Promising Developments

The development of small spacecraft, namely nano- and microsatellites, is a promising direction where the application of the technologies of micromechanical systems with a reversible deformation capability becomes relevant. 

Adaptive surface with variable geometry is a matrix system of the surface generated by flexible elements, in other words by plates, which are connected to thermo drives with a reversible shape memory, made of TiNiCu alloy.

Such surfaces are able to change the intensity of radiation in a controlled manner that allows them to adapt to external conditions.

Besides that, amorphous crystalline materials made of TiNiCu alloy can be used in the development of devices for the closure of terminals, microgrippers, tweezers, light-proof shutters and light stream modulators in optical systems, films with a reversible shape memory effect. 

A multilayer healing material intended for deployable structures, which is able to restore its functions in case of a puncture or a cut, is developed.

When damage occurs, the multilayer healing material tends to reduce stress by filling a resulting defect (space). Thus, the damaged areas are pressed together by the material, which carries out directional mass transfer of the healing component unless a system integrity restores.

The promising areas of the application of elaborated self-healing materials in the space industry are the materials for inflatable and deployable systems of a spacecraft, materials intended for a spacesuit, and ones for sealing objects & assemblies of space technology etc.

The development was conducted with financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research within the framework of the Scientific Project №18-29-18095. 

It is intended for continuous medium monitoring and control of toxic gas leaks at manufacturing areas and industrial premises, as well as in field conditions. 

Advantages

• The sensor provides a quick response to changes in the concentration of a gas impurity and little regeneration time due to the optimized operating cycle of an integral heating element.

• It is intended to be used as a device portable by employees who work in a dangerous zone of increased risk of toxic gas leaks.

• The possibility of organizing a distributed network of sensors on extended objects for continuous monitoring of a gas medium is provided. Such a network allows you to monitor changes in a gas concentration on the map of an object in real time, as well as to identify quickly a leak location and to activate the alarm system in case of an emergency or off-nominal situation. 

The portable gas analyzer is designed to control a gas mixture composition during scheduled works on maintenance of the objects of PJSC Gazprom gas transmission network. The mobile device allows measuring oxygen and water vapors concentrations in a nitrogen & air environment and a natural gas environment in a wide range and with a high accuracy in the field conditions.

The novelty of the development lies in the joint use of several measurement cells applying such different physical principles of operation as optico-acoustic, electrochemical and chemiresistive one as part of the device.

The gas analyzer has a modular structure and consists of two physically separated independent units: a sample unit and a measurement unit. The sample unit is used to be connected to a manifold and to ensure an input filtration of a mixture, as well as to bring its pressure to the standard prescribed level via a reduction process. The measurement unit is for analyzing a gaseous sample and recording measured readings.