CTD Awarded Three Department of Energy SBIRs

May 20, 2019

CTD was awarded three Phase 1 Release 2 SBIRs by the US Department of Energy to develop new technologies for High Energy Physics, Fusion, and Energy applications. Work on each Phase I begins in July of 2019, lasting through 2020.

Award 1: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Fuel Cells) Thin-ply Conductive Interleaving for Health Monitoring of COPVs – Hydrogen is explosive and stored at high pressures in modern fuel cell vehicles and fueling infrastructure. Tanks storing hydrogen must be carefully designed and monitored throughout their lifetime to avoid catastrophic failure which may be lethal to driver, passenger, and public. These risks demand state of the art systems to monitor the health of each tank and avoid catastrophic failure on the road. This project aims to prevent failure of these tanks through embedded health monitoring technology that provides an early warning of tank damage or degradation. The approach involves advanced sensor layers that are embedded into composite tank walls to detect damage of the material over its lifetime. Additional uses for this technology include space and military operations.

Award 2: Fusion Energy Sciences (Advanced Technologies and Materials for Fusion Energy Systems) Insulated Joints for REBCO Cable-in Conduit Configurations – Advanced materials and assembly concepts will be developed for use in future fusion facilities under development by the U.S. Department of Energy. The products of this work will enable the fabrication of reliable, high-field magnets, as well as large motors, generators, and power cables for energy generation and transportation systems.

Award 3: High Energy Physics (High Energy Physics Detectors and Instrumentation) Radiation-Tolerant, High Thermal Conductivity Adhesives for High Energy Physics Detector Applications – Thermally conductive resin systems have been identified as key enablers for the development of advanced detectors for high energy physics and next-generation medical imaging devices. This project uses modeling of both thermal conductivity and particle scattering potential to develop a system suitable for the intended application. Additional uses in space and electronics are expected.