Extreme Environment Ceramic Energy Harvesting/Sensors

It is proposed to address the critical element in the NASA/NRC report that identifies the need for Energy Harvesting that 'can provide local power to improve efficiency, or even provide power to NASA's equipment in Extreme Environments where other power sources could not operate or would be too large or bulky or inefficient. The same devices will provide harsh environment compatible sensor capabilities enabling identification and prognostics functions. The solution uses high temperature ceramic materials in novel energy coupling designs and entirely new energy circuitry that provide very efficient high-energy power generation applicable to NASA Extreme Environments applications, particularly high temperature conditions such that occur during propulsion, high solar exposure, or elevated thermal loading conditions.