Singlemode fiber optic systems offer great potential to improve sensing, multiplexing, and control systems for aerospace vehicles compared with multimode-based fiber optic systems. The primary issue preventing greater deployment of singlemode is theconnectors. Current technology was developed for… More

Leading edge technology in integrated optics, related to MEMS (microelectromechanical systems), are a new frontier in highly sensitive measurement systems with substantial and extremely broad application potential in FCS and other programs. Using ournovel femtosecond-laser femtoWriteT process,… More

Our Phase II main goal is to demonstrate a robust, multifiber, singlemode optical connector for the aerospace industry. This connector will be based on the enlarged waveguide concept that was successfully demonstrated during the Phase I.This connector will be characterized by low optical insertion… More

This Phase II program is concerned with the manufacturing of high quality, robust, microsystems or microsensors incorporating in a solid glass substrate three-dimensional microfluidic circuitry side-by-side with three-dimensional waveguide based optics. The manufacturing of the optical waveguides… More

Translume is proposing a glass manufacturing process that combines anisotropic wet chemical etching with femtosecond-laser nanostructuring to shape three-dimensional glass objects. This innovative fabrication technique can be used to machine optical structures, optical sensors, and optical surfaces… More

The overall objective of our program is to develop in-line/on-line systems for hydraulic fluid contamination monitoring. These systems will be based around an array of inexpensive, robust optical sensors, which may be complemented with other commercial sensors. During this Phase I our technical… More

The objective of this SBIR program is to develop a robust sensing system to monitor the condition of hydraulic fluids. This system will operate reliably in a vehicular environment. The sensor will monitor the fluid for the presence of solid particulates and for trace water contamination. The… More

The objective of this program is to develop a smart filter for fluidic systems. This system will be based around a Vortex filter, and the corresponding Vortex filter housing. The array sensor will be integrated in the filter housing. The sensors, based on Translume fluid condition monitoring… More

Quantifying and classifying biological particles (bacteria, viruses, and cells) in drinking water and on beaches is critical to human health and environmental safety. The optimal solution is an on-line, real-time detection system continuously monitoring water without calibration or other attention.… More

The objective of our program is to develop an extended lifetime oil filter for trucks and heavy-equipment. The fluid filter system will be equipped with an array of fluid condition monitoring sensors. The addition of sensors to the vehicle filtration system will give it some "brain". This smart… More

A real-time, on-line monitor is needed both for environmental and potable water. In Michigan alone, billions of gallons of untreated or under-treated sewage is discharged into waterways yearly, potentially impacting drinking water and causing beach closings. Testing is now done by labs, a costly,… More

Translume is proposing a novel interconnecting approach that should provide a simple, yet extremely robust and reliable way of attaching single-mode fibers, in tight spaces such as small avionic bays. This approach, which is compatible with environment where explosive vapors are present, can be… More

We propose to investigate the application of our proprietary and proven technique of writing holes in fused silica to the manufacture of diesel fuel injector nozzles. Specifically, this unique process should permit the creation of complex hollowed shapes in transparent fused silica injector… More

Using our proprietary and proven technique for machining fused silica, we propose to manufacture robust and stable hybrid fiber-waveguide tunable lasers. These hybrid lasers will be integrated into field-deployable, high-sensitivity, miniature, infrared laser spectrometers capable of performing… More

Most commercial filters have significant loss even in the passband of the filter. This problem is further exacerbated when the filter must be integrated or inserted within an optical fiber. Translume has developed over the last few years means and expertise to micromachine single-mode fiber using a… More

The Joint Services have the need for affordable, wide area monitoring, detection and alarm for presence of chemical agents, biological agents and toxic industrial chemical and materials. Infrared spectrometers are known to provide the desired sensitivity and selectivity for the application of… More

Translume will design, fabricate and demonstrate a robust, field-compatible, laser spectrometer. This instrument will measure the light intensity transmitted through a chemical sample over a portion of the infrared spectrum in order to make the identification. Our spectrometer will be formed of a… More

The Army has a need for better weapon sight reticles. Currently, weapon sight reticles are fabricated only on flat surfaces. These flat surfaces produce unwanted retro-reflections. Translume has developed several processes to micromachine glass using femtosecond lasers. We have shown that we can… More

Translume will develop an extremely robust, inexpensive micro flow cytometer (mFCM) for quantitative detection of phytoplankton. This device will be designed to be deployed on oceanographic platforms, such as moored buoys, or autonomous vehicles of the type presently used by our collaborator Dr.… More

The Army has a need for better weapon sight reticles. Currently, weapon sight reticles are fabricated only on flat glass surfaces. These flat surfaces produce unwanted retro-reflections. During Phase I Translume demonstrated a femtosecond-laser based process to fabricate subsurface reticles in… More

Many opportunities exist within petroleum refineries to reduce energy consumption while maintaining or enhancing plant productivity. While process control systems are available for many processes found in petroleum refineries, there is a lack of inexpensive, robust devices that can perform chemical… More

Marine phytoplankton are critical in sustaining life on Earth. They are key drivers of the global biogeochemical cycles of carbon and other nutrients, and account for 50% of global photosynthesis. Phytoplankton growth is the fundamental component of the 'ocean biological pump'Â? one of… More

Rotorcrafts form a unique subset of air vehicles in that a rotorcraft's propulsion system is used not only for propulsion, but it also serves as the primary source of lift and maneuvering of the vehicle. No other air vehicle relies on the propulsion system to provide these functions through a… More

ABSTRACT: The goal of this program is to develop an atom chip with a dual integrated and miniaturized optical and electromagnetic capability. We intend to develop a compact atom-chip-based system capable of producing and optically controlling and monitoring ultracold atoms with substantial… More

ABSTRACT: We will design, fabricate and test a quantum processing unit (QPU) based on a symmetric ion trap chip. The trap will provide trapping depth similar to that obtain with macrosize Paul traps. In addition to the ion trap, this chip will incorporate integrated optical systems which will… More

Translume, in collaboration with Dr. Joseph Needoba, Oregon Health and Science University, proposes to develop a microfluidic colorimetric sensor for the quantitative measurement of important inorganic nutrients in estuaries, coastal waters, and oceans. The technology will first be demonstrated… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will evaluate the feasibility of developing a colorimetric field-analyzer that will autonomously monitor inorganic nutrients in agricultural runoff, waste waters, rivers, and estuaries, and provide the data necessary to model nutrient… More