The Department of Homeland Security, the Military, and civilian first-responders have an urgent need for sensitive detectors of harmful materials such as biological and chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and explosives. Handheld instruments must be sensitive, be able to detect a… More

Radioxenon monitoring systems are an important tool for detecting nuclear weapon tests around the world. These systems must be reliable and have low contamination potential because nuclear detonations can occur without warning and the opportunity to detect these events is relatively brief.… More

Develop a reliable, compact cryogenic thermal switch to enable efficient cryogenic xenon collection in nuclear explosion monitoring systems. The thermal switch can be turned off during xenon removal, when the xenon cryotrap is heated up. This prevents the cryocooler cold head from overheating, and… More

Structural ceramics are desirable for high-performance missile radomes due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and their ability to withstand high temperatures. Currently, the only way to machine silicon nitride to the tolerances and quality required involves a time-consuming and expensive… More

Special Warfare Combat Swimmers operate in a hostile environment characterized by excessive physiologic demands and complete reliance on their equipment. Diver safety and situational awareness can be greatly improved by an integrated system capable of monitoring both diver physiologic status and… More

Air-launched, small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) offer the potential for a tremendous increase in airborne sensing and ground support capability. However, breakthrough power technology is needed to enable these systems to reach their potential. We propose to develop a power system designed to… More

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) offer the potential for simple and efficient conversion of heat directly to electricity. However, efficient power conversion systems that incorporate TEGs present an engineering challenge, requiring an overall system design that balances critical trade-offs between… More

Many systems have mechanical couplings and gears that require lubrication and cooling, produce vibration and noise, experience wear, and are unreliable. Magnetic couplings and gears are an emerging technology that can provide superior characteristics for some applications. Although commercial… More

ABSTRACT: Advanced space-borne electro-optical payloads require cooling at temperatures of 10 to 20 K. Cooling loads for these detectors will range from 0.25 W to 1.0 W at the primary load site, with additional loads at higher temperatures. During this program, we propose to build and test a… More

ABSTRACT: Creare proposes to design, develop, test, and deliver an ultra-compact star tracker specifically intended for the CubeSat platform. Our design is based on proprietary"folded optics"technology previously developed by our partner for use in military and commercial optical… More

Demonstrations have shown that laser-based stripping systems can effectively and affordably vaporize and strip aircraft coatings in an environmentally friendly manner when coupled to a vapor-removal system. However, all of the laser-based systems in use today are"open-loop"systems that… More

ABSTRACT: The performance of modern propulsion devices such as gas turbine main combustors and augmentors is largely dependent on fuel spray dynamics. Fuel sprays, usually involving a liquid jet emanating into a gaseous flow followed by subsequent breakup and atomization, are critically important… More

Combustion stability is critical to the performance of augmented military jet engines. Instabilities such as screech can result in reduced augmentor performance, blowout, or even catastrophic failure. Screech remains a difficult problem to predict and mitigate, and its occurrence can limit the… More

ABSTRACT: Diagnostic measurements in gas turbine combustors and augmentors are challenging due to the hostile environment and limited optical access afforded by real engines. Probes that are inserted into the flow are generally undesirable because the probes inherently influence the flow and must… More

ABSTRACT: The performance of supersonic inlets, actuators, and scramjet isolators is limited by shock wave/boundary layer interactions (SBLI). The adverse pressure gradient across a shock wave causes increased boundary layer thickness and often separation when it interacts with a boundary layer. … More

ABSTRACT: Thermal management systems using two-phase flow can enable higher power, lower volume weapons and electronics systems on advanced aircraft. To exploit the advantages of two-phase flow, designers need analysis methods and software to size components, analyze system dynamics, and assess… More

ABSTRACT: The skiving of gap and fastener fill materials is a critical process to maintain the proper Outer Mold Line (OML) of the F-35 during aircraft manufacture. This process must be completed for both long gaps that have been over-filled and for fasteners that have been filled with… More

ABSTRACT: Modern military aircraft incorporate large numbers of holes located close to part edges to save weight and maximize performance. Accurate measurement of the distance between hole centers and the edge of the part is critical to ensure that structural integrity of the aircraft is… More

Navy ships need improved laundry dryers that use less energy and operate without air vents. This eliminates the need for very long exhaust ductwork and reduces fire hazards. We propose to develop a reliable, compact, tumble dryer that employs an innovative water separation process that is… More

Superconducting electronics have the potential to revolutionize digital communications and to improve real-time situational awareness in the battlefield environment, but must operate at cryogenic temperatures. Commercial cryogenic refrigerators are large, inefficient and are unable to meet typical… More

The Electrical Distribution Unit (EDU) is the heart of aircraft power systems, and emerging and future electrical system needs have placed great demands on EDU components. Operation at higher voltage power levels and temperatures, faster actuation, and the need to minimize size and weight have… More

Creare proposes a Flight Hearing Protection System based on an innovative communication earplug that is easily inserted and removed but that seals deep in the ear canal. We will also evaluate upgrades to the current flight helmet to improve the level of passive attenuation provided by the helmet.… More

Navy requirements have motivated the need for technologies capable of performing detailed scans over large areas of a ship"s hull for hidden defects. Existing technologies for identifying hull defects underwater primarily involve point measurements of the hull thickness. Applying this technique… More

Hydrothermal vents emit large amounts of hot water, which has the potential to produce electric power. This type of power source could enable remote sea sensors, recharge autonomous underwater vehicles, and facilitate a variety of deep sea activities. Developing a power system for this application… More

Marine gas turbine engines are typically 30 to 40% efficient at full power resulting in 60 to 70% of the input energy being exhausted to the environment as waste heat. These engines are even less efficient at partial power conditions where they often operate. Bottoming cycles, such as organic… More

Neuroscience is rapidly expanding beyond its traditional role in the clinic to a practical method of evaluating cognitive performance in the field. The transition of clinical neuroscience tools into operational environments is of particular interest to the military due to the need for soldiers to… More

Small and micro unmanned aerial systems are desired for carrying sensors into cluttered urban environments, areas of dense vegetation, and confined spaces. Control systems for these small vehicles are currently based on control approaches for larger vehicles in well-defined flows and are inadequate… More

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) offer the potential for simple and efficient conversion of heat directly to electric power. However, efficient and logistically compatible power generation systems that incorporate TEGs present an engineering challenge, requiring an overall design that balances… More

High performance metals, ceramics, and hard coatings are used in military applications to enhance the performance of key systems needed by the warfighter. One of the most prevalent operations to remove material, achieve the desired surface finish, or enhance part quality is bulk and finish… More

Military jet engine components (tail cones, augmenter liners, and turbine blades) incorporate large numbers of laser-drilled, small holes to provide surface film cooling air for protection against high operating temperatures. The holes must meet critical specifications to ensure adequate air flow… More

Polymer matrix thermoplastic (e.g., PEEK/IM7) composites exhibit excellent toughness, fatigue strength, and strength-to-weight characteristics over their all-metal counterparts. These characteristics make them desirable for high performance military structures such as artillery components for… More

Lithium-based batteries promise excellent performance, although they require careful management to avoid personnel injury and equipment damage. Consequently, there is extreme interest in developing accurate Battery Management Systems (BMS) to take advantage of the positive attributes of… More

Protective garments that isolate a dismounted soldier from the environment can also build up excessive internal heat and humidity, impairing performance and possibly leading to heat casualties. We propose to develop an innovative microclimate control system that will maintain a cool, dry environment… More

Polymer matrix, thermosetting composites (CYCOM-5250-4) are desirable for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft structures including blade seals, spars, and fairings due to the significant weight reductions that can be achieved while attaining sufficient strength. Currently, such components cannot… More

Diesel generators that operate at partial power can experience wet stacking, poor exhaust emissions, and low efficiency. These problems create excessive maintenance, reduced lifetime, and poor air quality. Although exhaust treatment systems can improve air quality, most technologies are impeded… More

While contact-based soldering irons have been sufficient for the Navy"s needs for a number of years, the need to support new lead-free and older leaded solders is impossible with the current soldering irons without risk of cross-contamination. In addition, the combination of the soldering iron… More

Analysis of chemical samples in the field and in confined areas has many advantages over laboratory analysis. Laboratory analyses can be slow, involve increased expense, lead to additional waste generation and disposal problems, and may introduce errors due to sample degradation or mishandling. In… More