Essential Silicon Carbide Based Integrated Circuits for Extreme Environments

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will design Silicon Carbide based integrated circuits that will be capable of surviving and functioning at harsh environments. There are numerous design and fabrication challenges that are required to be addressed for a successful Silicon Carbide integrated circuit development. Silicon Carbide devices have already been fabricated and tested. During the Phase I, essential integrated circuit for harsh environment applications will be designed, and the prototypes will be fabricated during the Phase II effort.

The proposed integrated circuit products will provide the essential electronics components to NASA in order to build its instruments and systems for extreme (high temperature and high radiation) environments. Sensing systems, actuation systems, control systems, communication systems, and power electronics in those environments are among NASA's commercial applications.

A number of potential non-NASA applications would be down-holes in Oil/Gas/Geothermal, engines in Aerospace/Automotive, and various Power Electronics. These integrated circuits will enable reliable and long term sensing practical in down-hole applications improving the production efficiency. They will enable engines to run more efficiently saving on fuel and reducing carbon footprints. Power Electronics can become more intelligent with increased power density and efficiency along with reduction in its size and weight.

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.

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.