Award Data

Increasing the energy of the electron beam striking an X-ray target can lead to higher electron to X-ray conversion efficiency. For a given electron beam energy, the conversion efficiency can be enhanced through various methods. Optimizing the electron beam parameters, such as beam current, pulse width, and repetition rate, can also improve the conversion efficiency. Choice of the X-ray target mat ...

The U.S. Army has a future need for multiple secondary high explosive compositions that can also be used interchangeably as rocket propellants. In this proposal we will discuss a method of preparing such compositions via advanced spray drying technology and involving the use of a highly insensitive spray dried nitramine or CL-20 composition which have been plasticized with an energetic polymer t ...

The combustion engines of unmanned vehicles are powered by jet fuel at higher pressure. Although higher pressure injection of fuel delivers power and better fuel consumption benefits, it creates an issue related to fuel lubricity. Batch to batch variation in the lubricity of commonly used jet fuel (F-24) could also be an issue for proper functioning of the fuel lubricated engines operated at highe ...

Nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) are critical quality control steps when manufacturing munitions and warfare systems. Traditional methods of inspection can identify defects located at or near the surface of an object but cannot reveal internal defects. X-ray and neutron radiography are nonintrusive measurement techniques that record 2D path-integrated images of a target object, called ...

This proposal develops a methodology to detect and map regions of incipient failure in opaque composite materials using a terahertz (THz) metamaterial laminate (MML) whose polarimetric response is sensitive to local strain.  This proposal develops a practical THz metamaterials and metrology system that can be adapted to a large range of opaque composite material applications. Specifically, MML st ...

Light-weight, rugged, fuel-efficient, and quiet power sources are key to the success of military missions. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are an efficient and fuel-flexible electrochemical energy conversion technology with high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, which can function as reliable and portable power sources. SOFCs relatively high operating temperatures (e.g., >700°C) are slo ...

The next frontier of additive manufacturing will include technologies that enable operators to leverage thermally cured thermosets for their high thermal and mechanical stability, lightweight features, and low cost. Even with the most advanced 3D printers today, there is a gap in the offerings available that prohibit the use of polyurethanes, epoxies, and silicones that are commonly found in indus ...

Determining physical properties such as density, strength and stiffness of structures made from geomaterials typically requires destructive testing for direct measurements or inference from non-destructive measurements when the composition is unknown. These methods also require physical proximity to the structures being evaluated, a luxury that is not always available or safe. A non-destructive me ...

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are increasingly omnipresent in the healthcare settings of the public and military. Pathogens of interest in particular are those in the ESKAPEE group. As the prevalence of MDRO has increased, the number of new antibiotics to treat these infections has decreased. This has caused the rise of organisms resistant to all known antibiotics. To solve this, bacterioph ...

Wide Band Gap semiconductors with advanced topographies allow much higher power densities and efficiencies than prior generation power electronics.   Power density is a function of switching speed and cooling requirements, and operating at or above 50KHz allows for a dramatic reduction in size and weight of power electronics for power conditioning, converting, and motor control.  Powdermet has ...