Award Data

Underground cross-border tunnels of all sizes and shapes are an increasingly important threat to our National security. Finding cross-border tunnels is a challenging task and once found, an additional challenge is secure and map the entire underground tunnel. Manned entry into these dangerous underground environments is a risky endeavor. The use of robotics offers a great improvement over human en ...

We propose to design and implement a query-based approach to interoperable modeling and simulation of composite material structures, that usually contain the manufacturing recipe within their design. In Phase I, we established the feasibility of the approach using a demonstration scenario of CAD/CAE interoperability for assemblies. In Phase II, we propose to develop a series of use-case scenarios ...

To meet the critical security needs of the Department of Homeland Security and others, we propose two methods for providing a secure root of trust for mobile devices. One method is designed to integrate as easily into existing systems, while the other requires deeper integration but provides correspondingly stronger security. The keys to our work are practicality and integration: practicality to e ...

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires an affordable anomaly detection device for non-destructive inspection to determine if perceived hollow spaces are empty or densely packed with contraband. DHS has identified a need to detect narcotics, weapons, explosives or other contraband smuggled over the border, onto planes, or carried into public venues while concealed in hollow spaces such ...

In the proposed effort, we will leverage this extensive experience and capabilities to realize a frequency agile mmW radiometer that can cover the range of DC-110 GHz and can be scaled to DC-200 GHz under Phase II. Ours is a photonic system that multiplies and up-coverts a low-frequency reference signal onto an optical carrier (laser) using EO modulation, then uses the modulation sidebands to inj ...

Quantifying oceanic CO2 uptake and ocean acidification and understanding their impact on global climate and ocean ecology are key goals of NOAA’s climate change research programs. NOAA’s request for Development of a long-term Lagrangian pH and pCO2 drifter (SBIR Subtopic 8.3.1C) aims to address these goals by developing technology that measures both pCO2 and pH that can be widely deployed in t ...

A GHz-rate phase-stabilized fiber-laser frequency comb system is proposed to be used as a light source for coherent Fourier transform spectroscopy. The system will be developed based on our proprietary glass/fiber technology, which features a low-cost, robust, highly stable, mid-infrared light source that enables the development of a robust portable c-FTIR spectrometer for absorption measurements ...

This SBIR Phase I effort will establish the feasibility of fabricating advanced waveguide structures in potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) capable of efficiently generating 25 to 40 mW of frequency converted light in the 395 to 480 nm. The key innovation in this effort is to utilize KTP waveguides in a single-pass frequency doubling device to efficiently produce the desired laser wavelengths and po ...

This NIST Phase II SBIR effort will two low noise single photon detectors using MgO doped LiNbO3 (LN) periodically poled waveguides and a 980nm (or similar appropriate wavelength) pump to up convert 1550nm photons to 600nm to allow for detection by photomultiplier tube (PMT). The key innovation is using low noise periodically poled waveguides with a long wavelength (1800nm) pump leading to higher ...

We will conduct a study to explore current diagnostic imaging technologies, a search for novel technologies, or combinations of known technologies in innovative and novel packaging that can potentially meet the sophisticated diagnostic imaging needs of the bomb technician. We will analyze novel and futuristic potential techniques to provide decision making via a ranking of the impact and effective ...