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Miniaturized Thermal Harvesting System

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA9550-09-C-0065
Agency Tracking Number: F074-001-0182
Amount: $600,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF07-T001
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2009
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2008-10-29
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2010-10-29
Small Business Information
1 Riverside Circle Suite 400
Roanoke, VA 24016
United States
DUNS: 627132913
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Jerry Fleming
 Principal Investigator
 (540) 769-8400
 submissions@lunainnovations.com
Business Contact
 Michael Pruzan
Title: Director of Contracts
Phone: (540) 769-8430
Email: submissions@lunainnovations.com
Research Institution
 Research Triangle Institute
 Carolyn S Parker
 
3040 Cornwallis Road PO Box 12194
RTP, NC 27709
United States

 (919) 541-6000
 Domestic Nonprofit Research Organization
Abstract

The Air Force has an immediate need for powering remote wireless sensor networks (WSN) on aircraft platforms. These WSN systems are needed for monitoring engine emissions/conditions, evaluating structural integrity, and supplying remote sensing capabilities in support of ongoing battlefield activities.   However, aircraft sensors are generally inaccessible and frequent battery replacement or scheduled maintenance is unacceptable. To meet this concern, an approach to harvest electrical energy from the in-situ surroundings is needed. Present miniaturized WSN systems require on the order of 1-10 mW and have a 5-10 year life span. To date commercially available thermoelectric devices are capable of providing on the order of 10 mW/cm2. An approach that increases this amount by an order of magnitude is desired.    Luna Innovations and RTI propose to develop a high efficiency thermoelectric energy harvesting device which scavenges energy from ambient thermal gradients.  RTIs expertise in thermoelectric conversion and Lunas proven ultra-low power wireless sensors will provide a robust solution capable of operating unattended for several years. BENEFIT: This research will have many different commercial applications.  Applications include but are not limited to powering remote sensing for automotive exhaust emissions and the soon to be mandated pressure sensing in tires. There are also many industrial applications where wireless instrumentation sensors, like the ones manufactured by Luna Innovations, could significantly reduce costs, and providing a long term power solution without having to continually replace the power supply would further reduce maintenance costs.

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

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