← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 4 (started at 1, targeting 4)
We propose a one-year effort to develop new diamond detector technologies for charged particle characterization, which will advance our understanding of acceleration, transport, and loss of energetic particles throughout the Heliosphere. The sensor system will include the development of a novel FPGA-based analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) as part of the front-end electronics that will drastically improve instrument performance. Both aspects are used extensively on the ground, and the proposed work will adapt them for use in a compact, low mass, low power sensor suitable for CubeSats and SmallSats. Diamond detectors are used in high-radiation environments, such as the Large Hadron Collider, and are perfect to adapt as space-based particle detection sensor because they have extremely fast pulse rise times, are inherently radiation hardened, and require relatively low bias voltages.
Diamond detectors for space weather observation will improve humanity's ability to measure and forecast the space radiation environment.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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.