Award Data

The proposing team has developed an innovative antenna technology called the “Confetti” antenna that is particularly suited to this application, offering potentially revolutionary performance in antenna efficiency, bandwidth, and compactness. We propose to design and optimize a compact “Confetti” antenna for high-power, directive applications. This antenna will have a volume of only 500 ...

Due to the limitations and power requirements of modern computational hardware and sensors, the central goals of smallness and high-level autonomy (usually associated with higher algorithmic complexity and computational cost) are directly at odds with each other. Current small UAVs often shed weight through the use of limited sensors and rudimentary algorithms, while very high-level autonomy usua ...

Polymers and paints in space are subjected to a barrage of incident oxygen atoms, UV and VUV photons and ions. The oxygen atoms and photons can erode the polymer and the ions can lead to the buildup of static charge. This Phase I proposal will use atomic layer deposition (ALD) methods to coat polymers with various conformal films to protect the polymer and prevent the buildup of static charge. ...

Applied Systems Intelligence proposes to design an intelligent control architecture based on our associate system technology to provide a UAV-equipped medic team the ability to autonomously coordinate activities in a combat environment. In Phase I, ASI will document the specific demands on this type of system, design an architecture that includes associate system software for integrated combat int ...

This proposal describes the work performed by the DIME Effects Modeling (DEM) team, composed of Applied Systems Intelligence, Inc. (ASI) and the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (CADS). CADS brings leading technology research and cognitive modeling experience to the partnership while ASI contributes a proven cognitive engine and commercialization channels through their existing contracts. Tog ...

Ascent Solar Technologies (AST) proposes to develop atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) of zinc-magnesium-oxide (ZnMgO) as an n-type transparent conducting oxide (TCO) for the top contact that will match the material properties of new buffer and window layers being developed for new wide-bandgap devices. AST’s innovative approach proposes to make the definitive light-absorber ...

Ascent Solar Technologies (ITN) proposes to take the next step in spacecraft solar array development, building upon previous development to make the definitive thin-film photovoltaic (TFPV) device for high-efficiency (> 20%) and high-specific power (greater than 2000 W/kg) when combined with lightweight and flexible substrates. ITN will develop wide-bandgap cadmium selenide (CdSe) as a high-effic ...

Uncooled focal plane array (FPA) technology has evolved such that high performance is achieved in the long wavelength infrared (LWIR) with small pixel pitch and fast time constant. Small pitch allows high resolution with reduction in optics size and weight. Black Forest Engineering (BFE) has demonstrated 1024x768 a-Si:H FPAs with 20 um pixel pitch, noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) < ...

Uncooled focal plane array (FPA) technology, based on a-Si:H micro-bolometer thermal detectors, has evolved such that high performance can be achieved with small pixel pitch, large array format and fast thermal time constant. This improved FPA sensor technology allows development of miniaturized infrared video cameras with high sensitivity and spatial resolution to support a wide range of missions ...

This work studies key issues facing the practical utilization and commercialization of a miniature atom chip vacuum system. The system consists of a two-dimensional magneto-optic trap (MOT) forming a cold atom beam that is recaptured by a 6-beam MOT in an ultrahigh vacuum region of the system. A miniature ion pump and non-evaporable getters sustain the ultrahigh vacuum. The atom chip serves to s ...