Fiber Optic Sensing for Temperature (FROST) for CFM

The Fiber Optic Sensing for Temperature (FROST) system is an advanced, high-resolution cryogenic temperature sensing solution designed to enhance propellant storage, fuel transfer, and structural health monitoring (SHM) for space applications. Unlike traditional point-based sensors (e.g., RTDs, thermocouples, and discrete FBGs), FROST leverages high-definition distributed fiber optic sensing (HD-FOS) to provide continuous temperature measurements along a single fiber strand with sub-millimeter resolution from 350K down to 20K. FROST integrates seamlessly into Type I–V Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs), cryogenic pipelines, fuel transfer lines, and insulation layers, offering real-time temperature mapping, gas/liquid interface detection, and structural monitoring without the need for electrical components inside the cryogenic environment. This innovation is critical for NASA’s long-duration space missions, lunar/Mars ISRU propellant storage, and in-space refueling architectures, reducing boil-off losses, enhancing safety, and improving system efficiency. Funding from the Phase I will be utilized to advance the FROST system through initial prototype demonstration of distributed direct-internal and indirect-external temperature sensing and identify key materials, designs, and manufacturing considerations for Phase II development supporting scalable temperature sensing of CFM systems. Phase I funding ($150,000) will focus on design, prototype development, and validation down to 77K, with Phase II advancing the technology for full-scale integration to 20K. The commercialization strategy will target NASA’s Artemis, Lunar Gateway, and deep-space fuel depot programs, as well as commercial spaceflight and terrestrial applications in hydrogen energy storage, superconducting power systems, and industrial cryogenics. FROST’s scalable, lightweight, and electrically passive design positions it as a breakthrough sensing solution for next-gen. CFM systems