SBIR/STTR
Innovative Ultra-High Efficiency Cryogenic Actuators for Rocket Test Facilities, Phase I
Project Introduction
The SBIR Phase I project will develop advanced ultra-high efficiency cryogenic actuators for NASA cryogenic fluid transfer application. The actuator will have low driving voltage, large stroke, high driving force, low profile and light weight, low thermal mass, broad operation temperature down to cryogenic temperature, and high reliability. The excellent performance is achieved by using a patented technology that combines (1) d33 mode piezoelectric operation that is at least 100% stronger than d31 mode, (2) piezoelectric single crystal with high piezoelectric response at cryogenic temperature, (3) multilayer design to reduce driving voltage, (4) force amplified design to increase stroke and reliability, and (5) multi stack design to reduce the mechanical impedance. The Phase I will develop demo device for the NASA application.
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Anticipated Benefits
These advanced piezo actuators have immediate applications in NASA Constellation Program, such as adaptive optics structures for NASA Science and communications applications including coronagraphic instruments, interferometric telescopes, and space-based observatories. They are also promising for many future NASA missions such as JWST, SIM, SAFIR, TPF and others.
While these piezoelectric actuators are mainly for NASA applications as they are designed with expensive piezoelectric materials, they can also be used in commercial applications by using the same design but with lower cost piezoelectric materials. More »
While these piezoelectric actuators are mainly for NASA applications as they are designed with expensive piezoelectric materials, they can also be used in commercial applications by using the same design but with lower cost piezoelectric materials. More »
Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Stennis Space Center
(SSC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Stennis Space Center, MS |
| PolyK Technologies, LLC | Supporting Organization | Industry | State College, PA |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Pennsylvania
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Stennis Space Center (SSC)
Responsible Program:
- SBIR/STTR
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Principal Investigator:
- Shihai Zhang
Project Duration
Start: Jun 2017
End: Dec 2017
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 3 |
| Current: | 3 |
| Estimated End: | 4 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 2 In-Space Propulsion Technologies
- TA 2.4 Supporting Technologies
- TA 2.4.2 Propellant Storage and Transfer
Target Destinations
Mars, Others Inside the Solar System