TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Split-Ring Torque Sensor (MSC-TOPS-81)

NASA’s Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses.

THE TECHNOLOGY: Innovators at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), in collaboration with Oceaneering and The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, have developed the Split-Ring Torque Sensor (SRTS), a device that uses optical sensors to measure the position, velocity, and torque of a rotating system. The SRTS was created for use in NASA's X1 robotic exoskeleton, an in-space, wearable exercise machine designed to supply resistance against leg movement for NASA astronauts in future missions.

The X1 exoskeleton implements the SRTS in its belt-drive series elastic actuator (SEA) and provides a lower profile and lower weight system than competing designs. The SRTS offers greater flexibility in tailoring for specific applications and requirements. In addition to its applications in robotics, the SRTS has potential uses in medical fields including prosthetics, aerospace & defense applications, automotive applications, testing & measurement, and industrial markets.

To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/MSC-TOPS-81 If you have any questions, please e-mail NASA’s Technology Transfer Program at Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this SAM.gov notice and your preferred contact information.

For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/ These responses are provided to members of NASA’s Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.