Award Data

ABSTRACT: The objective of this project is to design and fabricate multi-signal in-situ ablation sensors based on an acoustic transducer system, thermal measurement system (i.e., either photonic technology or in-situ thermal sensors based on ultra small thermocouples), and fast inverse heat transfer algorithms. This project will use the following approaches: Utilize commercially available opt ...

ABSTRACT: In order to achieve precise guidance, navigation and control in re-entry vehicles, aerodynamic shape must be accurately known throughout the flight trajectory. For this Phase I program an ultrasonic-based technique for real-time, non-intrusive (5 KHz) measurement of recession during ablation will be developed. The system combines the elements of ultrasonic thickness gauging technology w ...

ABSTRACT: Robust optical coatings are of great importance across a broad spectrum of applications. Hard, durable, stress-free coatings are needed and used in everything from ophthalmic polymers to infrared optics. One of the principal shortcomings of typical inorganic oxide, nitride, and sulfide coatings when applied to polymeric substrates is the large difference in the coefficient of thermal ...

ABSTRACT: The objective of this STTR Phase I proposal is to investigate the feasibility of a hybrid organic/inorganic gradient index anti-reflective (GRIN-AR) coating on both rigid and flexible substrates, based on the resonant infrared matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (RIR-MAPLE) process. The hybrid organic/inorganic material approach enables both optical index control, as well as mechan ...

ABSTRACT: The proposed research will demonstrate feasibility of a high temperature insulating, load bearing thermal protection system (TPS) using a hybrid composite technology. This program will incorporate a hierarchically porous ceramic core material in a sandwich structure with a conventional polymer matrix composite (PMC) and ceramic matrix composite (CMC) to fabricate an enhanced TPS. This m ...

ABSTRACT: Future Air Force as well as other DoD and NASA missions require structural composites capable of enduring peak hot surface temperatures of 3000 degrees F or higher while providing cold face temperatures of 600 degrees F or lower to prevent damage to underlying structures and components. Potential missions that would benefit from or be enabled by materials and structures with such capabi ...

ABSTRACT: The work proposed involves the design and prototype concept creation of a high-performance thermal energy storage device (TES) based on graphene/ultrathin graphite and organic phase change materials. To achieve these goals, the following specific tasks will be accomplished: 1. Fabrication and design: use of emerging fabrication processes to develop a sub-scale three-dimensional struc ...

ABSTRACT: In Phase I, we will analyze and design a physically small superconducting antenna for HF DF. We will develop a set of target antenna specifications. We will model and simulate a superconducting antenna for this application, including control electronics. We will complete an array design and device fabrication. We will measure noise properties of high-Tc ion-damage junction SQUID arrays. ...

ABSTRACT: In this program, we propose to develop a miniaturized Electromagnetic (EM) wave sensor based on defect engineered slotted photonic crystal waveguide (PCW) Mach Zehnder interferometer (MZI). EO polymers with large EO coefficient (r33>150pm/V) will be designed and synthesized to refill the slot PCW in order to take advantage of high field concentration in the narrow slots. Band engineered ...

ABSTRACT: This work will develop high-transition temperature (HTS) Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) for wide-bandwidth receiver applications. Two dimensional arrays of ion damaged Josephson junctions will be designed and simulated to achieve a highly linear voltage response for unlocked operation. A variety of thin film YBCO HTS materials will be grown and patterned with ion ...