Sustainable Aviation Prognostics and Predictive Health Integrated Reliability Engine

As NASA pursues net-zero aviation emissions by 2050, new hybrid-electric, all-electric, and hydrogen aircraft present unique health management challenges. These novel propulsion systems require innovative approaches to detect anomalies in complex integrated architectures. Cybernet proposes SAPPHIRE (Sustainable Aviation Prognostics and Predictive Health Integrated Reliability Engine) to address these needs. SAPPHIRE provides health management specifically for sustainable aviation platforms. Building on Cybernet's predictive maintenance experience with military vehicles, it combines data collection with AI analytics to monitor electric and alternative fuel propulsion components. The system interfaces with aircraft data buses (MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, Ethernet) to process high-frequency measurements from electric propulsion systems. SAPPHIRE employs AI algorithms combining dimensionality reduction (PCA, ICA) with deep learning (LSTM networks) to detect degradation in motors, power converters, and hydrogen components. Context-aware analysis distinguishes normal operational variations from genuine anomalies by incorporating mission profiles and environmental conditions. The maintenance support framework translates detected anomalies into actionable recommendations with remaining useful life estimates. Phase I will develop the core architecture, initial AI models, and demonstrate feasibility through simulation. This foundation enables Phase II development of a prototype for integration with sustainable aircraft platforms, progressing from TRL 3 to TRL 6. By enabling early detection of issues and condition-based maintenance, SAPPHIRE enhances safety, reduces costs, and improves efficiency for sustainable aviation vehicles. Its open architecture ensures adaptability across platforms, supporting NASA's transition to environmentally friendly aircraft with the reliability needed for commercial adoption

SAPPHIRE directly supports NASA's sustainable aviation initiatives through advanced health monitoring for next-generation aircraft technologies: For NASA's X-57 Maxwell and future electric aircraft testbeds, SAPPHIRE will monitor electric motor performance, power electronics degradation, and battery health. Detection of subtle electrical anomalies will help NASA understand degradation patterns in novel propulsion components during flight, enhancing safety for experimental aircraft. NASA's Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project will benefit from SAPPHIRE's monitoring of megawatt-class turboelectric systems. The technology assesses power converters, distribution networks, and thermal management, helping researchers validate durability of hybrid-electric technologies for commercial transport. For hydrogen propulsion research, SAPPHIRE will monitor cryogenic components, detecting leaks, material degradation, and thermal issues. This addresses NASA's concern about "potential for structural degradation of multiple system components using cryogenic hydrogen" noted in the solicitation. SAPPHIRE will assist NASA's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Campaign by providing health monitoring for eVTOL aircraft in test operations. The system can help establish reliability benchmarks needed for certification of these novel aircraft. NASA's Sustainable Flight National Partnership can use SAPPHIRE to aggregate performance data across various sustainable aircraft concepts, enabling identification of cross-cutting issues affecting multiple technologies. By accelerating reliable deployment of sustainable aircraft, SAPPHIRE supports NASA's aviation sustainability goals. The system's open architecture ensures adaptability across diverse experimental platforms, creating a consistent monitoring approach that enables comparison between different sustainable propulsion technologies. SAPPHIRE's health management capabilities have applications in commercial and military aerospace sectors: Commercial electric aircraft manufacturers (Heart Aerospace, Eviation, Beta Technologies) will benefit from SAPPHIRE's monitoring of electric propulsion. As they develop aircraft like ES-30, Alice, and ALIA, SAPPHIRE will help ensure reliability while optimizing maintenance schedules for commercial viability. The Advanced Air Mobility market presents significant opportunities. Companies developing electric air taxis (Joby Aviation, Archer, Lilium) require health monitoring for certification and safe operation. SAPPHIRE can detect degradation in electric motors and power electronics to support the high-frequency flight profiles of urban air mobility. MRO providers will use SAPPHIRE as they develop capabilities for electric and hybrid aircraft. Lufthansa Technik and AAR Corp can integrate SAPPHIRE into sustainable aviation maintenance programs, enabling condition-based maintenance that reduces costs. Military applications include monitoring emerging electric/hybrid UAVs and future electrified aircraft. SAPPHIRE's open architecture allows integration with existing military systems while providing capabilities for novel propulsion technologies. Major aerospace manufacturers (Boeing, Airbus, Embraer) developing sustainable aircraft can integrate SAPPHIRE into their health monitoring suites, complementing existing systems with specialized capabilities for electric and hydrogen components. Alternative fuel providers like ZeroAvia and Universal Hydrogen can use SAPPHIRE to monitor hydrogen fuel cells and storage systems, enhancing safety while providing data to optimize system design and maintenance.

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.

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.