NASA $100,000 Air Prize - Aerosol sensor

[ez24]

I assume this will be mostly sensor electronics

Individuals, teams, and organizations that meet eligibility criteria are welcome to apply. Ideas should focus on easy to maintain, small, and affordable aerosol sensor technology. Apply no later than Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 5:00 PM Central.

https://www.earthspaceairprize.org/

Dog on a leash  - ah I am going to win 

[Mechatrommer]

only ship in american

[thm_w]

What are they specifically looking for?
They mention particulates, but I assume its more general than that, otherwise they would ask for a "particulate matter sensor".

Why is this prize focused on aerosol sensor technology?
NASA has identified particulate monitoring as a gap in its technology roadmap to enable future long-term missions. Current technology does not provide the level of sensitivity, the longevity, or the ability to operate in a reduced-gravity environment. The added bonus of this technology demonstration competition is the potential benefit to human health on Earth as well as in space.

That or the person who wrote this site does not know the terminology/details.

[Mechatrommer]

Or they expect participant to do their own master thesis research within this few months and have access to nano particle lab. we can tell from the prize and prototyping grant alone. There are already consumer grade aerosol sensor out there, but it seems not meeting their spec.. so this is not a cheap project. They expect participants to know what they are doing...

[Brumby]

Here's the timeline...

Register
Do you have an idea to develop or adapt technology for monitoring aerosols in a habitat in space or a community here on Earth? You must first register no later than Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at 5:00 PM Central.

Apply
Individuals, teams, and organizations that meet eligibility criteria are welcome to apply. Ideas should focus on easy to maintain, small, and affordable aerosol sensor technology. Apply no later than Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 5:00 PM Central.

Get Feedback
Each valid application receives scores and comments from five Evaluation Panel judges, using a trait-scoring rubric with four criteria: instrument technology, longevity, physical properties, and features for Earth & Space application.

Build a Prototype
Based on the rank order of submissions, three Finalists will be named. Finalists will be awarded $50,000 each to build a functioning sensor according to their submitted proposals within a six-month period. Prototypes will be delivered to NASA by September 30, 2018.

Test a Prototype
Finalists will attend a demonstration and testing period in October 2018 to compete for the Grand Prize at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The Selection Committee will determine the Winner who will receive a $100,000 award.


Unless someone has found a lichen that changes colour or something else like that out of left field, it's going to take a special individual or a lab that's already set up to be able to get anywhere with this ... IMHO.

[ez24]

.. it's going to take a special individual or a lab that's already set up to be able to get anywhere with this ... IMHO.

And that individual is .... Brumby 

$50,000 to build a prototype !

With all the brain power here who knows.

My idea is start with a mini - dog

[Brumby]

I wish.

Not in the race .... besides, Australia is getting a space agency (so we've been told) - and if I did have any ideas, I'd be looking at keeping them on shore ... if possible.

[Mechatrommer]

when the citizen registered, but the design is made by non-citizen(s), isnt that considered cheating?

[PedroDaGr8]

Here's the timeline...

Register
Do you have an idea to develop or adapt technology for monitoring aerosols in a habitat in space or a community here on Earth? You must first register no later than Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at 5:00 PM Central.

Apply
Individuals, teams, and organizations that meet eligibility criteria are welcome to apply. Ideas should focus on easy to maintain, small, and affordable aerosol sensor technology. Apply no later than Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 5:00 PM Central.

Get Feedback
Each valid application receives scores and comments from five Evaluation Panel judges, using a trait-scoring rubric with four criteria: instrument technology, longevity, physical properties, and features for Earth & Space application.

Build a Prototype
Based on the rank order of submissions, three Finalists will be named. Finalists will be awarded $50,000 each to build a functioning sensor according to their submitted proposals within a six-month period. Prototypes will be delivered to NASA by September 30, 2018.

Test a Prototype
Finalists will attend a demonstration and testing period in October 2018 to compete for the Grand Prize at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The Selection Committee will determine the Winner who will receive a $100,000 award.


Unless someone has found a lichen that changes colour or something else like that out of left field, it's going to take a special individual or a lab that's already set up to be able to get anywhere with this ... IMHO.

This sounds a lot like an SBIR grant, which I don't think NASA does traditionally. They tend to be VERY specific, not always ask for exactly what they want and tend to not give a lot of money for the Phase I.

[Brumby]

Considering humans have been in space for a while now, it would seem to me that the problem they are trying to solve has probably been around for some time.  It may not be a mission critical one - but it could be a safety and/or comfort thing.  I mean, they've had someone smelling things for years to make sure no stench ends up in a confined space.

$250,000 plus administration costs and about a year for the process seems to be a good deal for NASA.  I would think the chances of getting several new ideas is high.

Even rocket scientists could run short on ideas after a while.