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Polymer MEMS Nanostructured Sensors for Coating Analysis and Health Monitoring…

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
72988 		Program Year/Program:
2005 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
F051-134-1539 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
NanoSonic, Inc.
158 Wheatland Drive Pembroke, VA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2005
Title: Polymer MEMS Nanostructured Sensors for Coating Analysis and Health Monitoring of Nonstructural Materials
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: FA8650-05-M-5039
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

NanoSonic proposes to develop a Polymer MicroElectroMechanical System (PMEMS) device-based sensor for the health-monitoring of wear and corrosion in coatings for this Air Force SBIR program. During Phase I, NanoSonic would design and fabricate novel electrically-conductive, nanostructured thin film sensors formed by Electrostatic Self-Assembly (ESA) to detect surface-related phenomena, such as wear and corrosion, of military aircraft non-structural components. With recent development of Metal RubberTM (MR), we now have the opportunity to implement such Polymer MEMS nanostructured sensors into coatings and materials. MRTM, a new free-standing multifunctional nanostructured material that has high electrical-conductivity, low modulus, and low weight, can be used as an in-situ sensor of chemical modifications and breakdown of surface coatings. NanoSonic has established techniques to control multiple constitutive material properties in coatings and free-standing organic/inorganic thin and thick materials using molecular layer-by-layer ESA processes, by varying the type, size, and structure of incorporated molecules. We would use this low-cost method to fabricate conformal conductive coating materials that could be easily applied on existing composite structural components. MRTM elements may be incorporated into the coating by patterning or ink-jet printing. Integrating co-located interconnected RF circuits into the coating would allow for remote RF mapping of the coating properties.

Principal Investigator:

Andrea Hill
Sensors Group Leader
5409531785
ahill@nanosonic.com

Business Contact:

Richard O. Claus
President
5409531785
roclaus@nanosonic.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

NANOSONIC, INC.
P.O. Box 618 Christiansburg, VA 24068

EIN/Tax ID: 541877635
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No