MODIFICATION
B -- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SABBATICAL PROGRAM FOR UNIVERSITY FACULTY
- Notice Date
- 10/15/2004
- Notice Type
- Modification
- NAICS
- 611310
— Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
- Contracting Office
- NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Procurement, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
- ZIP Code
- 32899
- Solicitation Number
- NASA-SNOTE-040920-001
- Response Due
- 1/31/2005
- Archive Date
- 10/15/2005
- Description
- This is a modification to the synopsis entitled Kennedy Space Center Sabbatical Program; NNK04ZOP0010 which was posted on September 20, 2004. You are notified that the following changes are made: Add the following full descriptions to the Six Technical Areas: 1. Seal-Healing Wire Insulation: The technical approach for the proposed development of new manual repair methods that can lead to self-repair technologies is divided into three phases. The first phase would demonstrate proof-of-concept (POC) for the repair of Kapton, Teflon and vinyl type insualtion. The second phase would develop breadboard designs of the repair processes demonstrated in the POC phase. The third phase would develop prototype designs that would lead to qualification testing and acceptance of the final products. Currently, we are completing the POC for Kapton insulation. The primary goal of the project is to develop the technology required to repair Kapton, Teflon, and vinyl type electrical insulation that is self-repairing. To accomplish this primary goal several secondary goals must be met, which are listed below: a. The composition of the repair material should have physical and chemical properties that are similar to the original insulation material. For example, the repair material for Kapton repair material should apply a Kapton-type repair material and the same is true for Teflon and vinyl materials. In addition, the thermal properties of the repair material should be similar to the insulation. b. Chemical heaters that apply the required amount of heat should be used, thus eliminating the need for heat-guns. Initiation of the heating system should be simple, such as, adding a small amount of water or exposure to oxygen in the air. c. The chemical toxicity of the repair materials should be low to reduce health hazards for repair technicians. The safe use of chemical heaters has been demonstrated by their successful use to heat the Army's Meals Ready to Eat (MRE). d. The repair for Kapton-type insulation should address problems associated with stresses at each end of the repair. One approach would use a gradual increase in the thickneww of the repair material at each end of the repair to provide a smooth transition in flexibility at the point of repair. e. The steps in the repair process should be simple and intuitive to minimize incorrect application of the repair material. QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate would have a PhD in organic or polymer chemistry with 10 or more years of hands-on experience in organic synthesis and/or polymer chemistry. An added benefit would be experience with microencapsulation or self-initiating processes. 2. Sensor Technology Development. The development of distributed sensor networks for flight vehicles and ground support equipment is highly desirable. These networks will be utilized in support of Health Management Systems. Work to be performed includes: a. Definition and optimization of sensor network architectures; b. Definition and optimization of sensor network communication media (wireless, fiber optic, etc); c. Definition of communication protocols, data distribution, data transfer speed, data latency and synchronization, data collision, etc; d. System robustness, reliability and auto reconfiguration capabilities; and e. Process knowledge sharing and data validation among network elements. QUALIFICATIONS: Electrical/electronics background with emphasis in communication, networks and instrumentation. 3. Bioregenerative Life Support: Bioregenerative life support at KSC is carried out by a number of experts in bioractor design and operation, horticulture, plant physiology, microbial ecology and microbial genetics and physiology. Missing from this skill mix is an individual with adequate modeling skills to provide quantitative descriptions of the processes being investigated. We are seeking a sabbatical appointment for an individual with modeling skills to assist in developing models of both individual reactors (such as ARMS (Aerobic Rotational Membrane bioractor System)) and reactor systems (such as ARMS linked to sequential filtration and reverse osmosis). We would anticipate development of a longer-term relationship in which the individual would continue to work with us in modelgin reactor or plant production systems in the future as well as to transfer some level of modeling ability to resident staff. QUALIFICATIONS: The facult participant should have a PhD in an appropriate scientific or engineering discipline, with a publication record appropriate for the time in rank. The individual should demonstrate the ability to construct appropriate models and be able to design and conduct physical experiments to calibrate the models and test their performance. Individual should be available for an entire academic year. 4. Coupling Reverse Water Gas Shift (RWGS) to Regolith Oxygen Extraction: The use of an RWGS reactor to produce CO for reduction of regolith has been studied in an SBIR Phase II project. Losses of carbon (from disproportionation of CO and/or carbide formation) to the processed ore is a problem. The addition of CO2 can alleviate this problem, an at the same time, reduce the need for a recycle pump in the RWGS unit. A more tightly coupled RWGS/regolith reduction process might simplify both systems, making the overall system both more efficient and low in consumables (carbon), an important factor for Lunar use of RWGS. QUALIFICATIONS: Chemical or metallurgical engineer with expertise in ore reduction, process analysis and modeling. 4. Upper Stage Liquid Propellant Stratification Modeling: Develop an upper stage thermal stratification model of liquid propellants for insertion into gross tank models for proper modeling of fluid stratification & boil-off. A thorough review of the literature on the mathematical modeling of thermal stratification in a reduced gravity environment will commence upon startup of this activity. The review must include single and multiple constituents. Upon completion of the literature review, a status and down select of available mathematical models will be made. The down selected mathematical model will be implemented as a FORTRAN subroutine for use in a thermal model. Extended launch timelines have been proposed by ELV launch vehicle providers and spacecraft mission teams. The success of timelines with three or more cryogenic upper state burns depends on boil-off rate of propellants and oxidizers on orbit. Since most upper stages in use today were not designed for long duration storage of cryogenic propellants, a method must be developed to model, simulate and predict cryo-fluid behavior in the space environment so that mission success can be assured and any needed design modifications can be identified and implemented. QUALIFICATIONS: PhD in physics/engineering with experience in thermal/fluid modeling and simulation. 6. Alternate Refractory Materials for Flame Deflectors: The technical approach for the proposed material testing and qualification procedure development is to be implemented in three phases. The first phase would use the faculty member to develop plans and implement procedures to characterize the environment in the flame deflectors during launch. This informaiton will then be used in the second phase to develop laboratory material qualification test procedures that can characterize critical material indicators such that the performance of these refractory materials can be reliably assessed. The third phase would evaluate the validity of the test program performed in phase two by exposing refractory materials to actual launch conditions. The primary goal of the project is to develop qualification specifications for refractory materials and to have the university faculty member assist us with implementing and validating these specifications. To accomplish this primary goal several secondary goals must be met, which are listed below: a. Work shall mainly be done at KSC. Exceptions to this should include testing when appropriate equipment or expertise is not available at KSC or when analyses can be performed without the need of KSC expertize. b. As appropriate, test environments should represent conditions in the flame deflector during launches. c. The specification(s) should be written in KSC specification format. d. All specifications shall use English units (pounds, inches, etc.). QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate would have significant experience intesting and specification development of cementitious materials with existing knowledge of flame deflectors and NASA specifications. Because the scope of work is significant, the option of having the facultymember bring a graduate student from his or her home institution to assist with the work should be considered. The due date for responses IS NOT extended. Documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/KSC Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=76 Offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of the solicitation and any amendments. Potential offerors are responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).
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