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NASA Goddard and New Scale Technologies Work Together

In April 2004, an innovative, patent-pending ceramic motor developed by New Scale Technologies of Victor, New York, piqued the interest of researchers at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Now the two organizations have signed an agreement to conduct joint research to benefit NASA as well as commercial applications.

Technology Description

New Scale’s tiny Squiggle™ motor is an ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator that uses vibrations in a threaded bushing to directly rotate a mating screw. Nanometer resolution over many millimeters of travel has been demonstrated at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 100 Kelvin. However, to be used in aerospace and some commercial applications, operations at lower cryogenic temperatures must be proven.

Spin-in Success

		The partnership between New Scale and NASA Goddard is a natural fit, explained Dr. Peter Shirron, a senior researcher in the Cryogenics and Fluids Group at NASA Goddard. “Not only does NASA have extensive cryogenic testing capabilities and experience, but we also need cold-qualified actuators for future space telescope missions.” NASA’s cryogenic instruments require millimeters of stroke, nanometer precision, and several Newtons of force while generating negligible vibration and heating. New Scale’s Squiggle motor might meet those needs. Under the Space Act Agreement, NASA and New Scale will work together to test and improve the cryogenic Squiggle motor at temperatures as low as 4 Kelvin. New Scale will provide the Squiggle motors and NASA will complete the testing at its Cryogenic Research and Integration Test Facility. The team will work together to identify and demonstrate motor improvements and publish the test results. “Our goals are to show how the unique capabilities of our Squiggle motor can improve future NASA spacecraft and to demonstrate a new positioning solution for commercial cryogenic markets,” said David Henderson, president and founder of New Scale Technologies. Potential NASA applications for cryogenic Squiggle motors include adaptive optics in large aperture telescopes and heat switches in cryogenic cooling systems. Potential commercial markets include the following: Cryogenic imaging systems for remote sensing and security surveillance Basic materials research in cryostats Microelectronic inspection and testing using cooled ultra-sensitive photon detectors

Contact

New Scale Technologies
Fred Haas (585) 924-4450
E-mail: fhaas@newscaleteh.com

Innovative Partnerships Program Office
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Phone: (301) 286-5810
E-mail: techtransfer@gsfc.nasa.gov