Award Data

While fibers with very high strength have been achieved using aramid polymers and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, and these fibers have found great use in ballistic and other applications, their penetration into other applications has been limited due to the high cost associated with their manufacture. This proposal is directed toward using commodity materials and a novel processing tec ...

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 ...

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 ...

The overall objective of this Phase I proposal is to create a model based on molecular dynamics (MD) that can predict the specific Quantum Dot Superlattice (QDSL) heteroepitaxial structures that will grow, given various factors such as growth temperature, flux rate, and spacer thickness. AlGaN/GaN heterostructures have attracted a great deal of theoretical and experimental interest because of thei ...

Long wavelength infrared (LWIR) detectors are highly needed for night vision and threat warning applications. The InAs/GaSb Type II heterostructure system offers unique design flexibility for new innovative detectors. Type strained layer superlattice (SLS) detectors have been demonstrated with cutoff wavelengths ranging from 3 to 32 microns. This technology has shown performance comparable to HgCd ...

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 ...

The US Navy has identified the need to develop and demonstrate innovative technologies that leverage existing and emerging commercial real-time wireless circuitry by upconversion of frequency to 60 GHz for short range, high security applications. This topic proposes to gain the advantages of emerging microwave commercial off-the-shelf technology by upconverting to 60 GHz (V-band) where atmospheri ...

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 ...

Self-healing composites and adhesives would alleviate longstanding problems in aerospace structures associated with multiple types of damage mechanisms such as mechanical/thermal fatigue, microcracking, and debonding. A composite cryogenic tank based on self-healing technology would prevent leakage by sealing microcracks throughout the lifetime of the tank and enable the use of composites in this ...

HAMAC is an innovative aircraft design that combines solar cells for power, fuel cells for energy storage, a high-altitude prop and electric motor with thrust vector control, and a morphing structural design that fits compactly into an aircraft, rocket or balloon package for reaching altitude reliably. HAMAC will provide an aerodynamically stable, long-endurance, responsive instrument platform th ...