Award Data

This proposal describes new technology for water purification based on heat pumps, and more specifically based on transcritical CO2 system. Heat pumps in general are excellent thermal transformation tools when both sides (warm and cold) are utilized. Energy efficiency can be extremely high when designed properly. Transcritical CO2 based systems offer even better opportunity due to characteristic ...

To reverse engineer the brain in order to discover novel design principles for physical systems providing enhanced information-processing capabilities for Navy/DoD and homeland security needs. Specifically, we are studying experimentally, and modeling mathematically, fundamental signal processing principles of neurons and neural systems for the purposes of designing and implementing acoustic patte ...

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of enhancing the mechanical strength and reducing the manufacturing costs for PMN-PT single crystal elements by proposed mechanical processes. At present time, the surface defects in such multi-domain PMN-PT piezocrystal elements result in mechanical strength degradation. This has limited our ability to fully utilize the tremendous p ...

Current infrared countermeasure systems are limited by the size and weight of their jamming transmitter. Laser systems based on nonlinear conversion are intrinsically large and inefficient compared to diode lasers. A major hurdle in developing mid-infrared diode lasers has been the realization of near room temperature operation, which allows the compact size benefit of this technology to be real ...

Current coating methodologies for geometrically irregular surfaces have become increasing complex and expensive to apply. Yet surfaces exposed to corrosive environments can still suffer the risk of corrosion. While the Navy has invested in edge retentive coating systems, application procedures still require the application of multiple coats due to the challenges inherent in coating complex and ir ...

In this project we propose novel internal and visual representations of dynamic and evolving networks that are both more scalable and intuitive than traditional representations. These representations are tuned to reflect the reality that most networks are not static over either time or topology, but rather they are complex time-varying entities that morph significantly with time. Our visual repre ...

Applied Thin Films, Inc. proposes to use and an innovative aluminum phosphate solution based coating material to act as a sacrificial barrier layer to protect zirconia thermal barrier coatings from molten CMAS ingress and attack. The proposed coating material, known as Cerablak™, will ideally prevent any decrease in zirconia TBC lifetime expectancy and insulation efficiency due to CMAS infiltra ...

Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and other military platforms are considering ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) for engine applications due to their potential for weight reduction and high temperature capability. The highly heterogeneous nature of fiber reinforced composites and their inherent porous structures can mask defect detection by traditional non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques. In orde ...

Lead in household paint and dust is a serious health hazard, as low-level lead exposure can result in a number of adverse health effects, especially in children. Onsite and real-time detection and quantification of lead in paint/dust are very important to homeowners and certified lead-based paint removal professionals. Toward this end, both field-portable equipment (such as X-ray fluorescenc ...

This SBIR Phase I project proposal addresses the development of technology for cost effectively upgrading existing shipyard panel line stiffener-to-plate welding to a low-distortion hybrid laser process. The Phase I project establishes the technical and financial viability of the Laser/Gas Metal Arc Welding (LGMAW) process to manufacture flat panel assemblies. A major task in Phase I is the demo ...