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Active Calorimetry Development for Testing of Active Thermal Control Coatings and Devices

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8650-05-C-5009
Agency Tracking Number: F041-147-1717
Amount: $749,924.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF04-147
Solicitation Number: 2004.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2004
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2005-02-07
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2007-07-07
Small Business Information
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810
United States
DUNS: 073800062
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Prakash Joshi
 Manager, Aerospace Scienc
 (978) 689-0003
 joshi@psicorp.com
Business Contact
 B. Green
Title: President, R&D Operations
Phone: (978) 689-0003
Email: green@psicorp.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Physical Sciences Inc. proposes to develop a calorimeter designed specifically for accurately measuring the solar absorbance (alpha) to infrared emittance (epsilon) ratio, alpha/epsilon, as well as alpha and epsilon, of spacecraft thermal control coatings that can actively change their alpha or epsilon in response to the thermal environment. Our calorimeter is unique; it is autonomous, incorporating its processing and control electronics integrally with the sensor itself. It is lightweight, compact, low-power, and provides real-time measurements and digital output. It requires a small mounting area (~ < 10 cm^2), can be readily distributed over the spacecraft, and can be easily integrated, requiring only a digital communications line and regulated power. In Phase I we designed, fabricated, developed a thermal model for, and calibrated a proof-of-concept calorimeter. We demonstrated its operation by switching the emissivity of a thermal control material incorporated into the calorimeter and verified the resulting change in equilibrium temperature with the calorimeter facing a blackbody in vacuum. Our design showed that the control electronics could be accommodated on a circuit board within calorimeter enclosure. In Phase II we will develop and deliver six fully calibrated, functionally characterized, space environment qualified, easy-to-integrate, flight ready, prototype active calorimeters to AFRL.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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