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Completed TRL 2 (started at 1, targeting 2)
The proposal seeks to demonstrate printing of material directly onto a precisely figured mandrel in order to eliminate secondary forming and polishing steps after the printing process. The first process is to electroform a very thin (i.e., 50 micron) layer of Ni onto a mandrel. Afterward the ceramic is printed onto the electroformed nickel, heat treated at low temperature, and then released. The second approach is to use a thin film release layer such as Titanium Nitride (TiN) which is deposited on the mandrel prior to printing of the ceramic. After printing the ceramic is heat treated at low temperature and then released.
The proposal offers a new approach to X-ray optics fabrication by replacing a portion of the thickness of traditional NiCo electroformed optics with a lightweight printed ceramic. This approach offers the potential to achieve a larger collecting area for a given mass budget in comparison to traditional electroformed optics.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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.
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