Thermal Expansion Solutions, Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: MDA21-001
Thermal Expansion Solutions, Inc. — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Defense.
Phase I SBIR feasibility signal
- Phase I awards fund proof-of-concept work. For capture teams, they mark early interest from Department of Defense in a technical approach.
- Watch for Phase II follow-ons from the same firm/topic family — that conversion path is where budgets and transition pressure rise.
- Obligated amount $149,989. Cross-check similar awards in the same agency and technology tags for going-rate context.
- Topic code MDA21-001 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $149,989
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Missile Defense Agency
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- Topic
- MDA21-001
- Solicitation
- 21.2
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- TX
- Period
- 2021-12-06 → 2022-06-05
Description
This Phase I seeks to develop optical seekers that must operate in the endo-atmosphere and exo-atmosphere with high mechanical and thermal stability. ALLVAR Alloy support structures have the potential to create smaller, lighter, and lower cost athermalization solutions for Silicon Carbide (SiC) mirrored telescopes without sacrificing the thermal stability traditionally associated with monolithic or mono-material designs. To realize these benefits, this project aims to tune ALLVAR Alloys’ coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) to zero. The closer to zero thermal expansion (ZTE), the higher the material’s thermal stability. A target of ~100 W/um is based off of SiC’s thermal stability. If successful, a strong and ductile support structure material will be produced that can be used to athermalize telescopes with SiC mirrors. Approved for Public Release | 21-MDA-11013 (19 Nov 21)