{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":6330,"title":"Lightweight Metal RubberTM Sensors and Interconnects, Phase II","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10861,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10855,"level":3,"code":"TX12.1.6","title":"Materials for Electrical Power Generation, Energy Storage, Power Distribution and Electrical Machines","definition":"This area covers materials for energy generation, harvesting, storage and distribution with application to fuel cells, batteries, capacitors, energy harvesting devices, motors and generators, and thermal management of power electronics.","exampleTechnologies":"Solid oxide, advanced anodes, advanced cathodes, polymer electrolyte membranes, graphene sheets, piezoelectric and thermoelectric materials, phase change materials, magnetostrictive materials, high strength magnetic materials, superconducting materials, amorphous and nanocrystalline coatings, diamond-like coatings, thermally sprayed materials, cold sprayed materials, hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, nano-patterned surfaces, coatings that provide sensing","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"benefits":"Potential NASA Commercial Applications: Potential non-aerospace applications for Metal RubberTM include as 1) lead-free material to replace conventional and environmentally hazardous tin-lead solders for the mechanical, electrical and thermal interconnection of electronic and mechanical components, 2) high performance, highly flexible and mechanically robust electronic flex circuits, flexible displays and smart electronic fabrics, 3) as embedded flexible power bus and data bus interconnects in biomedical prostheses, and 4) ultralow mass density EMI shielding for consumer communication devices such as cell phones and portable electronics.","description":"The objective of this NASA Phase II program is to develop and increase the Technology Readiness Level of multifunctional Metal RubberTM (MRTM) materials that can be used as 1) large strain sensors, and 2) strain-insensitive electrical interconnects for aerospace systems and structures. The aerospace systems-level problem these materials would help solve is the inability of currently available metal-based sensors and wiring/interconnects to undergo the large strains and displacements associated with shape changes of inflatable, flexible and morphing structures. During Phase I, NanoSonic demonstrated the feasibility of the MRTM family of free-standing nanocomposite materials to serve as 1) electrically-conductive, low-modulus electrode wiring for a) large displacement mechanical actuators required to affect large shape changes, and b) embedded or attached electrical data buses that are not affected by strain, and 2) strain sensors capable of measuring very large strains to allow mapping of the deformation of adaptive structural components. During Phase I, NanoSonic also developed a first-principles physical model of electrical conductivity percolation in Metal RubberTM, and performed experimental analysis to validate model assumptions. During Phase II, NanoSonic would work cooperatively with a large aerospace contractor to optimize material properties, upscale material production, and evaluate material performance under simulated space environmental conditions.","startYear":2006,"startMonth":12,"endYear":2008,"endMonth":11,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":19339,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Andrea","lastName":"Hill","fullName":"Andrea J Hill","fullNameInverted":"Hill, Andrea J","middleInitial":"J","primaryEmail":"ahill@nanosonic.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}],"website":"","libraryItems":[],"transitions":[{"transitionId":222,"projectId":6330,"transitionDate":"2008-11-01","path":"Closed Out","details":"Lightweight Metal RubberTM Sensors and Interconnects, Phase II Project Image","infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"November 2008"}],"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":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
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
","programId":73,"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":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"leadOrganization":{"acronym":"LaRC","canUserEdit":false,"city":"Hampton","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4852,"organizationName":"Langley Research Center","organizationType":"NASA_Center","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"VA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Virginia","stateTerritoryId":7},"stateTerritoryId":7,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"},"supportingOrganizations":[{"canUserEdit":false,"city":"Pembroke","congressionalDistrict":"Virginia 09","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":true,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":2639,"organizationName":"Nanosonic, Inc.","organizationType":"Industry","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"VA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Virginia","stateTerritoryId":7},"stateTerritoryId":7,"ein":"330928791 ","dunsNumber":"008963758","uei":"ZK7ECNMN7MM5","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"Industry"}],"statesWithWork":[{"abbreviation":"VA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Virginia","stateTerritoryId":7}],"lastUpdated":"2018-10-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":585,"endDateString":"Nov 2008","startDateString":"Dec 2006"}}