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Fiber-embedded wireless sensors

Awardee

FREE FORM FIBERS L.L.C.

10 CADY HILL BLVD
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, 12866-9045
USA

Award Year: 2023

UEI: HTJ8WJJPK8T8

HUBZone Owned: No

Woman Owned: No

Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No

Congressional District: 20

Tagged as:

SBIR

Phase I

Seal of the Agency: DOE

Awarding Agency

DOE

Total Award Amount: $200,000

Contract Number: DE-SC0023772

Agency Tracking Number: 0000272314

Solicitation Topic Code: C56-40w

Solicitation Number: DE-FOA-0002903

Abstract

With this DOE SBIR Phase I proposal, Free Form Fibers is aiming to demonstrate a bio-inspired methodology to insert self-contained, self-powered sensors within multifunctional structural fiber reinforcements. This approach is especially suited for sensors [and actuators] for harsh environments, such as nuclear reactors. The envisioned technology of fiber-embedded systems, as well as its business model, are inspired by the phenomenal success of Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS), which are now present in every smartphone, vehicle, and most consumer electronics. Contrary to MEMS, however, the proposed fiber-embedded systems are not add-on, but rather an integral part of composite materials. They are envisioned as seamlessly integrated, non-invasive, wireless, and an alternative to add-on fiber-optics sensors. The necessary manufacturing technology is protected under US and International patents. It is a form of Containerless, Material-Agnostic, Additive Manufacturing, specialized for filamentary structures and is referred to 1½-D Printing. The proposed approach is quite generic. If demonstrated for one type of sensor – say heat flux – the same approach can be used for other sensing devices (e.g., neutron flux). The approach also has a great potential for integrated structural health monitoring in both nuclear and non-nuclear applications. By analogy to MEMS, the expectation is that mass manufacturing can bring down the per device cost so low that a large number can be integrated into a composite structure, forming the technological equivalent of a “nervous system.” Sensor interrogation is expected via microwave radio frequency, and lead to interpretation using Digital Twins, or Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Ultimately, such a strategy could displace stationary non-destructive evaluation with on-board structural health monitoring.

Award Schedule

  1. 2023
    Solicitation Year

  2. 2023
    Award Year

  3. July 10, 2023
    Award Start Date

  4. July 9, 2024
    Award End Date

Principal Investigator

Name: Joseph PEGNA
Phone: (518) 290-6001
Email: jpegna@fffibers.com

Business Contact

Name: Shay Harrison
Phone: (518) 690-0396
Email: sharrison@fffibers.com

Research Institution

Name: N/A