) martensite with monoclinic structure. Martensitic transformation experiences much larger driving force than that of the intermartensitic transformation. Moreover, the total magnetic moment of the three series of alloys is mainly dominated by their Mn content with little phase state dependence. The average Ni and Mn moments display both composition and phase state dependences. The perturbation of the magnetic moments by atom substitution is mainly located in the antisite and its close neighbors. It is mainly dominated by their Mn environment (distance and number). Insights into fundamental aspects such as phase stability and magnetic properties in Ni-Mn-Ga FSMAs are of great significance to improve the functional performances and to design new promising FSMAs

Matériaux incontournables des matériaux fonctionnels, les alliages à mémoire de forme(AMF) peuvent présenter de très larges déformations réversibles. La Transformation de Phase Martensitique (TPM), ayant lieu lorsqu’il est soumis à une action mécanique ou thermique, lui confère des caractéristiques particulières. Le comportement thermomécanique des AMF est à présent bien maîtrisé. Cependant la connaissance de leur comportement `a la rupture reste un enjeu majeur pour leur dimensionnement dans le cadre de leur industrialisation pérenne. Ces travaux de recherche se sont attachés `a la connaissance, la description et la quantification du phénomène de localisation en pointe de fissure liée à la TPM induite sous contrainte, au travers du développement d’un modèle prédictif et de sa corrélation expérimentale par mesures de champs simultanées lors d’essais de rupture sur des éprouvettes fissurées de NiTi. Deux modèles analytiques basés sur la mécanique linéaire de la rupture, intégrant le caractère dissymétrique du comportement des AMF en traction/compression, ont été développés pour la prédiction des zones de transformation au voisinage de la pointe de fissure en tenant compte des différents modes de rupture ( élémentaires et mixtes I+II) et du rayon de courbure en pointe de fissure. Un banc de caractérisation par mesures simultanées de champs cinématiques par corrélation d’images (DIC) et thermique par thermographie infrarouge a été développé pour cartographier les champs expérimentaux d’essais de rupture en mode I sur des éprouvettes pré-fissurées. Cette bonne corrélation des modèles analytiques ouvre de nombreuses perspectives concernant l’analyse du couplage thermo mécanique associé à la TPM en pointe de fissure, l’enrichissement des modèles analytiques initiaux, et la confrontation avec les résultats expérimentaux pour des modes de rupture plus complexes (II et mixte I+II). / Major player among functional materials, Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) may undergo verylarge reversible strain. SMA exhibit a Martensitic Phase Transformation (MPT) when they aresubmitted to mechanical or thermal actions, and that gives them some specific characteristics.The thermomechanical behavior of SMA is now well controlled. However, the knowledge of theSMA fracture behavior is a major challenge for their design and sizing for their sustainableindustrialization. This research project has focused on the understanding, describing and quantifyingof the phenomenon of localization at the crack tip due to stress-induced MPT. The study includestwo main aspects: the development of an analytical model and its experimental correlation bysimultaneous field’s measurements during tests on cracked NiTi specimens. Two analytical modelsbased on the linear fracture mechanics and those introduce the asymmetrical nature of the SMAbehavior in tension/compression, were developed for the prediction of transformation zones in thevicinity of the crack tip, taking into account the fracture mode (elementary and mixed ones)and the radii of curvature of the crack tip. A testbench with the measurement of simultaneouskinematic field with Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and thermal field with infrared thermographywas designed for mapping the experimental fields during fracture tests in mode I on pre-crackedspecimen. This good correlation of analytical models opens up many perspectives on the analysisof thermomechanical coupling associated with the MPT at the crack tip, the enrichment of the initialanalytical models, and comparison with experimental results for more complex failure modes (II andmixed I+II).

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) operating as solid-state actuators pose economic and environmental benefits to the aerospace industry due to their lightweight, compact design, which provides potential for reducing fuel emissions and overall operating cost in aeronautical equipment. Despite wide applicability, the implementation of SMA technology into aerospace-related actuator applications is hindered by harsh environmental conditions, which necessitate extremely high or low transformation temperatures. The versatility of the NiTi-based SMA system shows potential for meeting these demanding material constraints, since transformation temperatures in NiTi can be significantly raised or lowered with ternary alloying elements and/or Ni:Ti ratio adjustments. In this thesis, the expansive transformation capabilities of the NiTi-based SMA system are demonstrated with a low and high-temperature NiTi-based SMA; each encompassing different stages of the SMA development process. First, exploratory work on the NiTiSn SMA system is presented. The viability of NiTiSn alloys as low-temperature SMAs (LTSMAs) was investigated over the course of five alloy heats. The site preference of Sn in near-equiatomic NiTi was examined along with the effects of solution annealing, Ni:Ti ratio adjustments, and precipitation strengthening on the thermomechanical properties of NiTiSn LTSMAs. Second, the thermomechanical processability of NiTiHf high-temperature SMA (HTSMA) wires is presented. The evolution of various microstructural features (grain size reduction, oxide growth, and nano-precipitation) were observed at incremental stages of the hot rolling process and linked to the thermal and mechanical responses of respective HTSMA rods/wires. This work was carried out in an effort to optimize the rolling/drawing process for NiTiHf HTSMAs.

The integration of shape memory alloys (SMAs) into textile-reinforced composites produces a class of smart materials whose shape can be actively influenced. In this paper, Ni-Ti SMA wires are inserted during the weaving of a glass fiber reinforcement textile. This ‘‘active’’ reinforcement is then combined with an elastomeric matrix to produce a highly flexible composite sheet, which maintains high rigidity in the longitudinal direction. By activating the SMAs, high deflection ratios of up to 35% (relative to the component’s length) are achieved. To adjust the composite’s deflection to defined values, a closed-loop control is set up to adjust the current flow through the SMA wires. A control algorithm is designed and evaluated for several test cases. The high deformability and the controllable behavior show the high potential of these materials for applications such as aerodynamic flow control, automation and architecture.

Cette thèse présente une approche globale d’optimisation vis-à-vis de la fatigue des matériaux et structures en alliages à mémoire de forme (AMF). Cette approche s’articule en trois étapes : i) Le développement d’une loi de comportement capable de prédire la réponse thermomécanique à l’état stabilisé d’une structure en AMF sous chargement cyclique multiaxial non proportionnel. On prend notamment en compte la dépendance de la déformation résiduelle par rapport à la température. Par ailleurs, la méthode LATIN à grand incrément de temps a été généralisée pour les AMF dans le cadre du modèle ZM. Ceci permet de résoudre les problèmes de convergence numérique rencontrés lorsque le processus de transformation de phase se produit avec une pente du plateau de transformation faible. ii) Le développement d’un critère de fatigue à grand nombre de cycles pour les AMF. Ce critère s’inscrit dans le cadre de la théorie d’adaptation à l’instar du critère de Dang Van pour les métaux élasto-plastiques. Le critère proposé permet de calculer en chaque point de la structure en AMF un facteur de fatigue indiquant son degré de dangerosité. iii) Le développement d’une approche d’optimisation structurale qui peut être utilisée pour améliorer la durée de vie en fatigue prédite par le critère proposé dans la deuxième partie. Des exemples numériques sont traités pour valider chaque étape. L‘approche globale a par ailleurs été testée et validée pour l’optimisation structurale d’un stent. / This thesis presents a comprehensive and effi cient structural optimization approach for shape memory alloys (SMAs) with respect to fatigue. The approach consists of three steps: First, the development of a suitable constitutive model capable of predicting, with good accuracy, the stabilized thermomechanical stress state of a SMA structure subjected to multiaxial nonproportional cyclic loading. The dependence of the saturated residual strain on temperature and loading rate is discussed. In order to overcome numerical convergence problems in situations where the phase transformation process presents little or no positivehardening, the large time increment method (LATIN) is utilized in combination with the ZM (Zaki-Moumni) model to simulate SMA structures instead of conventional incremental methods. Second, a shakedown-based fatigue criterion analogous to the Dang Van model for elastoplastic metals is derived for SMAs to predict whether a SMA structure subjected to high-cycle loading would undergo fatigue. The proposed criterion computes a fatigue factor at each material point, indicating its degree of safeness with respect to high-cycle fatigue. Third, a structural optimization approach, which can be used to improve the fatigue lifetime estimated using the proposed fatigue criterion is presented. The prospects of this work include the validation of the optimization approach with experimental data.

Deformation phenomena in shape memory alloys involve stress-, temperature-induced phase transformations and crystallographic variant conversion or reorientation, equivalent to a twinning operation. In near equiatomic NiTi, Ti rich compositions can exist near room temperature as a monoclinic B19' martensitic phase, which when deformed undergoes twinning resulting in strains as large as 8%. Upon heating, the martensite transforms to a cubic B2 austenitic phase, thereby recovering the strain and exhibiting the shape memory effect. Ni rich compositions on the other hand can exist near room temperature in the austenitic phase and undergo a reversible martensitic transformation on application of stress. Associated with this reversible martensitic transformation are macroscopic strains, again as large as 8%, which are also recovered and resulting in superelasticity. This work primarily focuses on neutron diffraction measurements during loading at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Three phenomena were investigated: First, the phenomena of hysteresis reduction and increase in linearity with increasing plastic deformation in superelastic NiTi. There is usually a hysteresis associated with the forward and reverse transformations in superelastic NiTi which translates to a hysteresis in the stress-strain curve during loading and unloading. This hysteresis is reduced in cold-worked NiTi and the macroscopic stress-strain response is more linear. This work reports on measurements during loading and unloading in plastically deformed (up to 11%) and cycled NiTi. Second, the tension-compression stress-strain asymmetry in martensitic NiTi. This work reports on measurements during tensile and compressive loading of polycrystalline shape-memory martensitic NiTi with no starting texture. Third, a heterogeneous stress-induced phase transformation in superelastic NiTi. Measurements were performed on a NiTi disc specimen loaded laterally in compression and associated with a macroscopically heterogeneous stress state. For the case of superelastic NiTi, the experiments related the macroscopic stress-strain behavior (from an extensometer or an analytical approach) with the texture, phase volume fraction and strain evolution (from neutron diffraction spectra). For the case of shape memory NiTi, the macroscopic connection was made with the texture and strain evolution due to twinning and elastic deformation in martensitic NiTi. In all cases, this work provided for the first time insight into atomic-scale phenomena such as mismatch accommodation and martensite variant selection. The aforementioned technique of neutron diffraction for mechanical characterization was also extended to engineering components and focused mainly on the determination of residual strains. Two samples were investigated and presented in this work; first, a welded INCONEL 718 NASA space shuttle flow liner was studied at 135 K and second, Ti-6Al-4V turbine blade components were investigated for Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation. Lastly, also reported in this dissertation is a refinement of the methodology established in the author's masters thesis at UCF that used synchrotron x-ray diffraction during loading to study superelastic NiTi. The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center is a national user facility funded by the United States Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. W-7405-ENG-36. The work reported here was made possible by grants to UCF from NASA (NAG3-2751), NSF CAREER (DMR-0239512), Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation and the Space Research Initiative.

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