SBIR-STTR Award

Innovative Anti-Tamper Power Source
Award last edited on: 5/19/2008

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : OSD
Total Award Amount
$1,037,470
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
OSD05-A04
Principal Investigator
Christopher J Eiting

Company Information

Qynergy Corporation

1400 Eubank Boulevard SE
Albuquerque, NM 87123
   (505) 890-6887
   info@qynergy.com
   www.qynergy.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 01
County: Bernalillo

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2006
Phase I Amount
$99,993
Qynergy Corporation proposes to develop a unique power system for anti-tamper applications. Anti-tamper technology is used for protecting critical technology from being reverse engineered. Qynergy has developed a unique technology that converts energy from beta emitting radioisotopes into usable power. This QynCellT (betavoltaic power cell) is capable of delivering small amounts of power (micro to milliwatts) for long periods of time. The QynCellT is a solid state device and is hence capable of operating under the extreme temperature conditions necessary for anti-tamper applications. Successful completion of the proposed effort will result in the confirmation of the technical feasibility of the QynPackT for anti-tamper applications. It would answer all of the questions related to integration of the QynCellT to storage systems and position the technology for prototyping. At the end of Phase I, Qynergy will have identified an anti-tamper technology, designed a QynPackT and proven its feasibility for the prototype power cell that would be fabricated, integrated and tested with an anti-tamper device in Phase II. Primary uses of the QynCellT will be in applications where conventional batteries, solar cells and/or Plutonium-fueled radioisotope thermal generators (RTGs) are not practical. In most cases, the power solution will be constrained by the need to minimize the signature of the application, inability to recharge batteries due to remote operating conditions, or a need to avoid the use of highly energetic radioisotopes such as 33Pu. Such areas include power for remote sensors and space.

Keywords:
BETAVOTIAC POWER CELL, ANTI-TAMPER, LONG LASTING POWER CELL, SOLID STATE ENERGY DEVICE, EXTREME TEMPERATURE RESISTANT, LIGHTWIGHT POWER SOURCE

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2007
Phase II Amount
$937,477
Qynergy Corporation proposes to develop a unique power system for anti-tamper (AT) applications. AT technology is used to protect critical technology from being reverse engineered. Tamper detection mechanisms consist of switches or sensors. An innovative power source is needed to provide latent power to these systems, which require a constant low amount of power over the life of the fielded system and short-term high power to activate a response when tampering is detected. The power source needs to last >10 years, be radiation hard and operate in extreme temperature conditions of -55 to +95ºC. Utilizing semiconductor devices called betavoltaics, Qynergy has developed a unique technology that converts energy from beta-emitting radioisotopes into usable power. This QynCell™ is capable of delivering small amounts of power (micro to milliwatts) for long periods of time. The QynCell is a solid state device and is hence capable of operating under the extreme temperature conditions necessary for anti-tamper applications. The QynCell would be integrated with a battery or a capacitor to create a hybrid power source called a QynPack™, which would provide both the constant low amount of power for the AT sensor and the short high burst power for the response system.

Keywords:
Qyncell, Qynpack, Betavoltaics, Solid-State Semiconductor Device, High Energy Density, High Power, Power System For Anti-Tamper Applications, Wide Tem