Technology Infusion
Small Business: The SBIR/STTR Programs
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Marla Perez-Davis |
Jim Stegeman |
The SBIR/STTR Program (link opens new browser window) welcomed the support of Marla Perez-Davis of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and Jim Stegeman of the Space Operations Mission Directorate as SBIR Technology Integration Managers in 2007. In these positions, they will be helping to identify processes and make connections to increase the infusion of SBIR/STTR technologies into the ARMD and SOMD. Their help in identifying processes to improve the SBIR program is proving to be invaluable.
The IPP seeks solutions to many of NASA’s technical challenges by funding SBIR and STTR projects. GRC has continuously been at the forefront of NASA in both the number of SBIR awards and capturing the most success stories.
ZIN Technologies Building Subject Load Device for ISS Second Treadmill
GRC is providing Phase 3 funding from the Human Research Program (HRP) (link opens new browser window) to Cleveland company ZIN Technologies (link opens new browser window) to build a flight version of a novel passive pneumatic subject load device (PP–SLD) being designed under a Phase 2 SBIR from Johnson Space Center. The work is part of the second International Space Station treadmill project (ISS T2) that will help enable an increase in the number of crew on ISS. The PP–SLD has been identified as a useful risk mitigation technology that tethers the crew member to the treadmill during microgravity and provides adjustable loading during exercise sessions for improved musculoskeletal health. This development is a good example of leveraging SBIR funds to directly meet the needs of programmatic missions.
A&P Technology Develops Affordable Composite Fan Cases With Damage-Tolerant Braided Fiber Architecture
With an SBIR contract from GRC, A&P Technology, Inc. (link opens new browser window), of Cincinnati, Ohio, has devel-oped an approach to manufacturing affordable composite fan cases with a -damage-tolerant- braided fiber architecture to contain failed fan blades in aircraft engines. A&P Technology developed this technology through partnerships with Williams International and Honeywell International and sponsorship with General Electric Aircraft Engines. This new, low-cost manufacturing process reduces the weight of the largest structure in a high-bypass aircraft engine by more than 30 percent and is recognized as one of the most promising emerging technologies in the nation. Two Phase 3 contracts worth a total of $775K will fund the exploration of further improvements in the design, moving it closer to Federal Aviation Administration certification.
WebCore Technologies Develops Lightweight Composite Fan Cases
Collaborating with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and several aircraft engine manufacturers, WebCore Technologies (link opens new browser window) of Miamisburg, Ohio, developed a reliable, damage-tolerant structural sandwich core material for “softwall” jet engine fan containment systems. With Phase 2 SBIR funding, the company has produced a case 25 to 50 percent lighter than titanium and aluminum monolithic cases yet retains twice the mechanical properties after subscale projectile impact tests.
Sunpower, Inc., Develops High-Efficiency, Long-Life, Low-Mass Stirling Engine for Low-Power Applications
In a collaborative effort supported in part by a Phase 3 SBIR contract, Sunpower, Inc. (link opens new browser window), of Athens, Ohio, has developed the Advanced Stirling Converter (link opens new browser window), a critical element of Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (link opens new browser window), which produces four times the electric power per kilogram of Plutonium-238 than traditional radioisotope thermoelectric generators. Since solar power arrays have limits in size and distance from the sun, this power source will become critical for outer planetary and deep-space exploration and will enable lower cost space missions.
