Lizcano, Maricela

NASA Technical Reports Server

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
www.nasa.gov 1 
 
Dr. Maricela Lizcano 
Research Materials Engineer 
Ceramics Branch 
Structures and Materials Division 
NASA Glenn Research Center 
Cleveland, OH 
 
April 5, 2013 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20150009934 2019-08-31T07:52:32+00:00Z
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
www.nasa.gov 
2004 B.S.  Mechanical Engineering 
Research: Nano Reinforced Polymeric 
Materials - UTPA 
 
2006 M.S. Mechanical Engineering 
Research: Electrorheology of 
 C60 Suspension Fluids-UTPA 
 
2011 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering 
Research: Low-Temperature  Processing of  
Inorganic Polymers TAMU 
Educational Background 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
www.nasa.gov 
Dr. Lizcano grew up in Edinburg, TX.   Her 
parents were born in Monterrey , Mexico. 
She has 7 siblings! 
 
Ever since she was a child, she was 
fascinated by how things worked and was 
always trying to fix broken things around 
the house! 
 
Growing Up…An Engineer in the Making 
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/clocks-watches/inside-clock.htm 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
www.nasa.gov 
First Stop, UTPA College of Engineering and 
Computer Science A Smart Academic Investment 
• AFFORDABLE 
• Faculty with High Standard of Excellence 
• State-of-the-Art Facilities 
 
 
4 
Zinc Oxide and Zintl Compound Ca5Al2Sb6 
SEM images taken by Jonathan Mackey PhD Student at University of Akron.  
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
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• Research Work Opportunities 
– Mechanical Engineering-Research with Faculty 
– Physics- Research with Faculty ,Instrumentation and Lab 
Instructor 
– Mathematics- Research with Faculty 
– Internships-NREL Internship and REU at UTPA and Vanderbilt 
University 
– HESTEC  2004 and 2005 Competition Coordinator 
– Scholarships-Lockheed Martin, LSAMP, Bridge to a Doctorate 
• Faculty 
– Student/Teacher ratio 
– Dedication and Commitment 
– High Standard of Excellence 
• Results  
– A STRONG COMPETITIVE RESUME Highlighting Academic  
  Achievements, Work Skills such as Knowledge of  
  Research Instrumentation, Data  Processing and  
  Analysis. 
 
 
 
 
 
5 
Pathways to Success  
UTPA Undergraduate Opportunities 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
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Next Stop, Graduate School! 
http://fcor.tamu.edu/mission.aspx 
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2007_TAMU_band_T.jpg 
Picking A School-My Choices 
• University of Texas Austin 
• New Mexico State University 
• Texas A&M University 
• University of Colorado at Boulder 
 Making A Choice 
• Education Standard/Location/ Cost of Living 
• In-state Tuition 
• Available Scholarships 
• Best Opportunity 
Applied to 1 school Texas A&M  
• School Visit 
• Accepted 
There is NO DOUBT  in my mind,  I was very well  prepared for 
the challenges of a PhD program due to my experience at UTPA. 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
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The Day It All PAID OFF!  
Monday, April 25, 2011 11:51 AM 
 NASA Glenn Ceramics Branch Monday, April 25, 2011 11:51 AM 
From:"Grady, Joseph E. (GRC-RXC0)" <joseph.e.grady@nasa.gov> 
To: "marcilizcano@yahoo.com" marcilizcano@yahoo.com 
 
Maricela – I recently received your resume and am interested in talking with you about our work in 
the Ceramics Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Our research emphasis is in 
ceramic composites, functional ceramics (thermoelectrics, piezoelectrics) and solid oxide fuel 
cells. Please let me know if you would be interested in taking a trip to Cleveland (at our expense) 
to talk with members of our branch about our ongoing research in these areas, and perhaps give a 
brief seminar summarizing your research at Texas A&M. 
 
Thanks 
Joe Grady 
Chief, Ceramics Branch 
NASA Glenn Research Center 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
www.nasa.gov 8 
Final Destination, NASA Glenn Research Center 
Cleveland, OH 
 
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/WindTunnel/windlist.html http://pixtale.net/2011/11/nasa-prepares-to-launch-curiosity/# 
 http://www.hivelocitymedia.com/features/QALugo7_29_10.aspx 
“Oh Yeah! That’s what I’m talking 
about right there!” 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
www.nasa.gov 
Technology Areas of Expertise at NASA-GRC 
• Materials 
• Human Health 
• Electronics 
• Environmental Emissions 
• Sensors, Instrumentation and 
Communication 
• Energy and Power 
• Industrial Processes 
• Software Applications 
• Physical Sciences 
 
9 
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NASA GRC Work Profile 
Aeronautics Research 
Mission Support 
Cross Agency Support 
Science 
Space Operations 
Exploration Systems 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
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Materials 
metals 
ceramics 
polymers 
composites  
11 
Characterization 
Properties Processing 
Job Title: Research Materials Engineer 
Mixing 
Chemistry 
Temperature 
Pressure  
Thermal 
Electrical 
Mechanical  
Composition, Structure 
Porosity, Density   
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
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Material Processing 
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Microwave Furnace 
 
Fiber Weaving 
Magnetron 
Circulator 
Silicon Carbide Fibers 
Electric Tube  furnace 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
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Material Property Testing 
Erosion Burner Rig 
Jet fuel combustor 
Particle impingement 
Mach 0.3 Burner Rigs 
Jet fuel combustors:  700° to 2500°F exposure in 
oxidative or corrosive environments 
Hot Section Engine Environment  Mechanical 
Testing for 
long term  
durability 
testing to 
3000°F in air 
with strain 
measurement 
High Pressure Burner Rig 
  Jet fuel combustor  
  Gas temperatures of 1500 o F - 3000 o F  
  Test pressures between 5 - 10 atm.  
  Gas flow velocities 30 - 100 ft/sec.  
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
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Acoustic Testing of the CMC Mixer Nozzle   
Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory (AAPL)  
Anechoic wedges are on all surfaces  inside the 65 foot radius geodesic dome prevent 
community noise or  reflective noise from contaminating data. 
Nozzle Acoustics Test Rig 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
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EDS-B 
9000X 
Teflon coated fiber glass 
50X 
1000X 
Material Characterization 
Microstructure Apollo Era Space Suit and Lunar Dust 
Purpose: Preparation for 
extended stay on the 
moon. 
9000X 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
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1
6 
CMC engine components 
reduce cooling air 
requirements 
Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) ERA Goals:  
Reduced Aircraft Noise,  Emissions and Fuel Burn 
Combustor 
High Pressure  Low Pressure 
Exhaust Nozzle 
Turbine Turbine 
Temperature 2200-2700°F 2400-2700°F 2200-2300°F 1500-1800°F 
CMC System SiC / SiC  SiC / SiC  SiC / SiC  Oxide / Oxide 
Engine Benefit 
  • Reduced cooling   • Reduced cooling   • Reduced cooling   • Light weight 
  • Reduced NOx   • Reduced SFC   • Strength / weight   • Noise reduction 
  • Pattern Factor           • Higher use temp 
Challenges 
  • Durability    • Manufacturing   • Manufacturing 
   • Manufacturing 
  • Attachment &   • Durability   • Durability 
Integration   • Attachment &   • Attachment & 
   • Durability 
    Integration Integration 
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Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) For  
Deep Space Exploration 
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/rps/galileo.cfm 
 
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Engineering Materials  
for Space Flight 
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Thermal Protection Systems 
High Temperature Reusable 
Surface Insulation (HTRSI) 
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21 
RCS Thrusters 
REACTION CONTROL THRUSTERS 
Cracks in flange 
near bolt holes 
35X 
1500 X 
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Just for fun...Your Next Picnic! 
22 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
www.nasa.gov 
THANK YOU!!! 
23 QUESTIONS? 


From UTPA to NASA Glenn Research Center, A Journey To The Coolest Job On The Planet!

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