NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

A -- RUTHENIUM OXIDE ELECTROCHEMICAL SUPER CAPACITOR OPTIMIZATION FOR PULSE POWER APPLICATIONS SOL 8-1-9-EB-C3407 DUE 051299 POC A. Carol Terrell, Contract Specialist, Phone (256)544-6710, Fax (256)544-4400, Email Carol.Terrell@msfc.nasa.gov -- Valerie N. Holmes, Contracting Officer, Phone (256)544-0314, Fax (256)544-4400, Email valerie.holmes@msfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/MSFC/date.html#8-1-9-EB-C3407. E-MAIL: A. Carol Terrell, Carol.Terrell@msfc.nasa.gov. NASA/MSFC plans to issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) for "Ruthenium Oxide Electrochemical Super Capacitor Optimization for Pulse Power Applications." This study is being procured under the University Research Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) Program with the university community within the United States. The work will be performed at the Contractor's facility. The intent of this work is to proceed with studying the techniques, processes, and materials being investigated to optimize hydrous ruthenium oxide electrochemical capacitors' capacitance, ESR, leakage current, and power and energy density parameters. For uniformity all test capacitors for the first three subtask areas will be 1 inch diameter circular, single cell RuO2 capacitors. The contractor will perform the following tasks: Subtask 1: Electrolyte/ Separator Material Comparison A total of forty-five single cell capacitors shall be made using combinations of electrolytes and separator materials. The following aqueous and organic electrolytes shallbe used; sulfuric acid (H2SO4, as the baseline), triflic acid (CF3SO3H), and potassium hydroxide (KOH), and organic electrolytes as used on aluminum electrolytic capacitors, Iksan SL07E*, and Aerovox* N-100. The following separator materials shall be used; a polyethylene based separator, a polycarbonate based separator, and a glass fiber based separator. Three single cell capacitors shall be made for each electrolyte/separator combination. The capacitors will be evaluated for capacitance, ESR, leakage current, and power and energy density parameters. The values of each capacitor trio will be averaged, and the two best performing electrolyte/separator combinations will be down selected for Subtask 2. *Company product names. Subtask 2: Electrode Active Material Thickness Comparison Three sets of three capacitors each will be made using the following electrode active material thicknesses; Thin, less than 0.5 mils, Thick, 1.0 to 1.5 mils or greater, and Multi-layer up to 4.0 mils thick. These capacitors will incorporate the electrolyte/separator combination down selected in Subtask 2. The capacitors will be evaluated for capacitance, ESR, leakage current, and power and energy density parameters. The values of each capacitor trio will be averaged, and the best performing electrolyte/separator, active material combination will be down selected for Subtask 3. Subtask 3: Electrode Geometry Comparison Six sets of three capacitors each will be made using the following electrode configurations; circular, square, and rectangular, each sized to maintain a constant area, in two different sizes. The first size will be equivalent to a 1 inch diameter circle, and the second size equivalent to a 2 inch diameter circle. These capacitors will incorporate the down selected features from Subtasks 1 and 2. The capacitors will be evaluated for capacitance, ESR, leakage current, and power and energy density parameters. The values of each capacitor trio will be averaged, and the best performing geometry noted for future design reference.Deliverables: A status report shall be due at the end of Subtasks 1 and 2, and a comprehensive Final Report due at the completion of the third subtask. Task Costing Break Down: This effort may require acquisition of equipment such as screen printers, and thermal sealing device accessories. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). This procurement is a total small business set-aside. The SIC Code and Size Standard are 8731 and 500, respectively. The anticipated release date of RFQ 8-1-9-EB-C3407 is on or about 4-22-99 with an anticipated quote due date of on or about 5-12-99. All qualified responsible sources may submit a quote which shall be considered by the agency. [OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT IS REQUIRED] An ombudsman has been appointed -- See Internet Note "B". The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will be in Microsoft Office Suite (Word 6.0, Excel 5.0, or PowerPoint 4.0) format and willreside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The WWW address, or URL of the NASA/MSFC Business Opportunities home page is http://procurement.nasa.gov/EPS/MSFC/class.html. Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential quoters will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html. Posted 04/21/99 (D-SN322588). (0111)

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