Award Data

We have recently demonstrated that high power densities can be achieved for SOFC using liquid hydrocarbon fuels via direct internal reforming. This approach can provide solutions for the highly power-dense applications required by Air Force (e.g. auxiliary power units for aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles) and many portable and transportation applications in commercial sector. Because the sta ...

In this SBIR Phase I effort, Los Gatos Research (LGR) proposes to develop an ultrasensitive, multiplexed gas analyzer to simultaneously measure several key combustion species from the turbulent flow field of a air-breathing, hypersonic propulsion system. This analyzer, which is based on LGR’s proprietary Off-Axis ICOS technology, will provide highly accurate, real-time quantification of several ...

Large capital systems, particularly military hardware, are expected to last many years longer than the refresh cycle of their component technologies. Weapons systems will be fielded containing relatively obsolescent components, perhaps even before initial deployment. The question is, to what extent should obsolescence be allowed to impact mission requirements, and how can obsolescence costs best ...

Project cost is a primary factor in determining which projects to implement. Projects always have an explicit or implicit set of requirements between client and developer. Requirements are usually specified using an outline metaphor where key project functionality is continuously broken down into sub-requirements using sub-paragraphs to clarify the detail. Unfortunately, this metaphor makes it dif ...

Cost information can improve projects and project decision making. But the project artifacts that can help determine costs are buried in enterprise systems such as supply chain, ERP, PLM, CAx and others. Although many of these systems rely on common data, differences in internal storage structures and nomenclature and lack of tool integration keeps stakeholders from receiving the decision suppor ...

Ceramic and Metal Composites Corporation (CMCC) will develop a numerical scheme for predicting the life of ceramic composite turbine engine components with generic 3D architectures. The code will be implemented as User Materials and User Elements within the ABAQUS finite element platform, thereby embedding the technology in a popular and sophisticated structural analysis tool widely used by OEMs. ...

Composite delamination onset and growth prediction using commercial (COTS) finite-element codes will be facilitated by extension of cohesive element technologies. Cohesive elements eliminate the need for explicit definition and management of nodal constraints such as those required to execute Virtual Crack Closure (VCCT) methods. The Phase I project will extend cohesive element development, and ...

As the longevity of weapon systems continue to increase, operations and support (O&S) costs account for a larger percentage of the total system life-cycle cost. Yet O&S costs are often under estimated, especially early in the development cycle when 80% or more of the total ownership cost is "locked-in" by design decisions. Developers and planners require an approach to estimate the O&S cost impact ...

While suitable estimating methods exist to compute life cycle cost of systems, they can be difficult due to limited information available, especially in the early phases of a program. Another shortcoming is that they are often tied to static cost factors that give the cost analyst little to no understanding of design options on life cycle cost. Budgetary limitations and other constraints dictate ...

Carbon nano-materials, in the vapor-grown fiber and platelet forms have shown great promise in providing EMI shielding when used with traditional polymer composites. However, attempts to blend these nano-constituents into matrix materials with low-loading levels have not been successful in increasing the inherent shielding level of the composite. San Diego Composites is proposing a method to con ...