Autonomous Multifunctional Sensor Platform

We propose to develop a low resource, autonomous in situ multifunctional sensor platform with highly sensitive, stable, wireless sensor system by leveraging an innovative 3D micro and nanoscale printing technique developed by our partner, Professor Busnaina at Northeastern University (NEU). The sensor system includes nanomaterialbased gas, temperature and pressure sensors, as well as electronics for onboard computation, on-chip heaters, power source and wireless communication module, packaged in a self-contained unit. To enable this powerful and disruptive technology, we take advantage of NEU's unique additive manufacturing technique that allows us to print nanostructures, as well as a variety of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene, molybdenum disulfide, and metal leads on either rigid or flexible substrates. The ability to print the sensor systems, and partial circuitry of the wireless communication module directly on the same daughterboard, which is then packaged with a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) consisting of electronics, power source and the rest of the communication circuitry (Fig.1), eliminates the need to integrate individually fabricated components. This makes the packaging significantly more robust and reduces the resource footprint of the sensor platform. We will leverage the exciting progress made on the 3D printed sensors under CIF 2017 and 2018 (PI Sultana).

The realization of a low resource, yet high performance, autonomous multifunctional sensor platform will greatly benefit a broad range of future missions across Heliophysics, Planetary Science, Earth Science and Human Exploration. The low resource nature will particularly enable small satellite missions for a variety of science applications, including studying water vapor cycle on the Moon, and search for life on planetary targets such as Mars, Europa and Enceladus.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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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