Development of Organic FET (OFET)-Based Flexible Integrated Controller for Deformable Mirrors, Year 1

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

The goal is to complete process development to make OFET's on flexible substrates compatible with ultra-lightweight deformable mirrors and to demonstrate simplified active device integration process with a functional deformable mirror as a precursor for future integrated circuit development.

Benefits

This task will enhance the cubesat technologies for earth orbit as well as future planetary cubesat missions. It offers a potential mass reduction for other deformable mirror technologies. Flexible, substrate-integrated electronics technology can be ported to other JPL applications as well (e.g. flexible solar cells, solar sails, SAR antennas).

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Observatories > Mirror Systems
Program	Center Innovation Fund: JPL CIF (JPL CIF)
Lead organization	Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Start date	2013-10-01
End date	2014-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Keith D Patterson — keith.d.patterson@jpl.nasa.gov
Sergio Pellegrino — sergio.pellegrino@jpl.nasa.gov
Shawn M Bongiorno — shawn.m.bongiorno@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.