NASA Langley Research Center, Industry Assistance Office, MS 144, Hampton, Va. 23681-0001

58 -- AUDIO TONE TRANSDUCER POC Linda P. Fitzgerald, Industry Assistance Office (804) 864-2461. In order that potential participants interested in the field of AUDIO TONE TRANSDUCERS ( SPEAKERS, SIRENS, HEARING AIDS, MICROPHONES, SONAR, etc.) may learn of high displacement piezoelectric actuators, sensor materials and devices (THUNDER), and a unique high performance thermoplastic and microcomposite adhesive (LARC-SI) an advance notice is published here. The THUNDER technology is a new NASA Langley Research Center piezoelectric development which has significantly improved the existing state-of-the-art. THUNDER actuators provide inordinately large mechanical output displacements. Laboratory demonstrations have shown displacements to be as high as 40-50 times the thickness of the device. THUNDER's output amplitude is an order of magnitude greater than existing devices over the frequency range from DC to several kHz, indicating the capacity for a low- frequency device operation. With further development, THUNDER wafers are expected to operate at lower voltages, allowing their use in some applications unsuitable for other piezoelectric materials, such as artificial heart pumps and other biomedical applications. The THUNDER device owes its unprecedented output motion to the special pre-stressed state of its piezoelectric element. THUNDER devices consist of a piezoelectric layer intimately attached to the pre-stressing layers, using a NASA LaRC polyimide adhesive. The fabrication process for THUNDER devices is easily controlled resulting in highly uniform devices. In addition, THUNDER devices can be specifically tailored to the desired applications. THUNDER devices can be fabricated using any available piezoelectric materials -- not just those containing lead, such as PZT-based materials. NASA envisions using THUNDER devices for valve actuation, optical mount stability control, positioners, noise suppression, pumps, motors, flow shaping and monitoring, audio tone transducers, and many other applications. LARC-SI is a wholly aromatic high performance thermoplastic possessing a unique combination of physical, mechanical, electrical and adhesive properties that extend its application beyond those of commercial state-of-the-art polymer resins. The most unique property of LARC-SI is its solubility in conventional high boiling aprotic solvents. However, when exposed to temperatures above its softening point of 250 degrees C. it becomes insoluble yet retains its melt processability. In addition to this solubility characteristic and high softening point, LARC-SI is extremely tough and fracture resistant. It has excellent electrical properties and can be used to bond a variety of metals, ceramics and polyimide films. LARC-SI has been used as a particle binder for microcomposites, for near net-shape manufacture of ceramic parts, novel composite particle coatings, mechanical parts wire insulation, heat sinks and carbon-carbon. This notice announces NASA's interest and desire to enter into joint development and commercialization agreements with private industry to advance the development and testing of these technologies and to transfer NASA's existing proprietary technology and patent rights and that resulting from joint work under the development agreement(s) by making it available for license to the joint participant(s) in accordance with NASA's Patent Licensing Regulations. Accordingly, a technical briefing will be held on September 12-13, 1996 at NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia 23681-0001 to describe the technology, outline the planned Space Act Agreement, and explain the process and criteria under which NASA will select a participant(s). Interested organizations should request a technical binder and a Statement of Interest and Qualifications form to outline their technical experience and competence in the technology, related manufacturing capabilities, experience in commercializing similar products, marketing organization -- including resources and capabilities to reach and support targeted markets, and financial status of the firm. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by NASA nor will NASA pay for the information solicited. Respondents will not automatically be notified of the results of the evaluation, but those deemed fully qualified will be sent an invitation to attend. This is not an announcement of an RFP. Requests for the binder and statement of interest and qualifications form, as well as additional information, should be submitted by August 30, 1996, to Rebecca Watkins (412)838-2515, fax (412)838-2595, or e-mail: rwatkins@mtac.pitt.edu. (0204)

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