DON26BZ01-NV021ActiveSBIR

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

Department of DefenseNAVY

AI Overview

This SBIR seeks to develop robocasting technology for manufacturing large-format textured piezoelectric ceramic sensors with improved performance and lower production costs. The innovation addresses critical supply chain vulnerabilities in undersea sensor components while enabling performance enhancements for Navy sonar applications.

This summary is AI-generated from the official solicitation.

Key Details

Agency
Department of Defense
Funding Amount
Release Date
March 2, 2026
Due Date
June 3, 2026

Official Description

Piezoelectric ceramic materials are essential materials to produce undersea sensors. Many existing undersea sensors rely on a dry press manufacturing process that produces the ceramic components used in many fielded sensors. Existing piezoelectric ceramic components are becoming increasingly difficult to source due to a shrinking supplier base and a desire by many private companies to stop manufacturing lead-based products. Additionally, these components have been largely unchanged since the 196...

Change History

Q&A UpdatedMay 15, 2026 at 7:38 PM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

Added answer to Q1 specifying material composition: spherical PZT (~1µm diameter) used with high aspect ratio Barium Titanate platelets (~10µm diameter). Q2 and Q3 answers remain unchanged.

Q&A UpdatedMay 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

**Summary of Q&A Changes:** Added new Q1 asking about powder specifications (high aspect ratio and specific ratios like 1:3 or 1:5). Previous Q1 and Q2 renumbered to Q2 and Q3 respectively with no answer changes.

Q&A UpdatedMay 13, 2026 at 7:40 PM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

**Q1 received a new answer** clarifying Phase I requirements: small businesses will receive Navy-specific PZT ceramic powder but must independently formulate it into printable slurry and purchase additional powder from a designated vendor.

Q&A UpdatedMay 8, 2026 at 3:42 PM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

Added 1 new Q&A clarifying material sourcing requirements: whether the small business should print Navy-specified piezoelectric material or also synthesize/procure the PZT material before 3D printing it.

Status ChangedMay 6, 2026 at 1:47 PM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

Status changed from Pre-Release to Open

Q&A UpdatedMay 4, 2026 at 2:54 PM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

Q1 received an answer clarifying Phase II deliverables: the company will develop/modify a manufacturing system and deliver hardware to the government enabling production of additional prototype parts, including software, batching machinery, and tooling.

Q&A UpdatedMay 1, 2026 at 6:34 PM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

# Summary This Q&A clarifies Phase II deliverables by asking whether "prototype hardware" encompasses physical machine components, software, batching machinery, and associated tooling for government testing.

Date ChangedApr 14, 2026 at 3:03 AM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

Close Date changed from 2026-04-22 to 2026-06-03

Date ChangedApr 14, 2026 at 3:03 AM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

Open Date changed from 2026-03-25 to 2026-05-06

Status ChangedApr 14, 2026 at 3:03 AM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

Status changed from Removed to Pre-Release

Opportunity RemovedMar 3, 2026 at 4:25 PM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

Opportunity DON26BZ01-NV021 no longer available

Opportunity AddedMar 2, 2026 at 11:14 PM

Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

New opportunity: Robocasting Ceramic Sensors

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