Award Data

ABSTRACT: Requirements for enhanced cruise efficiency and reduced noise for future Air Force mobility transports can be met using advanced propeller and propfan technology. However, identifying designs that balance performance and acoustics requirements for multiple flight conditions poses a serious analytical challenge, given structural constraints, weight considerations, and drivetrain interac ...

ABSTRACT: It has been a challenge to realize the benefits of energetic metal nanoparticles due to the severe oxidation that occurs on the particle surface, which leads to significantly diminished performance during combustion. We propose to improve the energetic properties and air-stability of aluminum nanoparticles by encapsulating them with a relatively noble metal that can undergo an exothermi ...

This SBIR Phase I proposal is aimed at the development of the ultra-sensitive detector for the far infrared (FIR) and terahertz (THz) bands of electromagnetic radiation. The device is inherently optical, operates at room temperature and of submillimeter size. The proposed technology is based on coupling the radiation to be measured to the mechanical degree of freedom of an optical microcavity and ...

ABSTRACT: As the size, cost, and power consumption of digital signal processing platforms continue to drop and their performance improves, incorporating digital beam-former (DBF) designs into future SATCOM satellite payloads has become an increasingly attractive option. The advantages offered by digital beam-forming stem from the ability to create composite antenna patterns that vary with both s ...

ABSTRACT: We propose to demonstrate the benefits of a self-healing coating (SHC) system (comprised of MIL-PRF-85285 compliant self-healing top coat; MIL-PRF-23377 Class N primer; chromate-free pretreatment) on repaired and restored aluminum. Innovations are proposed for a self-healing polyurethane-based top coat that satisfies the functional performance requirements for the present application. T ...

ABSTRACT: For this SBIR topic, we have proposed a novel high-power optical fiber pump combiner design that addresses the specific challenges associated with counter-pumping large-mode-area (LMA) double-clad gain fibers. Based on modeling and design optimization, we will fabricate kilowatt capable power combiner prototypes for pump coupling to double-clad Yb-doped polarization-maintaining (PM) fi ...

As new applications arise for small gas turbine engines, the need to advance engine component technologies becomes essential, since they are required to run faster, hotter, and longer. Particularly critical in this regard are the shaft bearings. Since they operate without lubricant, air foil bearings have been identified as viable replacements to conventional liquid lubricated bearings. An adva ...

Lasercom, namely, free-space optical (FSO) communication, has many advantages over the traditional RF communication channels widely used in military communications. Some notable advantages of lasercom are no need for licensing for frequency allocation, immunity to radio frequency interference, and low probability of interception and detection. The biggest disadvantage of lasercom, however, is its ...

The Navy is interested in developing high power and high operation efficiency pumps at 808nm for multiple Navy applications. VCSEL technology offers an excellent choice for the development of such laser pumps. Princeton Optronics has developed the technology of high power VCSEL arrays delivering hundreds of watts of power from small chips with>55% efficiency at 976nm. We would use improvements of ...

The objective of this SBIR Phase I proposal is to develop a lightweight, cost-effective, and high-temperature resistant portable helipad for future helicopters and vertical landing aircrafts. Portable helipads are critical for forward operating bases, and enable aircrafts to land in any area safely and quickly without causing the brownout. The current technology is very effective for rotary crafts ...