NiobiCon™ Wet-Mate Electrical Connector

Northrop Grumman's NiobiCon™ offers an innovative, safer way of making electrical connections underwater. This novel wet-mate connector technology allows for power transfer and data exchange without seals, oil or moving parts.

NiobiCon™ can be mated and de-mated while the electrical contacts are fully exposed to seawater, thanks to its fabrication from pure niobium. When the niobium is in contact with water, it reacts to create a film that acts as an insulator and prevents electricity from flowing through the water surrounding the contacts. Rather than relying on complex seals and oil to exclude water as in traditional wet-mate connections, NiobiCon™ relies on the water surrounding the contacts to form the insulation. Electrical contacts will not corrode and electronics will not short out.

The NiobiCon™ connector is less expensive, smaller, lighter, more reliable, and safer than current technology connectors.