Award Data

A need exists for inexpensive, disposable, broadcast capable chemical / explosive-compound sensors that also provide site weather conditions. The state-of-the-art does not meet the need described both in terms of CWA sensor cost/size and lack of a low-cost deployment system. ADA proposes under this three-phased SBIR program to develop a system comprised of a suite of covert, modular, lightweight ...

Potentially insufficient corn stock supplies make necessary the development of industrial yeast strains for converting alternative cellulosic materials for renewable fuel sources. This project investigates the feasibility and develops the capability of using Holographic Optical Trapping as an automated manipulation tool for yeast cells, to characterize and evaluate yeast strains.

Basic science discoveries have led to the development of a series of human biotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancer and HIV as well as many other diseases. Currently there are over 400 drugs in clinical trials just for the first two diseases. The current biotherapeutics' manufacturing platforms have not kept pace resulting in a dramatic rise in treatment cost and more importantly unmet the ...

Removal and disposal of agricultural mulch films made from polyethylene requires large expenditures of time and money, and creates excessive demand for landfill space. The purpose of this project is to create agricultural mulch films from renewable resources that can be incorporated into the soil for disposal rather than being landfilled.

Efficient, cost-effective systems are not currently available for the continuous sensing of dangerous, noxious gases, such as ammonia, in the intensive livestock operation (ILO) environment. Development of these sensors will provide information for the regulation of ventilation and protection of animal and worker health. The purpose of this project is to develop a sensor that will result in increa ...

Current methods of transmitting low-frequency RF energy from airborne platforms involve antennas such as blades that are electrically inefficient and a place a large aerodynamic burden on the airframe. SOCOM desires a method of efficiently transmitting low-frequency energy (VHF-UHF) at high power levels from airborne platforms. The desired gain numbers (-2 to 0 dB) at these frequencies would requi ...

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) biopesticides are an environmentally safe alternative to chemical pesticides but less efficacious than chemical alternatives. The purpose of this study is to determine the suitability of BtBooster in improving Bt biopesticides so that it as good as or better than the more efficacious chemical alternatives.

The single most effective method to thwart security threats posed by people with hostile intent is to detect their presence early. Unfortunately, large scale standoff detection of humans is difficult. Various sensors, including still and video cameras, have been designed and applied to human detection, however, to date a person is required to be in the detection loop since robust, automated detect ...

The soils in arid environments of the Western United States are experiencing increasing pressure from mining, energy extraction, ranching, and population. These pressures lead to erosion, landscape degradation, and reduced biodiversity, that is shortly followed by unsustainable environments and degraded economies. The purpose of this project is to examine the factors that promote the reestablishme ...

Existing biodiesel production methods rely on refined vegetable oils and the refining process adds considerable cost to biodiesel product. This project seeks to develop a new biodiesel production processes that can tolerate unrefined oils and fats containing high levels of free fatty acid, thus lowering the cost of biodiesel and utilizing lower-grade vegetable oil and animal fat sources.