← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)
To meet the NASA MSFC demand for embedded sensors for structural health monitoring, the sensor should be able to address the issues of increased performance and environmental durability, reduced mass, power consumption, and size. This cooperative agreement notice (CAN) proposal focuses on the manufacturing of a high-performance powerless sensor that integrates physical principles of mechanoluminescence (i.e. triboluminescent) and poly-crystalline perovskite materials for structural monitoring applications. Dr. Okoli and Dr. Dickens offer their expertise in advanced processing and manufacturing in the two projects that have been identified and outlined in collaboration with Dr. Enrique Jackson (EM 22) and Rebecca Farr (EM 41) from NASA MSFC.
Project 1 – The first project outlines pursuits in hybrid/3D manufacturing of in situ triboluminescent optical fiber (ITOF) sensors for structural health monitoring. The ITOF sensor can offer real-time damage sensing in large composite structures. In our prior work, the ITOF sensors were manufactured by the dip-coating process. With the dip-coating method, controlling the thickness and repeatability of the fabrication process may be somewhat challenging. The High-Performance Materials Institute (HPMI), FAMU-FSU College of Engineering houses nScrypt high precision 3D printers. With this 3D printer, we can perform layer by layer direct printing of the ITOF sensor. This project will also investigate the embedment density of the ITOF into the carbon fibers/vinyl ester composite laminates. The performance of the ITOF sensors will be evaluated under simulated outer space conditions (low temperature, low pressure). Mechanical tests such as 1) three-point bending, 2) double-cantilever beam and 3) Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) will be carried out at extreme conditions (-150°C), while signals from embedded ITOF sensors are collected at the same time to evaluate the performance of the structural health monitoring systems. Impact tests will also be performed by rail-gun to simulate the impact of projectile traveled at velocity exceeds the speed of sound in the space environment.
Project 2 – The second project relates to the 3D printing of the ITOF/perovskite photodiode sensors. The perovskite photodiode will be manufactured using a hybrid inkjet/direct-writing approach. The perovskite photodiode can capture all the light emitted from the excitation of triboluminescence even at low impact energy, with the capability to detect external pressure events as low as 1 kPa. Furthermore, the issue of sensor termination will also be investigated. The team will perform a systematic comparison of the output signal generated from the sensor when the perovskite photodiode is end-coupled. The insight gained from the position and placement of the perovskite-based photodiode will help to address the problem of termination of sensor constructs via 3D printing. The performance of the ITOF/Perovskite photodiode sensors will also be assessed in a simulated space environment.
The proposed projects will benefit the research mission of FAMU as it will offer us the opportunity to improve and propel our prior work on ITOF sensor for commercialization. In addition, it will provide the FAMU team the opportunity to scale-up the manufacturing process of perovskite photodiodes.
This CAN proposal relates to the study of additive manufacturing technologies and viability assessment of printed powerless sensors structures for the aerospace environment in support of NASA’s efforts in Technologies Supporting Spacecraft Systems as described in Sections 2.1.5 in the Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN). The proposed projects have been developed based on discussions with NASA personnel Dr. Enrique Jackson (EM22) and Rebecca Farr (EM41) (see letter of support from Mark Cooper, Director, Materials and Processing Lab).
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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.
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.