High-Temperature, MHz-Bandwidth, Miniaturized Heat-Flux Sensors for High-Speed Flows

The Interdisciplinary Consulting Corporation (IC2) proposes to develop high-temperature, high-bandwidth, miniaturized heat flux sensors that are applicable in a variety of environmental conditions such as those encountered in high-speed ground- and flight-test facilities. The proposed sensing system addresses a critically unmet measurement need in NASA’s technology portfolio, specifically the ability to make quantitative, time-resolved, mean and fluctuating heat-flux measurements with sufficient dynamic range, bandwidth, and spatial resolution in high-temperature, high-speed flows using a robust, miniature sensor to facilitate installation in scale models and high-speed ground- and flight-test facilities. The sensor system will enable single-point measurement of heat flux for characterization of complex boundary layer flows in ground-test facilities over a wide range of temperatures, with a target maximum continuous operating temperature >1000 K (727 °C). The proposed heat-flux sensor consists of a microfabricated thin-film thermopile on top of a support substrate with a thin protective coating and backside electrical connections. This design represents a robust, flush-mounted, miniature, heat-flux sensing system that possesses improved sensor survivability, reduced humidity sensitivity, and less bulky, fragile packaging than existing solutions. The flow disturbance for this sensor is minimal because of the flush-mount design and small footprint. Optimized sensor electronics will also help improve the sensitivity, dynamic range, and bandwidth of the sensor.

Potential applications for the system include use within NASA’s supersonic and hypersonic ground-test facilities such as the 20-inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel, 31-inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel, and the 8-Foot High Temperature Tunnel (8-ft HTT) at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) as well as other high-speed facilities at NASA’s Glenn and Ames Research Centers.

This technology is also applicable to DOD high-speed test facilities, e.g., Tunnel A/B/C at AEDC and Tunnel 9 at AEDC White Oak, as well as commercial defense contractors working in the guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing (e.g., Boeing Defense, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon).

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.

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