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Glass Alloy Manufacturing Machine - Acoustic Levitation Furnace (GAMMA-ALF)
Completed
TRL 6 (started at 3, targeting 6)
Description
The Glass Alloy Manufacturing Machine - Acoustic Levitation Furnace (GAMMA-ALF) uses an acoustic levitation furnace for contactless manufacturing of glass preforms for fiber optics to reduce defects by providing uniform heating and avoiding inclusions from crucible or mold walls. Parabolic flight testing will enable evaluation of the levitation equipment and heating system in a microgravity environment to prepare for deployment of GAMMA-ALF aboard the International Space Station.
Benefits
NASA, the Department of Defense, and commercial customers are key clientele that have potential to be anchor customers for GAMMA-ALF's glass fiber platforms.
Details
| Technology area | Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing > Manufacturing > Electronics and Optics Manufacturing Processes |
| Program | Flight Opportunities (FO) |
| Lead organization | Made in Space, Inc., JACKSONVILLE, FL |
| Start date | 2020-10-01 |
| End date | 2022-04-30 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.