Award Data

The specific research objectives of this program are to develop a rugged and human equivalent (human-sized, multi-fingered with opposing thumb) underwater robotic hand that mimics the dexterity of a gloved diver and that can replace existing 1-DOF pliers on Navy Atmospheric Diving Suits (ADS) and Navy UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicles) without any mechanical seals. Furthermore it is the objective ...

Combustion thermophotovoltaics (TPV) has the potential to achieve power and energy densities five to ten times that of rechargeable batteries. To date, however, TPV converter devices have not become commercially viable due to their low conversion efficiencies. The poor conversion efficiencies are primarily attributed to a mismatch between the bandgap of the TPV diode and the spectrum of the emitte ...

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and the University of Connecticut propose a Phase II program to develop enrichment processes for concentrating the rare earth elements (REE) content of a novel, low cost, and abundantly and readily available industrial waste material in the United States. This material has not previously been considered as a domestic REE source. In Phase I, laboratory scale experiments ...

Rechargeable lithium ion battery systems can provide power throughout the aircraft, including engine or Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) starting, avionics, emergency, and other systems. Because of their high specific energy/power and potential thermal instability, they can present hazards if improperly designed, tested, handled, or stored. To address the thermal safety issue of Li-ion batteries, EIC La ...

The goal of Phase II of this STTR project is to optimize the GaN transistor obtained in Phase I to deliver a 100-W power amplifier with 90% power added efficiency (PAE) at 1 GHz. Emphasis will be put on optimizing output capacitances, improving gate control and further improving epitaxial wafers. We will finalize our design of power amplifier circuit module based on the improved device and our pro ...

Agiltron in collaboration with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will develop a new class of high-efficiency and lightweight broadband inverted metamorphic multi-junction (IMM) solar cells for the uninterrupted flight missions of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The approach is closely coupled with Agiltrons extensive experience in high-transmittance broadband and wide-angle anti-reflect ...

SI2 Technologies, Inc. (SI2) proposes to accelerate development of printed, high-efficiency phased arrays operating at Navy-relevant frequencies. The proposed development effort will include optimization of the array printing techniques from Phase I to meet the Navys phased array performance goals. The printed arrays will incorporate both printed radiating elements and an innovative printed packag ...

The U.S. Navy is seeking new technologies and platforms to advance airborne anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and related maritime surveillance. Current magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) sensors, such as the latest versions of atomic magnetometers, are capable of very low noise operation. However, the performance of these sensors can be limited by the geomagnetic noise environment more so than by eithe ...

The Navy faces a significant challenge to its dominance of sea and air given the Anti-Access Area-Denial (A2AD) capabilities of major powers. The Navy's response, in part, is to implement technical capabilities that enable platforms to coordinate in new ways to execute offensive and defensive actions at very long range. While the Navy finalizes this Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC- ...

Widely used composite materials reduce aircraft weight and cost, improve structural performance, and boost fuel efficiency. However, composites are susceptible to adhesive bond line quality issues, both in initial fabrication and in service related bonding failures. Detection of weakened bonds requires an easy diagnostic approach to routinely monitor composite aircraft health. Our proposed solutio ...