Award Data

Since 1986, ENTECH, NASA, and SDIO have pioneered the development of refractive space photovoltaic concentrator systems. We have developed functionally system hardware, including lenses, prismatic cell covers, single- and tandem-junction cells, and small arrays. This hardware has verified world-record performance levels for lenses, cells, and arrays. The present optical element is a small, dome-sh ...

When making a structure like AlGaAs or SiGe by heteroexpitaxial growth techniques, it would be nice to know when one atomic layer is completed so that the next can be started. The quality of the device depends on accurate control of the thickness and purity of each layer. Currently, no way exists to detect both layer growth and atomic composition during expitaxial processing of electronic and opto ...

A compact x-ray laser driver with a high repetition rate is the subject of this phase I project. Most existing x-ray laser drivers are huge (1000s of square feet of floor space), expensive ($10,000,000+), have a low repetition rate (1/hr), are complex and require several PhDs to keep them working. Thus applications of present x-ray lasers are limited. In contrast, the proposed laser will occupy on ...

Although there have been many advances in optics for low energy x-rays, (

Sarcos is currently developing a technology that can lead to low-cost millimeter-scale gyroscopes, multi axis inertial sensors, and very compact laser scanning devices. This technology, called Micro Disk Systems (MDS), is based on levitating a small disk above a VLSI substrate using electrostatic fields. AC stabilization of the fields ensures that the disk position remains suitable, and field-base ...

Diamond exhibits physical properties that make it an ideal material from which to construct electronic devices for high temperature, high frequency and/or high radiation applications. A major obstacle to the mass production of diamond electronics is the lack of a method for growing large area single crystal thin films of diamond on other materials. All reliable high deposition rate diamond growth ...

An extremely sensitive, low power, high durability solid state atomic oxygen sensor system with the potential for cost effective fabrication is proposed. It should lead to 1) improved understanding of the levels of atomic oxygen encountered during space missions; 2)quantification of the effects of atomic oxygen on a variety of materials in the space environment; 3) a warning mechanism for potentia ...

N/A

POLYMERIC OR CERAMIC INSULATORS CONVENTIONALLY ARE BEING USED IN HIGH VOLTAGE PULSED SYSTEMS. NEW APPROACHES ARE NEEDED THAT WOULD REDUCE INSULATORS RING THICKNESSES AND INCREASE CORRESPONDING GRADING RINGS FLASHOVER VOLTAGE. SUCH AN APPROACH WOULD POSSESS IN COMPARISON TO CONVENTIONAL INSULATORS: HIGHER SURFACE FLASHOVER FIELD STRENGTH; SMALLER PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS FOR EQUIVALENT VOLTAGE HOLDOFF; ...

THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH POWER, LOW IMPEDANCE, LIGHTWEIGHT ENERGY STORAGE TRANSMISSION LINES FOR PULSE-POWER APPLICATIONS IS CRUCIAL FORSMALLER, LIGHTWEIGHT, SPACE-BASED, PULSE-POWER SYSTEMS. DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH DIELECTRIC ENERGY STORAGE LINE TECHNOLOGY WOULD GREATLY REDUCETHE SIZE, WEIGHT, AND COMPLEXITY OF PULSE POWER SYSTEMS UTILIZING THESE TYPES OF COMPONENTS. EFFICIENT TRANSPORT OF 400KV, 100K ...