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TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Self-Healing Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) (KSC-TOPS-80)

General Information

  • Contract Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Original)
  • Original Published Date: Oct 20, 2022 03:53 pm EDT
  • Original Response Date: Oct 20, 2023 05:00 pm EDT
  • Inactive Policy: 15 days after response date
  • Original Inactive Date:
  • Initiative:
    • None

Classification

  • Original Set Aside:
  • Product Service Code: 9999 - MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
  • NAICS Code:
    • 927110 - Space Research and Technology
  • Place of Performance:

Description

NASA’s Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses.

THE TECHNOLOGY:

Fatigue endurance is critical for the airworthiness of civilian and military aging aircraft and for long-duration flight and deep space missions. Estimates are that 90% of structure failures are due to fatigue. NASA has developed a new metal matrix composite (MMC) that can repair itself from large fatigue cracks that occur during the service life of a structure. This novel liquid-assisted MMC recovers the strength of the structure after a healing cycle. The MMC contains both shape memory alloy (SMA) reinforcements and some low-melting phase components which, when heated, essentially clamp the crack edges back together and flow material into the crack's gap for a high strength repair. While current crack repair methods exist, such as doublers or welding overlays, these methods require complex surface prep and bonding, which can be difficult and may result in a region of decreased strength. The new material allows for the repair of fatigue cracks without additional materials or human interaction.

To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/KSC-TOPS-80

If you have any questions, please e-mail NASA’s Technology Transfer Program at Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this SAM.gov notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/

These responses are provided to members of NASA’s Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.

Contact Information

Contracting Office Address

  • WASHINGTON DC 20546-0001
  • WASHINGTON , DC 20546
  • USA

Primary Point of Contact

Secondary Point of Contact





History

  • Nov 04, 2023 11:55 pm EDTSpecial Notice (Original)