Award Data

The development of a non-contact measurement system is of particular importance to implementing an automated method for thickness measurement of critical coatings on internal/external aircraft composite structures. The objective of the proposed research project is to continue development of a non-contact measurement technology and produce a fully functional prototype device for use in robotic app ...

The development of a robotic sanding system is of particular importance to implementing an automated method for sanding critical, high performance coatings to final thickness and surface finish requirements on internal/external aircraft composite structures. The objective of the proposed research project is to continue development of robotic sanding technology and produce a fully functional proto ...

The Global War on Terrorism is increasing pressure for DOD depots to expedite the return of serviceable weapon systems to the warfighter while maintaining or decreasing maintenance costs. Each military service has responded to this challenge by undertaking enterprise-wide logistics modernization programs. Efficient data capture and programmatic data input is a primary obstacle in the production ...

Many Department of Defense (DoD) weapon systems are operating beyond their original design specifications, resulting in failures requiring unplanned parts, materials and sustainment procedures. Such U.S. Air Force weapon systems are collectively denoted as aging aircraft. A large number of aging aircraft in conjunction with newer weapon systems are overhauled, repaired and reused directly or ind ...

Many AEDC personnel are tasked with supporting facility operations by providing testing support, instrumentation support, facilities engineering and facilities maintenance. This requires personnel to spend some of their time in their normally assigned work areas and portions of their time in and around test cells, wind tunnel control areas, and on the wind tunnels themselves. The AEDC plant area ...

The AEDC Engine Test Facility (ETF) has more than 20 test cells that can be used for testing prototype propulsion systems and components. A variety of rotating machinery, including compressors and pumps, is crucial to wind tunnel operations. The unplanned failure of a major component can have a major impact on testing schedules. As such, there is significant motivation to avoid unplanned outag ...

The AEDC Engine Test Facility (ETF) has more than 20 test cells that can be used for testing prototype propulsion systems and components. The testing of propulsion systems requires significant data acquisition capabilities, with one test utilizing more than 4200 channels of instrumentation, including 200 dynamic strain gages. In response to the sheer set-up challenge, AEDC has developed the conc ...

A ceramic material is proposed wherein surface morphologies are used which enhance the heat transfer performance and reduce heat exchanger weight and volume. This technology would provide a means by which next generation return fuel/air cooler (RFAC) heat exchanger systems could be improved upon. The basic concept is to increase the area-to-volume ratio by fabricating materials which have porous ...

Feasibility of a rechargeable lithium battery with sulfur cathode will be demonstrated. Air Force needs high specific energy, low cost rechargeable batteries for solar energy storage. Low cathode utilization and cycle fade have prevented Li-S batteries from reaching their potential. Cathode utilization can be improved dramatically using apolar and polar solvents in combination. Typically porous s ...

This STTR Phase I project is designed to develop a novel process for fabricating a nano-grained ceramic material for infrared windows. The proposed STTR builds upon our previous Phase I (Navy) SBIR experience to minimize risks and maximize the likelihood of success. This proposed work will utilize an innovative method to fabricate nanocrystalline alumina infrared window materials with significantl ...