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Power Generating Coverings and Casings

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX14CS10C
Agency Tracking Number: 120160
Amount: $874,926.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: T3.01
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2014
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2014-09-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2018-09-30
Small Business Information
3100 Fresh Way Southwest
Huntsville, AL 35805-6720
United States
DUNS: 124289294
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 William Chew
 Senior Scientist
 (256) 713-1220
 william.chew@streamlineautomation.biz
Business Contact
 Alton Reich
Title: Business Official
Phone: (256) 713-1220
Email: Alton.Reich@StreamlineAutomation.biz
Research Institution
 Wake Forest University
 Aijalon Putzier
 
501 Deacon Blvd
Winston-Salem, NC 27105-4218
United States

 (256) 713-1220
 Domestic Nonprofit Research Organization
Abstract

Advances in structured heterogeneity together with nanomaterials tailoring has made it possible to create thermoelectrics using high temperature, polymer composites. While such thermoelectrics do not have the capability to approach the efficiency of top performing ceramic modules such as BiTe, they do provide two unique aspects of use in energy scavenging: the ability to conform to irregular large shaped areas easily, and the ability to integrate kinetic energy scavenging together with heat scavenging. During Phase I, the group at Wake Forest University demonstrated that the combination of thermal and vibrational power production is actually synergetic –the amount of power generated is greater than the sum of the individual components. This improvement in nanocomposite thermoelectric performance, coupled with effective kinetic energy scavenging makes the piezo-thermo-electric "PowerFelt™" applicable to a wide range of power collection scenarios. Although the goal of making a 1-m2 material was not completed, significant progress has been made and this capability will be available in Phase II. A sample of "PowerFelt™" was sent to the National Institute for Standards and Testing for independent testing. Their results confirmed that "PowerFelt™" was significantly better than other power producing films and competitive or better than ceramics that cannot conform to the shape of the heat and vibration source. The material was successfully field tested at the Stennis Space Center at their liquid nitrogen supply facility.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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