Award Data

Cavity Ring-Down (CRD) spectroscopy is developing into a precise tool for measuring gaseous contaminants in ultrahigh vacuum and other environments. Optimum sensitivity is obtained by driving the CRD spectrometer in the mid-IR part of the spectrum with about 100 mWatts of average power at 5 kHz and with pulse lengths of 10-50 nsec. Bandwidths of 100 MHz are required. There are no commercial lasers ...

The proposed effort is to design a space-qualified dual-frequency GPS/GLONASS receiver with enhanced capabilities for atmospheric remote sounding. While such soundings have been performed using GPS-only receivers, a space-based GPS/GLONASS receiver would be superior in terms of coverage and integrity cross- checking, as well as the ability to process the unencrypted GLONASS L2 signal. This design ...

Two-dimensional measurement machines, such as microlithography and computed tomography systems, are subject to distortions in the measurement field due to imperfections in their hardware and software. Certified methods to characterize and quantify such distortions are urgently needed. An innovative self- calibrating scheme is tendered which eliminates the disadvantages of previous self-calibration ...

The ultimate objective of this project is to develop an instrument capable of remote detection and location of tornadoes and/or storms containing tornadoes. There are many reports, both scientific and anecdotal, suggesting that tornadoes and tornadic thunderstorms emit anomalous electromagnetic (EM) radiation-both RF and luminous. This radiation is characterized by unusually high rates of EM pulse ...

Quantitative, non-invasive X and gamma ray 3-D tomographic assessment of large, irregularly shaped, heterogeneous bodies is essential for efficient progress of environmental waste management. Currently, thousands of sealed containers with low-level radioactive waste are in storage. The material must be identified and quantified as a preliminary step to processing or storing the material. Curren ...

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) accounts for a significant proportion of all welding performed. Due to its relatively high speeds and metal deposition rates as well as relatively low equipment and maintenance costs, it is also the most popular process for automated, and especially robotic, welding. There are, however, problems that significantly restrict its manufacturing applications. The efforts at ...

The proposed Phase 1 approach utilizes a material system, the I-III-VI2 compounds, for which some early success in the fabrication of laser devices and LEDs has been achieved in Japan. The benefits to this material include: ease in forming p-n junction, greater thermal conductivity, higher bond strength in the crystal, less thermal stresses and ease in making metal contacts. The proposed effort in ...

Algal toxins can cause mass mortality of wild and farmed fish, contaminate shellfish beds and cause human illnesses from consumption of these products. Dinoflagellates are widely recognized to be the primary algae associated with toxic red tide blooms. Once established, harmful algal blooms typically are mono-specific. The bio-optical "fingerprint" of the bloom, related to the specific pigment com ...

A Shortfall in marine fisheries production is driving the development of aquaculture technologies on many fronts. Recirculating systems are regarded as critical components of many development schemes. However, interest and use of recirculating systems for production of marine organisms have lagged behind freshwater applications. A floating bead filter which is corrosion resistant (no metal parts), ...

Arca proposes research leading to development of a suite of methodology support products to help meet the need for innovative assurance techniques appropriate for emerging information technologies. The product will consist of a licensable methodology and supporting materials for specifying, building, and evaluating assurance arguments for products and systems based on the capability of security en ...