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Peter Curreri

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Dr. Curreri has been a scientist with NASA since 1981. He has authored over 90 technical publications, and has been Principal Investigator on 12 NASA research grants and Co-Principal Investigator on 2 Shuttle Spacelab flight experiments. He was the Mission Scientist for three Spacelab Missions, United States Microgravity Payload missions 2, 3, and 4, for which he was awarded the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal. His past positions at NASA include leadership of Marshall’s Biological and Physical Space Research Laboratory, Division Lead Scientist for Exploration.

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Papers by Peter Curreri

Making High-Porosity Alloy Spheroids

NASA Tech Briefs, Jun 1, 1986

ABSTRACT

Containerless drop tube solidification and grain refinement of NiAl3

Thermal Analysis Of Reluctant Glass Formers

NASA Tech Briefs, Jun 1, 1989

ABSTRACT

Precise Fabrication of Electromagnetic-Levitation Coils

NASA Tech Briefs, Jun 1, 1985

ABSTRACT

Process Demonstration For Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization-Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MSFC Independent Research and Development Project No. 5-81)

Trade names and trademarks are used in this report for identification only. This usage does not c... more

Effect of Interaction of the Temperature Field and Supersaturation on the Morphology of the Solid-Vapor Interface in Crystal Growth by Physical Vapor Transport

Apparatus for rapid thermal analysis studies of reluctant glass formers

Review of Scientific Instruments, 1988

An apparatus is described for performing rapid thermal analysis of milligram quantities of reluct... more An apparatus is described for performing rapid thermal analysis of milligram quantities of reluctant glass formers. Nucleation and crystallization kinetic analysis on samples cooled at very rapid cooling rates of 10 to 2500 °C s−1 is described. The apparatus utilizes focused heating of a sample contained on a fine thermocouple. The measured times and temperatures for nucleation of crystallization at various cooling rates and experimental conditions permit the construction of continuous cooling crystallization (CCC) boundaries and the determination of critical cooling rates for glass formation.

Electromagnetic levitation coil fabrication technique for MSFC containerless processing facilities

NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N, Nov 1, 1983

Technique for the efficient and reproducible fabrication of electromagnetic levitation coils

Review of Scientific Instruments, Nov 1, 1984

A technique has been developed for fabricating electromagnetic induction coils in a reproducible ... more A technique has been developed for fabricating electromagnetic induction coils in a reproducible manner. The process utilizes a split mandrel that can be disassembled to remove the mandrel from the coil. The technique has increased coil production rates by a factor of 8 over the freehand winding method. The success rate for producing a functional levitation coil has been increased from 50% to 95%. The levitation coil designed during this work has successfully levitated and melted a variety of alloys including Cu, Ag, Ag–Ni, Cu–Fe, Fe–C, and Nb–Ge. W was also levitated but not melted at temperatures as high as 2700 °C. The highest sample melt temperature achieved was 2400 °C for the Nb–Ge samples.

Heterogeneous-Nucleation and Glass-Formation Studies of 56Ga2O3 . 44CaO

Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Aug 1, 1987

ABSTRACT

Phase Partitioning in Space and on Earth

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1987

In aqueous solution at low concentrations, the neutral polymers dextran and poly(ethylene glycol)... more In aqueous solution at low concentrations, the neutral polymers dextran and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) rapidly form a two-phase system consisting of a PEG-rich phase floating on top of a dextran-rich phase. Biological particles and macromolecules tend to partition differentially between the phases and the liquid-liquid phase interface in these systems. Bioparticle partitioning has been shown to be related to physiologically important surface properties such as membrane charge or lipid composition. Affinity partitioning into the PEG-rich phase can be accomplished by coupling PEG to a ligand having affinity for specific cells or macromolecules. Subpopulations can be identified or separated using multi-step countercurrent distribution (CCD). Incomplete understanding of the influence of gravity on the efficiency and quality of the impressive separations achievable by partitioning, and appreciation for the versatility of this efficient technique, have led to its study for low-gravity biomaterials processing. On Earth, two-phase systems rapidly demix because of density differences between the phases. In low-gravity, demixing has been shown to occur primarily by coalescence. Polymer surface coatings, developed to control localization of demixed phases in low-g, have been found to control electroosmosis which adversely affects electrophoretic separation processes on Earth and in space. In addition PEG-derivatized antibodies have been synthesized for use in immunoaffinity cell partitioning.

Translating Furnace For Fast Melting And Freezing

NASA Tech Briefs, Dec 1, 1988

ABSTRACT

Experimental Demonstration of the Molten Oxide Electrolysis Method for Oxygen and Iron Production from Simulated Lunar Materials

This paper presents the results of a Marshall Space Flight Center funded effort to conduct an exp... more This paper presents the results of a Marshall Space Flight Center funded effort to conduct an experimental demonstration of the processing of simulated lunar resources by the molten oxide electrolysis WOE) process to produce oxygen and metal from lunar resources to support human exploration of space.

Results of the technical exchange agreement between NASA and DuPont on the containerless drop tube solidification of NiAl3

19. SECURITY CLASSIF. (d tble rcpt) Z0, SECURITY CLASSIF. (et tMo fie) 21. N0. OF PAGES 22. PRICE... more

Ionic Liquid Facilitated Recovery of Metals and Oxygen from Regolith

2018 AIAA SPACE and Astronautics Forum and Exposition

Oxygen Production from Lunar Regolith using Ionic Liquids

The objective of this work and future follow-on work is to develop a safe, efficient, and recycla... more The objective of this work and future follow-on work is to develop a safe, efficient, and recyclable method for oxygen and/or metals extraction from lunar regolith, in support of establishing a manned lunar outpost. The approach is to solubilize the oxides that comprise lunar regolith in media consisting of ionic liquids (ILs) and/or their mixtures at temperatures at or below 300 C. Once in solution, electrolysis can either be performed in-situ to generate oxygen at the anode and hydrogen and/or metals (silicon, iron, aluminum, titanium, etc.) at the cathode. Alternatively, the water that is generated during the solubilization process can be distilled out and condensed into a separate IL and then electrolysized to produce hydrogen and oxygen. In the case of lunar regolith, this method could theoretically produce 44g oxygen per 100g of regolith. The oxygen can be used for human life support and/or as an oxidizer for rocket fuels, and the metals can be used as raw materials for constr...

Measurement Of Composition In Transparent Model Alloy

Lunar Metal Oxide Electrolysis with Oxygen and Photovoltaic Array Production Applications

This paper presents the results of a Marshall Space Flight Center funded effort to conduct an exp... more This paper presents the results of a Marshall Space Flight Center funded effort to conduct an experimental demonstration of the processing of simulated lunar resources by the molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) process to produce oxygen and metal from lunar resources to support human exploration of space. Oxygen extracted from lunar materials can be used for life support and propellant, and silicon and metallic elements produced can be used for in situ fabrication of thin-film solar cells for power production. The Moon is rich in mineral resources, but it is almost devoid of chemical reducing agents, therefore, molten oxide electrolysis, MOE, is chosen for extraction, since the electron is the most practical reducing agent. MOE was also chosen for following reasons. First, electrolytic processing offers uncommon versatility in its insensitivity to feedstock composition. Secondly, oxide melts boast the twin key attributes of highest solubilizing capacity for regolith and lowest volatilit...

A Heuristic Model of Consciousness with Applications to the Development of Science and Society

A working model of consciousness is fundamental to understanding of the interactions of the obser... more A working model of consciousness is fundamental to understanding of the interactions of the observer in science. This paper examines contemporary understanding of consciousness. A heuristic model of consciousness is suggested that is consistent with psycophysics measurements of bandwidth of consciousness relative to unconscious perception. While the self reference nature of consciousness confers a survival benefit by assuring the all points of view regarding a problem are experienced in sufficiently large population, conscious bandwidth is constrained by design to avoid chaotic behavior. The multiple hypotheses provided by conscious reflection enable the rapid progression of science and technology. The questions of free will and the problem of attention are discussed in relation to the model. Finally the combination of rapid technology growth with the assurance of many unpredictable points of view is considered in respect to contemporary constraints to the development of society.

Dendrite spacings in directionally solidified superalloy PWA-1480

Materials Science and Engineering: A, 1991

~rimary dendrite .spacings and side-branch coarsening kinetics were examined in specimens of the ... more ~rimary dendrite .spacings and side-branch coarsening kinetics were examined in specimens of the smgl~-~rystal multlcom,ponent comme~cial superalloy PWA-1480, which were directionally solidified in a. posItive thermal gr~dIen~. T~e expenmentally observed dependence of primary dendrite spacings and slde-b~anch c?arsernng kmetIcs on growth rate and thermal gradient were in agreement with the behaVior predicted by analytical models developed for binary alloys.

Making High-Porosity Alloy Spheroids

NASA Tech Briefs, Jun 1, 1986

ABSTRACT

Containerless drop tube solidification and grain refinement of NiAl3

Thermal Analysis Of Reluctant Glass Formers

NASA Tech Briefs, Jun 1, 1989

ABSTRACT

Precise Fabrication of Electromagnetic-Levitation Coils

NASA Tech Briefs, Jun 1, 1985

ABSTRACT

Process Demonstration For Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization-Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MSFC Independent Research and Development Project No. 5-81)

Trade names and trademarks are used in this report for identification only. This usage does not c... more

Effect of Interaction of the Temperature Field and Supersaturation on the Morphology of the Solid-Vapor Interface in Crystal Growth by Physical Vapor Transport

Apparatus for rapid thermal analysis studies of reluctant glass formers

Review of Scientific Instruments, 1988

An apparatus is described for performing rapid thermal analysis of milligram quantities of reluct... more An apparatus is described for performing rapid thermal analysis of milligram quantities of reluctant glass formers. Nucleation and crystallization kinetic analysis on samples cooled at very rapid cooling rates of 10 to 2500 °C s−1 is described. The apparatus utilizes focused heating of a sample contained on a fine thermocouple. The measured times and temperatures for nucleation of crystallization at various cooling rates and experimental conditions permit the construction of continuous cooling crystallization (CCC) boundaries and the determination of critical cooling rates for glass formation.

Electromagnetic levitation coil fabrication technique for MSFC containerless processing facilities

NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N, Nov 1, 1983

Technique for the efficient and reproducible fabrication of electromagnetic levitation coils

Review of Scientific Instruments, Nov 1, 1984

A technique has been developed for fabricating electromagnetic induction coils in a reproducible ... more A technique has been developed for fabricating electromagnetic induction coils in a reproducible manner. The process utilizes a split mandrel that can be disassembled to remove the mandrel from the coil. The technique has increased coil production rates by a factor of 8 over the freehand winding method. The success rate for producing a functional levitation coil has been increased from 50% to 95%. The levitation coil designed during this work has successfully levitated and melted a variety of alloys including Cu, Ag, Ag–Ni, Cu–Fe, Fe–C, and Nb–Ge. W was also levitated but not melted at temperatures as high as 2700 °C. The highest sample melt temperature achieved was 2400 °C for the Nb–Ge samples.

Heterogeneous-Nucleation and Glass-Formation Studies of 56Ga2O3 . 44CaO

Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Aug 1, 1987

ABSTRACT

Phase Partitioning in Space and on Earth

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1987

In aqueous solution at low concentrations, the neutral polymers dextran and poly(ethylene glycol)... more In aqueous solution at low concentrations, the neutral polymers dextran and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) rapidly form a two-phase system consisting of a PEG-rich phase floating on top of a dextran-rich phase. Biological particles and macromolecules tend to partition differentially between the phases and the liquid-liquid phase interface in these systems. Bioparticle partitioning has been shown to be related to physiologically important surface properties such as membrane charge or lipid composition. Affinity partitioning into the PEG-rich phase can be accomplished by coupling PEG to a ligand having affinity for specific cells or macromolecules. Subpopulations can be identified or separated using multi-step countercurrent distribution (CCD). Incomplete understanding of the influence of gravity on the efficiency and quality of the impressive separations achievable by partitioning, and appreciation for the versatility of this efficient technique, have led to its study for low-gravity biomaterials processing. On Earth, two-phase systems rapidly demix because of density differences between the phases. In low-gravity, demixing has been shown to occur primarily by coalescence. Polymer surface coatings, developed to control localization of demixed phases in low-g, have been found to control electroosmosis which adversely affects electrophoretic separation processes on Earth and in space. In addition PEG-derivatized antibodies have been synthesized for use in immunoaffinity cell partitioning.

Translating Furnace For Fast Melting And Freezing

NASA Tech Briefs, Dec 1, 1988

ABSTRACT

Experimental Demonstration of the Molten Oxide Electrolysis Method for Oxygen and Iron Production from Simulated Lunar Materials

This paper presents the results of a Marshall Space Flight Center funded effort to conduct an exp... more This paper presents the results of a Marshall Space Flight Center funded effort to conduct an experimental demonstration of the processing of simulated lunar resources by the molten oxide electrolysis WOE) process to produce oxygen and metal from lunar resources to support human exploration of space.

Results of the technical exchange agreement between NASA and DuPont on the containerless drop tube solidification of NiAl3

19. SECURITY CLASSIF. (d tble rcpt) Z0, SECURITY CLASSIF. (et tMo fie) 21. N0. OF PAGES 22. PRICE... more

Ionic Liquid Facilitated Recovery of Metals and Oxygen from Regolith

2018 AIAA SPACE and Astronautics Forum and Exposition

Oxygen Production from Lunar Regolith using Ionic Liquids

The objective of this work and future follow-on work is to develop a safe, efficient, and recycla... more The objective of this work and future follow-on work is to develop a safe, efficient, and recyclable method for oxygen and/or metals extraction from lunar regolith, in support of establishing a manned lunar outpost. The approach is to solubilize the oxides that comprise lunar regolith in media consisting of ionic liquids (ILs) and/or their mixtures at temperatures at or below 300 C. Once in solution, electrolysis can either be performed in-situ to generate oxygen at the anode and hydrogen and/or metals (silicon, iron, aluminum, titanium, etc.) at the cathode. Alternatively, the water that is generated during the solubilization process can be distilled out and condensed into a separate IL and then electrolysized to produce hydrogen and oxygen. In the case of lunar regolith, this method could theoretically produce 44g oxygen per 100g of regolith. The oxygen can be used for human life support and/or as an oxidizer for rocket fuels, and the metals can be used as raw materials for constr...

Measurement Of Composition In Transparent Model Alloy

Lunar Metal Oxide Electrolysis with Oxygen and Photovoltaic Array Production Applications

This paper presents the results of a Marshall Space Flight Center funded effort to conduct an exp... more This paper presents the results of a Marshall Space Flight Center funded effort to conduct an experimental demonstration of the processing of simulated lunar resources by the molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) process to produce oxygen and metal from lunar resources to support human exploration of space. Oxygen extracted from lunar materials can be used for life support and propellant, and silicon and metallic elements produced can be used for in situ fabrication of thin-film solar cells for power production. The Moon is rich in mineral resources, but it is almost devoid of chemical reducing agents, therefore, molten oxide electrolysis, MOE, is chosen for extraction, since the electron is the most practical reducing agent. MOE was also chosen for following reasons. First, electrolytic processing offers uncommon versatility in its insensitivity to feedstock composition. Secondly, oxide melts boast the twin key attributes of highest solubilizing capacity for regolith and lowest volatilit...

A Heuristic Model of Consciousness with Applications to the Development of Science and Society

A working model of consciousness is fundamental to understanding of the interactions of the obser... more A working model of consciousness is fundamental to understanding of the interactions of the observer in science. This paper examines contemporary understanding of consciousness. A heuristic model of consciousness is suggested that is consistent with psycophysics measurements of bandwidth of consciousness relative to unconscious perception. While the self reference nature of consciousness confers a survival benefit by assuring the all points of view regarding a problem are experienced in sufficiently large population, conscious bandwidth is constrained by design to avoid chaotic behavior. The multiple hypotheses provided by conscious reflection enable the rapid progression of science and technology. The questions of free will and the problem of attention are discussed in relation to the model. Finally the combination of rapid technology growth with the assurance of many unpredictable points of view is considered in respect to contemporary constraints to the development of society.

Dendrite spacings in directionally solidified superalloy PWA-1480

Materials Science and Engineering: A, 1991

~rimary dendrite .spacings and side-branch coarsening kinetics were examined in specimens of the ... more ~rimary dendrite .spacings and side-branch coarsening kinetics were examined in specimens of the smgl~-~rystal multlcom,ponent comme~cial superalloy PWA-1480, which were directionally solidified in a. posItive thermal gr~dIen~. T~e expenmentally observed dependence of primary dendrite spacings and slde-b~anch c?arsernng kmetIcs on growth rate and thermal gradient were in agreement with the behaVior predicted by analytical models developed for binary alloys.