Award Data

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 ...

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 ...

1. Abstract. The Mirkin group at Nortwestern University has developed methods for exquisitely sensitive analyte detection that rely upon forming hybridized arrays of nucleic acid-derivatized gold nanoparticles. These methods lend themselves immediately to colorimetric detection and dipstick-style applications. The hybridized nanoparticles are (quite literally) ‘blue,’ the separated nanopar ...

We aim to construct litmus paper-like colorimetric sensors for detection and quantification of chemical and biological agents in water by performing combinatorial selection of DNA aptamers for cyanobacteria toxins such as microcystins and saxitoxins. Aptamers are single stranded DNA that can bind target molecules with high affinity and specificity. Such DNA aptamers are biocompatible, biodegradabl ...

Currently there is no real-time technology to detect airborne biological warfare agents (BWAs). Conventional technologies require 30 minutes to 1 hour. We propose to design, fabricate and test user-friendly, low-logistical-load biosensors capable of the real-time (~ 30 s. or less) detection and identification of airborne BWAs with high sensitivity and specificity for all classes of bioagents – ...

Very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) detectors are highly needed for midcourse phase missile defense. Blocked impurity band detectors are capable of sensing at these wavelengths but require extremely low temperatures, in the 10K or less range. The InAs/GaSb Type II heterostructure system offers unique design flexibility for new innovative detectors. By incorporating dark current reduction techniq ...

Stringent requirements on the performance of third generation HgCdTe infrared detectors demand the availability of affordable high quality substrates with very large areas. The large areas are needed both for the fabrication of single very large focal plane arrays (FPAs) (2048x2048) and to increase the yield of smaller size FBAs per wafer. The quality of commercial CdTe/Si technology, the best lar ...

The MDA's request to detect, track and discriminate long range targets requires infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs) that have higher sensitivities, longer cutoff wavelengths (>14 µm), larger formats (> 256 x 256), and higher operating temperatures than the current infrared technology. PbSnTe is an ideal material for the MDA's requirements. Its carrier mobilities and quantum efficiencies are comp ...

End-to-end communications systems are often so complex that system designers have difficulty keeping track of the constraints, trades, interface requirements, and interdependencies among components. The Communications System Taxonomy (CommTax) and Toolkit proposed herein represents further refinement of an innovative tool that Infinite Global Infrastructures has recently developed internally to as ...

C2BMC is an important component of BMDS. The logistics support tail sustainment challenges in C2BMC are related to the unusual spiral development process employed by C2BMC. Formal metrics such as MTTR and MLDT have not been defined. Nor have spare parts analysis, training needs analysis or documentation support issues been formalized. There is enormous scope for both process re-engineering and tec ...