Award Data

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy is a widely used and extremely sensitive analytical technique for qualitative as well as quantitative chemical analysis. Superconducting Transition Edge Sensor (TES) microcalorimeter detectors have now been developed that achieve an energy resolution of 2 eV (full width at half maximum) for 1.5 keV X-rays, which is sufficient to enable the measurement of the small s ...

We propose the development of a near infrared/shortwave infrared (NIR/SWIR) sensor based on mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) in an n-type/barrier/n-type (nBn) architecture, designed for room-temperature operation in the 0.7 to 2.8µm NIR/SWIR spectral range. The sensor will compete as a low cost/high performance alternative to near infrared indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs)-based cameras by prov ...

Biotechnology, aerospace, automotive and communications industries need small ultra-precise, three dimensional parts for component miniaturization. Present metal cutting technology is rapidly reaching its limits. A new technology is required to accelerate this trend. Atometric will pursue innovations in ultra-precision multi-axis machine tools. The machining capacity will be within a cube of 50 mm ...

SmartSpark Energy Systems proposes a battery-free power supply for unattended field use that combines advanced power electronics with state-of-the-art photovoltaics and high-density double-layer capacitors. The technical challenges are to develop and apply sophisticated power electronics for optimal energy management of a photovoltaic source, to store the energy efficiently in a reversible proces ...

An innovative superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter array with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) readouts is described for high energy and high spatial resolution X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and microanalysis. The proposed microcalorimeter instrument offers an energy resolution that is comparable to and potentially even better than wavelength disp ...