The goal of this research is to determine the practicality of adding subminiature amplifiers to the electrodes used forauditory brainstem response (abr) recording in order to reduce or eliminate the need for scrubbing (often lacerating) the skin prior to electrode placement. if successful, the same… More

The ultimate goal of this research is to produce a high- fidelity hearing aid as perceived by the hearing-impaired user. this is the final phase of a research program startedin the 1970s in an attempt to determine the design requirements for a high-fidelity hearing aid for what shouldbe the simplest… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term goal of this project is to help provide relief to persons whose hearing loss is so severe that they isolate themselves from normal social interactions, particularly in high-noise environments such as restaurants, it has long been recognized that… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Foot ulceration is a diabetic complication estimated to result in over $1 billion worth of medical expenses per year in the United States alone. This multifaceted problem involves the response of plantar soft tissue to both external forces applied to the… More

Free-phase pollutants are persistent environmental contaminants. The feasibility of an enhanced process of in situ free-phase pollutant removal by micro-organisms that had been pre-adapted to the pollutant free-phase surface was confirmed during Phase I. The high affinity of the micro-organisms to… More

This proposed Phase II effort will exploit the novel response of single wall nanotubes to energetic particles for the development of nanotube-based detectors for photons and charged particles ranging from ~2.5 eV (optical) to ~2.5 MeV (gamma rays). Discrimination will be achieved by using filters… More

The Air Force has a pressing need for large, structurally efficient reflectors for both radar and high bandwidth communication. Because launch volumes are limited, the large aperture must be volume efficient as well. To meet the stated needs of future DoD missions, the reflectors must be very… More

The Foster-Miller team is developing a novel coverglass system that protects photovoltaic cells on space power systems that are exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation. The spectrum of radiation a solar cell is exposed to not only provides usable energy, over time it also reduces the efficiency… More

The objective of this project is to develop an earplug for use by helicopter crews, to be worn within the earcanal, and equipped with an active noise reduction (ANR) system, with performance for speech communication and hearing protection meeting U.S. Army safety requirements. From an analysis of… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Of approximately 4 million live births in the U.S. in year 2000, 11.6 percent or about 471,000 infants were born less than 37 weeks gestation (Martin et al). Preterm infants may spend days or weeks in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where they are… More

A direct-drive electric linear actuator for raising and lowering the jet blast deflector (JBD) is proposed that achieves the specific force necessary to be a form-fit-function replacement for the existing JBD hydraulic actuators. Moreover, we propose a design that is suited to modularity, allowing… More

As long as organophosphates are one of the most probable chemical warfare agents or agents of choice in a terrorist attack, protection of military personnel against these compounds is an important component of sustained troop performance, confidence, and morale. The latest advances in understanding… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Peritoneal dialysis, intravascular access for chemotherapy, transcutaneous intrathoracic access of cardiac power lines, and suprapubic bladder drainage are among the clinical applications where transcutaneous catheters are routinely used in the course of… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A device is proposed to enhance a surgeon's awareness of loads present at their tool tips during minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This work is motivated by the need within the laparoscopic surgical community to continue improvement of MIS techniques. While… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Radio frequency (RF) catheter ablation is an established treatment for patients with cardiac arrhythmias. RF ablation of atrio-ventricular nodal reentrant arrhythmias has been highly successful, since the known anatomy of the atrio-ventricular node enables… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): An active infant feeding bottle is proposed for home care feeding of dysphagic infants to promote coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing during oral feeding. Neurogenic dysphagia among infants is characterized by difficulty with active transport… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Foot ulceration is a diabetic complication estimated to result in over $1 billion worth of medical expenses per year in the United States alone. Increasing evidence indicates that a combination of elevated external forces (pressure and shear) and altered tissue… More

In this program Infoscitex will develop a wearable electrotextile system that collects data from a suite of physiological and biomechanical sensors, pre-processes the signal and wirelessly transmits the data for further analysis and interpretation by a Neural Network (NN). This system will… More

Modern prosthetics have made significant improvements in control and functionality yet battery systems powering these features are severely lacking. Even modest functionality in the most common lower limb prosthetic, the Otto Bock C leg, is typically limited to 48 hours maximum usage before battery… More

Aircraft noise abatement, particularly in the near vicinity of airports, is a serious and expensive problem for both military and civilian air fleets. Previous noise abatement efforts such as engine replacement, structural modifications, or the addition of a Hushkit, have yielded mixed results. … More

Environmental exposure and hemorrhage are the primary contributing factors to the onset of hypothermia in soldiers injured on the battlefield. While several strategies including wool blankets, electric blankets, and forced air coverlets are currently available for use in casualty patient care, none… More

Dependence on petroleum fuels represents a substantial portion of logistic burdens on a forward force. One possible remedy is the utilization of fuel sources available in the forward theatre. General wastes of deployment, such as plastic packaging, food scrap materials and paper are feedstocks… More

Conversion of waste to useful fuel is an attractive alternative for forward deployed military units, not only to reduce the need for logistic fuels, but also to reduce the cots and the logistics burden of waste disposal, and to reduce the signature generated by the military waste foot print. In… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Radio frequency (RF) catheter ablation is an established treatment for patients with cardiac arrhythmias. RF ablation of atrio-ventricular nodal reentrant arrhythmias has been highly successful, since the known anatomy of the atrio-ventricular node enables… More

Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD) as a secondary phenomenon to traumatic head injury can herald further brain tissue damage well after the initial injury. The only way to reliably record CSD is through direct electrode contact with the brain. With modern equipment this requires that the skull… More

The metal sheath used to protect the V-22 aircraft rotor blade leading edge against sand, rain and ice erosion, and provide heating to prevent ice buildup, is heavy, rigid and expensive. An elastomeric boot can offer lower weight, flexibility, abrasion-resistance and field repairability. However,… More

To achieve the level of acoustic stealth required by the DD(X) a system of isolation mounts is required that can be used throughout the ship to minimize the transmission of vibration energy from machinery and electronics to the ship's hull. This system will also need to protect equipment from the… More

Intracranial pressure, ICP, is arguably the single most important parameter used clinically to manage brain injury and long-term brain damage. Existing methods to record ICP are invasive, however, either going through the skull or into a brain ventricle. Many researchers are currently exploring… More

Modern flight simulators utilize combinations of motion, visual stimulation, and occasionally tactile body stimulation. Despite advances in these fields, simulators remain limited in the amount and type of motion simulation they can impart to a pilot. Direct vestibular stimulation can generate… More

Infoscitex Corporation and the University of Massachusetts Lowell will investigate the physiology of interactions of important cortical regions by culturing murine associative and motor neurons within physically-separated culture environments in a single culture dish, connected only via axons… More

There is a need for a new generation of aerodynamic structures that have greater flight envelope capabilities with significantly better efficiency and damage recovery characteristics but yet are still cost effective to manufacture. Several attempts have been made to make more revolutionary advances… More

The DoD has identified the need for advanced Anti-Tamper (AT) technologies to protect critical U.S. technologies from exploitation via reverse engineering. Current anti-tamper coating techniques commonly involve the use of flame-sprayed ceramic coatings for electronic components, which can cause… More

The presence of residual explosive materials in areas previously used as ranges by the US military presents a significant safety and environmental health hazard. Current methods of detecting explosives in soils require extensive soil and/or water sampling and analysis using portable laboratories. … More

Current interests within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) foresee extension of exploratory space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Realization of these targets will require development of a range of advanced technologies including life support systems. Food represents… More

This proposed Phase I program will address NASA's need for large diameter high radio frequency (Ka band 27- 40 GHz) apertures that provide greater gain and resolution for communications and remote sensing systems. This will be accomplished by developing a new high accuracy electro-textile antenna… More

Rocket propulsion systems are used by many branches throughout the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Current thrusts within the United States Army have led to increased interests in the use of gel bi-propulsion systems due to the performance, safety, and… More

Lightweight composite structures are required to provide space vehicles with increased thrust-to-weight ratio and durability. New methods for toughening composites that also add functionality, such as making high temperature structural composites more thermally and electrically conductive, can… More

Sand ingestion into aircraft turbine engines can cause severe erosion of turbine compressor components. This erosive blade wear will reduce engine efficiency. Repair/replacement of these blades is costly, both in terms of down time and labor and materials cost. Infoscitex proposes to develop and… More

From a military standpoint, the ubiquitous incorporation of electronics as standard issue equipment for modern war fighters will undoubtedly increase exponentially in the near future. Information will need to be gathered, coalesced, and rapidly presented to the soldier in order to establish and… More

The use of Standing Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) is a key attribute of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). While the LiftFan technology to be used on the JSF will provide significant weight savings, excess weight still exists on the JSF. To alleviate this issue, heavy alloy metals (such as… More

Advanced weapons systems such as the B2 Stealth Bomber and the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) rely upon high power density radar systems, and specifically their high power transmitters, which generate high amounts of heat. Heat dissipation from these systems is necessary to prevent equipment damage and… More

The current Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) primes including Northrop Grumman and Lockheed are now pursuing weight reduction through the redesign and manufacture of electronics enclosures. To date many approaches have been taken for the redesign of these enclosures including using processes such as hand… More

Carnauba wax is a natural product that is used in a variety of applications ranging from food additives to surface protection to explosive matrix. The material comes in several grades and is supplied by a number of companies. Its high melting point and hardness make it useful in many melt-castable… More

The Air Force needs large diameter high accuracy reflectors for use in the X-Band frequency (8-12 GHz) range. Deployable structures are a promising solution to meet the needs of this radar application. They are becoming practical for launch and deployment given their compact stowage and high… More

The DOD's Operationally Responsive Space paradigm calls for ambitiously reducing the time required to design, fabricate and deploy a satellite to days or even hours, from the current requirement of months or years. This timeline will require modular satellite structures available on site that… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Splints are a common therapeutic aid used in the rehabilitation of numerous injuries and diseases. Conservative estimates place the number of splints used each year in the multiple millions in the US alone. Often, the splints are custom-made for the patient at a… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Development of a rehabilitation robot to provide therapy to patients with hand function deficits, due to stroke and traumatic brain injury, is proposed. The robot will provide repetitive opening and closing of the digits of the fingers of the hand in a manner… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Development of a bipolar coagulator is proposed for electrosurgical coagulation or cutting of adherent brain tissue that is occluding the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the intake holes of an implanted ventricular catheter. Currently, during revision… More

Mercury is a toxic, volatile metal that is used in electrical switches, relays and motion detectors because of its electrical conductivity, low volatility and fluid properties over a large temperature range. Mercury is released into the atmosphere during incineration of trash containing these… More

United States military personnel are at constant risk of exposure to a vast array of chemical hazards. Acetylcholinesterase inhibiting pesticides (AChEIPs) represent a major subset of this risk. Provisions for force protection against AChEIPs must have sufficient sensitivity to provide the… More

A sensor is proposed that will allow the robotic system to "see" the frame mounting flange through the inlet duct wall. The ability to directly perceive the location of the flange circumvents the stackup of a number of metrology errors, alleviating the problem of holes in violation of edge margin… More

DNA aptamers are promising highly-specific, environmentally-stable threat-detecting molecules. Unfortunately, the current method for generating these materials yields a product frought with a high concentration of ballast aptamers. A laborious, yet automated process is required to isolate the… More

Vector borne diseases have posed a significant threat to soldier health in past and present foreign deployments. Currently deployed troops face several severe illnesses such as Leishmaniasis and Sand Fly Fever Virus that are transmitted by insects. There are no prophylactic vaccines available for… More

During cold weather operations tasks requiring manual dexterity can become significantly more difficult as the drop in temperature causes capillaries in the fingers to rapidly contract, decreasing skin blood flow and leading to stiff, sore fingers. Infoscitex Corporation (IST) is proposing to… More

The main aim of our work is to create a decision support tool that will help keep our troops safer while fighting in far field theatres. We first focus on injuries incurred for troops moving along roads, in armored vehicles, as a result of an improvised explosive device (IED), though our solution… More

Hearing protection has advanced to the point where headphones can reliably filter out more than 130 dB of background noise. Coupled with miniature speakers, flight deck personnel can be fed radio transmissions and safe levels of background sound, which allows them to still "hear" dangers such as… More

In this Phase I SBIR program Infoscitex is proposing to develop a biomimetic energy absorptive smart armor system to protect our troops and their light armor vehicles against both conventional and unconventional explosion threats. Our approach involves designing and fabricating a variable modulus… More

In order to address the U.S. Navy's need for improved tools for use in Anti-Submarine Warfare IST is proposing to develop an advanced acoustic sensing system consisting of networked smart sensor nodes. Each of these sensor nodes will be mobile and able to communicate with nearby sensors to form a… More

The main aim of our work is to develop a process and techniques that prevent or delay software piracy and reverse engineering. The Jekyll approach hides the target application in one or more common utility applications or libraries (cover files) making the target application hard to identify, locate… More

Current biosurveillance systems monitor limited data sources or utilize rigid rules that limit their effectiveness and flexibility causing problems such as triggering alarms so frequent that they are routinely ignored. Biosurveillance systems today can be improved by utilizing intelligent software… More

The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) has two aft mounted exhaust grilles that interface the heat exchangers to the external environment. The current grille design suffers from competing requirements which render its performance less than optimal. In this Phase I project, Infoscitex proposes to… More

Underwater vehicles operating in littoral waters face formidable challenges - the shallow waters and relatively high currents present in these regions necessitate a compact vehicle with a considerable amount of internal space and energy devoted to propulsion. Many sensors operate best when somewhat… More

Dehydration is a major problem facing our troops, who by necessity are physically active, weighed down by numerous pieces of armor and equipment, and serve in warm, dry climates. Our troops each carry a supply of liquid and are trained to stay hydrated, however this does not guarantee against… More

Smoke-producing munitions such as mortars, smoke pots, and hand grenades are an important class of ordnance employed by the US military in both training and mission scenarios. These devices serve a number of vital functions including smoke screening for vision obscurance and marking of targets. A… More

Due to the remarkable benefits provided by 802.16 Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) networks, military interest in such technology has consistently grown. However, preplanned base station locations with tall towers and directionally-optimized antennas are not tactically useful. Therefore, in order for… More

DARPA topic SB072-038 initiates development of devices that will employ inductive electromagnetic coupling to efficiently transmit power wirelessly over "short to medium" distances, citing a number of advantages relative to other methods, including (1) no requirement for an unobstructed… More

Actuation of the jet blast deflectors (JBD) on aircraft carriers will become the dominant user of hydraulic power once the steam catapults are replaced by the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Therefore, the development of sufficiently compact, reliable, and maintainable… More

In this Phase I program, the Infoscitex (IST) team focused primarily on the design and fabrication of a prototype high accuracy electro-textile mesh leading to a prototype that weighed 0.42 kg/m2 and provided 99.8 percent reflectivity during testing at 38GHz. Light weight composite fiber core… More

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) foresee extension of exploratory space missions to the Moon, Mars, Venus and beyond. To reach these outer locations will require development of a range of advanced technologies including life support systems. Food represents one of the most… More

Nearly 27,000 soldiers have been injured in the present conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Advances in trauma treatments have allowed a greater percentage of these casualties to survive than previously; with the advent of excellent body armor more injuries are now seen in extremities than before,… More

Conventional textiles are currently used in military systems as varied as personal equipment and soft-walled shelters. The Army and other armed forces have recognized the opportunity to greatly enhance the mobility, effectiveness and even lethality of their forces by incorporating electrical… More

Current polysulfide based aircraft primers have excellent flexibility/elongation properties and do not fail around seams and fasteners. These primers, however, do not comply with the stringent emission regulations set forth by NESHAP due to excess VOC content. Additionally, these primers cure… More

In our Phase I program we established that we can evoke a perception change by applying direct stimulation to the vestibular system. Our subjects studies indicated that we can expect a reliable dose response with minimal stimulation that stays well within the safe range for use on healthy human… More

Infoscitex is developing a Multifunctional Programmable Structure (MPS) enabling modular satellite assembly and payload integration. MPS achieves a revolutionary plug-and-play thermal management capability allowing satellite payloads to be assembled onto a modular satellite bus implementing… More

The military and commercial aviation industries are continually seeking material technologies that will help reduce the weight of aircraft. Aircraft canopies, traditionally built from glass, have been mostly replaced with complex thermoplastic laminates that do not serve a structural role. In this… More

Stretch wrap film is increasingly being used to secure palletized cargo for shipment due to its low cost and ease of use with irregular loads. IST is proposing to develop a stretch wrap material that provides a visible means of tamper indication. This will be accomplished by impregnating the… More

A lightweight, stowable UAV Recovery System is proposed to meet the Navy's need for a lightweight, inexpensive, automated ship system for safely recovering and securing multiple types of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on small deck Navy ships with minimal ship design and onboard manning… More

High Temperature Polymer Matrix Composites (HTPMCs) are needed in advanced aerospace systems but their use is limited by manufacturing cost. Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) produces low cost composites but currently isn't used with HTPMC's due to high resin viscosity even at elevated… More

With the continued improvements in body armor, and the disturbing increase in explosive offensives in modern combat, more of our wounded soldiers are surviving their injuries and there has been a considerable increase in the military amputee population. Modern prosthetics have improved… More

Tracking of nuclear materials, military ordnance, and chemical and biological threat agents presents a significant challenge to the intelligence and military communities. The proliferation of non-tracked, illegally trafficked nuclear materials in particular has sparked considerable debate and is a… More

Advanced Network Centric Warfare (NCW) systems are critical to the successful implementation of the Army's future force. To achieve accurate, secure, and reliable wireless communications in such systems, the information flow between any two communicating entities should be protected properly against… More

Currently deployed defense space systems are hardened against naturally occurring environmental radiation. Man-made radiation threats such as lasers and other directed energy weapons pose a different danger entirely. Solar cell arrays can be disabled or damaged during a high power directed energy… More

The current flight helmet provides impact protection while enabling communications and serving as a platform to mount helmet mounted devices (HMD) such as night vision goggles (NVG). However, aircrew flying air mobility and air refueling aircraft do not wear flight helmets although they must be… More

Infoscitex proposes an innovative seating system for helicopter mobile aircrew, which is designed based upon a number of creative ideas. (a) A turning table, as the base of the entire structure, allows the seat to turn around by any degree. (b) A retractable sliding track, mounted on the turning… More

This proposal addresses the space optic community's need for an optical bonding material with superior stability in the harsh space environment. Adhesives used in space must exhibit near-zero degassing, tolerate drastic temperature changes and be hardened to ionizing sources of radiation. The… More

Hearing protection which targets the airborne vibrations traditionally associated with hearing has advanced considerably in the last two decades. Airborne noise can be blocked or reduced to the point where the limiting factor in the intensity of sound experienced by a subject is now in large part… More

Since the start of U.S. involvement in the Middle East following 9/11/2001, field missions in these far field theatres have proven to be extremely dangerous, from IED incidents at the top of the list of potential threats, to RPG and mortar attacks, small arms fire, and vehicle rollover incidents. … More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Prematurely born infants and term infants with congenital heart disease often develop neurogenic dysphagia, a life-threatening condition characterized by difficulty in coordinating swallowing and breathing during breast and bottle feeding, resulting in a failure… More

Dehydration has considerable negative effects, and is a constant threat to our troops, who by necessity are physically active, weighed down by numerous pieces of armor and equipment, and serve in warm, dry climates. While each carry a supply of liquid and are trained to stay hydrated, it is… More

The sophisticated technology of U.S. military weapons systems provides battlefield advantages that can save lives and reduce equipment loss. Electronics subsystems are critical components of modern weapons systems and are extensively employed throughout the DoD. It is therefore critical to protect… More

Analysis of NASA science data is analyzed to understand dynamic systems such as the sun, oceans, and Earth's climate as well as to look back in time to explore the origins of the universe. Complex algorithms and intensive data processing are needed to interpret data over time, at various energy… More

IST is proposing to integrate electrical conductors and antennas directly into composite structures using a new Synergistic Composite Conductor (SCC). IST's novel SCC technology enables small cross section electrical conductors that can be printed on or embedded into composites without degrading… More

Unites States Navy, United States Air Force, and European Air Force have documented neck injury rates of 50% or higher ranging from minor neck strain to cervical vertebral fracture. Lighter helmets were developed and implemented in hopes of reducing injuries, but the modern trend has been to mount… More

Improving the ability of ground-based simulators as a training mechanism for flight will enable faster and potentially more solid training of flight crew. With an eye to the requirements of the newest aircraft, which provide flight sensations and maneuvers previously impossible, we propose to… More

Sanitation and disinfection of food products and food-contact surfaces is a major concern of forward deployed military forces. Current DoD protocols call for the use of oxidizing agents such as sodium hypochlorite and other mixed oxidants to neutralize potentially harmful biological compounds. … More

All forms of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) are caused by a unique infectious agent termed "prion", a proteinaceous pathogen lacking nucleic acid. Prions are actually a misfolded variant of the normal mammalian prion protein, PrPc. Normal disease transmission occurs when prions are… More

Simulator sickness prevents the use of simulators immediately prior to a mission. The main cause for simulator sickness appears to be a mismatch between ocular cues and vestibular cues. This is especially apparent in simulators that do not utilize a motion base, and logistically it is largely not… More

The noise signature of the USMC Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) is excessively high for human safety factors, and impedes stealthy land operation which places military personnel at high risk of detection by adversaries. A dominant contributor of the noise is due to the air-cooled heat… More

Lighter-than-atmosphere (LTA) systems provide significant advantages for planetary exploration due to their potential for extended mission duration, long traverse, and extensive surface coverage capabilities. However, LTA vehicles must withstand the atmosphere of these planets and moons. The… More

Modern prosthetics have improved significantly with regards to control and functionality, but the fit of the residual limb within a prosthetic socket is a primary concern for many amputees. A poor fit can lead to skin irritation, tissue breakdown, and pain. The volume of the residual limb of an… More

The titanium sheath that currently protects most leading edges of rotary wing aircraft is plagued with several issues associated with the thermal deicing system. Of greatest concern is the overheating damage. An elastomeric boot offers lower weight, flexibility, abrasion-resistance and field… More

Vector borne diseases have posed a significant threat to soldier health in past and present foreign deployments. Currently deployed troops face several severe illnesses such as Leishmaniasis and Sand Fly Fever Virus that are transmitted by insects. There are no prophylactic vaccines available for… More

Sand ingestion into aircraft engines, including diesel platforms for UAVs, can cause severe erosion of components. This erosive wear reduces engine efficiency and thrust. Repair/replacement of these components is costly, both in terms of mission readiness, and labor and materials cost. Infoscitex… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): An important approach for HIV/AIDS prevention is to diagnose co-infections that significantly increase the transmission of HIV. In this proposal, we propose to develop a rapid point-of-care (POC) test that simultaneous ly diagnoses HIV-1 and two sexually… More

To provide the Navy with a successful means of creating configurable underwater sensor networks an acoustic sensor system that can be mobile and self sufficient is required. IST's Phase I findings indicate that our energy harvesting approach is viable and could potentially be expanded to harvest… More

Accurate orientation and position tracking is difficult to achieve over extended missions and in varying environments, such as ambient electromagnetic (EM) noise and inconsistent access to satellites or reference stations (such as vehicle mounted locators). Manufacturers of orientation and tracking… More

DNA aptamers are promising highly-specific, environmentally-stable threat-detecting molecules. Unfortunately, the current method for generating these materials yields a product frought with a high concentration of ballast aptamers. A laborious, yet automated process is required to isolate the… More

The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) has two aft exhaust ports that interface the heat exchangers to the external environment. An innovative solution is required to address the competing requirements of ballistic protection, airflow performance, and thermal signature. In this Phase II program,… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose to develop a novel microfluidic approach that will enable the realization of a truly long-term implantable artificial lung. There have been considerable advances in membrane oxygenation, including our own pre vious work in creating a hollow fiber… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): An implantable wireless flow meter is proposed that would enable measurement of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, currently used to treat hydrocephalus patients. CSF flo w is a key indicator of shunt function, and… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Robotics has found a well accepted role in surgical procedures, particularly in laparoscopic procedures where arms can now be used with remote manipulation by a surgeon with direct visual feedback from the laparoscope t o dissect, suture, tie, and perform complex… More

Law enforcement and intelligence organizations require an evidence-collection device that can attach to a computer, remove any password protection, access data without corrupting it, and reset the password so that the computer's owner will not know that any data has been accessed. However, there is… More

Small scale laboratory technologies to treat experimental laboratory derived rocket propellant waste are required to enable sustained operations of the research facility, while avoiding open burn/open detonation (OBOD) process currently used to dispose of these materials. Successful development of… More

Due to the remarkable benefits provided by 802.16 Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) networks, military interest in such technology has consistently grown. However, preplanned base station locations with tall towers and directionally-optimized antennas are not tactically useful. Therefore, in order for… More

Intracranial pressure, ICP, is arguably the single most important parameter used clinically to manage brain injury and long-term brain damage. Existing methods to record ICP are either invasive or require large equipment incompatible with a field deployable system. Our work combines two highly… More

The goal of this program is to develop an ante-mortem diagnostic assay for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) or prion disease. In Phase I, Infoscitex Corporation (IST) in collaboration with Colorado State University (CSU) set out to develop DN

Insurgencies have existed throughout history and will continue to provide a problem for our forces abroad, as they are now in the Middle East. Prior measures taken against insurgencies would be intolerable today. As a result, today's approaches are more based in intelligence than force. This… More

With the continued improvements in body armor, and the disturbing increase in explosive offensives in modern combat, more of our wounded soldiers are surviving their injuries and there has been a considerable increase in the military amputee population. Modern prosthetics have improved… More

Infoscitex proposes to develop U-BASE, a platform enabling fully autonomous operation of unmanned systems for multiple missions and extended durations. U-BASE integrates autonomous recovery, refuel and launch of UAV's into a single system. The technologies employed by U-BASE are applicable to a… More

Novel class IV building materials are needed to efficiently protect military structures from electromagnetic interference (EMI), blast, and emerging adaptive threats. Fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites could be modified for this purpose by incorporating additives that can autonomously… More

Application of electro-active polymer (EAP) to critical aerodynamic surfaces of Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) is proposed, in order to manage the boundary layer. EAP offers a means to achieve distributed actuation and can be readily conformed to the shape of an airfoil. At low Reynolds number-flight,… More

Although uncooled infrared imaging technology has made remarkable progress in the last two decades in resolution and sensitivity, a major limitation of 2-D infrared focal plane arrays is the lack of true on-chip spectral discrimination. Multi-spectral detection capabilities at the pixel level are… More

During cold weather operations tasks requiring manual dexterity can become significantly more difficult as the drop in temperature causes capillaries in the fingers to rapidly contract, decreasing skin blood flow and leading to stiff, sore fingers. IST addressed this issue in Phase I by developing… More

This proposal addresses the space optic community's need for an optical bonding material that demonstrates superior stability in the harsh space environment. Adhesives used in space must exhibit near-zero degassing, tolerate drastic temperature changes and be hardened to ionizing sources of… More

An inductive power transfer approach is proposed, in which a backpack-deployed central power source will deliver power omni-directionally to battery-powered devices also borne by the Warfighter. Charge will be maintained in batteries without removal from the devices they are powering and without the… More

The military is investigating flexible thermal architectures that enable a tactical satellite bus to support a range of operational needs. In response, the team of Infoscitex Corp., the University of Pennsylvania's microfluidics/nanofluidics lab, and Lockheed-Martin Space Systems Company propose to… More

Current simulation-based training environments lack the ability to rapidly and effectively communicate dynamic terrain changes across distributed virtual environments. The inability to propagate dynamically altered terrain in a distributed training scenario has detrimental effects on overall mission… More

An electric motor is proposed that will achieve a power density of 5 hp/lbm and an efficiency greater than 95%, when delivering 7 hp of mechanical power at a speed of 8400 rpm. This capability, not available from current electric motors, is achieved by arranging high energy-product permanent magnets… More

Human social networks describe the social interactions among individuals and groups. The interactions of a human social network can be simple or complex, and the interactions among nodes can change depending on the social context. The ability to understand and accurately predict human behaviors has… More

Infoscitex proposes an innovative and feasible solution to Dynamic 3D Human Shape Modeling for Intention Prediction from Video Imagery. We will develop a tool to quickly and automatically detect, track, and extract a subject of interest from video imagery. Using our knowledge and experience of… More

Bonding agents (BAs) are critical components of solid propellants that facilitate processing by improving interfacial interaction between the surfaces of oxidizer grains and the binder resin. The BA cures with the binder to produce void-free solid propellants that exhibit desirable storage and… More

Further improvement in gas-turbine engine performance requires development of hot-section structural materials capable of functioning at unprecedentedly high temperatures. SiC fiber-reinforced SiC ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) have high melting points, but are thermodynamically unstable in… More

Quantifying the fidelity of flight simulators and other motion environments is a difficult and confounding task. The main confounding factor is that it is difficult to obtain an objective measure from human users, since their performance is subject to their individual reactions and current state of… More

Development of a portable robotic system is proposed that will perform endotracheal intubation of the trauma patient. A specialized robot will work in concert with field medics or other robots to perform endotracheal intubation at the point of injury, allowing establishment of a secure airway within… More

In Phase II, Infoscitex (IST) will focus on developing a Mobile Robot Seat (MRS) system that provides maximum protection, mobility, and accommodation to helicopter aircrew. In Phase I, IST successfully created an innovative concept for the MRS, completed system architecture and design, explored key… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Building on the accomplishments of the prior Phase I and Phase II NIH SBIR grants in which Infoscitex was the lead institution and MIT was the subcontractor, in this Phase II competitive renewal grant application we pro pose to develop a commercial quality… More

A joint effort by several US military offices aims to create hand held platforms that will enable the real time detection and quantitation of a threat. Detection of explosives in the gas phase presents an extreme advantage for various homeland security applications and operations. However, direct… More

Infoscitex and Columbia University propose to develop an automated blood component separation system that can quickly and automatically separate blood into three components for the US Army to use under field conditions. In this Phase I program, the team will prove the feasibility of separating whole… More

The Navy seeks devices that can provide power to maintain charge in batteries for shipboard sensors. The transduction materials proposed for most energy harvesting devices under development are either too brittle to endure significant loading or are too compliant to extract significant energy from… More

Resource virtualization concepts are in heavy commercial use for optimizing the performance of distributed applications. Resource virtualization allows resources to be allocated and adapted on-the-fly, and enables a wide range of distributed computing, networking, and sensing applications. However,… More

Latin American gangs exploit illegal border crossings to expand their sphere of influence in the United States. More than a hundred clandestine tunnels have been discovered beneath the US-Mexico border since 1990, and these tunnels are instrumental for drug smuggling and human trafficking.… More

There are many situations in DOD missions when soldiers could operate much more effectively if they could successfully recall previously presented information that is vital for mission execution. However, the quantity of information supplied to today's Warfighter is constantly increasing. This is… More

A narrow-band microbolometric detector is proposed to the address need for a low-cost, portable system to perform chemical and biological threat detection. An approach is shown to achieve a narrow-band bolometric detector whose response can be tailored to both a desired peak wavelength and… More

The clinical need for improved craniofacial reconstruction materials drives the development of new tissue engineering scaffold materials to alleviate inherent problems with the current best practice, allo- and auto-grafting. Infoscitex, in collaboration with Tufts University and Serica… More

Icing is among aviation"s most serious weather hazards because it renders aircraft unflyable before flight and severely reduces aircraft performance during flight. Existing approaches for mitigating ice accretion on leading edges, such as the inflatable boot and liquid deicer can significantly… More

Current issues with forward deployed flight simulator sickness prevent flight simulators from being used to their fullest potential. Infoscitex and the Mayo Clinic have been jointly developing a system for incorporating a vestibular display into flight simulators. In the Phase I program, we… More

Application of electroactive polymer (EAP) for flow control at the low Reynolds number values typical of Micro Air Vehicles is proposed. EAP offers (1) distributed actuation, (2) easy conformance to the shape of an airfoil, (3) high spatial and temporal bandwidths, and (4) the ability to both… More

Arthropod-borne diseases common to present operational environments of the Middle East (Iraq) and Asia (Afghanistan) represent a major portion of the environmental threat to deployed military personnel, and Army entomologists utilize an aggressive vector surveillance program to monitor for the… More

The recent development of high-efficiency photovoltaic cells that are thin enough to be rolled up has the potential to revolutionize power sources for satellites. For this potential to be realized, similarly flexible materials which serve the protective and efficiency-enhancing functions of the… More

With ultrasound capabilities increasing, such as for detecting internal bleeding and bone fractures, ultrasound usage is expanding on and off the battlefield. During a typical ultrasound image-guided procedure, accurate manual manipulation of an ultrasonic probe with one hand while manipulating a… More

Infoscitex proposes an innovative and robust solution to this topic, a software tool-HMM4D (Human Modeling and Monitoring in 4-Dimension) that can automatically identify and track a human subject, depict the true body shape, classify shape abnormalities, recognize human activities, and detect… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The fundamental goal of this program is to develop a point of care high fidelity, aptamer based assay for genital Chlamydia infections that allows fast and quantitative determination of levels of infection with differen t sero-types of Chlamydia trachomatis. The… More

A number of present and planned military satellite payloads simultaneously require significant waste heat mitigation, and high pointing accuracy. The challenge posed by these requirements stems from Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)-induced changes in the size or geometry of the support… More

Terrorists use a variety of messages, as well as a variety of communications media, to sway impressionable people to their viewpoint. The internet is a very effective emerging medium by which terrorists can spread their ideology. The internet allows propaganda to be disseminated in the form of blog… More

U.S. troops are increasingly being equipped with advanced electronics equipment and communications systems that significantly enhance their operational capabilities. Unfortunately, the energy needed to power this equipment has forced the Warfighter to carry more batteries to accommodate the… More

Pilots of today's high performance aircraft must simultaneously process not only the ever-changing visual field outside the cockpit and at the controls, but also the fluctuating gravitational vector and the vibrations of the airframe. Flight simulators are critical in preparing pilots to integrate… More

Minimum signature propellants are listed as hazard class 1.3 explosives that consist of nitrocellulose/nitramine-type propellant compositions. Nano-sized particles can be incorporated into these minimum signature propellant formulations for the purpose of improving the specific impulse, increasing… More

With the continued improvements in body armor, and the disturbing increase in explosive offensives in modern combat, more of our wounded soldiers are surviving their injuries and there has been a considerable increase in the military amputee population. Modern prosthetics have improved… More

Individual protection is a high priority mission for the United States Army. Flame and heat resistant protective clothing systems are required to ensure the safety of military personnel in deployed and other hazardous environments. Its low flammability, self-extinguishing nature, and tendency not to… More

Operation at low altitude renders Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV''s) susceptible to detection and countermeasures. Not only does this limit their role in covert missions, but their loss rate due to simple air defenses can be high. Expanded mission profiles are desired for UAV's where low probability… More

Navy shipboard and cargo shipment and transfer operations generate large quantities of bulk waste and non-biodegradable waste products that (a) utilize valuable storage space aboard ship before it can be disposed of in port and (b) cannot be disposed of overboard within littoral waters because of… More

The goal of our program is to create a device that can be used to aid in the training of proper execution of the Anti-G Straining Maneuver (AGSM). In the Phase I program, we completed human subjects recruitment, testing, and data analysis. We were able to note, to statistical significance, the… More

In the future, Navy personnel will be expected to perform a variety of different tasks and missions in a highly linked, collaborative environment subject to frequent alerts and interruptions. This situation will be operable for all newer class surface ships, which have an expanded range of missions… More

High morbidity and mortality from infection with F. psychrophilum, the causative agent of Coldwater Disease and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry syndrome, have become significant problems for commercial and conservation aquaculture operations worldwide. First described in 1948 in the United… More

The selected approach has been devised with the objective of fabricating an anti-tamper stretch wrap material that preserves the essential optical, mechanical, and thermal properties of existing wrap products, while providing a very effective and easily detectable method for tamper detection using… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Lung transplants remain the final treatment for many conditions. However, appropriate and available lungs are far fewer than the number of people who need them, leaving many patients to further deterioriate or die while waiting for a transplant. Moreover, there… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): An implantable wireless flow sensor system has been under development that would enable measurement of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, currently used to treat hydrocephalus patients. CSF flow is a key… More

DESCRIPTION: The fundamental goal of this program is to develop a microfluidics-based artificial kidney that minimizes exposure of blood to artificial surfaces and provides continuous perfusion in a compact, wearable device. This device will provide treatment at low flow rates over long times,… More

The low cost chloroperoxidase can be potentially applicable to the inactivation of chemical agents due to its exceptional stability, broad substrate profile, and high catalytic efficiency. However, the high cost of producing large amounts of CPO is a major obstacle precluding the formulation and… More

ABSTRACT: The ability to oxidize organic functional groups in a selective manner is of major importance in preparing compounds of interest to the Air Force and DoD. This is particularly critical in the preparation of high energy density compounds and fuels. Heterocyclic ring systems that contain… More

Electric motors and generators have a long history of development, from the first halting steps to the intensive development in the 20th and 21st century. Consequently, motors and generators have become mature technologies that only see incremental improvements in performance. To achieve more than… More

The DOD has enacted an energy strategy that calls for both smarter energy usage and employment of alternative energy sources such that foreign oil reliance can be reduced and an increase in overall operational efficiency can be achieved. Localized generation presents an exciting opportunity for… More

Many blood simulants that are currently available for medical training to teach and practice hemorrhage-handling skills lack the ability approximate real blood in many aspects. In order to provide the best training, the blood simulant needs to mimic the

There is a substantial clinical need for regenerative therapies that effectively restore function to damaged tissues. For many tissues, autograft remains the clinical standard despite the limited volume available, associated patient morbidity and the resu

An automated, closed loop system for administration of analgesic and anesthetic medication to patients is proposed. Even with vigilant, trained personnel, infusion rates of propofol and other analgesic/anesthetic drugs can depart from their optimum rates,

The field of surgical simulation is fairly crowded with many products and research groups developing physical and virtual simulators. Much of this previous work is in simulating minimally invasive surgeries. The considerable body of work generated in de

Although many surgical simulators exist on the market today, they are limited in their ability to replicate live tissue and how it responds to injury and treatment, decreasing the simulator"s utility in training medical personnel. Infoscitex has develope

The role of point of care (POC) diagnostics in the medical field has rapidly grown in the last few decades into a multi-billion dollar industry. For many diagnostic applications, POC diagnostics technologies are rapidly displacing in-vitro laboratory based diagnostics because POC systems allow for… More

Traditional well-defined battle lines and clear means of identification are gone. Today"s operating environment is far more complex, with a dispersed enemy, mixed with civilians and non-combatants, and targets located in areas where there are concerns over collateral damage. Agility allows the… More

ABSTRACT: The working environment of pilots and flight engineers is saturated with displays, switches, buttons, and annunciator panels. Productivity could be greatly enhanced through the implementation of a digital glove which permits the Warfighter to operate equipment virtually. IST is… More

The US DOD has called to establish a tactical and strategic satellite program with requisite launch capability in a matter of days, not months. The thermal control system (TCS) aboard satellites has typically required several weeks of design, installation and testing. Infoscitex (IST) proposes to… More

Countermeasures to MWIR imaging devices include non-destructive narrow band infrared lasers that temporarily saturate the sensor and reduce a mission"s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) effectiveness. Technologies that detect and selectively filter an offending laser… More

The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) has two external fuel tanks that have a total capacity of 238 gallons, and weigh nearly 500 lbs each. The US Marines seek to reduce the weight of each external tank by 40% to 310 lbs, while not compromising survivability or capacity. Self-sealing coating… More

As unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) gain prominence in Navy applications and across the DoD, solutions are needed to reduce the human operator"s cognitive workload. Unburdening the human operator from all but the executive UGV control duties allows the human to focus on other duties, and… More

The capabilities and mission profile of underwater sensors and autonomous systems are often significantly limited by the availability of onboard energy. The issue of energy limitation becomes more severe for autonomous systems deployed in the littorals, in surf zones, and in rivers due to the… More

Motion sickness is of particular military importance in the transport of troops, be it by air, by land, or by sea. Motion sickness affects a person's ability to function at the peak of their performance, which is an important concern for troops being transported to the mission theater of… More

Robot-assisted surgery and envisioned diagnostics require the clinician to rely almost solely on visual feedback, pointing to the need for solutions to ensure that contact forces with the anatomy are maintained at clinically safe and effective levels at all times. A 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) Active… More

The clinical need for improved craniofacial reconstruction materials drives the development of new tissue engineering scaffold materials to alleviate inherent problems with the current best practice, allo- and auto-grafting. Infoscitex, in collaboration with Tufts University and Alacer Biomedical,… More

Vigilant monitoring for disease carrying insects in regions of military deployment is vital for identifying threats to the health of soldiers. The Army issued a request for an easily deployable, safe, and high performing human-baited tent trap that will allow military entomologists to measure the… More

ABSTRACT: In Phase II, Infoscitex will focus on developing an innovative, robust, and efficient software system, HMM4D, which utilizes a dynamic 3-D human model to detect human threats and to predict human intention. In Phase I, we have achieved major accomplishments and findings on 3-D motion… More

ABSTRACT: Terrorists use a variety of messages, as well as a variety of communications media, to sway impressionable people to their viewpoint. The internet is a very effective emerging medium by which terrorists can spread their ideology. The internet allows propaganda to be disseminated in the… More

In order to address the U.S. Navy"s need for improved tools for use in Anti-Submarine Warfare IST has developed key technologies that will enable the deployment of advanced acoustic sensing systems consisting of networked smart sensor nodes. These technologies will allow various components of a… More

In the future, Navy personnel will be expected to perform a variety of different tasks and missions in a highly linked, collaborative environment subject to frequent alerts and interruptions. This situation will be operable for all newer class surface ships, which have an expanded range of missions… More

ABSTRACT: DoD and government information systems need to dynamically and securely share information between different US, allied, and coalition agencies at multiple levels of classification and need-to-know. As the amount of data available to intelligence analysts continues to increase greatly, DoD… More

With the continued improvements in body armor, and the disturbing increase in explosive offensives in modern combat, more of our wounded soldiers are surviving their injuries and there has been a considerable increase in the military amputee population. Improvements in the prosthetic limb dynamics… More

As new simulation systems are developed, acquired and integrated into the teaching environment, there is a constant tradeoff to be made between increased simulator capability and fidelity and the costs associated with acquiring increasingly complex simulation technology. An automated tool to assist… More

The disposal of solid waste at small contingency camps increases the burden of logistical support and detracts from the military mission. Present methods of waste disposal consume fuel and have negative environmental effects. Gasification provides a method to reduce the waste disposed of to a… More

ABSTRACT: The continually expanding role technology plays on the modern battlefield is resulting in Warfighters having to carry more batteries. This increased battery weight puts additional strain on the Warfighter and increases logistical burden. In response to these issues, the Air Force has… More

ABSTRACT: Exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) poses significant health risks to personnel involved in processing chromium containing materials. Therefore, thorough cleaning of residues of material containing Cr(VI) is extremely important. The soaps used currently to clean the areas… More

Infoscitex Corporation proposes to develop a mathematics-based predictive design tool that will greatly simplify the e-textile design process and provide designers with an extensive range of options. Our initial focus will be on garments made using broadloom e-textiles but this tool will eventually… More

The capabilities and mission profile of unmanned watercraft are often significantly limited by the availability of onboard energy. The issue of energy limitation becomes more severe for autonomous systems that are deployed far from shore for extended periods of time due to the difficulties… More

ABSTRACT: Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) is a key military capability aimed at enabling strategic and tactical use of space. To achieve these objectives, the design, assembly and deployment of unmanned spacecraft supporting DoD space missions must be radically overhauled to resemble a modular… More

Motion sickness is of concern in the transport of troops, be it by air, by land, or by sea. Motion sickness affects the ability to function at the peak of performance, which is particularly important for troops immersed in theatre. Despite the potential difficulties that can be incited by motion… More

Bonding agents are critical components that are designed to improve the interfacial interaction between the oxidizer and binder in solid rocket propellants. There is no effective bonding agent for propellant systems with multifunctional oxidizers and nitrate ester plasticizers in polyether binder… More

Extant virtually reality surgical simulators are predominantly focused on simulating minimally invasive surgeries where the surgeon"s interaction is with long tools through fixed access ports. Infoscitex is building on the considerable body of work generated in developing the tissue properties… More

An automated, closed loop individualized system for administration of analgesic and anesthetic medication to patients is proposed in order to ensure vigilant, optimized care, especially in special circumstances when a large number of trauma patients must be treated simultaneously by a limited number… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Current treatment of many forms of congenital heart disease requires multiple surgical procedures starting shortly after birth, with attendant high morbidity and potential mortality. A promising alternative treatment calls for placing a stent in te patent ductus… More