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Friction-Sensing Retroreflector Array Patches (FRAP)

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
87987 		Program Year/Program:
2008 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
075176 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Research Support Instruments, Inc.
4325-B Forbes Blvd. Lanham, MD 20706-4854
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2008
Title: Friction-Sensing Retroreflector Array Patches (FRAP)
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX08CB37P
Award Amount: $99,980.00
 

Abstract:

Research Support Instruments, Inc. (RSI) proposes to develop the Friction-Sensing Retroreflector Array Patches (FRAP), a technology that will measure the shear stress distribution on aerodynamic surfaces in ground test facilities with high resolution, sensitivity, and bandwidth. Unlike the oil-film interference method, FRAP patches will not be thinned as a function of time during a test. No knowledge of the streamlines of the flow will be needed in order to calculate the local stress distribution; this will avoid the tracers needed with the oil-film interference approach. Flexible patches of FRAP arrays, inexpensive due to simple, mass-production-compatible microfabrication techniques, will be interrogated using a light source and camera. FRAP will be independent of the flow species and applied as a very thin, flexible, adhesive material. The Phase I goals will be to design sensors, develop a microfabrication technique and use it to fabricate prototype units, demonstrate feasibility, and select the most promising design for Phase II development. In Phase II, the prototype units will be field-demonstrated at NASA facilities, with manufacturing issues and realistic operating conditions addressed. The result will be a product that will address a critical NASA instrumentation need.

Principal Investigator:

John Kline
Principal Investigator
7323293700
kline@researchsupport.com

Business Contact:

Christopher Rollins
Vice President
3013060010
rollins@researchsupport.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Research Support Instruments, Inc.
4325-B Forbes Blvd. Lanham, MD 20706

EIN/Tax ID: 521700379
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No