Space Electronics Operating at High Temperatures and Radiation Levels

The objective is to produce high efficiency DC/DC power modules in a small low profile package that can tolerate extreme environment conditions. The primary effort of the Phase II program is to address the need for very high performance power electronics that meet a combination of high radiation tolerance, high thermal tolerance and extremely low EMI susceptibility/radiation. The power modules incorporate several radical new advances in power design including ceramic cores and quasi-linear circuitry. The program will exit with such modules having been verified for thermal vacuum and electromagnetic (susceptibility and radiation) performance of modules that can tolerate >0.3Mrad and >200C operation with negligible electromagnetic coupling and extremely high electrical isolation.

The technology enables a new generation of space qualifiable DC/DC power converters, inverters and sensors based on lightweight ceramic technology replacing magnetics. This technology will address NASA critical needs for small lightweight power electronics for missions that must operate in both typical space and also more extreme environments.

The technology is already in development for public and military sector power devices such as AC/DC adapters, DC/DC converters, LED lighting , fuze munitions, and distributed solar and photovoltaic products.

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.