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Field-Effect Modulated Electro-Osmotic Pumps for High Precision Colloid…

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
77541 		Program Year/Program:
2006 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
054070 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Busek Co. Inc.
11 Tech Circle Natick, MA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2006
Title: Field-Effect Modulated Electro-Osmotic Pumps for High Precision Colloid Thrusters
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNC06CB12C
Award Amount: $69,914.00
 

Abstract:

The ability to precisely control the position of satellites is a critical enabling technology for space missions involving interferometric arrays. One proposed mission, LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna), would use an array of 3 satellites whose relative position is monitored and controlled to an accuracy of 10 nm. Precise station-keeping such as this demands precise, high stability thrusters supplied with propellant flows on the order of microliters/min and producing micro-newtons of thrust. These requirements are difficult or impossible to meet with traditional thrusters and feed systems such as cold-gas thrusters or monopropellants. The proposed program will evaluate the use of electro-osmosis to supply and control the flow of ionic liquid propellants to micronewton colloid thrusters. In addition, the use of a gate electrode to control the surface charge and therefore the magnitude and direction of flow will be examined as will the use of AC fields to limit electrolysis effects. Phase I will provide basic information on the electro-osmotic behavior of ionic liquids using simple test devices and electrospray emitters. Phase II will involve detailed design work to fabricate a practical propellant feed system using electro-osmotic pumps.

Principal Investigator:

Charles J. Gasdaska
Principal Investigator
5086555565
chas@busek.com

Business Contact:

Judy Budny
Business Official
5086555565
judy@busek.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Busek Co., Inc.
11 Tech Circle Natick, MA 01760

EIN/Tax ID: 042881247
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No