Award Data

High fidelity simulations of complex systems still pose a challenge to the scientist trying to understand its physical characteristics. The challenge is in finding useful bits in terabytes of data that directly relate to the nature of time-varying, multivariate data. An intelligent data mining capability is needed that has both knowledge (descriptive physics) and foresight (cognitive model of user ...

The monitoring of multiple UAV video sources is challenging, in part, due to the poor quality of the video received. Significant video degrading is caused by clouds, haze, and dust in the atmosphere; jitter and blurring from the UAV platform motion; and low video resolution due to sensor characteristics and high altitude flying. Higher quality video would alleviate much of the challenge for the o ...

Reliable ignition is critical to the operational performance of augmented military jet engines. Augmentors must reliably ignite when thrust is needed or the system (and pilot) safety could be compromised. Augmentor ignition is particularly challenging because the igniter must function over a range of operating conditions. In particular, high-altitude, low-pressure conditions are known to confou ...

The efficient, effective measurement of small drilled holes continues to be a challenge for key aerospace applications. While manufacturing methods for fabricating holes have improved significantly over the last ten years, measurement and metrology methods have not advanced at the same pace. Modern jet engine parts may contain tens of thousands of holes along with the requirement that the aggreg ...

Power conversion Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) used on advanced tactical aircraft use liquid cooling and complex packaging geometries to provide adequate thermal management. Typical LRUs could have cooling loops operating at 70 deg C inlet temperatures, enclosures which dissipate hundreds of watts of electrical power, and which have silicon based semiconductors rated for operation at a maximum te ...

Future Department of Defense (DoD) space-borne electro-optical payloads will require reliable, efficient, and lightweight cryocoolers for sensor cooling. Turbo-Brayton cryocoolers are ideal candidates for these payloads. The technology is reliable and space proven with one unit having provided over 6 years of successful operations on the Hubble Space Telescope without any change in performance. ...

Advanced space-borne infrared detectors 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. A multistage cooler, capable of cooling multiple loads, will offer large potential gains in system efficiency and weight. Turbomachine-based Brayton cryocoolers are ideal c ...

The Air Force, Navy, and Army all project increasing heat generation in military vehicles from advanced electronics systems and weapons systems. Advanced thermal management technology is needed to control the temperatures in these systems. We propose to develop a highly stable two-phase thermal management system to meet these requirements. Our innovative system and component designs will effect ...

Gas turbine engines rely on internal controllers to achieve efficient operation over a wide range of operating conditions. These Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADEC) are located within the engines in an environment characterized by high temperature and high vibration. Cooling the electronic components inside the FADEC is a tremendous challenge. We propose to apply innovative thermal m ...

Fuel cells promise tremendous benefits in fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness; however practical fuel cell systems require balance of plant components that are economical and durable. Water management is a critical need for all types of fuel cells and fuel processors. Without low cost and reliable technology for water management and recycling, fuel cell systems will need to be supplied ...