Award Data

Terrorist use of radioactive nuclear materials via nuclear and/or radiological dispersion devices (dirty bombs) is a serious threat. Therefore, it is crucial to detect proliferation of nuclear material. Critical challenges include: (a) high sensitivity detection of signature emissions from radioactive isotopes, and (b) cost-effectiveness for deployment of sensor networks across large storage facil ...

To realize the full potential of autonomous systems, it is imperative that they behave safely, correctly, ethically, and legally. Providing these assurances through offline verification alone is insufficient, due to the complex and changing nature of autonomous systems. Online monitoring and corrective actions are necessary to account for uncertainties, and to increase trust between a human superv ...

Verus Research and the University of New Mexico (UNM) are pleased to respond to the Navy Phase I STTR solicitation N19A-T001 titled “Optimized Higher Power Microwave Sources.” Verus Research, in collaboration with UNM, propose to develop a GW-class, S-band, high power microwave (HPM) source to integrate in vehicle and vessel stopping systems. Our integrated approach ensures the objectives for ...

Quantum cascade laser (QCL) applications have increased in wide variety of areas such as remote sensing, chemical sensing, and free space communications. In this Phase I STTR, the focus is on the development of high-power Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) with integrated heat sinks for improved output power, power-conversion efficiency, and long-term reliability. This will be accomplished by the devel ...

In this proposal, a monolithic MWIR wavelength beam combining architecture ispresented based on a custom planar concave grating. This concept can combine multiple highpower quantum cascade lasers with pre-selected emission wavelengths into a single outputaperture with high efficiency. The goal is to realize all optical functions, including both activeand passive waveguiding, on the native InP subs ...

Vescent Photonics and MIT Lincoln Labs (MIT-LL) propose to develop a quantum-based vector magnetometer with low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP+C) for Navy applications. The proposed system will rely on probing magnetically-sensitive, atomic-like transitions of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to provide stable, high-bandwidth readout of the vector magnetic field with sub-picotesla sen ...

Improved magnetic anomaly detection can counter threats from quieter submarines and mines. This Phase I STTR project will address this goal using improved atomic magnetometry methods based on pumping alignment coherence in rubidium vapor. A means of changing the polarization of the pump light will ensure that atomic coherence can be pumped in any orientation of the magnetic field. Multiple probe b ...

The U.S. Navy seeks methods to improve the fuel economy of marine diesel engines through utilization of waste heat. Low temperature engine jacket water, lubrication oil, and aftercooler air are largely untapped streams of thermal energy on these ships, but their utilization circumvents many operation challenges associated with exhaust gases. For example, variable and high exhaust gas temperatures ...

Waste heat from Naval diesel generators provides significant opportunity to introduce organic Rankine cycles (ORC) to increase their fuel efficiency. The objective of the proposed effort is to design and demonstrate a high-speed, spinning scroll expander (HiSSSE) ORC as a power dense waste heat recovery system for diesel generators on ships. The system will leverage Air Squared’s spinning scroll ...

The Navy has been developing superconducting systems, based on high-temperature superconductors (HTS), for future use on Navy ships. One of the challenges associated with superconducting magnets is the possibility of a quench, which is an event where a local hot spot develops within the superconductor that quickly spreads throughout the device, driving it into its normal and dissipative state. Sen ...