Award Data

This Phase I Small Business Innovation Research proposal will develop porous dielectrics as a low-cost, large-area detector for high spatial resolution x-ray detection. An alternative to microchannel plates, porous dielectric electron amplifiers are formed by a thin layer, generally less than 1 mm, of a low density dielectric. The microscopic pores formed in such material, provide a natural, but m ...

For propulsion related applications, materials must be able to demonstrate excellent ablation and oxidation resistance at temperature approaching 3500?C, adequate load bearing capabilities, non-catastrophic failure modes, and ability to withstand transient thermal shock. Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. (ACR) has developed low cost, flexible-manufacturing processes for Zr & Hf-based carbon fiber r ...

A major objection to the use of nuclear energy for space applications is the perceived risk involved in the launching of a fully fueled nuclear reactor. Even when it is pointed out that the fuel is in fact not radioactive, concerns persist. It is acknowledged that to design a reactor able to withstand all conceivable launch accidents would result in an impractical heavy design. To avoid the above ...

MEASUREMENTS OF THE INLET FLOW FIELDS OF AIRCRAFT PROPULSIONSYSTEMS ARE IMPORTANT IN DEFINING THE THRUST AND EFFICIENCY OF THESE ENGINES AS WELL AS IN FLIGHT SAFETY WHEN EXECUTING AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS. THIS PROJECT WILL DEVELOP A NON-INTRUSIVE LASER-DOPPLER VELOCIMETER (LDV) PROBE THAT IS COMPACT AND RUGGED ENOUGH TO PERFORM THESE MEASUREMENTS IN FLIGHT. THIS LDV PROBE WILL REPLACE THE MORE INTRUSI ...

This Phase I proposal develops a novel technology to automate the process of docking the Shuttle to the International Space Station (ISS). This technology is based on the Laser Dynamic Range Imager (LDRI) and a cross-plane point tracking algorithm. The LDRI provides the range measurement from the laser unit to the field of view for far or near inspection distances. The LDRI is a dynamic adaptation ...

BACKLIGHTS FOR PORTABLE COLOR LCD MATRIX DISPLAYS ARE EXTREMELY INEFFICIENT: 96% OF THE BATTERY POWER IS WASTED ON THE BACKLIGHT SYSTEM. A HIGH EFFICIENCY BACKLIGHT SYSTEM IS PROPOSED BASED ON THE USE OF MICRO-OPTICAL IMAGING OF RGB PHOSPHOR TRIADS ONTO THE LCD RGB PIXEL ROWS SO THAT THE 67% LOSS IN THE LCD FILTER SYSTEM IS AVOIDED. IN ADDITION A SPECIAL COLLIMATOR IS PROPOSED THAT CONCENTRATES TH ...

Manned exploration beyond Mars requires very high specific energy. The only potential solution under discussion is fusion propulsion. However, fusion has been ten years away for forty years. We have an available solution that combines new technology with an old concept ¿ ¿Project Orion¿. The proposed MagOrion Propulsion System combines a magnetic sail (MagSail) with conventional small yield (0. ...

Various planned NASA missions depend on the availability of reliable and efficient coolers that achieve temperatures below 6K. These coolers are needed as the upper stage for lower temperature coolers such as dilution refrigerators or adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators. Astronomical missions utilize such low temperatures to enhance infrared detector sensitivity and to cool optics. Low tempera ...

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