Award Data

In this proposal, AlphaSense, Inc. details the development of a novel, low cost and handheld microwave sensor for the detection and evaluation of incipient composite heat damage. The merits of the proposed sensor and its advantages over other techniques are listed below: a) Compact, handheld and low cost, b) Sensitive for incipient heat damage detection, c) Capable of quantitative analysis of the ...

In the proposed effort, we will leverage this extensive experience and capabilities to realize a frequency agile mmW radiometer that can cover the range of DC-110 GHz and can be scaled to DC-200 GHz under Phase II. Ours is a photonic system that multiplies and up-coverts a low-frequency reference signal onto an optical carrier (laser) using EO modulation, then uses the modulation sidebands to inj ...

PSI will leverage our extensive experience and unique capabilities in MMW photonics to design a compact, lightweight, frequency-agile MMW source combining wide, continuous, rapid tunability with superb phase noise and moderate output power. Such a source will have extensive commercial applications in next-generation wireless communications, as well as military applications including reconfigurable ...

Accudyne proposes a SBIR program, endorsed by Sikorsky, Cytec Engineered Materials, and NASA-LaRC, to develop a cost-effective thermoplastic automated tow placement (ATP) process and demonstrate it by fabricating and testing a complex contoured skin (Phase 1) and a CH-53K rotorcraft lower cabin or ramp skin (Phase 2). The process employs in situ consolidation, avoiding the autoclave. The targete ...

This proposal will supply to NAVAIR and to rotorcraft manufacturing companies the emerging solution to their fabrication needs as it relates to the production of Rotor Blade Spars. The process and machine concept developed in Phase I will provide NAVAIR and the rotocraft manufacturing companies an automated solution to spar manufacturing. This will enable: • Low part manufacturing cost • High ...

In this proposal, AlphaSense, Inc. (AI) and the University of Michigan (UM) detail the development of a compact, portable, and low cost in-process weld defects detection system. Key innovations of the proposed system include: a) weld defects monitoring based on plasma emission characteristics; b) use the electron temperature of the plasma as an indicator of the weld quality, c) use multiple plasma ...

The SBIR Phase I proposal is designed to improve the high end temperature performance of Altairnano''''s nano Lithium titanate batteries and will develop an equivalent circuit model capturing the transient dynamics of Altairnano’s 50 Ah cell. Altairnano will study the effects of various materials and the interactions between them to determine the best electrode material combination in order to e ...

Cities must perform detailed assessments of sidewalks and streets, including curb ramps, pedestrian signals, crosswalks, street furniture, and other components to determine compliance with the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines. However, current assessment methods are inadequate or unreasonable due to time and resources required. The objectives of this project are to: 1) develop elect ...

For this project, we plan to collaborate with researchers in the neuroscience department at the University of Delaware to develop an FPGA-based embedded computer, inspired in the brains small vertebrates (fish). The mechanisms of object detection and avoidance in fish have been extensively studied by our Delaware collaborators. The midbrain optic tectum is a biological multimodal navigation cont ...

Recent efforts at improving shipboard operations have focused on desalination systems. One area in which manpower may be significantly reduced is in the monitoring chlorine residuals from hypochlorite enhanced streams that are used for periodic biofouling control flushes of microfiltration membranes. These are used for pretreatment of seawater prior to exposure to reverse osmosis membranes used fo ...