Award Data

High performance metals, ceramics, and hard coatings are used in military applications to enhance the performance of key systems needed by the warfighter. One of the most prevalent operations to remove material, achieve the desired surface finish, or enhance part quality is bulk and finish grinding. For typical cutting speeds, conventional synthetic or oil-based coolants are sufficient to remove ...

A completely automatic, cost-effective, production of garments and other sewn items can be achieved. A novel approach that depends heavily on computing, high performance servo systems, and machine vision has been demonstrated. This proposal will lead to a the most critical element of such automation, a completely automatic sewing machine that will sew arbitrary but controlled paths in the two ...

Structural ceramics are desirable for high-performance missile radomes due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and their ability to withstand high temperatures. Currently, the only way to machine silicon nitride to the tolerances and quality required involves a time-consuming and expensive diamond grinding process that can induce

High performance metals, ceramics, and hard coatings are used in military applications to enhance the performance of key systems needed by the warfighter. One of the most prevalent operations to remove material, achieve the desired surface finish, or enhance part quality is bulk and finish grinding. For typical cutting speeds, conventional synthetic or oil-based coolants are sufficient to remove ...

In Phase II, Propagation Research Associates, Inc., (PRA) proposes to complete the development of a real-time nowcast of ionospheric scintillation impacts on GPS users. Continuing its partnership with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, PRA will implement real-time production of a map of ionospheric scintillation parameters over the United States using real-time data streamed from the National Geo ...

The proposed research addresses Climate Adaptation and Mitigation: Probability Forecasts of Business Impact Variables from CFS2 Ensembles. Climate Forecast Applications Network (CFAN) develops innovative weather and climate forecast tools that support decision-oriented solutions for our clients. The focus of this proposal is on business-relevant subseasonal forecasts for the energy and agricultura ...

Propagation Research Associates, Inc., (PRA) proposes to redesign our existing Enhanced Tropospheric Effects Compensation ground-based radio occultation (RO) measurement system, which was developed, prototyped, and demonstrated under previous SBIR contracts, for the purpose of optimizing cost and performance. Assimilation of space-based RO measurements into numerical weather models is a proven met ...

Precision laser welding shows great promise as a method for manufacturing high-temperature heat exchangers that can improve the performance of gas turbine engines used in unmanned air systems (UAS).UASs are finding broad use for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions for all DoD services and need these high-temperature heat exchangers (also called recuperators) to improve pe ...

The operational envelope of hypersonic projectiles and missiles is expanding to higher speeds and more sophisticated RF guidance systems.With this additional operational regime the need for low cost, high temperature materials, such as ceramics is becoming more important.Engineered ceramics manufacturing is a difficult process with frequent instances of flaws which are fatal for ceramic components ...

Normal aircraft braking is achieved through a process of reverse thrust and a system of hydraulically activated brakes located on the main wheels of the aircraft. These friction based systems offer limited performance benefits including reduced braking capabilities due to brake fade, thermal loading issues, and generally higher operational, maintenance, repair and overhaul costs over the life cycl ...