NASA STTR 2009 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC):		RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI):
NAME:	Plasma Processes, Inc.	NAME:	University of Connecticut
STREET:	4914 Moores Mill Road	STREET:	438 Whitney Road Ext., Unit 1133
CITY:	Huntsville	CITY:	Storrs
STATE/ZIP:	AL  35811 - 1558	STATE/ZIP:	CT  06269 - 1133
PHONE:	(256) 851-7653	PHONE:	(860) 486-3994

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Anatoliy Shchetkovskiy
ashchetkovskiy@plasmapros.com

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) at beginning and end of contract:
Begin: 1
End: 3

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words)
Small and micro-spacecrafts require the efficient, micro-propulsion systems. Chemical micro-propulsion is best suited for use as primary thrust, orbital insertion and attitude control because of its high energy density. When grouped into arrays for larger thrust applications, micro-propulsion devices provide high propulsive flexibility or can be used as igniters.

The proposed effort will focus on thermo-catalytic ignition and combustion of advanced mono- and bi-propellants in micro-channels; and the development of a micro-propulsion device. An innovative near net shape forming technique, in combination with carbon nanotube deposition, will facilitate manufacturing of sub-millimeter diameter micro-channels and tubes with enhanced internal surfaces area for maximum catalytic reaction. The microchannels will provide thermo-catalytic ignition of bi-propellant rockets without needing high voltage igniters and can also provide stable and reliable ignition source for advanced, environmentally friendly, mono-propellants.

POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)
Mono-propellant rocket engines, bi-propellant rockets, and igniters for large rocket engines for large, small (100 kg), very small (10 kg) and very, very small (1 kg) satellites.

POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)
In addition to NASA applications, the technology has many commercial applications including iridium electrodes for ferroelectric capacitors and high-performance spark plug igniters; crystal growth crucibles, catalyst electrodes for chemical production processes; and radiation oncology.

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

Chemical Combustion Metallics Micro Thrusters Monopropellants