Uncooled Infrared Detectors based on Bioinspired Materials

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop lightweight, low-cost biomaterials or biologically inspired infrared (IR) detection technology for space-based military and commercial applications. To meet IR detection requirements, we plan to develop and show with a materials perspective, how these materials can sense thermal/IR radiation to be used and produced in uncooled imaging systems. Smart Polymers Research Corporation proposes to investigate the usefulness of a biologically derived protein, which exists in nature, to use in uncooled IR detectors through their dehydration and rehydration processes. Thin films of the material will be fabricated using the low cost self-assembly technique. The biomaterial films will be fully characterized to demonstrate their effectiveness as IR sensing materials. Upon successful conclusion of the Phase I feasibility program, we plan to take this effort further in Phase II with incorporation of the material into IR microbolometers which will be developed in collaboration with several partners.