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Miniaturized Time Domain Terahertz Non Destructive Evaluation for In-Orbit…

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2011 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
105846 		Solicitation Year:
2010 		Solicitation Topic Code:
X5.04 		Solicitation Number:
Small Business Information
PICOMETRIX LLC
2925 Boardwalk Ann Arbor, MI -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2011
Title: Miniaturized Time Domain Terahertz Non Destructive Evaluation for In-Orbit Inspection of Inflatable Habitats and Thermal Protection Systems
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX11CH15P
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

Picometrix's time-domain terahertz (TD-THz) non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technology could be usedto inspect space flight structures such as inflatable space habitats, thermal protection systems (TUFI-typetiles, SOFI TPS), for voids, disbonds, and damage such as tearing and micron-meteorite impact. In thisPhase I SBIR project, we propose to test the feasibility of three key technological changes which couldsubstantially reduce the volume, mass, and power requirement of the TD-THz instrumentation, making itmore suitable for use by an operator in space. The current instrumentation paradigm is that a multi-purposeTD-THz control unit is used to provide common drive, data acquisition, and analysis functionality tointerchangeable sensors and imaging which connect to the control unit with a fiber-optic/electricalumbilical. However, the current COTS control unit is substantially larger and heavier than would bedesirable for a space-flight capable unit. The proposed developments would enable a control unit for ahand held NDE imaging tool, sufficiently robust for spaceflight, no larger than a small shoebox. It shouldbe possible to reduce the size of the control unit to approximately one sixth of the current values to, forexample, 14 in. X 8 in. X 4 in and 10 pounds.

Principal Investigator:

David Zimdars
Principal Investigator
7348645611
dazimdars@picometrix.com

Business Contact:

Marsha Gilbert
Business Official
7348645611
mgilbert@picometrix.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Picometrix, LLC
2925 Boardwalk Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6765

EIN/Tax ID: 371508208
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No