Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Extreme Environment Circuit Blocks for Spacecraft Power & Propulsion System & Other High Reliability Applications
Project Description
Chronos Technology (the R&D division of Frequency Management International, FMI) proposes to deliver a comprehensive, and fully investigated & validated feasibility study (in Phase 1) for a novel approach leading to design & fabrication of extreme Environment Silicon Carbide (SiC) circuit blocks used in a variety of spacecraft power & propulsion system. The circuits shall be used for a wide range of both manned and unmanned space missions. The resulting solutions uniquely enable new extreme environment and high temperature performance levels offered commercially in compact, miniature size & rugged construction. There are no present alternatives for the proposed devices applicable to the extreme environment operating conditions. Based on the technology selection investigation and the road map defined, our proposed technology investigation and the resulting design effort in phase 1 shall conclude with identifying the best fit semiconductor fabrication process as well as component level design & implementation/fabrication methodology plan. With the already stated interest from SiC processing companies such as Cree, we would be focused on targeting device designs for circuits like counter, basic gate, buffer/driver & amplifier, all operating at industry std low voltages In phase 2, we will complete the design/fabrication of successful extreme environment integrated circuit blocks as described that will be used in high efficiency spacecraft power & propulsion systems. We envision to deliver devices that will enable high efficiency power management as well as much improvement in energy density and specific power as required for the state of the art modular power unit architecture. Coupled with the extreme environment, high temperature operation and radiation hardened capabilities the resulting innovative devices will play its significant role as part of the emerging power and propulsion system for future missions.
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Anticipated Benefits
Primary NASA applications:By significantly helping the power conversion efficiency by at least a factor of 2x and reducing the hardware weight by a factor of 3x, our solution would best fit all NASA manned and unmanned missions with diverse mission objectives. Among such programs are specific NASA space missions intended for Titan, Europa, Moon, Mars (manned and unmanned and/or return sample), comets and any other space missions power management, efficiency and electric propulsion would offer a distinct advantage and much improved mission risk. Overall, our proposed solution delivers its value towards the NASA objectives of scalable and modular power system, power distribution and management where space and weight dominate the overall cost of launch and flight durability. With range of power system applications covering solar array as well as electric propulsion, it offers much lighter and more efficient solutions compared to the conventional alternatives Secondary NASA applications: Given the up and coming missions to Venus and the extreme high ambient temperatures, many new alternatives in telemetry systems and sensors would be enabled by the proposed devices. Many subsystems could be realized with much less concern over operation at temperatures above +430 degree C. It enables NASA to develop generation of new extreme high temperature tools that would no longer be considered as bottlenecks in such missions
Superior power systems, power distribution and management on grid and off would also offer much desired benefits to wide range of other national needs. At the national defense our solution would enable development of much more rugged unmanned aerial vehicles (fuel cells, batteries, wireless power, engine sensors, alternative propulsion). The other variations of such vehicles including unmanned subterranean and underwater vehicle applications are other examples. Strategic non-defense applications start from power converter/inverter systems based on fuel cells, solar wind, geothermal, etc. would all benefit from the availability of the devices proposed. Other significant application would be a wide range of higher efficiency power distribution and management systems that will be developed to bring new paradigm in omni-source intelligent power distribution and management paradigm that is of great interest for our domestic industrial infrastructure assurance including the nuclear reactor power management and control systems. Other non-space related benefits would include the following as related the specific industry sectors: All electric vehicles and hybrids including fuel cell power management, power grid control and management, energy storage systems and solar power (photo voltaic and solar concentrator) systems. More »
Superior power systems, power distribution and management on grid and off would also offer much desired benefits to wide range of other national needs. At the national defense our solution would enable development of much more rugged unmanned aerial vehicles (fuel cells, batteries, wireless power, engine sensors, alternative propulsion). The other variations of such vehicles including unmanned subterranean and underwater vehicle applications are other examples. Strategic non-defense applications start from power converter/inverter systems based on fuel cells, solar wind, geothermal, etc. would all benefit from the availability of the devices proposed. Other significant application would be a wide range of higher efficiency power distribution and management systems that will be developed to bring new paradigm in omni-source intelligent power distribution and management paradigm that is of great interest for our domestic industrial infrastructure assurance including the nuclear reactor power management and control systems. Other non-space related benefits would include the following as related the specific industry sectors: All electric vehicles and hybrids including fuel cell power management, power grid control and management, energy storage systems and solar power (photo voltaic and solar concentrator) systems. More »
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronos Technology (Div. of FMI, Inc.) | Lead Organization | Industry | Huntington Beach, California |
Langley Research Center
(LaRC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Hampton, Virginia |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
California
-
Virginia
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