You are here

Shear Stress Sensor Using Shape Memory Films

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: F49620-03-C-0080
Agency Tracking Number: F033-0036
Amount: $98,748.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2003
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
12111 Ranchitos Road, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122
United States
DUNS: 043556930
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Nancy Winfree
 President & Principal Engineer
 (505) 822-0005
 Nancy@Dominca.com
Business Contact
 Joseph Kang
Title: Principal Engineer
Phone: (505) 822-0005
Email: Joe@Dominca.com
Research Institution
 UNIV. OF MINNESOTA
 Kevin McKoskey
 
McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St., SE, Suite 450
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

 (612) 624-5599
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

There is a need for a low profile, simple, accurate, localized, responsive sensor to measure shear stress in fluid flow. The unusual properties of the shape memory alloy Ni2MnGa suggest it could make a very sensitive sensor. In recent years,single-crystal films of this alloy have been grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy. Once released from their substrate, the films have exhibited shape memory behavior. We pursue a concept for the sensor that based on the expectation that, when sheared, themartensite in an unconstrained thin-film of single-crystal Ni2MnGa will respond in a way that induces a measurable change to its electrical resistivity. We propose to design, fabricate, and test this sensor. The proposed shear stress sensor fabricatedfrom shape memory film has the potential of overcoming existing problems plaguing skin friction measurements in turbulence. These devices would be simple to use and easily positioned at hundreds of locations on a surface. Apart from applications forLarge Eddy Simulation and accurate measurements of skin friction, such a sensor would open the way to measure full field velocity-field/wall shear stress correlations which could be implemented in active control schemes for turbulence. Theoretical modelssuggest that up to 50% skin friction reductions are possible if these schemes could be implemented successfully. The aircraft industry in the U.S. alone would save, in fuel costs, an estimated $250 million annually for every 2% reduction in turbulent skinfriction.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government