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HOTTech

Planetary Science Division / Science Mission Directorate

HOTTech-21

High Operating Temperature Technology-21 (HOTTech-21)

–7 proposals were selected to cover a broad portfolio of technologies

–Approximately $1.5M/award with a max duration of 3 years

HOTTech Quad Chart UniversityOfPittsburgh 12_7_2021Soft Magnetic Inductors

Advanced Co-Based Nanocrystalline Soft Magnetics for Extreme Temperature Inductor Applications

HOTTech Quad GE-Glenn-OAI UV ImagerNear Field Imager

High Temperature UV near field Imager

The project team will develop a silicon carbide (SiC) ultraviolet (UV) near-field camera that will operate continuously in high-temperature environments, thereby enabling missions to the surface of Venus. GE Research’s SiC optical sensing device combined with NASA Glenn’s SiC integrated circuits with proven durability in simulated Venus conditions, guided by OAI’s expertise in planetary science, provides an innovative solution to enable capturing close-up images of geological samples in environments up to 500°C.

HOTTech Quad MEMS - Seismometers - PublicSeismometer Sensor

High-Temperature MEMS based Seismometer

Leverage existing MEMS seismic sensor, recent developments in high-temperature electronics and sensors, terrestrial analogues and Venus seismicity studies, and an expert team to design and mature a MEMS based seismometer suitable for use on long-duration Venus landers, like SAEVe.

HOTTech Quad Solar Array_5-17-22Surface Solar Array

Venus Surface Solar Array

HOTTech Quad-InnoSys-2022-05-17High Temperature Transmitter

A High Temperature Transmitter for Venus Surface Environment

Use Vacuum transistors (Solid State Vacuum Device (SSVD) -microfabricated vacuum triodes) and microwave high temperature passive components to develop a transmitter working in Venus surface environment. The transmitter will operate at 500 °C and 1500 PSI.

MemoryHOTTechQuadV4Non-Volatile Memory

Non-Volatile, Low Power, and High Density SiC
Memory For Future Venus Missions

This project seeks to develop and demonstrate the world’s first Venus-durable low power memory device (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) to enhance extended Venus surface missions.

Venus Durable Actuator and Electronics - Quad ChartVenus Durable Actuator

A Venus Durable Actuator and Electronics System

We will demonstrate a TRL-6 Venus Durable Actuator and Electronics System designed for a lander and payload currently in development for long duration Venus exploration. The elements of the pointing system, namely actuator and drive electronics, can be applied to other applications requiring actuation. TRL6 demonstration includes operation in Venus surface conditions for extended duration up to 60 days in year 3 of the effort.

HOTTech-16

High Operating Temperature Technology-16 (HOTTech-16)

–12 proposals were selected to cover a broad portfolio of technologies

–Approximately $600k/award with a max duration of 3 years

Electronics Packaging

500°C Capable, Weather-Resistant Electronics Packaging for Extreme Environment Exploration

Deeper understanding of survival/degradation behavior of die attach, metal interconnect, and housing materials in extreme conditions (500°C, chemically corrosive conditions)

Primary Batteries

High Temperature-resilient And Long-Life (HiTALL) Primary Batteries for Venus and Mercury Surface Missions

Being inherently stable at 500oC and high CO2 pressures (92 bar) and having high specific energy, these batteries will enable a long-term in-situ Venus missions for >30 days (vs <2h with the state of art batteries)

Solar Cells

Low Intensity High Temperature (LIHT) Solar Cells for Venus Exploration Missions

We are developing a dual-junction high-temperature GaAs/GaInP solar cell to satisfy the extreme Venus environmental requirements. The novel features of the proposed cell include:

Secondary Battery

High Energy, Long Cycle Life, and Extreme Temperature Lithium-Sulfur Battery for Venus Missions

SiC Electronics

SiC Electronics to Enable Long-Lived Chemical Sensor Measurements at the Venus Surface

Diamond Electronics

High Temperature Diamond Electronics for Actuators and Sensors

Memory

High Temperature Memory Electronics for Long-Lived Venus Missions

Combustion-Based Power Supply

Hot Operating Temperature Lithium combustion for IN situ Energy and Power

Vacuum Electronic Devices

Field Emission Vacuum Electronic Devices for Hot Temperature Operations

Chip-Scale Clocks

Passively Compensated Low-Power Chip-Scale Clocks for Wireless Communication in Harsh Environments

GaN Microprocessor

High Temperature GaN Microprocessor for Space Applications

Electric Motor

Development of a TRL6 Electric Motor and Position Sensor for Venus

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