Award Data

"Energetic thermite composites are composed of a metal fuel (e.g. Al) and an oxidizer (e.g. Fe2O3). Thermite composites have a much higher reaction enthalpy per cm3 than conventional explosives such as TNT. However, current thermite composites do notyield a higher reactive power because of the large diffusion distance between the metal fuel and oxidizer in thermite powders. To minimize the diff ...

"BNS and University of Colorado at Boulder propose a novel spectral optical code division muliple access (OCDMA) system with bipolar coede capability for use in ultra-high-speed communication applications. A prototype one-dimensional spectral OCDMA systemwill by construted, and the feasibility of a two-dimensional (2-D) OCDMA system will be demonstrated using digital micromirror or liquid crystal ...

"BNS and University of Colorado at Boulder propose a novel spectral optical code division muliple access (OCDMA) system with bipolar coede capability for use in ultra-high-speed communication applications. A prototype one-dimensional spectral OCDMA systemwill by construted, and the feasibility of a two-dimensional (2-D) OCDMA system will be demonstrated using digital micromirror or liquid crystal ...

"Composite Technology Development, Inc. and Northwestern University propose to develop the smart materials technology, manufacturing processes and engineering methods that will enable the design and fabrication of reliable, robust and economical thin,lightweight deployable composite mirrors for space-based and ground-based applications. The Phase I program will address key feasibility demonstrati ...

"Specially engineered self-assembling ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLCs) structures are capable of photonic bandgap functions, light emission, GHz electro-optic modulation, and second harmonic generation. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the ability tointegrate FLCs with silicon integrated circuits for both experimental applications (e.g. smart pixels, optical processing) and commercial applica ...

"FlesSys Inc. and the University of Michigan propose to develop and validate the performance of an active mechanical flow control device based on advanced complaint strictures technology. During STTR Phase I, PlexSys Inc (dba Mechnanical Compliance Inc.)has successfully developed a Gigh-Frequency Mechanical Vortex Generator by combining a compliant displacement-amplifier with a coice-coil generato ...

We propose to provide both frequency domain and time domain capabilities for the modeling of electromagnetic (EM) waves in dielectric media with the goal of accurate modeling of omnidirectional reflectors. Omnidirectional reflectors, constructed withlayers of dielectrics, reflect electromagnetic radiation is 100% efficiency for all incident angles and polarizations. The Phase I effort will carry ...

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. ...

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 ...

This work seeks to identify and analyze the major performance issues facing chip-based ultracold atom inertial sensors. Such sensors have enormous potential to provide unprecedented inertial sensing precision with competitive size, weight, and power consumption compared with optical and other technologies. Nevertheless, many potential issues affecting design performance are either not well explo ...