{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":34034,"title":"High Performance Consumer-Affordable Nanocomposite Mirrors with Supersmooth Surfaces, Precise Figuring, and Innovative 3D Printed Structures","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10882,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10879,"level":3,"code":"TX12.4.3","title":"Electronics and Optics Manufacturing Process","definition":"Electronics and optics manufacturing process produces logic, electrical, electronic components of increased efficiency, for extreme environments and precision optics component manufacturing.","exampleTechnologies":"Optical materials, components, structures; precision optics for large scale applications; advanced architecture nanoelectronics; 1D/2D nanoelectronics; vacuum-tube nanoelectronics; flexible electronics","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":4,"currentTrl":6,"endTrl":6,"benefits":"Nanocomposite optics technology has across-the-board application to future NASA missions. Development of low cost, high performance optics with large areas is the key component listed in all NASA Technology Roadmaps. The total number of potential NASA applications, ranging from sub-meter class rocket and balloon experiments to decameter class astrophysics missions (e.g TPF and beyond), is likely to be very large. One example is the current call for Large, low-cost, light-weight precision monolithic mirrors for Ultra-Stable Large Aperture UV/Visible/Near-IR Telescopes in the Cosmic Origins Program Annual Technology Report http://cor.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/COR_PATR_2013.pdf The large area, supersmooth surface capability of nanocomposite mirrors also makes them suited for missions other than UVOIR. For example, the Physics of the Cosmos Program Annual Technology Report http://pcos.gsfc.nasa.gov/ calls for Affordable, lightweight X-ray optics with 5 arcsec resolution.
This proposal has a connection to manufacturing. The technology in its present state of development is almost market ready. Potential commercial applications include the following: 1. Thin 10-25 cm aperture deformable mirrors with supersmooth continuous surfaces, for DoD and ground-based astronomical observatories 2. 15-50 cm 'Moondust' (CNT/E+JSC1A-F lunar regolith simulant) telescope mirrors for museums, schools, and individuals 3. 0.25m and larger nanocomposite mirror telescopes for the medium to high end amateur astronomy market segment. 4. Sub-meter and larger convex mirrors made by replication against concave mandrels. These cost a fraction of comparable units made by glassowrking. Convex mirrors are commonly employed as the secondary mirrors in meter class telescopes. 5. 1-2 Meter class telescopes for small college observatories.","description":"Lightweight Telescopes, Inc. (LWT) proposes to advance the TRL, demonstrate performance, and initiate commercialization of nanocomposite optics technology (NCOT). This new technology is based on carbon nanotubes (CNT), assorted powders and fibers, polymers, and proprietary processes to craft precisely shaped and supersmooth UVOIR optical surfaces. The fabrication of optical quality mirrors based on CNTs embedded in an epoxy matrix (CNT/E) has already been demonstrated1 and is being patented by LWT. It is proposed that, with the infusion of advanced numerical modeling and state-of-the-art 3D printing techniques, NCOT can become an enabling technology for future space telescopes (and missions) by virtue of its many unprecedented capabilities. NCOT, unlike other space optics, is truly low cost in that the mirrors are affordable to consumers. Additional capabilities include rapid fabrication, supersmooth surfaces, multiple identical units, very large apertures, low density material, 'smart' optics, smart structures, athermal telescopes, and in situ fabrication of very large aperture (Deca- and Hexa-meter class) optics on the ground and in space. This proposal seeks to advance development of nanocomposite optics technology by augmenting LWT's proven techniques and processes with better tooling and test equipment, numerical design of novel structures that maximize stiffness/mass ratio, and 3D printing assisted fabrication. Specific objectives of this Phase I proposal are to design and fabricate state-of-the-art 25 cm mirrors, and to fabricate, field test, and commercialize 15 cm mirror telescopes.","startYear":2015,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2015,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":372966,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Peter","lastName":"Chen","fullName":"Peter Chen","fullNameInverted":"Chen, Peter","primaryEmail":"Peterchenmd@Gmail.Com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":410436,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Ron","lastName":"Eng","fullName":"Ron Eng","fullNameInverted":"Eng, Ron","primaryEmail":"Ron.Eng@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":300945,"fileName":"SBIR_2015_1_BC_S2.03-8703","fileSize":114661,"objectId":297485,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"112.0 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":300945,"fileName":"SBIR_2015_1_BC_S2.03-8703","fileSize":114661,"objectId":297485,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"112.0 KB"}],"id":297485,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"High Performance Consumer-Affordable Nanocomposite Mirrors with Supersmooth Surfaces, Precise Figuring, and Innovative 3D 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The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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