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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:
2012 / 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 2
Fiscal Year: 2012
Title: Miniaturized Time Domain Terahertz Non Destructive Evaluation for In-Orbit Inspection of Inflatable Habitats and Thermal Protection Systems
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX12CA81C
Award Amount: $585,361.00
 

Abstract:

Picometrix's time-domain terahertz (TD-THz) non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technology could be used to inspect space flight structures such as inflatable space habitats, thermal protection systems (TUFI-type tiles, SOFI TPS), for voids, disbonds, and damage such as tearing and micron-meteorite impact. The current instrumentation paradigm is that a multi-purpose TD-THz control unit is used to provide common drive, data acquisition, and analysis functionality to interchangeable sensors and imaging which connect to the control unit with a fiber-optic/electrical umbilical. However, the current COTS control unit is substantially larger and heavier than would be desirable for a space-flight capable unit. In Phase II we will construct a prototype compact TD-THz control unit with a fiber optically coupled remote compact TD-THz reflection tomography sensor based on the Phase I designs. At the end of a successful Phase II, and transitioned into Phase III, we envision that a hand-held A or B-Scan NDE imager could attach to a control unit, sufficiently robust for spaceflight, no larger than a shoebox. In Phase II, it should be possible to reduce the size of the control unit to approximately 1/3 of the current values to, for example, 14 in. X 10 in. X 4 in. and 15 pounds.

Principal Investigator:

David Zimdars
Principal Investigator
7348645639
dzimdars@picometrix.com

Business Contact:

Marsha K. 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