NANOSONIC INC. — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: A1

Description

This NASA Phase I SBIR program would develop conformal nanomembrane based ldquo;sensor skinsrdquo; capable of global shear stress characterization on wind tunnel models as well as operational aerospace vehicles at both room temperature and cryogenic conditions. The team will transition the conformal nanomembrane based shear stress sensors from their current concept to prototype stage products of use to NASArsquo;s ground test facilities. The team will develop an improved mechanical and electrical model of semiconductor nanomembrane based sensor performance that will allow quantitative optimization of material properties and suggest optimal methods for sensor attachment and use for shear measurement applications. The team will perform synthesis of sensor skin materials with optimized transduction, hysteresis and environmental properties, specifically for high Reynoldrsquo;s number flow and also varying temperature use at both room temperature and cryogenic conditions. A complete analysis of sensor cross-sensitivities and noise sources will be performed to allow optimization of signal-to-noise ratio and practical sensor sensitivity. Support electronics will be developed to acquire, multiplex, store and process raw sensor array data.