Nanocomposite Scintillators for Gamma-ray Astronomy

Completed TRL 1 (started at 1, targeting 3)

Description

With the Fermi mission well into its extended phase, the time is right to plan for the next generation gamma-ray project. No matter what form this mission might take, it will use scintillation-based materials as either primary or anticoincidence detectors. This project will develop and characterize nanocomposite scintillators for space-based applications, specifically tuned to medium energy (1 MeV - 100 MeV) gamma-ray astrophysics. Nanocomposites are not only easier to manufacture and are thus cheaper than traditional scintillators while still providing similar or better performance, but they can be tuned to a specific application.

We propose to develop and characterize nanocomposite scintillators for space-based applications, specifically tuned to medium energy (ME; 1 MeV – 100 MeV) gamma-ray astrophysics. At the end of the funded phase of this project we plan to have a working understanding of the manufacture and performance of several different types of nanocomposite materials. The end goal is not to have a working prototype of a detector but to be in a position where we can produce a detector tuned to a specific application based on future funding sources.

Benefits

Every major gamma-ray mission (ME or HE) has included some type of scintillator-based detector, because γ-ray telescopes are essentially particle detectors.

Nanocomposite scintillators could also be used as radiation monitors on Earth.

Details

Technology area	Software, Modeling, Simulation, and Information Processing > Mission Architecture, Systems Analysis, and Concept Development > Tools and Methodologies for Defining Mission Architectures and Mission Design
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2014-10-01
End date	2015-09-01

Project contacts

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

Stanley D Hunter — stanley.d.hunter@nasa.gov
Jeremy S Perkins — jeremy.s.perkins@nasa.gov
Alexander A Moiseev — alexander.a.moiseev@nasa.gov
David J Thompson — david.j.thompson@nasa.gov
Elizabeth A Hays — elizabeth.a.hays@nasa.gov
George Manos — george.manos@nasa.gov
Julie E Mcenery — mcenery@milkyway.gsfc.nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 1) — 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.