A spark discharge device is considered as a sensor for watervapor contamination of high pressure helium gas coolant in htgr's (high temperatue gas reactors). it is necessary to carefully monitor water vapor levels since more than a few parts per million adversely affects reactor graphite structures… More

During the prelaunch checkout of the space shuttle, it is continually flushed with dry n(2) in order to prevent the buildup of an explosive concentration of the h(2) and o(2) propellants due to leakage. in order to detect any possibleleaks, the flushing gas is continuously sampled to make surethat… More

A spark discharge device is proposed for a fast sensor for trace concentrations of chemical agents in deep basing applications. the technique would employ atomic emission detection of arsenic (as), phosphorus (p), chlorine (cl), and fluorine (f), which are major components of these agents. the spark… More

Small concentrations of water vapor in the helium loops of ahigh temperature gas reactor (htgr) can adversely effect thefuel assemblies and graphite structures. shortcomings in the present moisture monitor make it desirable to explore other techniques. we present a method based on broadband infrared… More

This proposal addresses the need for an improved instrument to measure atmospheric water vapor content. the ultraviolet absorption hygrometer is designed to fulfill the requirement for a compact, rugged, reliable sensor with a wide dynamic range which can be operated in a field or laboratory… More

Because of potential environmental effects from the large quantities of hcl released into the atomosphere from space shuttle launches, it is important to monitor the transport of hcl in both vapor and aerosol form into the surrounding areas. the major objectives of phase i are to experimentally… More

The venting of rocket fuel (or other suitable liquids) is proposed as a technique for optical obscuration at high altitudes. as a liquid is released in space, it undergoes a flash evaporation and subsequent cooling which results in a cloud of vapor and particles. radiation can potentially result… More

Aircraft fuel leaks represent a significant fire and explosion hazard. at present, if a leak is suspected in an equipment-filled aircraft bay, it is necessary to remove the equipment before being able to characterize what may be a leak that is small enough not to be of concern. this could result in… More

Ice formation on roadways and runways is a particularly insidious problem because its presence is often unknown to a vehicle operator. quick detection of ice or conditions favoring its formation will allow for timely application of deicing compounds. this not only improves safety, but it also… More

In order for any directed energy weapon system to be effective, it must be capable of locating the target and discriminating against clutter and countermeasures. this proposal considers the problem of accurate rocket body locating using plume infrared emission. infrared (ir) vacuum core radiation… More

There is a need to provide an accurate detector for hydrogen(h2) gas to monitor for flammability conditions in the check-out and launching of space vechicles. by using raman scattering of a hene laser beam h2 concentration may be accurately measured. the intensity of the raman signal is directly… More

There is a need for chemical vapor monitors that are very sensitive and selective. optical techniques are well suitedfor this problem, because they offer selectivity, sensitivity, rapid response, and can be used in extreme temperature and pressure environments. however, it is difficult to combine… More

A non-contact instrument that can determine the quantity of organic contamination on metal surfaces is required for use in liquid oxygen systems. even traces of organic materials in contact with liquid oxygen can lead to spontaneous combustion. the instrument must be able to monitor surfaces as… More

Solvent evaporation in industrial drying chambers is an energy intensive process that currently utilizes energy in a very inefficient manner. this is due to the fact that these dryers typically operate at solvent vapor concentrations on the order of 7% of the lower explosive limit (lel) in order to… More

Industrial drying operations are major users of energy, representing approximately 4 to 6% of total energy use by u.s. industry (or approximately 1.2 to 1.8 quads per year). significant fractions of this drying energy are used by industries which are capable of employing sophisticated control… More

The principle of operation of a new family of chemical sensors based upon absorption of near infrared laser diode radiation will be investigated. these will provide species selective quantification over a large dynamic range. use ofexisting semiconductor laser and fiber optic technology willresult… More

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas found in closed environments, such as the space station and long duration manned spacecraft. we propose to build a real timetrace atmospheric co sensor (tacos) with a sensitivity to less than 10 ppm. the major objectives of phase i are to… More

This project addresses the need for an improved model of the body-wake-plume optical signature of a reentry vehicle (rv). the overall objective of phase i is to demonstrate the feasibility of adapting existing models of the rv body surface temperature, body optical signature and nlte radiative… More

We propose to deliver a quick image display model for infrared targets. the proposed model will make full utilization of the available hardware on the iris graphics workstation. it will be designed so that its procedures will be directly applicable to the hardware utilized by the six degrees of… More

A strategy combining regionally adapted proceesses (scrap) is proposed for simulating transonic or supersonic flow over physically and geometrically complex finned missile configurations. flow fields often include subdomains dominated by different physical processes. a technique is proposed in which… More

This proposal respons to the need for a pc-based scene generator code with sufficient accuracy for prediction of field instrumentation performance. the starting point for the phase i effort is the irving model, a multi-faceted target and background ir imaging code developed by the naval weapons… More

A sensing device is required for the detection of toxic hyperbolic propellant (hydrazine, monomethyl hydrazine, ammonia, and nitrogen tetroxide) on the surface of astronautspacesuits and equipment in vacuum. spectral sciences, inc.proposes to develop a toxic vapor detector based on reagent-induced… More

We propose to deliver a quick image display model for infrared targets. the proposed model will make full utilization of the available hardware on the iris graphics workstation. it will be designed so that its procedures will be directly applicable to the hardware utilized by the six degrees of… More

The diode-laser absorption remote concentration sensor (darcs) would have numerous applications for monitoring atmospheric composition in the first kilometer above the earth. it could be used to quantify concentrations of many atmospheric species, including important minor constituents such as water… More

A highly responsive gaseous hydrogen sensor is required for operation in process air ducting at aedc, to insure safety in the testing of aircraft engines. fast response, high sensitivity, and the ability to handle wide ranges of sample pressure and temperature are required. spectral sciences, inc.… More

This proposal addresses the need for a new generation of low-cost self-indicating casualty dosimeter. The application involved is determination of personnel dose exposure during a nuclear conflict. The major specifications for this dosimeter include: (1) a minimum sensitivity range of 50-1500 R, (2)… More

This proposal responds to the need for a dynamic model of vertical temperature and water vapor profiles in the turbulent surface layer (tsl). the model will include diurnal effects, recent weather history, and tsl response to short-term changes in incident flux caused by temporary cloud occultation,… More

Ballistic missile location often relies on rocket plume infrared radiation. However, ultraviolet (UV) radiation detection offers hardware system advantages. CO Cameron UV radiation is attractive for detecting high altitude plumes -- it is intense and is present for both solid and liquid propellent.… More

THE FULLERNENES ARE A NEW FORM OF CARBON THAT POSSESS MANY UNUSUAL PROPERTIES. THE MOST ABUNDANT FULLERENES, C60 AND C70, SHOW PROMISE FOR MANY TECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS. FULLERENES ENCAPSULATING METAL ATOMS (METALLOFULLERENES) HAVE POTENTIAL AS ADVANCED CATALYSTS AND NANOSTRUCTURAL MATERIALS.… More

The need exists for portable instrumentation with the capability of real-time monitoring of human environments for a variety of toxic gases generated by military weapons systems. Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI) proposes to build a Gallium Arsenide Semiconductor-laser Multigas Analyzer (GASMAN) which… More

Diode laser-based gaseous species sensors have recently begun progressing towards commercial applications in environmental monitoring. Current sensors require highly reflective optical elements (i.e. mirrors and/or retroreflectors) to define a fixed, double-ended optical path. Development of a… More

Secondary waste stream monitoring requires realtime/continuous measurements of hazardous gas species. although baseline techniques using gas filter correlation and ion-selective electrodes have been demonstrated for monitoring hydrogen chloride off-gas at a hazardous waste incinerator, none of… More

The goal of this project is to develop the SCENIC model. The SCENIC model will be able to quickly determine the tradeoffs which various material coatings offer in terms of environmental reflectance signature components. A key element is a factorized model for narrow band spectral and… More

Spectral Sciences, Inc. proposes to adapt the Environmentally Oriented Systems Atmospheric Effects Library (EOSAEL) to the Microsoft Windows Environment. The Windows EOSAEL (WinEOSAEL) package will reside on and execute from a CD-ROM running under Windows on an Intel 486-based microcomputer… More

41155 November 20, 1996 Spectral Sciences, Inc. A key requirement for efficient distribution of natural gas is automated real-time monitoring of its BTU (i.e. caloric) content and composition. This project will develop a spectrometer based on… More

Real-time in-situ monitoring of trace combustion species from rocket and aircraft engines is desirable because it provides a direct measure of the combustion process, the operating efficiency, and the release of pollutants into the environment. Of particular interest are CO, NO, and CH4, which are… More

Accurate modeling of radiation from rocket plumes is critical for remote sensing simulations and assessing vehicle base heating. Current computer models use approximate radiative transfer and computational methods that were developed 20-30 years ago. A unified, general, and accurate approach for… More

Not Available Modern US Navy aircraft as well as older aircraft currently being updated to today's avionic standards, contain avionics and ordinance equipment that require regulation of the 28VDC system. The V-22 platform utilizes three regulated AC/DC converters (CVs) to provide regulated DC power… More

Not Available Eikos L.L.C. will use single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in a highly abrasion resistant matrix as a novel transparent electrostatic dissipation coating (ESD) for aircraft canopies. This technology will provide environmentally stable ESD monolayer coating while protecting the surface… More

During Phase II, Spectral Sciences Inc., proposes to develop innovative software tools for timely and highly specific characterization of the world littoral zones using data from new satellite-based hyperspectral imaging systems. SS Phase II objectivesinclude (1) develop a software package… More

To support the development of technologies and analysis tools for scientific and commercial applications of remote sensing, Spectral Sciences Inc. proposes a new approach for improved measurement of plant water stress using hyperspectral or multispectral remote thermal infrared (TIR) spectral… More

Efficient design of remote sensors, including both the optics and data processing algorithms, depends critically on the availability of well characterized data spanning the operational space of interest. It is not practical to span this space with fielddata alone and requires extensive use of scene… More

This proposal explores the utility of space-based thermal infrared (TIR) multispectral imagery (MSI) for detecting, monitoring and identifying ships in the littoral zone. MSI provides a remote, passive, and day/night capabilities, it can penetrate fogand haze, and it can detect subtle ship thermal… More

Spectral Sciences Inc. proposes to design and develop the Passive Infrared Remote Effluent Sensor, (PIRES), for the purpose of monitoring toxic chemical air pollutants in a plume released during open burn/open detonation (OB/OD) events at Edwards AFB. Thesystem will be portable and operate from a… More

Underlying the many models for simulating space contamination effects are the rates for fundamental chemical processes. The rates are generally not known and are difficult to measure, but are critical for meaningful simulations. Molecular Beam Experiments (MBE), which are typically used to determine… More

Underlying the many models for simulating space contamination effects are the rates for fundamental chemical processes. The rates are generally not known and are difficult to measure, but are critical for meaningful simulations. Molecular Beam Experiments (MBE), which are typically used to determine… More

This proposal addresses the enhanced utilization of space-based Thermal IR (TIR) imagery, a powerful remote sensing method that can operate in nighttime, fog, and haze conditions and can detect subtle thermal signatures. Currently, ambiguities inseparating temperature, emissivity and atmospheric… More

This proposal addresses the enhanced utilization of space-based Thermal IR (TIR) imagery, a powerful remote sensing method that can operate in nighttime, fog, and haze conditions and can detect subtle thermal signatures. Currently, ambiguities inseparating temperature, emissivity and atmospheric… More

An innovative, minimally intrusive temperature and composition sensor concept, proven in Phase I, will be developed into a prototype and tested in a high-pressure combustor in Phase II. The sensor, designed to monitor the hot gas stream at the turbineinlet in advanced, high performance turbine… More

An innovative, minimally intrusive temperature and composition sensor concept, proven in Phase I, will be developed into a prototype and tested in a high-pressure combustor in Phase II. The sensor, designed to monitor the hot gas stream at the turbineinlet in advanced, high performance turbine… More

Efficient design of remote spectral imaging sensors, including the optics and data processing algorithms, depends critically on the availability of well-characterized data that span the full operational space of the sensor. As it is not practical to spanthis space with field data alone,… More

Not Available "There is a diversity of active and passive sensors and associated processing algorithms proposed and under development for remote detection of chemical and biological agents. It would be highly beneficial to have a consistent and accurate means forcomparing, evaluating, and projecting… More

"A successful intercept of a high-altitude missile (>100km) by a kinetic energy kill vehicle initiates a complex sequence of events and observable signatures occurring over a very wide range of temporal, spatial, and spectral scales. The resultant debriscloud signatures contain highly desirable… More

"Radiation-transport (RT) codes constitute the core component of the target, plume, background, and atmospheric signature models utilized by BMDO and virtually every other government agency and commercial company involved in developing optically-basedweapons, surveillance, and remote sensing… More

"Developing real-time, unsupervised, on-board data processing algorithms for emerging remote sensing technologies is a key step towards overcoming bottlenecks in both ground-based processing and transmission capability to a ground receiving station. Animportant initial processing step is the… More

"This proposal addresses the urgent need for near real-time algorithms for detection, identification and tracking of objects in highly structured environments. Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI) proposes to develop an innovative new algorithm for improvedclutter mitigation and target detection for… More

This Spectral Sciences, Inc. project addresses the development of data analysis software tools for ground-based radiometers to facilitate improved atmospheric correction of remotely sensed hyperspectral and multispectral imagery (HSI and MSI) of the coastal zone. The atmospheric variables needed for… More

This proposal addresses NASA?s need for methods to organize observed data for storage or processing using intelligent, goal-directed data compression. Spectral Sciences, Inc. proposes to develop an innovative, low loss data compression algorithm that provides significant data compression on many… More

This Spectral Sciences, Inc. project addresses the development of data analysis software tools for ground-based radiometers to facilitate improved atmospheric correction of remotely sensed hyperspectral and multispectral imagery (HSI and MSI) of the coastal zone. The atmospheric variables needed for… More

An innovative gas path sensor technology is proposed for use in active control of gas turbine engines. Passive optical probes and a readout devices are used to make spatially resolved measurements of the key parameters for monitoring state of combustion:temperature, CO concentration, H2O… More

Early Launch Detection and Tracking (ELDT) is emerging as a key component of US ballistic missile defense strategy. The complications of sunlit cloud cover and long slant path viewing make the problem extremely challenging and have thus far hindered thevalidation of proposed approaches. Spectral… More

Lasers are being considered for several functions in boost-phase missile defense systems, including interceptor to ground communication, and detection of the missile hardbody. Exhaust plumes can attenuate and scatter laser light, interfering with thefunction of the laser systems. Spectral… More

Spectral Sciences, Inc., in collaboration with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, proposes to develop the Missile Operational Signatures Toolkit, dubbed MOST, to address post-boost phenomena for high altitude (above 80 km) missile systems. MOST will becapable of treating a wide variety of… More

In-situ measurements of CO and temperature are required to monitor and control completeness of combustion in modern turbine engines. We propose the Phase II development of an innovative gas path sensor technology for spatially resolved measurements of the key combustion parameters: temperature, CO… More

Lasers are being considered for several functions in boost-phase missile defense systems, including interceptor to ground communication, and detection of missile hardbodies. Exhaust plumes can attenuate and scatter laser light, interfering with the function of the laser systems. Spectral Sciences,… More

Spectral Sciences, Inc. proposes to fully develop and apply the Missile Operational Signatures Toolkit (MOST) modeling tool successfully demonstrated in Phase I, resulting in a substantial upgrade of modeling capabilities for transient events above 90 km. The diversity and complexity of these… More

Multispectral (ten or more spectral bands) imagers are required to assist in the mid-course discrimination function of the Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) by providing infrared spectral signatures and temperature measurements of objects within the threat cloud. Spectral Sciences Incorporated… More

Earth-observing Hyper- and Multispectral Imaging (HSI/MSI) in the Vis/SWIR provides detailed spectral signatures of natural terrain and man-made objects. However, the present inability to accurately correct for atmospheric effects in long slant paths seriously degrades target detection and… More

Design of electro-optical sensors for military and commercial use increasingly relies on scenario simulation models. It is critical these models yield accurate transmittances and at-sensor radiances, and be extremely computationally fast to allow robust sampling of the multi-dimensional design… More

The design of electro-optical sensors increasingly relies on simulation models to predict performance in a wide variety of scenarios. The purpose of this SBIR program, dubbed kURT (k-distribution based Ultra-fast Radiative Transfer), is to develop very fast and accurate radiative transfer (RT)… More

As unmanned-aerial vehicles (UAVs) become more prevalent, they represent a unique threat to deployed ground forces overseas and population centers in the US. The development of a robust imaging and surveillance capability targeting these aircraft is critical. A new tomographic reconstruction… More

Unmanned-Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) present a unique threat to deployed ground forces overseas and civilian population centers in the US. Phase II will continue the development of a ladar-based imaging and surveillance system for perimeter defense against UAVs. In the successful Phase I, a… More

The design of missile defense systems is challenging because of the complex, often transient, 3D, and very wide range of phenomena exhibited by missile systems. The diverse defense system requirements, such as detection, tracking, hard body location, discrimination against countermeasures, and… More

Radiation-transport (RT) codes constitute the core component of the target, plume, background, and atmospheric signature models utilized by MDA and virtually every other government agency and commercial company involved in developing optically-based weapons, surveillance, and remote sensing systems.… More

Early Launch Detection and Tracking (ELDT) is emerging as a key component of US ballistic missile defense strategy. The complications of sunlit cloud cover and long slant path viewing make the problem extremely challenging and have thus far hindered the validation of proposed approaches. Spectral… More

The optical sensor aboard the Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) needs to generate multispectral long-wave infrared (LWIR) images in order to distinguish the re-entrant vehicle from decoys within the threat cloud and the interfering scene clutter. The spectral signatures collected contain… More

This proposal by Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI) addresses the need for innovative, automated, and fast software for accurate atmospheric correction of hyperspectral and multispectral imagery in highly off-nadir, long slant path (long standoff distance) remote sensing. In Phase I we assembled long… More

Engagement simulation models provide an indispensable tool for the design of sophisticated missile defense systems. This requires treating real-time motions and the complex scattering physics of active laser interactions with plume and debris fields from hardbody/plume transient events. Spectral… More

Emerging scramjet technology has enormous potential for the development of small hypersonic aircraft and spacecraft, with numerous military and civilian applications. Spectral Sciences, Inc. proposes to develop a novel, high-speed, adaptive spectral imaging sensor for use as a research and… More

Scene simulations are increasingly used for electro-optical sensor design, performance evaluation, and data analysis over a wide range of environment and engagement conditions. For Army ground-to-ground scenarios, Target Acquisition Weapons Software (TAWS) is used to determine target-to-background… More

The atmosphere adversely impacts infrared target detection systems. In particular, atmospheric absorption reduces the intensity of detected target signatures, bright atmospheric backgrounds reduce target/background contrast, temporal and spatial atmospheric structures confuse target detection… More

Highly energetic chemical processes play a central role in many military and commercial applications. For example, spectral emissions from missile plumes, arising from high-velocity chemical interactions of exhaust gases with the atmosphere, are used to detect, track, and identify threat targets.… More

Radiation-transport (RT) codes constitute the core component of the many target, plume, background, and atmospheric signature models utilized not only by the Missile Defense Agency but also by virtually every other government agency and commercial company involved in developing optically-based… More

Spectral Sciences, Inc. proposes an innovative standoff detection system to enable military personal to detect the presence of chemicals agents and other hazardous materials from large (multiple kilometer) distances. The proposed system combines a revolutionary adaptive spectrometer concept with… More

The remote detection of infrared emissions from the hot plumes of boosting missiles is a core component of our missile defense system. Inherent in the detection and interpretation of these emissions is an accurate and detailed understanding of rocket plume phenomenology. We are proposing to… More

There is a long-standing military, homeland security and industry need for compact, portable sensors to remotely detect, identify and quantify chemical and biological warfare agents and other hazardous species at significant standoff ranges. Current LWIR Fourier transform spectrometers are… More

Atmospheric radiance clutter is a significant impediment to remotely-sensed target identification and surveillance. Clutter events arise from atmospheric phenomena occurring over wide vertical and horizontal scales. These include polar mesospheric clouds, aurora, stratospheric warming, thermal… More

A core component of aerospace manufacturing is based on cutting-edge materials used in extreme environments. Chemical kinetics models are vital for interpreting experimental measurements and predicting the behavior of these complex systems. For many applications, the reaction rates for all… More

As one of the key developers of SOCRATES-P, Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI) proposes to extend the SOCRATES-P DSMC flow, chemistry, and radiation solver with a dynamics package, the Maneuvers and Signatures of Interacting Vehicles Toolkit (MASIV). The Toolkit will enable high-fidelity calculation of… More

Emerging scramjet technology has enormous potential for the development of small hypersonic aircraft and spacecraft, with numerous military and civilian applications. Spectral Sciences, Inc. proposes to develop a novel, high-speed, adaptive spectral imaging sensor for use as a research and… More

Scene simulations are increasingly used for electro-optical sensor design, performance evaluation, and data analysis over a wide range of environment and engagement conditions. For Army ground-to-ground scenarios, Target Acquisition Weapons Software (TAWS) is used to determine target-to-background… More

There is a critical, ongoing requirement for models and codes to accurately simulate atmospheric infrared (IR) backgrounds in order to analyze and predict the performance of surveillance, reconnaissance, and weapons guidance systems. The atmosphere adversely impacts infrared target detection… More

MDA has an urgent need for rapid and accurate scene generation codes. The current highly accurate state-of-the-art (SAMM2) is limited in two ways: (1) it is designed to compute a single line-of-sight as opposed to scenes and (2) its core numerical algorithm is geared toward reproducing the exact… More

Spectral Sciences, Inc. proposes an innovative standoff detection system for remote detection and mapping of chemicals agents and other hazardous materials. The Adaptive Multiplex Spectrometer (AMS) is a general-purpose passive infrared sensor whose characteristics can be set on-the-fly in… More

There is a long-standing need for the development of fast single-frame spectral imaging instrumentation, also known as a "snapshot" or "flash" spectral imager, to study fast transient phenomena where retrieval of 3-dimensional hyperspectral data cubes provides crucial information. Spectral… More

Understanding and modeling low thrust systems requires a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics and chemistry, which is not well known. Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI) proposes to develop and apply novel computational chemistry methods to quantify the key chemical processes giving rise… More

Missile exhaust plume emission is the key observable for many of our missile defense sensor systems. High-fidelity plume signature models play a key role in the analysis and simulation of threat missile systems but they are too slow for applications requiring near real-time plume image generation. … More

"Smart" and precision-guided Army weapons systems are being developed that use infrared (IR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) sensors for target detection and classification. Both the long-wavelength IR and mid-wavelength IR regions provide day/night, all-weather capabilities and discrimination based on… More

Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) and the determination of target intent from airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) depends on highly accurate pose determination. In this proposal prior knowledge, in the form of 3D target models, is applied to achieve `super resolution'; namely a resolution… More

Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI), one of the key developers of SOCRATES-P, a DSMC flow, chemistry, and radiation signature code, proposes to extend the capability of SOCRATES-P to include transient plume-hard body interactions. The product will be the Maneuvers And Signatures of Interacting Vehicles… More

Infrared (IR) imagery has considerable potential for identification of buried improvised explosive devices and tracks from military vehicles. A strong correlation exists between the IR spectra of soil and vegetation, their physical state, and how they are disturbed. Wavelength regions of interest… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project investigates a novel approach for directly measuring critical combustion flow-field information required for active control to increase combustion efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. The critical innovation in this proposal is the… More

Hyperspectral and multispectral imaging sensors have enormous potential for military reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting missions. However, rapid detection of spectral, spatial, and/or temporal anomalies, which represent potential targets, is not possible with current sensor designs and… More

Propellant aging in solid rocket motors can result in various defects such as micro-cracks, fissuring, and abnormal density variations. These defects can lead to abnormal burn rates and unsafe operations of the motor. Nondestructive inspection of solid rocket motors is critical in monitoring aging… More

Hyperspectral and multispectral imaging sensors have enormous potential for space-based characterization and identification of resident space objects (RSOs). Ideally, a spectral sensor will be able to characterize both LEO and deep-space geosynchronous-earth-orbit (GEO) and higher altitude RSOs. The… More

The proposed research addresses the design and testing of a flight-worthy combustion pattern factor control system, suitable for integration into legacy aircraft. Operating point control would be achieved using fuel modulation, passive optical sensors, and the FADEC to identify aberrant fuel… More

A successful intercept of a missile by a kinetic energy kill vehicle initiates a complex sequence of events and associated observable signatures that occur over a very wide range of temporal, spatial, and spectral scales. The signatures contain highly desirable information on the lethality of the… More

We propose to develop and optimize a novel system of fast passive optical sensors for in situ monitoring of combustion dynamics in a thrust augmentor system. Passive optical probes inserted into the combustor will provide multiple views of the flow field. A novel high-speed readout will provide… More

A critical concern in the manufacture of rocket engines is the development of new propellants to increase performance. A fundamental measure of rocket engine performance is the specific impulse, which is the force delivered per weight of propellant consumed. Due to the potentially high cost of… More

Part of the Air Force space situational awareness mission includes the characterization, identification and real-time tracking of man-made resident space objects (RSO) orbiting the earth. Even with space-based observation, geostationary satellites will be dim and unresolved against a cluttered star… More

Night vision enhancement systems, such as night vision goggles and in-vehicle displays, have been used extensively in the military since the 1960's. Most common night vision systems use single-band sensors that are sensitive to either emitted infrared (IR) radiation or reflected light, and thus… More

Automatic Target Recognition and intent determination from airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) or Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging requires highly accurate pose determination. Prior knowledge in the form of radar signatures of 3D target models that accurately capture locations of… More

The modeling of NLTE hypersonic flows combines several disciplines: chemistry, kinetics, radiation transport, fluid mechanics, and surface science. No single code or model has been able to capture, with high fidelity, all the complex effects that come into play, especially at higher velocities.… More

Smart and precision-guided Army weapons systems are being developed that use long- and mid-wave-infrared (LWIR and MWIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) sensors for target detection and classification. New high-performance algorithms are needed to process the image signals rapidly enough for weapons… More

The proposed research addresses the need for flight-worthy combustion pattern factor control suitable for integration into new and legacy aircraft. The proposed system achieves operating-point control using fuel modulation, passive optical sensors and the full authority digital engine control… More

As the number and variety of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) including satellites, space vehicles and debris, rapidly increases, it is important that the United States maintain accurate surveillance to obtain current intelligence regarding the identity of these objects, their functionality and… More

A core component of aerospace manufacturing is based on cutting-edge materials used in extreme environments. Chemical kinetics models are vital for interpreting experimental measurements and predicting the behavior of these complex systems. For many applications, the reaction rates for all… More

A successful high-altitude (>100km) missile intercept by a kinetic-energy kill vehicle initiates a complex sequence of events and observable signatures occurring over a wide range of temporal, spatial, and spectral scales. The resultant debris cloud signatures contain highly desirable information on… More

Understanding and modeling low thrust systems requires a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics and chemistry, which is not well known. Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI) proposes to rectify this critical deficiency by developing end-to-end models based on engine measurements of the… More

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project investigates a novel approach for directly measuring critical combustion flow-field information required for active control to increase combustion efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. Combustion control systems can be based on… More

Target detection, classification and tracking by missile defense sensor systems from post boost phase through mid-course to reentry is affected not only by background contrast but also by the irradiance contributing to the target signature by extended sources including direct and reflected sunshine,… More

Model simulations have become increasingly valuable for assessing effectiveness and vulnerability in sensor system development and operations planning. A problem of current and critical interest is the performance of Gen III Night Vision Goggles in the urban environment. The Army's current… More

Spectral Sciences Inc. proposes to develop a prototype sensor for real-time trace-level analysis of complex multicomponent gas mixtures, specifically those containing Chemical Weapon (CW) agents and interferents. The instrument is based on high power quantum cascade lasers and photocoustic… More

Satellite ground imagery from space-based infrared (IR) sensors can be invaluable when monitoring areas of military significance during periods of rapid activity of several hours to days. IR ground imagery is strongly influenced by weather conditions such as cloud cover and water content that can… More

Common night vision systems use single-band sensors that are sensitive to either emitted or reflected infrared (IR) radiation, and thus provide a monochromatic image of the inspected scene. Adding color can increase depth, contrast and perception, improving soldiers' reaction time and reducing… More

Propellant aging in solid rocket motors can result in various defects such as micro-cracks, fissuring, and abnormal density variations. These defects can lead to abnormal burn rates and unsafe operations of the motor. Nondestructive inspection of solid rocket motors is critical in monitoring solid… More

Technologies that enable the remote detection, identification, and quantification of trace chemical species in the atmosphere can provide critical information for uncovering activities associated with proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Passive detection techniques use infrared and… More

The Air Force space situational awareness mission includes the characterization, identification and real-time tracking of man-made resident space objects (RSO). Classification and tracking is affected not only by background contrast but also by the reflected environment irradiance that contributes… More

Target detection, classification and tracking by missile defense sensor systems from post-boost phase through mid-course to reentry is affected not only by background contrast but also by the irradiance on the target contributing to the target signature by extended sources including direct and… More

Wide-area space surveillance systems are required to detect and identify space operations and characterize their activities. Both requirements can be met with wide-area, high-dynamic-range sensors, similar to the Solar Mass Ejection Imager, but with performance enhancements for detection of Resident… More

Since infrared radiation from missile exhaust plumes is a key observable for many satellite sensors and interceptor seekers, considerable effort has been expended in developing and validating high-fidelity plume signature codes. However, their utility for systems studies of missile fly-outs is… More

Interest in imaging applications of Terahertz (THz) radiation in many DoD areas has increased lately with recent advances in electronic and electro-optical THz sources, as well as progress in receiver and system technology. The accurate description of atmospheric attenuation effects on THz radiation… More

Early detection of threat missile launches is key for missile defense strategy. However, detecting surface launches using space-based sensors under all illumination (day/night) and weather (clear/cloudy) conditions is extremely challenging. While rarely considered for this problem, the microwave… More

A core component of aerospace manufacturing is based on cutting-edge technological applications of material design. Chemical kinetics models are vital for interpreting experimental measurements and predicting the behavior of these complex systems. Modern computational chemistry software programs are… More

Industrial processes such as glass production burn huge quantities of natural gas. Burner settings are often set with large error margins to avoid producing pollution. Often, burners are set ¿by eye,¿ with feedback provided from one global stack-gas sensor. Because multiple burners are… More

Atmospheric effects, especially the impact of clouds, play a major role in remote sensing applications, and in particular, the design of defense and surveillance systems. Of special importance, is the effects of clouds and terrain on ballistic missile launch detection and tracking. The detection of… More

Several BMDS sensor concepts are considering passive exploitation of signature features outside the 2.0-5.0 micron range. However, current signature models are focused primarily on this relatively narrow band in the infrared. We propose to develop a set of software modules called PAWS (Propulsion… More

Spectral Sciences, Inc. proposes an innovative ultrafast spectroradiometer for transient thermal event detection at surfaces in order to provide contamination avoidance and mitigation. The proposed system combines an adaptive, software programmable spectral filter with advanced signal processing… More

Physics-based models of laser interactions with boosting missiles at long ranges are needed in support of ABL Special Projects Office selection of an optimal ladar system and future simulation of the weapon system. It is highly desirable that ABL programs base their design evaluations on a common,… More

Technologies enabling remote detection, identification, and quantification of trace chemical species in the atmosphere can provide critical information for uncovering activities associated with proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). A key requirement for efficient development of… More

A team consisting of Spectral Sciences Inc., Boston University, Boston University Medical School, Radcliffe Consulting and Brighton Consulting will collaborate to develop and validate a novel optical device for the monitoring and evaluation of blood coagulation. In this proposal we describe a novel… More

Increased computational speed and improved numerical algorithms have made computational chemistry an important tool in the development of new chemical compounds and processes. In particular, single-reference coupled cluster (CC) methods, such as CCSD(T), provide an excellent compromise between speed… More

Limited computational resources remain a serious obstacle to the application of quantum chemistry in problems of widespread importance, such as the design of new catalysts for use in fuel cells, or for modeling of material and optical properties of liquids and solids. Researchers have a considerable… More

LADAR light reflection from a target is highly dependent of the spectral reflectivity and texture properties of the surface. Such dependencies could be exploited for target recognition based on surface characterization with appropriate imaging conditions and processing algorithms. Target surface… More

A team consisting of Spectral Sciences Inc., BeneChill Corporation, Columbia University, Temple University and Brighton Consulting will develop a field-deployable cooling system-with unique brain-temperature monitoring-to induce hypothermia to patients with traumatic brain injury, particularly to… More

Atmospheric effects, including the significant impact of ocean radiance, play a major role in remote sensing applications and the design of defense and surveillance systems. Tracking dim targets against a cluttered ocean background which is highly spatially and temporally varying is a particularly… More

The design of space-based optical sensors for detection and identification of threat missile launches relies heavily on plume signature simulation models. The development of physics-based plume signature models traces back ~50 years, resulting in very capable models. However, because of the… More

A successful intercept of a missile by a kinetic energy kill vehicle initiates a complex sequence of events and associated observable signatures over a very wide range of temporal, spatial, and spectral scales. The signatures contain important information on the intercept lethality and on the… More

Airborne down-looking hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is promising for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). HSI systems use numerous spectral bands to distinguish materials, and thus provide target identification and discrimination against background clutter. Down-looking HSI sensors… More

The Air Force space situational awareness mission includes characterization, identification and real-time tracking of resident space objects (RSO). Under low-light conditions not dominated by sunshine, detectable RSO signatures result from reflections of upwelling irradiance. These sources, which… More

A Wide Area Space Surveillance System (WASSS) would provide near continuous, real-time monitoring of insertion events, orbital maneuvers, and resident space objects (RSOs) in deep space. A constellation of satellites is proposed with multiple wide field-of-view sensors in an orbit that provides… More

Use of the microwave spectral region (10,000-100 micron) for DoD applications is largely unexplored, but offers significant advantages. For example, early detection of missile launches is key for missile defense. However, detecting launches using airborne and space-based sensors under all… More

Spectral Sciences Inc. proposes to develop a sensor for real-time trace-level analysis of complex multicomponent gas mixtures containing Chemical Weapon (CW) agents and interferents. The approach is based on the combination of a digitally controlled widely tunable quantum cascade laser source and… More

Several current BMDS sensors and advanced technology concepts are using or considering passive exploitation of signature features outside the 2.5-5.0 micron range. However, current signature models are focused primarily on this relatively narrow band in the infrared. We propose to develop a set of… More

Atmospheric effects, especially the impact of clouds, play a major role in remote sensing applications, and in particular, the design of defense and surveillance systems. Of special importance, are the effects of clouds and terrain on ballistic missile launch detection and tracking. The detection… More

Flares are widely used in the chemical processing industry to safely vent combustible gas streams. The open-flame combustion of hydrocarbons in flares produces and subsequently emits into the atmosphere substantial quantities of greenhouse gases along with trace amounts of ozone-forming… More

Industrial processes such as glass production burn huge quantities of natural gas. Burner settings are often set with large error margins to avoid producing pollution. They are also frequently set

The large quantities of natural gas produced in the oil refining process pose a serious explosion hazard, and are disposed of by open air burning, commonly referred to as flaring. Incomplete combustion of the natural gas results in the release of hazardous organic compounds, which pose serious risks… More

Generating land and ocean data products from NASA multispectral and hyperspectral imagery missions requires atmospheric correction, the removal of atmospheric transmission and scattering effects that contaminate the measurements. This program led by Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI) addresses the… More

ABSTRACT: A core component of aerospace manufacturing is based on cutting-edge technological applications of material design. Chemical kinetics models are vital for interpreting experimental measurements and predicting the behavior of these complex systems. Modern computational chemistry software… More

In this SBIR, we develop a toolkit for computing time-dependent signatures for solid rocket motor thrust termination. The toolkit is composed of several modules describing the combustion chamber, near field, and far field flows, and outputs time-dependent spectral imagery. The fidelity of each… More

The outcome of the proposed SBIR program will be the development of an innovative scientific testbed code suite for reentry vehicle signatures. The testbed will model all key physical hypersonic flow effects to a high degree of fidelity and will be validated against field data. It is intended that… More

Since infrared radiation from missile exhaust plumes is a key observable for many satellite sensors and interceptor seekers, considerable effort has been expended in developing and validating high-fidelity plume signature codes. However, their utility for systems studies of missile fly-outs is… More

A successful intercept of a missile by a kinetic energy kill vehicle initiates a complex sequence of events and associated observable signatures that occur over a very wide range of temporal, spatial, and spectral scales. The signatures contain important information on the lethality of the intercept… More

The design of space-based optical sensors for detection, identification, and tracking of threat missile launches relies heavily on plume signature simulation models. The development of very capable plume signature models traces back ~50 years. However, because of the complexity of the underlying… More

Atmospheric effects, including the significant impact of ocean radiance, play a major role in remote sensing applications and the design of defense and surveillance systems. Tracking dim targets against a cluttered ocean background which is highly spatially and temporally varying is a particularly… More

ABSTRACT: Due to the costs associated with their fabrication, theoretical prediction of conductance in molecular and nano-electronic systems is a cost-effective tool in the design of new devices. Unfortunately, the techniques currently used to treating conductance are computationally expensive, and… More

LADAR light reflection from a target is highly dependent of the spectral reflectivity and texture properties of the surface. Such dependencies could be exploited for target recognition based on surface characterization. Target surface light reflection is

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a software suite to simulate the large range of pressures and complex moving parts geometry of high vacuum pumps, critical for many manufacturing processes. The approach is new and leverages the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC)… More

Reliable communications are essential for real-time situational awareness, sensor command, control planning and data access throughout the entire battle space for the warfighters. RF communications in forests, jungles and triple canopy environments (those with both an overstory and understory) are… More

Target detection and tracking by missile defense sensor systems on an airborne platform is affected by clouds and atmospheric turbulence. Clouds interfere with detection and tracking for viewing scenarios when clouds are in the foreground of the target. Turbulence phenomena can interfere with… More

We propose to develop a new and innovative capability to model complex target plumes by upgrading the SOCRATES-P Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) high altitude plume signature code. This capability will enable SOCRATES-P to simulate 3D plume flowfields in a unified manner, from inside the nozzle… More

Rapid simulation of threat missile plume signatures plays a critical role within the Missile Defense Agency"s (MDA) modeling and simulation framework for many applications. Fast simulation of systems utilizing vernier engines presents a challenging modeling problem because the interaction of… More

Radiation from particulates can often be the dominant source of radiation in rocket plumes. Particulates such as soot and aluminum oxide emit and absorb light differently depending not only on their composition but also their size, temperature, and state of aggregation. These properties are… More

We propose to develop a new and innovative capability to model the contribution of stellar sources to the background radiation detected by EO/IR sensors. This Star Background Model would comprise a new comprehensive database of known objects outside the solar system, both stellar and non-stellar,… More

ABSTRACT: Operational airborne hyperspectral imagery (HSI) offers numerous advantages over traditional single or multiband sensing modalities for DoD intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks. Its extremely high information content, which captures unique spectral signatures of targets… More

ABSTRACT: Spectral Sciences, Inc., and subcontractor Pacific Defense Solutions (PDS), LLC propose a Post-Maneuver Orbit Determination from Multi-Sensor Analysis of Plumes (PODMAP) system, consisting of a thrust vector inversion algorithm that produces post-maneuver orbital elements from wide field… More

ABSTRACT: We propose the development of a high-speed, passive, in-situ, hyperspectral sensor system and its integration into engine-scale augmentor test program at AEDC. An optical probe would be integrated into an existing mechanical probe to provide multiple views of the emission coming from… More

ABSTRACT: There are many components to the space environment, both natural and man-made, that can adversely affect spacecraft performance. Their relationship is often complex and nonlinear, making scientific modeling essential. We propose to produce a structured network of physics-based computer… More

Atmospheric effects, especially the impact of clouds, play a major role in remote sensing applications, and in particular, the design of defense and surveillance systems. Of special importance, are the effects of clouds and terrain on ballistic missile launch detection and tracking. The detection… More

Several current BMDS sensors and advanced technology concepts are using or considering passive exploitation of signature features outside the 2.5-5.0 micron range. However, current signature models are focused primarily on this relatively narrow band in the infrared. We propose to develop a set of… More

The outcome of the proposed SBIR program will be the development of the Blow-down Large Angle-of-attack Signatures Thrust Termination Toolkit (BLAST3). BLAST3 will consist of a physics-based framework of modules for producing simulated imagery and radar scenes of solid rocket motor thrust… More

The flowfields surrounding reentry and other hypersonic vehicles are complex and challenging to model. At hypersonic velocities, the flow may ionize and form a plasma sheath around the vehicle, ablating heat shield material can be entrained in the flow, and non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE)… More