Award Data

The proposed effort aims to develop technologies to improve the acoustics performance of abrasive blasting nozzles for paint and surface coatings removal. The objective is to investigate the noise generation mechanisms of abrasive blasting operations and develop a quiet, effective and efficient nozzle. This development is to optimize the acoustics and productivity performance of blasting nozzles a ...

Guidestar Optical Systems (Guidestar) proposes to fabricate and deliver a prototype Adaptive Optics (AO) system for a meter class telescope used for Space Surveillance. This AO system was designed in the Phase I effort to integrate with a Government provided AO system. Through modeling and simulation, Guidestar demonstrated the ability to detect closely spaced objects at Geosynchronous orbit from ...

Ground-based testing of air / space-borne sensors & trackers (SBIRS, GMD, THAAD, etc.) requires achromatic optical collimation systems that can project dynamic scenes & targets at very large apparent distances. The collimation system must undergo major adjustments to optimally accommodate the FOV of various test articles, but the projection quality is extremely sensitive to misalignment of the lar ...

To reduce size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-c), military platforms have been evolving towards more integrated platforms that utilize all available space. For radiating systems, this will require exploring innovative design methods, materials and manufacturing approaches to realize cost-effective, customizable and conformal antennas. An attractive solution to this challenge is offered by additive ...

Liquefied methane is a promising fuel for space launch vehicles because it has a high specific impulse, excellent cooling capacity, and is very resistant to coking and soot formation. Unfortunately, it is also a very stable molecule and therefore ignition delay times can exceed combustor residence times. In the Phase I portion of the project, TDA Research Inc. (TDA) developed catalysts that impr ...

Across the United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD) there is growing concern about the US’s ability to counter emerging air and missile threats from peer and near-peer adversaries. The coordinated use of all available sensor and weapon assets may serve to reduce the advantages afforded to our adversaries by these new threats. The Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) program s ...

The next generation Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) is currently undergoing an upgrade to integrate new Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) capabilities. The high-power processors required generate more heat than previous shop replaceable units (SRUs). The upgraded MIDS JTRS radio terminal will generate up to approximately 30% higher ...

In the Phase II effort, CEI will develop an Advanced Direct Digital Exciter for Radar (ADDER) targeted for the AN/SPS 49A(V) (SPS-49) search radar as part of the SPS-49 technical refresh with relevance to other military and commercial applications (e.g. exciter, Software Defined Radio (SDR)). ADDER will directly replace the multi-step Intermediate Frequency (IF) analog conversion with direct-digit ...

This Phase II Small Business Innovation Research project develops the scale of lithium-ion direct recycling technologies applied to gain efficiencies in materials management from original manufacturing to end-of-life. The scrap materials are from Defense Logistics Agency manufacturing activities. A successful effort moves direct recycle TRL from 4 to 6, increases process throughput, qualifies mate ...

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis is used on-board submarines to generate breathing oxygen for the crew. Expensive noble metals are used as electrocatalysts and these precious metals contribute to approximately 25% of the cost of the electrolysis cell. Greatly reducing or eliminating the amount of noble metal electrocatalysts would significantly reduce the cost of the electrolysis ce ...