IC2 was recently awarded two NASA Phase II projects titled:
- High-Temperature, MHz-Bandwidth, Miniaturized Heat-Flux Sensors for High-Speed Flows
- Advanced Measurement Technology for Airframe Noise Source Identification
These projects advance IC2’s R&D and commercialization efforts for future product lines of heat-flux sensors and aeroacoustic phased arrays / dynamic pressure sensors respectively.
Development of a Heat-Flux Sensor for High-Speed Flows
From the project abstract, “The Interdisciplinary Consulting Corporation (IC2) proposes to develop high-temperature, high-bandwidth, miniaturized heat flux sensors that are applicable in a variety of environmental conditions such as those encountered in high-speed ground- and flight-test facilities. The proposed sensing system addresses a critically unmet measurement need in NASA’s technology portfolio, specifically the ability to make quantitative, time-resolved, mean and fluctuating heat-flux measurements with sufficient dynamic range, bandwidth, and spatial resolution in high-temperature, high-speed flows using a robust, miniature sensor to facilitate installation in scale models and high-speed ground- and flight-test facilities. The sensor system will enable single-point measurement of heat flux for characterization of complex boundary layer flows in ground-test facilities over a wide range of temperatures, with a target maximum continuous operating temperature >1000 K (727 °C). The proposed heat-flux sensor consists of a microfabricated thin-film thermopile on top of a support substrate with a thin protective coating and backside electrical connections. This design represents a robust, flush-mounted, miniature, heat-flux sensing system that possesses improved sensor survivability, reduced humidity sensitivity, and less bulky, fragile packaging than existing solutions. The flow disturbance for this sensor is minimal because of the flush-mount design and small footprint. Optimized sensor electronics will also help improve the sensitivity, dynamic range, and bandwidth of the sensor.”
Development of Advanced Measurement Technology for Noise Source Identification
IC2, in collaboration with AVEC Inc., will develop advanced aeroacoustic phased array measurement capabilities for airframe noise source identification.
From the project abstract, “The Interdisciplinary Consulting Corporation (IC2), in partnership with AVEC, Inc., proposes to develop advanced phased-array and dynamic pressure sensing instrumentation and processing capabilities for airframe noise source identification. High channel-count, high-density, low cost-per-channel microphone arrays, and ultra-small, ultra-smooth sensing surface, low-cost, instrumentation-grade, model-embedded dynamic pressure sensors, both using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) piezoelectric sensors with backside contacts and advanced packaging technology, will be combined with advanced array processing capabilities to create innovative airframe noise source identification capabilities. The goals of this research include: (1) developing high-fidelity phased arrays, with flexible mounting options including surface mounting, to avoid encumbrances typical when through-wall installations are required with existing commercial instrumentation products; (2) developing dynamic pressure sensors that can be embedded in model-scale parts, such as landing gear components, flaps, and slats, with ultra-smooth surface outcomes such that the instrumentation itself does not impact the fluctuating pressures that are being measured; and (3) developing advanced phased-array processing algorithms that combine propagating acoustic signals received at the array with localized fluctuating pressure signals measured at the model surfaces to directly correlate noise source generating regions with propagating acoustics.”
