Nanostructured Material for Accurate and Fast Tracking of Cryogenic Temperatures, Phase I

The use of cryogenic propellants in next-generation launch vehicles and rockets relies to a great extent on the availability of rugged, high accuracy (0.2%), fast response sensors to measure the temperature, flow and fluid levels under high pressure and high flow-rate conditions. Current cryogenic sensors suffer from a variety of defects such as inaccuracy, slow response, and narrow temperature range of operation. Materials Modification, Inc. proposes to overcome the above drawbacks with Nanotechnology. The aim of this proposed research is to use nanotechnology to improve the temperature-dependent electrical resistance of an RTD material for the fabrication of cryosensors. An in-house microwave plasma process will be used to synthesize nanoparticles of the sensor material, which will be used to fabricate a nanostructured cryosensor element, which is accurate, and exhibits fast response even under flow conditions. Subsequent Phase II work will aim at fabricating a commercial RTD using the nanostructured material.

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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