Development of Thin Film Ceramic Thermocouples for High Temperature Environments

The maximum use temperature of noble metal thin film thermocouples of 1100 C (2000 F) may not be adequate for use on components in the increasingly harsh conditions of advanced aircraft and next generation launch technology. Ceramic-based thermocouples are known for their high stability and robustness at temperatures exceeding 1500 C, but are typically found in the form of rods or probes. NASA Glenn Research Center is investigating the feasibility of ceramics as thin film thermocouples for extremely high temperature applications to take advantage of the stability and robustness of ceramics and the non-intrusiveness of thin films. This paper will discuss the current state of development in this effort

Assessment of uncertainties in measurement of pH in hostile environments characteristic of nuclear repositories

This report focuses on evaluation and characteristics of sputtered thin film pH electrodes which can be used to assess the corrosivity of hot (100{degree}C) aqueous solutions present in nuclear repositories. Sputtered thin films have the advantages of high temperature capability, ruggedness, and low cost. The iridium oxide films were found to have a linear, 58 mV/pH, response to changes in pH. They had little hysteresis but drifted approximately 0.2 V over a period of two days exposure to pH 2--12 solutions. The films were found to be insensitive to interference from most ions such as alkali ions but had redox sensitivity to ferri-/ferrocyanide ions. Although special surface treatments were needed for the films for good adherence at 200{degree}C the films were not degraded after 20 hours exposure at pH 4, 7, and 10 at 200{degree}C. Ruthenium oxide sputtered films performed equally well to the iridium oxide films in parallel tests. The report also contains information on electrochemistry and testing of thin film electrodes and the characterization of the thin films by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, and ion scattering spectroscopy. 123 refs., 29 figs., 7 tabs