Softgoods Webbing Integrated Strain Sensor for Inflatable

In this effort, Paragon will design, fabricate, and test 3 different styles of webbing integrated strain sensors. The design of these sensors will utilize Paragon’s significant experience in soft goods manufacturing for the space industry and include trade studies, electrical integration, and rapid design iteration. These tests will demonstrate the tensile accuracy, cyclic hysteresis, and creep hysteresis of each of these sensors. Using the experimental results obtained, Paragon will perform a down select for follow on development of the best sensor.

Potential NASA Applications for this innovation include long-life strain sensors integrated into the webbing of inflatable habitats for the next generation of space stations. This could provide NASA additional insight into the safety of these structures during flight. This innovation can also be adjusted for use on EVA tethers and space suits and inflatable lunar habitats.

Beyond NASA this innovation can have market applicability in commercial space endeavors – including inflatable space stations, EVA tethers, space suits, and lunar habitats. The innovation has applicability beyond space as well. Webbing integrated strain sensors could be used as a low cost solution to replace load cells during crane rigging & lifting operations

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.