Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Bulk Metallic Glass for Low Noise Fluxgate, Phase II
Project Introduction
The team of Prime Photonics, Virginia Tech, and Utron Kinetics propose to develop a fabrication technology that will result in drop-in replacements for a diminishing supply of NASA fluxgate magnetometer ring cores. Specifically, we plan to capitalize on trends observed during the Phase I effort in terms of control over material properties in bulk, cobalt-rich metallic glass materials with increased permeability, tunable Curie temperature, highly controlled coercivity and saturation inductance, all without the introduction of magnetostrictive-based excess noise. The bulk nature of the material will provide an unprecedented degree of freedom in core geometry design over existing ribbon-form amorphous alloys, allowing for net shape, drop-in fluxgate cores that can compete with, or exceed noise levels observed in the 6-81.3 permalloy family. The Phase I effort brought the technology from observed trends in materials, a TRL of 1, to a level wherein analytical obersevations and proofs of concept have been carried out, a TRL of 3. During the Phase II effort, we projection a minimum TRL of 4 at the completion of the effort.
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Anticipated Benefits
The predominant NASA commercial application lies in a drop-in replacement for current 6-81.3 permalloy fluxgate ring cores. The exact fabrication process that resulted in the ultra-low noise operation of NASA's world class magnetic sensors has been lost since its inception. As such, there are relatively few appropriate materials that are commercially available and viable alternatives to the diminishing supply of permalloy material. Consultation with NASA customers, particularly those in the GSFC mag group, will place Prime Photonics in a unique position to offer a material that has been designed specifically for use in NASA space-based magnetometer missions. Additional uses of the proposed technology lie in magnetic shielding as replacements for mu-metal materials. The amorphous nature of our materials have the potential to provided enhanced reduction in eddy current generation, and advanced flux steering around sensitive components. Furthermore, the ability to tune the ferromagnetic properties of the alloy can allow for a host of NASA applications, from EMI shielding to alternative modality magnetic sensors to components of composite particulate shielding. Commercial applications for the technology outside of NASA interests include much overlap. While there exist alternative magnetic sensing technologies more suitable to terrestrial applications, certain of those technologies can benefit from the advanced material properties of the proposed technology. We have demonstrated an ability to tune the material properties through alloy composition and preparation techniques. As such, we can tailo the material to provide for elevated magnetostriction of increased permeability, both of which can serve as foundations for alternative sensor modalities. One of the most important potential applications of the material lies in the fabrication of transformer core laminations. The controllable magnetostriction, high permeability, low electrical conductivity, and low coercivity would all contribute to a significant reduction in parasitic energy loss in residential and industry power distribution grids.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Photonics, LC | Lead Organization | Industry | Blacksburg, Virginia |
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, Maryland |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Maryland
-
Virginia
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Organization:
- Prime Photonics, LC
Responsible Program:
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Project Management
Project Duration
Start: Jul 2013
End: Jul 2015
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 3 |
| Current: | 6 |
| Estimated End: | 6 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX12 Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing
- TX12.1 Materials
- TX12.1.7 Special Materials
Target Destination
Foundational Knowledge
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