{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":12140,"title":"Targeting \"Absolute\" Salinity for Earth and Space","startTrl":1,"currentTrl":2,"endTrl":2,"benefits":"Robust sensors capable of measuring concentration factors in spacecraft water recovery systems are needed to maximize recovery yields and improve overall system reliability in current and future space missions. Optical measurements of \"absolute\" salinity are being considered as a new standard for thermodynamic modeling of the world's oceans and improving predictions of global climate change. The development of a robust sensor platform capable of providing enhanced salinity measurements is certain to find use in a broad range of important Earth and space applications, e.g., oceanography, climate change studies, space craft and industrial water recovery, environmental science, industrial process control, etc.","description":"As part of a grant through a NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) 2011 Innovation Charge Account (ICA), a novel optical sensor was developed and early feasibility demonstrated in the measurement of concentration factors in spacecraft urine and urine brine waste streams. As part of this development work, a secondary Earth-based application for the sensor was suggested. Specifically, the optical sensor might be used to predict so-called \"absolute\" salinity, a new salinity parameter believed critical for improved modeling of the ocean's thermodynamic processes and better predicting global climate change. For both applications, the need to improve the sensor's measurement sensitivity was recognized. The current project investigated methods to improve measurement sensitivity over the 2011 developed ICA optical sensor. Interim results suggest up to at least a 20-fold increase in waveguide response can be achieved using a novel design and construction of a hybrid waveguide sensor. The continued development of an optical sensor platform capable of enhanced measurements of solution concentration is certain to find use in a broad range of important Earth and space applications. As part of a 2011 JSC Innovation Charge Account (ICA) call, a novel in-line optical sensor was developed and early feasibility demonstrated in the measurement of concentration factors in spacecraft urine/urine brine samples using a novel optical waveguide sensor. During the course of the 2011 work, a second application of the waveguide sensor was realized. Specifically, it was conceived that the optical sensor could be packaged and used for in-situ estimates of so-called \"absolute\" salinity. This salinity parameter is being suggested as a potential new standard for modeling the ocean's thermodynamic processes and better predicting global climate change. For both applications, it was recognized that the sensitivity of the 2011 ICA sensor would need to be improved. The current project proposed the investigation of methods to improve the sensitivity of the optical sensor, by way of parameters such as: the physical dimensions of the system, use of alternative waveguide materials, light sources and light conditioning, and treatments to fiber optic waveguide materials. Interim results have demonstrated at least a 20-fold increase in sensitivity over the concentration range of interest using a novel design and construction of a hybridized waveguide system. A New Technology Report describing the sensor has been submitted, MSC-25706-1.","startYear":2012,"startMonth":10,"endYear":2013,"endMonth":9,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":330530,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Michael","lastName":"Callahan","fullName":"Michael R Callahan","fullNameInverted":"Callahan, Michael R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"michael.r.callahan@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":335305,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Michael","lastName":"Lapointe","fullName":"Michael R Lapointe","fullNameInverted":"Lapointe, Michael R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"michael.r.lapointe@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":392233,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Richard","lastName":"Howard","fullName":"Richard W Howard","fullNameInverted":"Howard, Richard W","middleInitial":"W","primaryEmail":"richard.w.howard@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62108,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Westhelle","fullName":"Carlos H Westhelle","fullNameInverted":"Westhelle, Carlos H","middleInitial":"H","primaryEmail":"carlos.h.westhelle@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"files":[],"id":266779,"title":"NTR 1","libraryItemTypeId":762,"projectId":12140,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","url":"https://invention.nasa.gov/login.php","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":762,"code":"LINK","description":"Link","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}}],"transitions":[{"transitionId":53982,"projectId":12140,"transitionDate":"2013-09-01","path":"Closed Out","details":"Updated plasma exhaust simulation models that were used at the UTA","infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"September 2013"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"JSC CIF","active":true,"description":"
JSC provides and applies its preeminent capabilities in science and technology to develop, operate, and integrate human exploration missions. The Center encourages collaboration with aerospace and non-aerospace industries, government agencies, and academia to solve science and technology challenges, while actively striving to maximize technology transfer into the commercial sector.
An active and sustainable science and technology development program is key to ensuring the challenges of human exploration are successfully overcome. The JSC-directed solicitations program enables the Center to invest strategically in high priority areas needed to accomplish future missions as articulated in the NASA Technology Roadmaps and the Space Technology Investment Plan (STIP). It offers the Center the ability to address technology gaps that are beyond the requirements of near-term programs to fund. It also provides a platform to continue to grow and maintain critical skills and innovations needed to ensure future mission success. These solicitations encourage use of collaborations to ensure maximum benefit to both the space program and the nation. As such, external partnerships are highly encouraged not only as a funding leverage but to bring innovative ideas and approaches into human exploration programs.
Selection Process
Typically, JSC solicitations are developed by the JSC CTO and the JSC Technology Working Group (JTWG). The competitive calls are coordinated with JSC Senior Staff and communicated to the JSC workforce via internal email distribution to an R&D community list and through postings on the internal center website and through JSC Today notices.
The JTWG solicits, evaluates and prioritizes all JSC solicitation responses in a two-stage process. The JTWG members review project proposals and work together to down-select to the finalists. The Principal Investigators (PIs) make presentations to the JTWG to provide more in-depth project details. This allows the members to select the finalists to support for the year. Selection criteria and funding vary based on the focus of the solicitation but of primary interest are:
Project Accomplishments
Through the result of research and development, JSC’s IR&D project PIs are making important progress in the advancement of technology needed to enable NASA’s mission of space exploration. In addition, many of the technologies development to meet the challenges of space exploration have great commercialization potential. Each year, many of JSC’s IR&D projects file New Technology Reports (NTRs) through the JSC Tech Transfer Office. Several of these reports have received New Technology Evaluation Patent ratings to pursue patents, while additional ones have been scheduled for success story articles to be written and published.
JSC projects active in FY12 and beyond have been included in TechPort. Through the TechPort tool information on the projects is provided and will be updated by PIs as developments and updates become available. This will offer further knowledge and information sharing between NASA developers, researchers, engineers and scientists and other internal and external stakeholders.
The JSC Chief Technologist Office (CTO) sponsors one or more Independent Research & Development (IR&D) solicitations throughout each year depending on available funds. These local solicitations primarily use a blend of Agency Center Innovation Fund (CIF) and the JSC Center Investment Account (CIA) funds to stimulate and encourage technology development, creativity, and innovation. The objective is to address the technology needs of the Agency as well as the nation. For these reasons, funds distributed to JSC support emerging technologies and creative initiatives that leverage the Center’s talent pool and unique capabilities. Scientists and engineers across the Center lead projects and establish partnerships between other centers, agencies, research laboratories, academic institutions and private industries.
","parentProgram":{"acronym":"CIF","active":true,"description":"Through the Center Innovation Fund, the Space Technology Mission Directorate allocates a small portion of the NASA workforce and procurement budget to internal research and development to feed early stage innovation in technology and exploration. Activities with in the Center Innovation Fund are proposed and led by NASA scientists and engineers. These activities and creative initiatives pursue emerging technologies that leverage talent and capabilities at the NASA Centers.
","programId":64,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36643,"title":"Center Innovation Fund"},"parentProgramId":64,"programId":165,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36649,"title":"Center Innovation Fund: JSC CIF"},"leadOrganization":{"acronym":"JSC","canUserEdit":false,"city":"Houston","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4853,"organizationName":"Johnson Space Center","organizationType":"NASA_Center","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"TX","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Texas","stateTerritoryId":29},"stateTerritoryId":29,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"},"statesWithWork":[{"abbreviation":"TX","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Texas","stateTerritoryId":29}],"lastUpdated":"2023-7-11","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":438,"endDateString":"Sep 2013","startDateString":"Oct 2012"}}