High Sensitivity, High Frequency Sensors for Hypervelocity Testing and Analysis

This NASA Phase II SBIR program would develop high sensitivity, high frequency nanomembrane based surface sensors for hypervelocity testing and analysis on wind tunnel and shock tube models, using SOI (Silicon on Insulator) NM techniques in combination with our pioneering nanocomposite materials. Such low-modulus, conformal nanomembrane sensors with integrated interconnected elements and electronic devices can be applied to new or existing wind tunnel models for high frequency pressure analysis, as well as for detection of the shock front edge arrival in shock tube facilities. NanoSonic has demonstrated the feasibility of NM transducer materials in such sensors for the measurement of dynamic normal pressure using shock tube facility. Semiconductor NM sensors are thin, mechanically and chemically robust materials that may be patterned in two dimensions to create multi-sensor element arrays that can be embedded into small probe tips.