Award Data

Currently, there are over 10,000 MRI scanners used in the US alone. US citizens today are mobile and many times medical treatments may require MRI scans from several different facilities. Images from MRI scanners can also drift over time. There is a tremendous need for all medical imaging scanners to be on the same level. Sigma-K will develop the commercialization of the ISMRM/NIST MRI Calibration ...

Single chirality of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is critical for their superb mechanical, thermal, optical and electronic properties. All known methods for producing nanotubes give mixtures of tubes with different chiralities. Physical separation of SWCNT by chirality is thus an enabling step for many potential applications and fundamental studies. The existing anion exchange resins are ...

The applicant will develop a wave energy harvesting system for NOAA buoys. It will ve entirely self-contained (no protruding elements), modular, scalable, and easily deployed. The system employs a unique, inertial mechanism that responds to acceleration forces created by waves. This mechanism will be combined with (1) a proprietary generator that is sensitive to very low levels of torque and ha ...

Outdoor acoustics simulation plays a vital role in several army and defense-related applications, such as minimizing the noise profile of reconnaissance vehicles to avoid counter-detection, optimizing sensors and systems for tactical advantage, and pinpointing the origin of gunshots using their acoustic signatures. Outdoor acoustics prediction technology is needed to efficiently model large, compl ...

EE Boost Inc. proposes to develop a new, fast and accurate hybrid wave-based method for acoustic simulation in large and complex environments. The hybrid method combines two efficient methods: the pseudo-spectral time-domain (PSTD) method and the enlarged cell technique (ECT). The PSTD method is extremely fast and accurate in computing fields in large cuboids without internal boundaries and interf ...

The proposed research effort is focused on developing a highly conducting, nanostructured membrane for use in high temperature direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). Polymer nanofiber mats with high temperature stability and water retaining inorganic nanoparticles will be prepared through electrospinning process. The nanofiber mats will be compacted and the pores will be infiltrated using a hydrophobi ...

Applied Quantum Technologies proposes the development of a snapshot Raman spectral imager for chemical imaging applications with a 1-5 meter standoff. Standoff chemical imaging methods are typically point-based, making scan times impractical for situations where a wide area needs to be surveyed. The high spectral resolution needed to take advantage of the specificity of Raman spectroscopy limits t ...

One of the most critical challenges facing our war fighter is to detect enemy fire quickly and accurately for force protection. Existing acoustic systems protect against gunshots only and are relatively slow; optical systems are large and expensive, suffer from a high false alarm rate, and do not provide 360 degree coverage. To address these issues, Oceanit has developed an enhanced Hostile Fire ...

A solicitation has requested a feasibility study on the topic of enhanced capabilities for the SD-IED disrupter tool, used for neutralization of IED"s and other explosive devices. Specifically, the solicitation requests investigation of designs for electrically-initiated semiautomatic disrupter devices with greatly-reduced recoil transfer for EOD robotic platforms. The new design must maintain com ...

Sustainable biofuel solutions that produce drop-in diesel and jet fuels compatible with existing petroleum-based infrastructure are critical to reducing the environmental impact of petroleum fuels and protecting US energy independence. Fungal systems can address this problem through the production of long-chain, high-energy density hydrocarbon fuels from sustainable biomass feedstocks. The objecti ...