Award Data

In Phase I, a demonstration SUpersonic Rain Erosion (SURE) facility was developed which demonstrated the capability of producing spherical, millimeter-sized droplets repeatedly at velocities up to 1200 feet per second. Data were collected to extend the speed range of the facility and droplet size. Based on these results, a Phase II prototype facility will be built that could attain speeds of 240 ...

The field of hyperspectral imaging has undergone tremendous development in the past decade. Research and development of the hyperspectral imaging in military applications has primarily focused on air-to-ground and space-to-ground reconnaissance of stationary military targets and terrestrial backgrounds. In this SBIR program, researchers of Dymas Research propose an innovative hyperspectral imaging ...

Highly reactive nanocomposite powders will be consolidated into solid shapes suitable for use as structural components of munitions. Nanostructured, reactive composites of intermetallic or thermite compositions have been prepared recently by Arrested Reactive Milling (ARM). Specific materials prepared previously include compositions in the systems Al-Fe2O3, Al-MoO3, and B-Ti. The prepared nanoco ...

There is a need for broadband infrared light source for simulation projection systems operating at room temperature. We are proposing to develop tunable quantum cascade infrared light emitters based on III-V nitride semiconductors. During Phase I, the proposed emitter will be designed and fabricated. Electro-luminescence in the infrared will be measured at room temperature and low temperatures. In ...

Photonic devices providing high performance spectral filtering, multiplexing, optical waveform processing, and signal routing will be designed, fabricated, and characterized. The devices are based on photolithographic scribing of holographic structures onto the surface of planar waveguides and operate on intra-guide signals. The holographic structures provide a manufacturable approach to 2D phot ...

NanoOpto proposes to combine novel nano-structured materials with liquid crystal actuators in an extension of resonant grating filter theory to design a highly compact, high performance, easily manufactured, dynamic spectral filter. The theoretical breakthrough is twofold: first, in the use of nano-scale gratings in the filter design - this allows significantly and continuously modify material pr ...

Single crystals of lithium niobate can be used to construct a very simple passive agile filter, in which an incoming beam interferes with its own back-reflection to set up a diffraction grating that results in energy transfer and depletion of the transmitted power. The virtue of such an approach is that it can respond to incident coherent radiation of any wavelength within its range of sensitivit ...

There exists a critical need for revolutionary, new aerospace propulsion-related technologies. The micro Laser Plasma Thruster (uLPT) which Photonic Associates originated is such a technology. Our uLPT uses a cluster of diode lasers focused to a 25mm spot on the back of a transparent tape coated with a 50mm-thick carbon-containing absorbing layer. As the tape moves across the laser focus, a high- ...

We will develop a detailed conceptual design study of precision propulsion techniques, and quantify the expected performance characteristics with analysis, modeling and hardware. We will determine spacecraft performance criteria for spacecraft operating in clusters, propulsion system requirements, and analyze spacecraft vector velocity and placement precison vs. thruster parameters. A key feature ...

Plasmatronics has developed a unique oxygen singlet delta generator having the potential to replace the dangerous and bulky chemical "COIL" generator currently being used to power oxygen iodine lasers in military applications. Our process does not use any stored reactive chemicals - only oxygen plus inert gases, helium and argon. Oxygen activation is accomplished by a 40% efficient electrical proc ...