Award Data

TDA proposes to develop a multi-physics-based model to simulate and optimize the microwave curing process of thick fiber reinforced composites. The primary objective is to improve the manufacturing speed and cost of high-quality carbon fiber reinforced composites by quickly identifying the right processing parameters for a given part during microwave processing. The model will account for the inte ...

This overall research program is oriented towards a deeper experimental and theoretical understanding of meteorological properties of the marine wave boundary layer (MWBL) and laser light propagation in the marine environment. The main objective is to develop a periscope imaging, electronic warfare, and High Energy Laser (HEL) beam propagation model over the marine aerosol boundary layer for the i ...

This proposal aims to develop a predictive model for characterizing Hydroxyl Terminated PolyButadiene (HTPB) polymer binder resin, used in existing and emerging solid rocket motors. The model will use modern analytical methods to correlate HTPB polymer system chemical and physical characteristics with gum-stock and formulation end-use properties. The objective is to produce a reliable HTPB variant ...

Graphite is one of the most important materials used in our everyday life.  It is used in brake linings, lubricants, powdered metals, refractory applications, steelmaking, and batteries. In recent years, the graphite demand in the U.S. has been driven by the high growth rate of electric vehicle production. Approximately 7.8 million electric vehicles were sold in the U.S. in 2022, a 68% increase f ...

The 1.5 MHz to 35 MHz HF band supports a variety of functions (including ionospheric characterization and over-the-horizon communications) with relatively little infrastructure. The large antenna sizes required present a significant challenge that has prevented the adaptation of HF systems on small platforms. Small, low free-board maritime craft have an extremely small footprint and require a mini ...

In the proposed effort, we will develop a method to produce accurate riblet profiles in outer mold line (OML) surfaces that significantly reduce viscous drag, require little or no maintenance, are inexpensive to apply or include in production or normal maintenance, and achieve long useful life, yielding fuel cost savings and extended range for military and civilian aircraft.

Calcium lanthanum sulfide is an infrared transparent ceramic with many desired properties including its high temperature optical and mechanical properties and its potential use in designing new multi-band optical components.  However current production methods for calcium lanthanum sulfide are relatively immature and often contain impurities that limit optical performance of the produced powders. ...

There is a critical need for a high purity commercial source of calcium lanthanum sulfide (CaL2S4; CLS).  Ceramics made from CLS have an unusually broad range of transmittance in the infrared (IR), as well as high mechanical strength and environmental durability.  For these reasons, CLS is an ideal material for IR windows used in applications such as multispectral imaging.  CLS ceramics are not ...

Rebreathers are scuba gear that allow the diver to breath underwater without producing bubbles. They have many benefits including light-weight, reduced risk of decompression (lack of nitrogen in the system allows the divers to stay submerged longer) and stealth (since they produce no bubbles, they don’t reveal the diver’s location).  In this closed-circuit operation, the CO2 is removed from t ...

Propellant formulations used in solid rocket motors contain highly energetic materials which employ stabilizers to protect the polymeric structure of these propellants. The stabilizer content changes with age and other environmental factors causing the propellant to become increasingly unstable with the potential to self-ignite. Therefore, there is a need to detect the stabilizer content present i ...