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 a rapid mapping and 3-D visualization system especially suited for tunnels, urban"canyons", inside buildings and other environments where GPS may be poor or not available. The system includes mobile Sensor Nodes (mobile robots in our Phase I) that wirelessly supply compressed 3D range data and color imagery to a central Fusion Node. The Fusion Node runs 3D reconstruction and model-bui ...

In this phase I proposal we propose development studies for a vaccine targeting diseases caused by infection with Streptococcus pyogenes. This vaccine utilizes a recombinant fusion protein comprising of SpeA, a secreted toxin, and SpeB, a surface bound and secreted cysteine protease. Combination of these two virulence factors provides protection against most strains of the bacteria. This antigen ...

This project builds on patterns derived from natural antimicrobial peptide sequences to develop novel compounds with better systemic activity, lower cytotoxicity and broader spectrum activity against multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens. In Phase I and the

Silicon carbide (SiC) based devices are currently under investigation for their improved efficiency and high thermal stability. Compared to silicon, SiC has an exceptionally high thermal conductivity and also exhibits better mechanical properties. However, limited research has been performed on SiC device-level model development that can be used for developing circuit level designs. In many cases, ...

The proposed SBIR Phase I program will develop an innovative fuel flexible reformer for a portable Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) power generation system used in the battlefields. The fuel reformer is non-catalytic and can operate with different fuels including methanol, propane, and JP fuels, without suffering catalyst degradation common to catalytic-based fuel reformers. The impurities in the fu ...

General Sciences, Inc. (GSI) will design, produce, evaluate and characterize reactive shaped charge liners (RSCL) that possess high density (9-16 g/cc), exothermicity (T>2000K), storage stability and the ability to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs), chemical and biological weapons and provide a wall breaching capability. GSI will use metal-metal composites that possess high density, high ...

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop an advanced thermoelectric generator (TEG) that will improve the overall efficiency of 100-kW class generator sets (gensets). Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) proposes a novel thermoelectric generation system to convert exhaust heat into useful electrical energy. The current exhaust recovery systems operate in the low-te ...

The traction (friction) of a tribological contact under low EHD film thickness relative to the surface roughness of the contacting pair is significantly influenced by the surface roughness. A reduction in roughness toward a superfinished surface reduces the traction coefficient. Gear efficiency for fuel economy can be improved with reduced gear surface roughness. The proposed cost effective eff ...

The widespread use of serious games for military training has been accompanied by a growing concern that too little attention is paid to the underlying instructional design or pedagogical theory. Even in objective-driven game design, serious games with cognitive learning objectives can lack effective, customized performance feedback. Tutoring systems, such as AutoTutor, create opportunities for ...