NASA SBIR 2018-I Solicitation

Proposal Summary

 18-1- S3.05-6932
 Terrestrial Balloons and Planetary Aerial Vehicles
 Optically Interrogated Thin Film Strain Gauge for Balloon
Creare, LLC
16 Great Hollow Road
Hanover , NH 03755-3116
(603) 643-3800

Principal Investigator (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Marc Ramsey
16 Great Hollow Road Hanover, NH 03755 - 3116
(603) 643-3800

Business Official (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Robert Kline-Schoder
16 Great Hollow Road Hanover, NH 03755 - 3116
(603) 640-2487
Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :
Begin: 3
End: 4
Technical Abstract

To support development of atmospheric balloons and gossamer structures, NASA requires a capability for real-time, dynamic strain measurement in thin polymeric membranes during deployment and flight.  This capability will provide quantitative test data to inform balloon design efforts, as well as enable real-time monitoring of material state during flight.  Existing technologies include wired or wireless electrical or fiber-optic strain gauges, impractical to implement on a thin membrane; photogrammetric techniques that require multiple cameras, detailed knowledge of nominal balloon geometry, and significant post-processing computation; and exotic optical techniques that are unsuited for large scale, dynamic balloon testing and flight.  We will develop a completely novel measurement system based on an optically-interrogated thin-film elastomer strain gauge that will provide sensitive, real-time, two-component strain measurement in balloon gores.  A large number of the low modulus, thin-film sensors distributed across the balloon will be interrogated remotely at high frequency with a single camera that can be mounted on the payload.

Potential NASA Applications

Given the high cost of payload launch, NASA often develops lightweight technologies.  These include membrane systems such as balloons, solar sails, inflatable booms, and parachutes, along with thin structures such as solar panels, spacecraft skins, and pressure domes. In each case, our novel low modulus, remotely interrogated strain gauge will be of value for both testing and development along with in-service control feedback and health monitoring.

Potential Non-NASA Applications

Because of its unique properties such as low elastic modulus, ease of application, and remote interrogation, we anticipate that this novel sensor will have a broad array of applications.  It will find commercial use in testing of flexible structures such as sails, balloons, tents, and architectural panels.  It might also be used in novel scientific applications, such as measuring the strain in human skin during locomotion or tree limbs under wind load.

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