"A refined helical screw configuration is proposed as an efficient, versatile andeconomical anchor for deployable structures and shelters; the system designallows for convenient and rapid driving into soil through rotation. The refinedhelical screw configuration complements high frictional… More

"The ultimate goal of the proposed project is to develop predictive durability models applicable to design, maintenance/repair and life-cycle cost analysis of concrete structures exposed to marine environments. Watefront concrete facilities are subject toa multitude of interacting damaging… More

"Structural biomaterials such as bones, shells and teeth occur as composite materials with outstanding properties embraced by their multi-component composition. The biological structures that have survived offer complex structures and compositions whichoptimally meet the demands of their… More

A hybrid helical anchor is proposed as the hold-down system for army tents and shelter complexes. The new anchor comprises a steel shaft with tapered helices which are perforated and surface-modified for enhanced drivability. Both manual and power-driveninstallations are possible. The development… More

The goal of this research project is to develop and commercialize a new generation of concrete-based wastewater infrastructure systems with substantially enhanced longevity, structural and hydrological performance, and initial and life-cycle economy. This new infrastructure would greatly reduce the… More

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The annual U.S. consumption of steel reinforcement in concrete is close to 7 million tons, representing more than $6 billion of annual sales. Close to 35% of steel reinforcement is used in applications such as parking structures, bridges and waterfront structures which are… More

Gass fiber composites suffer from early deterioration when exposed to alkaline environments. This project incorporates bio-based ion exchangers into the polymer matrix of glass fiber composites in order to neutralize aggressive chemicals and thus enhance the chemical resistance of composites.

Biomimetic processing and structural principles will be adapted towards environmentally friendly and energy-efficient development of hybrid nanocomposites with gradient structures that promise to optimally meet the thermo-mechanical performance requirements in aerospace structures and other… More

The main thrust of the proposed research is to develop a novel fiber coating system which builds self-healing attributes into fiber reinforced composites. The new fiber coating is a layered composite of piezoelectric and solid electrolyte constituents. The piezoelectric layer generates electric… More

The proposed Phase II project will develop and fully characterize self-healing composite materials and selected structural components embodying the principles validated in Phase I research, and will establish criteria for selection of self-healing composites in new applications. Strengthening of… More

This SBIR Phase I research aims to tailor the electrostatic self-assembly technique towards buildup of hybrid, functionally graded ceramic nanocomposites with unique combinations of heat resistance, thermal insulation and oxygen barrier qualities, hot-corrosion and erosion resistance, fatigue life,… More

Our goal is develop a smart, transcutaneous device for individualized circadian (sleep) therapy by responsive release of melatonin, in microgravity. Additionally, this concept ?shown in figure 1?is modular and multifunctional by design. So, with minimal changes, we envision being able to use same… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Alcohol dependence is a chronic disorder with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental underpinnings. Alcohol's societal impact is widespread; it is estimated that there are 17.6 million individuals who abuse or depend on alcohol in the United States. (Grant et… More

The merits of a strong, detachable and durable (self-cleaning) dry adhesive system, which is inspired by gecko-foot hair, will be validated. The proposed system comprises micro-scale fibers exposed on a composite surface, upon which aligned nanotubes or nanofibers are deposited. Photocatalytic and… More

A new joining principle is proposed where a massive number of physical and mechanical bonds between responsive nanostructured constituents bridge the (rough) joining surfaces. Recent advances in nanostructured materials, linked supramolecular systems and directed self-assembly techniques provide… More

Wastes from plant materials such as sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, lawn grass, and straw are natural resources that can be transformed into useful value-added products. Wood waste and grass are major sources of cellulose, the most abundant renewable natural resource. This project will develop… More

Bio-inspired adhesives are under development which employ nanofibrillar structures for reliable and strong adhesion to various substrates. Applications toward micro air vehicle locomotion and in broader dry adhesives markets are emphasized. Biological adhesives (employed by gecko, spider, etc.)… More

A new structural joining technique is under development which employs a massive number of nanomaterials to achieve unique combinations of properties. One-dimensional nanomaterials (nanotubes, nanohelices, etc.) are anchored onto the opposite faces of the joint, and compatibly functionalized and… More

A versatile class of high-performance structural joints is proposed where massive interatomic bonds over the large surface areas of nanostructured surfaces constitutes the primary joining mechanism. The new nano-engineered joints embody nanomaterials which are self-assembled and anchored onto the… More

Future deep-winged large transport aircraft would challenge the conventional approach to aircraft structural design. The tremendous size of deep-winged transports offers new latitudes to rethink structural configurations which efficiently meet the escalated structural demands. Conventional aircraft… More

Functionalization techniques will be developed to enhance the dispersion, interfacial interactions and reinforcement efficiency of carbon nanotubes and other graphite nanomaterials within hydraulic cements and ceramics. The project focuses on covalent functionalization techniques which preserve the… More

Cement-based materials with desirable compressive strength, moisture resistance, life-cycle economy and energy-efficiency are commonly used in civilian and military infrastructure. Their low tensile strength, brittleness and instability in aggressive environments are drawbacks which can be partly… More

Inedible plant materials such as grass and corn stover represent abundant renewable natural resources that can be transformed into biofuel. Although the enzymatic conversion of biomass to sugars represents an attractive means for this conversion, a number of problems have inhibited its use: the… More

Fusion energy systems impose tremendous surface heat fluxes that must be transferred to and dissipated by heat sinks. Heat transfer from source to sink encounters particularly high thermal resistance and severe thermo-mechanical challenges at the interfaces between different materials along the… More

The proposed project focuses on development of an inexpensive and field-ready device for rapid detection of perchlorate in water and soil with high sensitivity and selectivity at low LoD. Phase I will result in a field-ready perchlorate nanobiosensor, with 1 ppb LoD. This device will dramatically… More

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to develop pseudoelastic metal nanowires to produce elastomer matrix nanocomposites which provide desired combinations of electrical conductivity, stiffness, strength, deformation capacity, and cost for various applications. The proposed… More

Heat removal from fusion energy systems is a vital issue. In these systems the prevalent heat dissipation technique is forced convection of a cooling fluid (water, helium, etc.) through a heat sink. Improved cooling efficiencies are needed to keep pace with the projected heat generation trends. … More

The proposed project will develop bio-inspired adhesives for reliable and convenient sealing of full-facepiece respiratory masks against skin. Conventional pressure-sensitive adhesives rely on a liquid-like fluidity to establish molecular-scale contact against rough surfaces. While this contact… More

Aircraft wing structures experience comparable levels of pushdown and pullup forces, which subject them to near-reversible (tension-compression) stress systems. Fiber reinforced polymer composites provide distinctly high tensile strength and modulus, which cannot be matched by their compressive… More

Concrete, a primary building construction material, is the world’s most consumed man-made material. About 500 million tons of concrete were consumed in the United States in 2005. Production of cement (the binder in concrete) is an energy-intensive process and it contributes about 5 percent to… More

A new generation of bio-inspired adhesives is under development for controlling the face-seal leakage in respirator masks. While conventional pressure-sensitive adhesives rely on liquid-like fluidity under pressure to adapt to surface roughness, biological adhesion mechanisms employed by gecko,… More

The main thrust of the proposed research is to develop a new class of high-performance pressure-sensitive adhesives for use with aircraft appliqu, films. Our approach merges the conventional pressure-sensitive adhesives technology with recent advances towards development of dry adhesives inspired by… More

Air conditioning of building accounts for a major fraction of the U.S. primary energy consumption. Air conditioning is also a major contributor to electric utility peak loads, which incur high generation costs and generally use inefficient and polluting generation turbines. Peak loads are also a… More

Appliqu, coating, as paint replacement on aircraft surfaces, offers significant environmental benefits as well as performance and cost advantages. Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are critical components of appliqu, coatings; improvements in the thermal stability, chemical resistance and… More

Thermal energy storage systems balance out the discrepancies caused by the mismatch in the timing of energy supply and demand in alternative energy systems. In the case of solar space heating, for example, the intermittent supply of solar radiation requires storage of the excess daytime supply to… More

Production of cement (the binder in concrete) is a highly polluting and energy-intensive process, accounting for about 6% of global, anthropogenic C02 emissions and close to 2% of worldwide primary energy use. This project focuses on partial (~20%) replacement of cement in concrete with milled… More

Shipboard structures can benefit from the relatively high performance-to-weight ratio, fatigue life, durability, processability and multi-functionality of polymer composites (versus metals). The fire, smoke and toxicity (FST) performance and the initial economics of composites, however, cannot match… More

The perchlorate generated over decades has impacted our nation's waters; it is environmentally recalcitrant and potentially toxic. Perchlorate has significant effects on irrigated agriculture; it is detected in vegetables and dairy food products. Perchlorate has emerged as a significant threat… More

Efforts to replace metals with composites in shipboard applications have emphasized the use of brominated vinyl esters as fire-retardant polymers. Despite their relatively low cost and ease of fabrication, such halogenated polymers produce toxic and potentially carcinogenic gases; their… More