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IMPedance Analysis & Certification Technnology (IMPACT)
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Description
Proposed Goals/Objectives: (1) Integrate EIT with TPS certification, (2) Extend 2D EIT to system scale (>24”). Stretch: develop impedance correlation models for other TPS material properties (thermal conductivity, phase, strain) via impedance spectra to enhance EIT cert. & diagnostic capabilities. Vision: Low cost and rapid in-situ certification of heatshields at any scale including Human M2M missions.
Benefits
Deliverables: (1) Optimized EIT system for TPS certification processes, (2) Impedance correlation models for material thermal conductivity/phase, (3) Higher temperature testing (>700 °C), system scale testing (DFLY/ESM), (4) Papers: EIT for TPS crack detection, EIT for resin sensing, EIT for microstructure sensing
Details
| Technology area | Entry, Descent, and Landing |
| Program | Agency Independent Research and Development (A-IRAD) |
| Lead organization | Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA |
| Start date | 2025-11-01 |
| End date | 2026-09-30 |
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How to get involved
This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
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