Award Data

MicroLink Devices and the University of Notre Dame propose to develop an ultra-lightweight, high-efficiency, GaAs-based, multi-junction solar cell that will be suitable for use in future platforms requiring very high specific power (>3.0 kW/kg) and very high areal power density (>370 W/m2). We will achieve this result by reducing the metal content of MicroLinks current inverted metamorphic (IMM), ...

The US DoD requires robust ways of neutralizing threats posed by hostile powers and terrorist organizations that may be in possession of dangerous weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Unfortunately, the weapons currently available to the DoD do not offer a way for the WMD to be destroyed without risking the spread of that material throughout the area. The strategy for the defeat of biological weapo ...

This effort, led by WElkins, LLC and its research partner, Wheaton College, proposes to develop and test a next generation SDV human thermal interface system with major technical improvements in three areas: the thermal interface garment, umbilical connections, and fluid delivery system. To improve the thermal interface garment, WElkins proposes replacement of the current generation tube suit with ...

Directed plasma discharge using Knite Inc.s Kinetic Spark Ignition (KSI) hardware is proposed as a means to quell augmentor screech tone. Contrary to typical plasma ignitors, where plasma discharge is between anode and cathode, the KSI can discharge plasma into the flow in a reproducible manner. This controllability was used successfully on projects to improve performance of igniters and is also k ...

Predicting the high Reynolds number viscous turbulent flow around realistic aircraft, rotorcraft and ship geometries with CFD is time consuming and computationally expensive, with the number of cells required to resolve the flow driving the computational cost. Even with modern CFD methods, the cost of adequately resolved solutions is prohibitive for most engineering tasks. The team of Continuum Dy ...

It is well known that the interior air frame makes for a complex RF environment. This is due to the resonant electromagnetic cavity nature of the air frame interior, which is a result of a large internal volume and conductive boundaries. This complex interior presents a challenge in determining optimal placement of RFID tags. We propose to develop a physics based computational tool for optimizing ...

Kyma will develop and model a modular high rep rate (>100kHz) photoconductive switch using GaN and commercial-off-the-shelf laser diodes. The switch will be designed to switch >1.5kV at >150A in 5-10ns.

Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) radars play a strategic role in surveillance and reconnaissance. A GaN based T/R circuit will be radiation-hard but difficult to integrate with the remainder of the signal chain due to incompatible technologies. SiGe HBT technology, with its high frequency performance and the ability to blend in with CMOS, can act as a bridge between the high frequency III-V ...

A multi-scale/multi-physics integrated tool will be developed to virtually and qualitatively predict the manufacturing defects in structural thermoset polymer composites through a first-principles based approach. The chemo- and thermo- mechanical properties of the thermoset resin during the autoclave process will be characterized with a reactive force field full atomistic and coarse-grained molecu ...

In order to provide performance capabilities well above those of individual independent sensors, future naval sensors will be networked throughout a battle group based on the real time knowledge of the precise relative distances and relative velocities between ships. One possible means to obtain and monitor such position and velocity in real time is laser range finding, which must be eye safe espe ...