Over the last year QUASAR has designed and demonstrated prototype vector electric and magnetic field sensors that set new performance benchmarks, and already meet the sensitivity objectives, and most of the size and power requirements, of thissolicitation. In addition, these sensors are solid state… More

The goal of Phase II is to add orientation, self calibration, and digital data link to a proof of concept six channel electromagnetic (EM) sensor (3 B-field) to produce a prototype EM Vector Sensor Node (EM-VSN). The node will communicate with a hostcomputer via a low cost 4-wired Ethernet link. … More

"A breakthrough in free-space electric field sensing will be used as the basis of a hardware interface to brain neuropotentials. Free-space sensing has the ability to measure the electric potentials produced by the brain without contacting the head and sooffers the ultimate solution for long term… More

A novel stress sensor is proposed that does not require mechanical or electrical contact to its surroundings, and is thus easy to deploy in almost all measurement scenarios. The sensor is based on a recent breakthrough in electric field sensing that hasalready demonstrated a sensitivity improvement… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will integrate a new free-space low frequency electric field (E) sensor with a miniaturized magnetic induction (B) sensor to form a compact six channel sensor package. The proposed new E and B sensor offers a completely new… More

A breakthrough in free-space electric field sensing will be used as the basis of a hardware interface to brain neuropotentials. Free-space sensing has the ability to measure the electric potentials produced by the brain without contacting the head and sooffers the ultimate solution for long term… More

We propose to apply a new and significant advance in compact electromagnetic sensing instrumentation to provide warning of imminent lightning strike, and localization of lightning discharges, with a single compact man-portable system suitable for tacticalsituations. In an initial test with the new… More

This program combines a breakthrough in electrophysiologic sensors with state-of-the-art (SoA) research into the determination of cognitive state and autonomic arousal. The sensor breakthrough enables accurate measurement of bioelectric signals withoutcontact to the skin, even operating through… More

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project proposes to integrate a new, free-space electric field (E) sensor with a recently introduced, miniaturized magnetic induction (B) sensor to form a compact six-channel sensor system. The proposed new E-field + B-field sensor should offer a… More

An integrated electric and magnetic field sensor able to both localize lightning discharge events and detect the change in the quasi-static electric field due to imminent lightning is proposed. In Phase I, we demonstrated how a group of individual sensors operating from a single observation point… More

This program combines state-of-the-art (SoA) expertise in the relationship between physiologic variables and cognitive performance with pioneering knowledge in the development of high- impedance bioelectrodes. The recent development of these new electrodes enables accurate measurement of bioelectric… More

Most lightning-caused wildfires are ignited by continuing current lightning. The National Lightning Detection Network is currently unable to distinguish between continuing current and conventional lightning events. The purpose of this project will be to design a prototype that can determine the… More

In 2002, QUASAR demonstrated clear detection of the electric potential produced by the heart at a distance from the subject of order 1 m. Measured data and preliminary calculations show that detection at 5 m should be possible with existing sensor hardware, and that stand-offs greater than 10 m… More

This program combines state-of-the-art research into the determination of cognitive state and autonomic arousal with a recent breakthrough in electrophysiologic sensors. The sensor breakthrough enables accurate measurement of bioelectric signals without close contact to the skin, and opens up the… More

We will develop the first unobtrusive interface for real-time monitoring of cognitive overload and cognitive fatigue. The basis will be a compact, wearable array of off-body sensors. These sensors have the ability to measure the electric potentials produced by the brain without contacting the head,… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this program is to determine whether a new class of sensor that measures electric potentials off the body at the microvolt level can provide a signal for pediatric ECG monitoring that is equivalent or better than a conventional, skin-contacting… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this program is to develop a non-contacting array of bioelectrodes for monitoring EEG, EOG, EMG and ECG on the head. By non-contacting we mean that the bioelectrodes are not in contact with the skin but can be separated by a small air gap, or… More

This proposal is based on a new, compact, solid-state electric potential sensor that has over an order of magnitude lower voltage noise than the prior state-of-the-art. This proposal offers configuration of miniature sensors mounted on the extremities of a spacecraft or lander to measure the local… More

The human nervous system responds to stressors such as neurotoxic effects, cognitive overload, or sleep deprivation with measurable physiologic responses. These responses offer the possibility of forewarning of an impending change in the individual's cognitive performance to avoid a loss of tactical… More

The original goal of Phase I was to study the feasibility of developing an electric sensor that can be used for as many NASA sensing applications as possible. During Phase I, in discussion with the COTR, the development of a ground-based miniature sensor for detecting and measuring the electrostatic… More

This program combines state-of-the-art (SoA) approach to gesture and sub-vocal speech recognition with pioneering knowledge in the development of high-impedance bioelectrodes. QUASAR's recent development of these new electrodes enables accurate measurement of bioelectric signals without contact to… More

There has been little use to date of electric (E) field sensors in DoD applications. However, as demonstrated by a well-adapted system such as the shark's, E-field sensing can be a very effective modality underwater, even in the very challenging littoral environment. Quantum Applied Science… More

It is well known that quick medical response is crucial to effective treatment of trauma victims. A system that could alert medical personnel to ballistic impacts experienced by warfighters would greatly facilitate their treatment. Quantum Applied Science & Research, Inc. (QUASAR) proposes to build… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Measurement of the complete 3-component electric (E-) field vector has very recently become possible through the development of sensors that can measure free-space electric potential at the sub-microvolt level. This technology has been applied to through-clothing… More

This project will develop advanced technologies for reliable, unobtrusive measurement of C2ISR operator cognitive states. In Phase I we successfully related the number, placement, and required fidelity of electrodes with accuracy in classifying fatigue in the presence of interfering noise sources.… More

The tremendous increase in demand for the use of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in DoD agencies has created a need for advanced man-machine interfaces. However, the U.S. Army currently lacks a method to control robotic vehicles that does not require soldiers to give up their weapons in exchange… More

In the proposed project, QUASAR will build on the work of Steven Van Albert of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the promising results of our Phase I program by fabricating and testing a wearable, low power, ballistic impact detection system (BIDs) for the modern warfighter. The BIDs… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The aim of the proposed research is to show that a new class of wearable bioelectric sensor can enhance the effectiveness of long-term monitoring of atrial fibrillation. The public health burden of atrial fibrillation is enormous and is expected to increase… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The aim of the proposed research is to show that a new class of wearable bioelectric sensor can enhance the effectiveness of pharmacological QT studies. Drug-induced changes in cardiac repolarization may lead to the induction of potentially lethal arrhythmias,… More

The primary cause of mortality in firefighters is cardiovascular disease, which accounts for 45% of fatalities among personnel on duty. Although physiological monitoring devices have existed for decades, their use on subjects during strenuous activities (such as firefighting) has been significantly… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): People with severe motor disabilities need alternative methods for communication and control, and may not be able to use even the most basic conventional assistive technology. Communication and control technology that d oes not depend on neuromuscular function is… More

Measuring and tracking the physiological and cognitive status of Command, Control, and Intelligence (C2I) system operators will provide useful diagnostic Test and Evaluation (T&E) data and reduce the risk of test failures or accidents. For example, a system that can diagnose and detect fatigue or… More

Over the last two years, the proposers have developed both an advanced physiologic state model of operator functional state (OFS) and a human capacity/human performance-based human-in-the-loop model (HITLM) for an Uninhabited Air Vehicle (UAV). The outputs of these two systems are currently combined… More

Recently, the power density of thermoelectric thin film devices has increased by a factor of 15. In the same period, the power needed for wearable physiologic sensors, associated data acquisition and wireless transmission systems has rapidly decreased. We have suddenly reached the point that a… More

QUASAR, EyeTracking Inc. (ETI), and Safe Passage International (SPI) will define a closed-loop training system that incorporates EEG and eye tracking technologies to improve Transportation Safety Officer (TSO) training efficiency and effectiveness. To minimize the implementation risk of the Phase II… More

The military use of Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has been increasing dramatically. The subsequent increase in demands on UAV operators leads to stress and fatigue, and consequently results in operator error, mission performance decrement, and even loss of vehicles or lives. The U.S. military… More

Recently, the power density of thermoelectric (TE) thin film devices has increased by a factor of 15. In the same period, the power needed for wearable physiologic sensors, associated data acquisition and wireless transmission systems has rapidly decreased. We have now reached the point at which a… More

The incidence of heat related injuries in warfighters has increased 8-fold in the past 20 years. In 2006, Army warfighters sustained 220 heat related injuries; of those 57 were hospitalized, 163 were outpatients and two died. A significant number of these injuries could have been prevent or at least… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The aim of the proposed research is to demonstrate an innovative noninvasive system for long-term monitoring of the electrocardiogram (ECG). In many patients, arrhythmias and changes in the ECG are asymptomatic or trans ient, and therefore may remain undetected… More

Brain related injuries are a major cause of disability, death and economic cost to modern society, and are a distinguishing feature of the US military's recent conflicts. Rheoencephalography (REG) and Electroencephalography (EEG) are non-invasive, real-time measurements compatible with use in a… More

Cognitive and physiological monitoring of warfighters in training and fielded operations requires robust ambulatory electrophysiological recording systems. Recordings in military operational environments are subject to numerous types of noise and artifact that contaminate the signal of interest.… More

There is a pressing need to collect physiologic data associated with mild traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder near the forward edge of the battle area. Of the potential methods, only the electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) have the… More

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will investigate whether a new type of bioelectrode can provide lower noise on the skin than the current state-of-the-art Ag/AgCl electrodes. Even after extensive skin cleaning and abrasion, the noise level of present technology is… More

Tinnitus is an auditory perception in the absence of an external source of sound that occurs in 50 million people in the U.S., a quarter of whom suffer severely enough to seek medical attention. Chronic subjective tinnitus is most often caused by hearing impairment due to aging or explosive noise… More