NASA STTR 2006 Solicitation
FORM B - PROPOSAL SUMMARY
PROPOSAL NUMBER: |
06-2 T7.01-9996 |
PHASE 1 CONTRACT NUMBER: |
NNL07AA99P |
RESEARCH SUBTOPIC TITLE: |
Non-Destructive Evaluation and Structural Health
Monitoring |
PROPOSAL TITLE: |
Microwave Detection of Laser Ultrasonic for Non-Destructive
Testing |
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC): |
RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI):
|
NAME: |
Bossa Nova Technologies LLC |
NAME: |
University of California, Los Angeles |
STREET: |
606 B Venice Blvd. |
STREET: |
405 Hilgard Avenue |
CITY: |
Venice |
CITY: |
Los Angeles |
STATE/ZIP: |
CA 90291 - 4863 |
STATE/ZIP: |
CA 90095 - 9000 |
PHONE: |
(310) 577-8113 |
PHONE: |
(310) 206-1024 |
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name,
E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Sebastien Breugnot sbreugnot@bossanovatech.com 606 B Venice Blvd Venice, CA
90291 - 4863 (310) 577-8113
Expected Technology Readiness Level (TRL) upon completion of
contract:
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200
words) In this proposal, we describe a program to develop a
high-performance, cost-effective and robust microwave receiver prototype
for multi-purpose Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). Currently, NDE of
space transportation vehicles is primarily carried out on the ground,
between missions. For future space missions, as duration and frequency
increases, more inspection will need to be performed in space in order to
monitor the aging process of the structure and to insure its integrity.
For this purpose, NDE equipment that is compact, lightweight, easily
operated by human with limited mobility or robot, and that exhibits low
power consumption is required. Furthermore, in order to minimize the
quantity of embarked equipment, the inspection equipment must be able to
perform as many different inspection tasks as possible. Our innovative
receiver is based on the integration of a microwave interferometer coupled
with a pulsed laser to generate the ultrasound. . Based on the results
obtained during Phase 1, we strongly think that we will be able to
overcome the limitation generally associated with classical optical
receiver: 1) Inability to work in factory environment where thermal,
mechanical and optical propagation (fumes, water drops,..) perturbations
are present; 2) Reduction in sensitivity caused by the speckle nature of
the light reflected from rough surfaces; 3) High system cost due the price
of the probe lasers, optics and engineering to develop an optical system
working in a harsh environment (fumes, water drops, strong mechanical
vibrationÂ…) and 4) high maintenance cost (Lasers and optics need to be
checked and re-aligned frequently). Our proposed approach will lead to a
cost-effective prototype with good sensitivity and performances in
industrial environment.
POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (Limit 1500 characters,
approximately 150 words) The primarily target is the NDE during space
flight, but it will also be applicable to on-the-ground NDE. Potential
NASA applications covers a variety of NDE inspection needs, including the
detection of subsurface inclusions and surface breaking cracks, the
inspection of wiring and detection of cracks in the insulation,
characterization of coating materials and bonding properties. Moreover,
there is some potential application for the detection of corrosion under
the shuttle thermal protection system without removing the tile.
POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (Limit 1500
characters, approximately 150 words) Potential non-NASA commercial
applications include ground based aircraft and spacecraft inspection, the
inspection and characterization of thin films and coatings, residual
stress measurement, fatigue crack detection, and the inspection of
metallic and composite plates. Remote non-destructive testing where the
cost of the system is critical and therefore laser detection is too
expensive is a strong potential market.
NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program
to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency.
It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of
interest to NASA.
TECHNOLOGY TAXONOMY MAPPING |
Ceramics Composites Microwave/Submillimeter Testing
Facilities Testing Requirements and
Architectures
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Form Generated on 01-28-08 15:27
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