Award Data

Empirical-based mathematical framework and computer algorithms, for representing human perception and cognition processes and limitations, which influence the recognition of salient information about rapidly changing events.

New automotive engine technologies, such as direct injection with stratified charge combustion, are being explored under programs of the DOE and others that offer significant increases in efficiency and reductions in emissions. Research tools are needed to help determine how best to adequately control the combustion process throughout the engine operating envelope, to optimize combustion efficienc ...

A major problem with nuclear fission reactors is the welding of components of dissimilar metals, where the filler is usually of an additional metal alloy that is not necessarily the same as the two parts to be joined. Welding of metals will often have a heat affected zone (HAZ) and a thermo- mechanically affected zone (TMAZ), which need to be post-weld heat treated to minimize precipitation or seg ...

As the carry and protective gear of the modern war fighter increases, the burden on the human body will necessarily increase. In our present TALOS MkIII project, we are developing lower body augmentation to preserve speed and agility while bearing this weight. Yet we cannot ignore the impact of this weight on the upper body: in this project we propose to develop an upper body exoskeleton with p ...

Organic chemicals comprise the dominant fraction of particulates found in atmospheric aerosols, and the largest proportions of these are secondary products formed in the atmosphere from oxidation of volatile organic compounds. Often these chemical transformations result from complex pathways involving species from different sources. To understand these processes, we need to be able to trace the ...

State of the art yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) based thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are typically limited to maximum use temperatures of 1200-1300C. A thermal barrier coating (TBC) with a 1500C temperature capability would be a major gas turbine materials breakthrough. New coatings with a 200C temperature advantage can be used by the gas turbine industry to significantly increase turbine effi ...

Metrology is a multi-billion dollar industry that is an indispensable part of science and manufacturing. A variety of techniques including interferometric microscopes, scanning electron microscopes (SEM), X-ray, and atomic force microscopes (AFM) are used in X-ray mirror manufacturing. The performance of any tool directly depends on the ability to characterize and tune it ...

Electronic power conversion systems introduce major cost and reliability issues in most distributed energy resources and energy storage systems. This project will develop a power conversion system based on an emerging wide-bandgap, SiC-based semiconductor technology. This system will be capable of operating at high power densities, high temperatures, and high frequencies, and will provide advant ...

Organic matter is a major constituent of airborne particles, comprising 20-50% of their mass. Identification of its components is critical for tracing sources, elucidating transformation and formation processes, assessing affects on human health, and assessing affects on global climate. Therefore, in situ, high-time-resolution comprehensive measurements of organic aerosol speciation are required. ...

At thousands of sites across the U.S., groundwater and soils are contaminated with hazardous chemicals, metals, and radioactive contaminants. At both private and government sites, including DOE, there is strong interest in reducing the costs of cleanup and long-term monitoring. Many advances have recently occurred in the field of hydrogeophysics, where geophysical data are used to estimate hydrog ...