Wireless Networked Sensors for Remote Monitoring in Propulsion Systems

This NASA Phase I SBIR program would fabricate wireless networked nanomembrane (NM) based surface pressure sensors for remote monitoring in propulsion systems, using SOI (Silicon on Insulator) NM techniques in combination with our pioneering HybridSil ceramic nanocomposite materials. Such low-modulus, conformal nanomembrane sensor skins with integrated interconnect elements and electronic devices can be applied to new or existing propulsion systems for acoustic surface pressure analysis. During this NASA SBIR, we will transition the wireless semiconductor nanomembrane sensors from their current concept and prototype stage to instrumentation products of use to NASA?s propulsion facilities, other NASA aerostructure instrumentation programs, academic researchers and industrial technologists. We will perform synthesis of sensor skin materials with optimized transduction, hysteresis and environmental properties, specifically for high Reynold?s number flow and also varying temperature use. Support wireless electronics will be optimized to acquire, multiplex, store and process raw sensor array data.