Award Data

ABSTRACT: Advanced space-borne infrared detectors require cooling in the 10 to 20 K temperature range. Cooling loads will be approximately 0.25 W to 1.0 W for the detectors, with additional loads at higher temperatures for other subsystems. A multistage cooler, capable of providing refrigeration at more than one temperature simultaneously, can provide the greatest system efficiency and lowest m ...

ABSTRACT: 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 operational flight envelope of military systems. Many of the passive techniques used to sup ...

ABSTRACT: Thermal energy storage for load smoothing can be beneficial in applications having large transient heat load compared to steady-state heat rejection. Laser weapons and high-power microwave generators are examples where TES can help. Ammoniated complex compound systems can provide heat absorption due to exothermic dissociation of the complex compound. Very high energy density and powe ...

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 multi-stage hybrid cryocooler that is optimized for cooling at a primary load temperature of 10 to 20 K. ...

ABSTRACT: Combustion instabilities, such as screech, are an ongoing challenge for augmented military propulsion systems. Diagnostics that elucidate the mechanism(s) of combustion instability are needed to increase the robustness of current engines and to develop improved design rules for future systems. Diagnostic measurements in augmentors are challenging due to the hostile environment and lim ...

Providing power for dismounted soldiers on long-duration missions remains a critical technical challenge. Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells convert hydrogen fuel directly to electric power and offer a lightweight and efficient power source for individual soldiers. However, technology for storing the hydrogen fuel is still too heavy to meet the Armys mission requirements. We propose to ...

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 perform increasingly complex tasks under extremely difficult conditions. Successful transition into op ...

The principal objective of this effort is to develop an advanced complex compound for ammonia-solid absorption chillers and demonstrate the enhanced sorbent for a 18,000 BTU/hr technology demonstrator in the Phase II effort. Phase I experimental data showed that it is feasible to make a fuel-fired sorption cooling system capable of 18,000 Btu/hr cooling and 105 kg dry-weight with 0.34 gal/hr of JP ...

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 and inefficient and are unable to meet typical field requirements. Our approach is to develop a tactical hybrid cryocooler that is optimized for ...

Protective suits that isolate a marine 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 environmental control system that will maintain a cool, dry environment inside protective suits. There are two key innovations: (1) a novel cooling process that provides very high effic ...