Award Data

Designed and successfully demonstrated in the laboratory by Mechanical Solutions, Inc. (MSI) during Phase I, the fast and slow cook-off mitigation sensor (FASCOMS) generated sufficient electrical power from the surrounding environment to function a military-standard squib, which can control a thermally initiated venting system (TIVS) on a large solid rocket motor (SRM). The FASCOMS monitored the ...

Pyrolysis processing can be used in near term missions for volume reduction, water recovery (drying), stabilization, and enhanced water and oxygen recovery through thermochemical reactions. For longer term missions, the added benefits include production of fuel, multi-purpose carbon, and reactants for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). The objective of the Phase I SBIR program was to demonstrate ...

High performance thermal control technologies are needed to achieve the near term goals of NASA's science spacecraft development programs. High conductivity materials to minimize temperature gradients and provide high efficiency radiators and heat spreader panels are required. Integrated panels that minimize the challenges caused by thermal interfaces, including those of attached heat pipes and c ...

Currently used cathode materials in energy storage devices do not fully satisfy the power density and energy density requirements for NASA's exploration missions. Working in collaboration with our STTR partner at University of California – San Diego, we propose to develop layered-layered composite cathode materials that offer superior performance over commercially available positive electrode mat ...

To ensure mission success, astronauts must maintain a high level of performance even when work-rest schedules result in chronic sleep restriction and circadian misalignment, both of which contribute to fatigue and performance deficits unless effective countermeasures are used. We are proposing to build an Individualized Fatigue Meter that incorporates light inputs, sleep history, work schedule inf ...

High temperature piezoelectric crystal (HTPC) sensors are desired for future propulsion component structure health monitoring, operating parameters optimization, turbine engine control and health monitoring, as well as improving performance and maintainability of power production facilities and other rotary combustion engines. Recently discovered high temperature piezoelectrics showed stable piezo ...

Instabilities associated with the operation of liquid rocket propulsion systems and test facilities usually manifest themselves as structural vibrations and may cause structural damage. While the source of the instability is directly related to the performance of a component such as a turbopump, the associated pressure fluctuations as they propagate through the system have the potential to amplify ...

Cryogenic fluid transfer components using single crystal piezoelectric actuators are proposed to enable low thermal mass, minimal heat leak, low power consumption and fast response for cryogenic fluid transfer and handling systems to support NASA Lunar Lander, Ground Operations, Ares, and Lunar Surface Systems programs. Single crystal piezoelectrics are attractive because they exhibit 3 to 5 times ...

In this Phase II SBIR project, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) and Northrop Grumman (NGC) will develop an advanced refrigeration system capable of cooling the Airborne Laser (ABL). The ABL presents some particularly difficult thermal management issues, including precise temperature control, rapid transients and high thermal loading. In the Phase I effort, an innovative compact heat excha ...

In response to SBIR topic MDA08-029, USCI proposes to develop a unique 4H-SiC super-junction lateral JFET (SL-JFET), based on a novel and simple design, to solve all of the remaining problems facing the development of 4H-SiC power switches for resonant high-frequency power converter in radar applications, including the problems of high output coupling capacitance of vertical SiC MOSFETs that lead ...