POLYK TECHNOLOGIES LLC — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: Z13
POLYK TECHNOLOGIES LLC — SBIR Phase I award from National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Phase I SBIR feasibility signal
- Phase I awards fund proof-of-concept work. For capture teams, they mark early interest from National Aeronautics and Space Administration 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 $121,785. Cross-check similar awards in the same agency and technology tags for going-rate context.
- Topic code Z13 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $121,785
- Agency
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- Topic
- Z13
- Solicitation
- SBIR_20_P1
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- PA
- Period
- 2020-08-31 → 2021-03-01
Description
The SBIR Phase I project will develop a dust mitigation technology for NASArsquo;s planetary exploration missions. Specifically, this technology combines three dust removal mechanisms, including vibration, electrodynamic force, and superhydrophobic surface, and integrates them into a single laminate (PolyK Dust Mitigation Laminate, or PKDML). Once the PKDML is activated, dust particles will be bumped off the surface by vibration and steered away by electrodynamic force. The superhydrophobic surface reduces the adhesion between dust and surface, further facilitating dust movement and preventing dust accumulation. This technology can provide far more effective and efficient solution than the current state-of-the-art (electrodynamic dust shield, or EDS), as manifested at least in: 1) dust is transported in air rather than along the surface, which will save a significant amount of electrical energies that are otherwise needed to overcome the strong surface friction; 2) vibration is more effective in removing uncharged and large dust particles than the EDS technology. Moreover, the PKDML has similar structure layout to the EDS technology, enabling the fast manufacturing, installation, and adoption for the emerging NASA lunar and Mars missions.The feasibility of this technology has been verified by out promising preliminary results. The in-depth experience and expertise in high voltage manipulation, electroactive polymers, actuator designs and applications, and manufacturing capability will greatly endorse this project.